Review of Menu 4

REVIEW for the Menu for Week 4:

*There were some really YUMMY meals to think about making!

·         Pad Thai

o   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/a-pad-thai-worth-making/detail.aspx

o   REVIEW:  This was my first attempt at making this much loved dish.  We have had our fair share of Pad Thai from a range of restaurants.  I figured buying the specific ingredients for the dish would pay off since I would most likely try the dish again.  Overall, I think I will get better at the timing of cooking the dish.  As with many “stir fry” dishes, the hot wok makes for some quick cooking.  I didn’t have everything quite set up to just throw in as I went (and I had to keep referring to the recipe) which ate up time and ended in up my chicken and shrimp to be over cooked. 

o   Did we like it?  YES!  Will I make it again?  YES!  I think that I will get better at timing the dish and it will go more smoothly next time.

·         Crockpot Italian Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

o   http://www.crockadoodledo.blogspot.com/2012/04/italian-chicken.html

o   http://amandathevirtuouswife.blogspot.com/2012/03/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread.html 

o   REVIEW:  The crockpot chicken recipe was delicious and different than most of the typical creamy dishes that I end up making in the crockpot.  I added celery and mushrooms to the recipe because I am a sucker for veggies.  I didn’t have Italian dressing on hand, so I made my own powder mix which I then mixed with oil and vinegar and added it to the crockpot.  The Italian dressing recipe made more powder than needed, so I have it saved in a little container in the spice cupboard for future use.  The bread was different enough, and very simple that I would probably make it again as well.

o   Did we like it?  Yes.  Will I make it again?  Yes.

o   CHANGES:  I made my own dressing to add to the crockpot chicken. ITALIAN DRESSING RECIPE: 

·         1 tbs garlic salt

·         1 tbs onion powder

·         1 tbs white sugar

·         2 tbs dried oregano

·         1 tbs black pepper

·         1 tbs dried basil

·         1 tbs dried parsley (which I didn’t add bc I didn’t have it)

·         ¼ tbs celery salt

·         2 tbs salt

Use 1-2 tbs of the mixture and add to ¼ c white vinegar, 2/3 c oil (veg or canola), and 2 tbs water.  *Store the rest of the seasonings in a dry, sealed container.

·         Chicken Fajitas

o   REVIEW:  A staple in our house since it is so easy and we often have the ingredients on hand.

·         CHEAP AND EASY:  Tuna Melts and Kraft Mac and Cheese

o   REVIEW:  Really!?!?!  Yes, we always enjoy our cheap and easy meal!  J

·         Macaroni and Beef and Cheese 

o   http://ruhlman.com/2010/05/macaroni-and-beef-with-cheese-%E2%80%94-childhood-love/

o   REVIEW:  I actually made this dish after work (which was a concern because I was pushing time to get it done for dinner).  I got the meat browned and tossed it all together pretty quickly and then was able to sit down and play with my daughter for a bit before dinner time while it cooked in the oven.  Overall, we enjoyed this for two nights in a row.  I changed the spices; I just couldn’t decide what flavor I wanted, so I made it up!  It was great.  My husband said that the meat tasted like meat pie. 

o   Did we like it? YES!  Will I make it again?  YES!

o   CHANGES:

·         SPICES:  I added 1 tbs salt, 2 tbs chili powder, 2 tbs dried basil, 1 tbs cumin, and 1 tbs curry powder was added to the browning meat.
  

·         Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Crust Pie

o   http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/03/peanut-butter-pie-with-pretzel-crust/

o   REVIEW:  OH MY GOSH!!  This pie is killer!!  I made it and took it to a friend’s house for dinner.  Everyone loved it!  It is so worth making and really wasn’t difficult.  SO WORTH IT!!!

Week 4 Menu

Menu for Week 4:

*Weekly menus plan for one meal out and one night of leftovers.

·         Pad Thai

o   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/a-pad-thai-worth-making/detail.aspx  

·         Crockpot Italian Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

o   http://www.crockadoodledo.blogspot.com/2012/04/italian-chicken.html

o   http://amandathevirtuouswife.blogspot.com/2012/03/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread.html 

·         Chicken Fajitas

·         CHEAP AND EASY:  Tuna Melts and Kraft Mac and Cheese

·         Macaroni and Beef and Cheese 

o   http://ruhlman.com/2010/05/macaroni-and-beef-with-cheese-%E2%80%94-childhood-love/

·         Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Crust Pie

o   http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/03/peanut-butter-pie-with-pretzel-crust/

Shopping List:

*Print this off and check off the items that you already have in your pantry.  Then either take this list or create a simpler one to the grocery to shop for the week of dinners.

Basic Pantry/Kitchen Items:

·         Olive oil

·         Garlic

·         Vegetable oil

·         Chicken stock

·         Butter

·         Grated parmesan cheese

·              Sugar

·         Eggs

·               Salt

·               Milk

Baking/Seasonings:

·         Carmel Topping

·         Peanut Butter

·         Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

·         Fajita Seasoning Packet

Dairy/Refrigerator Items:

·         Heavy Cream (large container)

·         Shredded Cheddar Cheese

·         Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

·         Slices of American Cheese

·         Sour Cream

·         Grands Biscuits (not flaky)

Pasta/Rice/Bean Items:

·         Elbow Noodles

·         8 oz Dried Flat Rice Noodles

Can/Dry Good Items:

·         Unsalted Dry-roasted Peanuts

·         28oz of Canned Tomatoes

·         Italian Dressing

·         Fish Sauce

·         Oyster Sauce

·         Asian Chili Pepper Sauce

·         Soy Sauce

·         Italian Seasonings

·         Kraft Mac and Cheese

·         2 Cans of Tuna

·         Pickles

·         Bag of Pretzels

Meat:  (plan on purchasing at least one serving of meat for each member of your family unless noted for multiple meals)

·         Shrimp

·         Chicken Breasts  (used in 3 meals)

·         2 lbs Lean Ground Beef

Produce Items:

·         Limes

·         Bean Sprouts

·         Green Onions

·         Onions

·         Cilantro

·         Potatoes

·         Mini Carrots

·         Bell Peppers

Bread:

·     Tortillas

·         Sliced Bread

Dinner:  Pad Thai

o   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/a-pad-thai-worth-making/detail.aspx

Dinner:  CHEAP AND EASY:  Kraft Mac and Cheese with Tuna Melts

·         I mix 2 drained cans of tuna with chopped pickles, onion, and miracle whip and put it in the center of a typical grilled cheese sandwich.  Always easy and so good!

Dinner:  Crockpot Italian Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

o   http://www.crockadoodledo.blogspot.com/2012/04/italian-chicken.html

o   http://amandathevirtuouswife.blogspot.com/2012/03/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread.html 

Dinner:  Chicken Fajitas

·         Cut up chicken breasts and cook in a large skillet or wok with fajita seasonings and a little bit of oil.  When almost cooked, add slices onion and bell peppers to the skillet.  Cook until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are slightly soft.

·         Serve with tortillas, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. (salsa optional)

Dinner:  Beefy Cheesy Macaroni

o   http://ruhlman.com/2010/05/macaroni-and-beef-with-cheese-%E2%80%94-childhood-love/

Dessert:  Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Crust Pie

o   http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/03/peanut-butter-pie-with-pretzel-crust/