Meal Planning {Week of 19 May- 25 May}

Meal Planning 

{Week of 19 May- 25 May}

Saturday was Hotdogs, Mac n Cheese, Tator Tots, and peas

Sunday is Porkchops, Black beans and rice, Corn on the cob and Salad

Taco Tuesday on Monday! Why not? 

 Tuesday: Old Fashioned Goulash, Steamed Broccoli, and Rolls

Wednesday: Asian Chicken with Rice and Salad {not pictured}

Thursday: Chicken and Dumplings, Italian Bread, salad and Watermelon {mommy's favorites}

Easy Friday dinner: Italian Sausage and Pasta, mixed veggies and croissants

Meal Planning!

Meal Plans 

12 May-18 May

 We celebrate William's this Saturday, and he wanted Carolina Pork! So Dinner was Cesar Salad, Fresh Fruit Salad, Deviled eggs, Carolina Pork or Pulled Chicken, Baked Mac n Cheese, and Baked BBQ beans

Sunday was Chicken Gravy over Mashed Potatoes and peas

 Monday was Pork Roast a{not pictured} Tuesday was BBQ chicken, salad and Baked Beans

 Wednesday was Salisbury Steak in a mushroom and onion gravy, Sweet Potatoes, and Green beans

 Thursday was Chicken and Yellow Rice, Peas and Fruit

Friday was Spaghetti! YUM!  A good end to a long week!

Pasta Dinner Anyone?

Following a busy weekend, we needed a yummy Pasta dish that was easy to throw together, because Sundays are not for cooking the day away! This is our go to! 

Roasted Red Pepper and Italian Sausage Pasta

1 pound of Pasta (I usually go for a Fusilli or Penne pasta, but recently I have been loving the Lensi Red Lentil and Yellow Lentil pastas)

2 jars of Classico Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo sauce

1 can of GV brand fire roasted diced tomatoes with seasonings

1 package of Italian Sausage (sweet and hot)

1 stalk chopped celery

a handful chopped onion

How to make it:

1. Put sausage on a baking tray and place in oven on 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until cooked thoroughly (internal temp of 160), turning the links once.

2. Boil Pasta according the box directions and drain once cooked to Al Dente.

3. Add sauce, tomatoes, celery and onion. 

4. Chop the Italian Sausage into bite size pieces and mix into Pasta.  Cook on low for until the sauce is warmed.

5. Serve topped with fresh shaved Parmesan cheese. 

This makes for a super easy, week night dinner! We have made our own sauce, but we like to keep jarred sauces on hand for busy nights. 

Cinco De Mayo TACO'S!!!!! YUM!

Tacos are Life! 

Did you know that, Cinco de Mayo officially commemorates the anniversary of an early victory by Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. ... It is also not, as is often assumed, the day of Mexico's celebrations of independence, which are actually held on September 16. 

So as we teach our kids the meaning behind Cinco De Mayo, we also EAT TACOS, because why not! We look for any reason to eat tacos! 

Have you ever had homemade taco seasoning? If not, you're missing out!

 What do you need?
2 Teaspoons dried Minced Onion
1 teaspoon course Sea Salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flake
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
1/2 cup water (if using Turkey, cut water in half)

How do you make it?
1. Mix seasonings together in a small bowl, and set aside.  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble ground beef into the hot skillet. Cook and stir until the beef is completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease.
2. Return ground beef to heat. Pour seasoning mixture and water over the beef; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until the moisture absorbs into the meat, about 5 minutes.

Momma Parker's Chicken Soup

Momma Parker's Chicken Soup

Growing up we always had a soup, for lunch or for dinner.  It was cheap and it fed a bunch of us, and there was a bunch of us. To this day it is still a comfort food for me.  

We have added stuff to our soups over the years, so it isn't the plain Jane chicken noodle soup my mom and grandma used to make, but it still gives me the same feels! 

So, out of curiosity, what is a meal that you eat now, that transports you to the simpler life of childhood? 

Note: we start with a homemade chicken stock, or bone broth (whichever we have on hand), but store bought is fine.

6 cups of Broth
2 full chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup peas
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
1/2 pound uncooked pasta (I use red or yellow Lentil Pasta)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (if using a store bought broth, you don't need to add extra salt)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 Tablespoon fresh dried parsley
1 Tablespoon fresh dried basil
2-3 whole bay leaves

Add Broth, chicken, vegetables, and seasonings to the pot, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add pasta and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
Serve warm!