Meal Planning Monday

The new year brings me back to meal planning, something I used to do on Family Food. Every Monday I'm going to share what I'm hoping to cook for the week, and in the comments I hope that you will do the same (or point me to your blog where you share your own ideas). I am so inspired by reading meal plans, it always gives me plenty of ideas.

This week, Bunny and Wallie start swimming lessons twice a week in the late afternoon so I have to remember to make dinner something EZ on those nights.  And satisfying--they are always so hungry after swimming.

Monday: It's usually "Mexican Monday" 'round these parts.  I do have corn tortillas, some leftover carnitas*, salsa, and guacamole on hand. Also have some corn on the cob. Not sure how I'll put it all together yet.

Tuesday: This tomato-coconut milk soup with horseradish (I have tons of fresh horseradish from NY Eve to use up). I'll probably make some mac and cheese as well, so the kids have something to eat on the side. I, however, could live on soup alone.

Wednesday: Humpday is usually sandwich night in our house or something similarly easy like breakfast for dinner. Not sure what I'm doing yet--I do know that I have two Italian loafs of bread in the freezer, so maybe salami/prosciutto/quick-pickled red onion/tomato panini.

Thursday: Garlic-studded kosher turkey breast, steamed broccoli, rice.

Friday: take-out or dinner out.

Saturday: not sure yet

Sunday (usu when I cook the most time consuming meal): Tri-tip on the grill (we do it year-round), Caesar salad.

I have a hankering to make the traditional tangy and sharp emmenthaler/gruyere cheese fondue (flavored with kirsch and white wine), I don't know why, so may I will tackle that on Saturday night and use up that second Italian loaf. I think the girls will get a kick out of that.

Whachoo cookin'?

*Highly, highly recommend the carnitas from Costco (available near the deli meats and cheeses). We all agreed we'd be hard-pressed to tell it apart from the carnitas at our favorite Mexican market/restaurant. Don't be fooled by the small-ish package. It's vacuum sealed. One package fed my family of 4 and my brother's family of 4 and as you can see, we have leftovers.

Comments

[Kat]

We had Turkey Meatball, Orzo and Escarole Soup last night - and the rest of the week looks a little like this: roasted butternut risotto with filet mignon; Cheese and Spinach manacotti; and Indian Palak Paneer. I also have the ingredients to make a chocolate mousse - which I hope I don't screw up!

[Kat]

BTW - I do miss FamilyFood tremendously!

[kkonmymind]

I love the Costco carnitas, too!

Here is what I am thinking about:

Mon: Stir-fried chicken & spinach
Tues: Homemade pizza with prosciutto and mozzarella
Wed: usually get together with friends and cook - not sure what this will be yet
Thurs: Penne w/bolognese sauce
Fri: leftovers (probably the penne w/bolognese)

[Kier]

Last Night we had Sweet Potato Spoon Bread which had whipped goat cheese layer to it. A successful experiment from Heidi Swanson's Super Natural Cooking. Today is just homemade crock pot Spaghetti Sauce and the rest of the week isn't my problem, because we're going cross country skiing and they feed us. Yay!

[foodmomiac]

Looks awesome! Your kids are much better eaters than mine are (sigh!). Here is my Nigella-inspired meal plan: http://www.foodmomiac.com/foodmomiac/2008/01/back-on-track-.html

[foodiemama]

i was going to start doing the same thing on my blog this week, haha...must be a new years thing. we also have swimming lessons in the afternoon on mon-wed and an easy throw in the oven or toss in the crockpot dish is always best! can't wait to read what you've got going on...

[Trisha]

Oh I wish we had a Costco, those Carnitas sound so yummy!

http://trishaburton.vox.com/

[De in D.C.]

oooh, I totally agree with you on the Costco carnitas. Mine stopped carrying them about 6mos ago and we're seriously missing them! They have a packaged London Broil at the moment instead that I just can't bring myself to purchase.

[Gwen]

For the last six months or so I have been doing a menu plan on my blog. The Organizing Junkie hosts and people all over the blogosphere join in. My latest post is up here: http://leftcoastmama.net/2008/01/06/menu-plan-monday-25/
You can check out a couple hundred people's menus if you click the image at the top of my post. :)

[greensunflower]

You inspired me to post on my food blog and maybe even cook this week!!!

http://greensunflower.typepad.com/gscooks/2008/01/back-in-action.html

[crazedparent]

The wet weather brings out the comfort food...

Last night was beef stroggy night, amended with your version. Tonight, Cream of Cauliflower soup (again, your version!).

Tues - Chicken, not sure what.

Wed - Light ... not sure what.

Thur - Home made pizza.

Fri - Tacos, probably Sanchos.

[Robyn - Who's the boss]

We knoshed on costco carnitas all weekend long. yummy in my tummy

This week's recipes:
Monday - Morrocan Chicken and rice
Tuesday - Family Dinner @ my dad's (which is my favorite night of the week since it means no cookin' for me)
Wednesday - Left over night (I have a big pot of Beef Burgendy to re-purpose)
Thursday - Cajun Chicken with sausages over egg noddles
Friday - Not sure yet. Maybe take out. Maybe Bhel Purry (an very yummy Indian dish)
Saturday - Something to stew in the crockpot, haven't decided.

[emily]

I planned last night, but already have to change plans for Friday as we're having company that only eat chicken or fish. We may just substitute chicken breasts for pork chops.

http://dinnerwiththefamily.blogspot.com/2008/01/weekly-menus-1608.html

[Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck]

I decided that I need to start doing this since I recently started working from home (My Project:Life Change!). I came here for inspiration and it looks like I hit the jackpot...I think I'll start posting mine next week. It will take me till then to figure out how to get started on this! :)

[Dena]

Your meal plans inspired me to go forth and create my own food blog. Thank you for bringing yours back! I love reading yours.

And now I have my own to share! You can see this week's here: http://denasrecipeexchange.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-menu-plan-for-week.html

[Erin]

That's a great idea!! I've seen a few people start doing this on their blogs, and I think I've made it a thing to try this month. It will be easier and more cost-effective to shop once a week, and hopefully healthier, too! Keep those yummy recipes coming (I made the stroganoff recently and my husband almost made himself sick b/c he couldn't stop eating it! It was delish!)