Weekly Menu for June 4th thru July 9th

Happy 4th of July!

I’m baaacckkkk!.  I missed you and am hopeful that you missed me, you did miss me right?  I’m so excited to share the latest news regarding the changes that are taking place on the site, my mind has been spinning with ideas and I’m hopeful that those ideas will make it to the site soon.  I’m also equally excited to share this weeks menu with you especially since my return back includes the 4th of July, Happy Birthday America!    I love the 4th of July, for us, it’s usually a day to kick back enjoying the company of family and friends, amazing food and spectacular sky views once the sun has set. The 4th also seems to mark that summer has arrived and is in full swing, most of us have started to settle into our daily routine now that the kids are home all day, and before I moved to Florida it was a time to cram in all the summer activities I could.  Because of all those summer activities, the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen cooking elaborate meals, I want food that is easy to make, tastes great and doesn’t take too much time to prepare, plus if it can be made on the grill, it’s even better.  This weeks menu is exactly that, we will start off with my 4th of July menu, and then 5 easy and tasty meals will follow along with that grocery list that was M.I.A. for such a long time.

If you have logged on lately I’m sure that you have noticed some changes and I’m excited to share them with you.  Although, lately it’s felt like road construction; there are the delays, the annoying orange barrels and the anxiousness that it should be done already!  Each day I’m hoping that my construction of the site will come to an end and that it will be like a nice Sunday drive down a newly paved road.  It will get there soon, but in the meantime please hang with me.  During the past few months I have met some very talented women, these women blog, cook, create beautiful items and the list seems to be endless.  My plan is to feature a new site each week and to organize all the blogs that are listed (and those that still need to be listed) by their different genre.  I’ve also created a Facebook page and a Twitter account for the site and once I’m finished setting them up, I’ll send out an email asking you to be a friend and a follower!  Now the BIG news... Giveaways!  Yep, I’m working on what I hope will be the start of many giveaways and sometime, oh so very soon, my first giveaway will be set into motion and this first one will include two of my favorite words, Williams - Sonoma!  Now, let’s get to some food....

A few reminders for the newbies; you can click the title of any recipe to access it and if you are interested in a blank grocery list sheet formatted for Excel, send me an email and I’ll send one off to you, this sheet is such a time saver at the grocery store!  As always you can email me at mydinnerplaybook@aol.com with any suggestions, recipe ideas or blog tips!  

Click HERE for grocery list

4th of July Meal

Red, White and Blue Burgers

Hot Potato Salad

S’more Brownies

“You can never go wrong with a burger” as quoted by my husband and I agree wholeheartedly.  When I come up with a new burger idea my family gets excited and this one is no exception.  The combination of sun dried tomatoes and blue cheese on top of a grilled burger creates flavor fireworks in your mouth.  

Tired of the same ol’ potato salad, this one is sure to please and am sure that potato salad will start showing up as a side dish around your dinner table and not just the salad you make for a BBQ.  

Love s’mores, but hate the hassle of making the fire, finding just the right stick to use for your marshmallow, burning that marshmallow along with your finger when you try to remove it from that stick and then dropping it onto the floor, only to have to start all over, because the 5 second rule just apply when it’s been dropped into dirt?  My S’more brownies are the cure, you will be able to kick back and enjoy them with no mess or injury!

Quick Meal 1

Deconstructed Lasagna - Recipe

I love lasagna and to this day I have been unable to find that perfect recipe. The lasagna recipes I’ve tried tend to either come out too runny or too dry regardless of the method or the ingredients and until I find that perfect I find or create recipes that have the flavors within them.  This recipe has the flavors and was very quick to knock out, I’m sure you’ll will enjoy it.

Quick Meal 2

Grilled Chicken Summer Veggie Skillet - Recipe

If your a fan of a barbeque flavor this meal is for you; the barbeque flavor is front and center.  While I made this dish according to the recipe I will add a veggie such as broccoli or peas to it next time.

Got Some Time - Meal 1

B.L.T.A.C. Sandwiches - Recipe

If you love bacon then you probably love making BLT sandwiches, I love bacon but for always feel that the BLT needed the company of avocado and cheddar cheese!

                                  Got Some Time Meal - 2

Caprese Style Stuffed Chicken Rolls with Greens - Recipe

Chicken for dinner is such a staple in most households that it seems we are always looking for new ways to dress this protein up and this dish is ready for a wonderful summer occasion.

Got Some Time Meal - 3

 Steak Tostadas with Grilled Corn Salsa - Recipe

I tend to laugh at commercials from the fast-food taco place when they are advertising a new burrito or taco, they make it seem like it’s the new “it” food and something totally new and unheard of; when in fact regardless of the ingredients or new name they are both still just a burrito and a taco!  I’m not claiming to have created a new tostada, but I am here to tell you that tostada does rock and I’m sure you will prefer it over a plain ol’ regular tostada.

  

Pass the Wine; I got all the time - Meal 1

 See the 4th of July Menu

S'more Brownies

Recipe courtesy of Jo Davison

Make brownies according to package directions.  In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of crumbled graham cracker crumbs with 2 tbls of melted butter and sprinkle on top of brownies.  In a double boiler melt package of chocolate and top the brownies and graham cracker crumbs.  Add a layer of marshmallows and melt under a low broiler just until browned.  Allow to cool before serving.

February 8th - 13th

Aaahh Amore!  Nothing says love like a wonderful meal; whether your preparing it for someone, or someone is preparing it for you, food brings people together.  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, love is in the air; or at least it will be on Sunday after the Super Bowl!  Now I don’t know what your Valentine's Day is bringing you; it could be dinner for two at the new hot spot in town, kiddos and finances may make it a table filled with lots of extra love and laughter, or it could be you and a group of friends hanging out, enjoying each others company.  Regardless of what the scenario may be, I hope your day is filled with much love, lots of laughter and lots of really really great food.  

This week we have some budget friendly meals to save you some cash so you can apply it towards the Valentine's Day gifts.  Besides the 6 meals I normally post, I’ve also included my Valentine's Day meal that I will be sharing with my family on the 14th.  Here’s a hint: Lady and the Tramp.

Don’t forget that this is a new layout; in addition to seeing the recipes below you are now able to click the title of the recipe or grocery list (in blue) and be taken to it's own page for easy printing.  Throughout the week I’m sure I will continue to tweak the site, so please feel free to email me at mydinnerplaybook@aol.com with any suggestions or recipe ideas, I’d love to hear from you.   Also, if you are a newbie and would like a copy of my blank grocery list spreadsheet to streamline your time at the grocery store, let me know and I’ll send one off to you.   Last but not least, thank you to all of you who are spreading the word, this blog is just shy of 1000 hits!  WOW! My next goal is 100 followers!  As always, have a fabulous week!  

Find this weeks Grocery List here*

* Although please note that the ingredients for my Valentines Day meal are NOT included

Quick Meal 1

Teriyaki Beer Skirt Steak Sandwiches

While this recipe is fast and can be made in no time at all I have found that since skirt steak tends to be tuff, I prefer to marinate it in the refrigerator overnight, instead of just half an hour.  When you’re ready to grill, remove from the refrigerator at let sit for at least 20 minutes so that the meat comes to room temperature.  I usually serve mine with a pasta or potato salad. 

Quick Meal 2

Whiskey-Glazed Pork Loin

In my quest to provide a different protein each night, and since pork isn’t as versatile as chicken in my opinion, this recipe adds some zest to your regular old pork loin.  For those who are shy about cooking with alcohol, be assured that all the alcohol burns off and you are only left with the flavor.  I serve this dish over mashed potatoes and add a veggie.

Check out the time saving tip at the end of this post! 

Got Some Time Meal 1

Thanksgiving in a Pan

So I created this recipe when everyone got tired of eating the Thanksgiving leftovers one year.  Since there was so much left that was good, I threw all the items together and created a casserole and froze it.  When Thanksgiving was a distant memory a couple of months down the road, I thawed and baked it, and It was such a hit.  Since then I decided to duplicate it with ground turkey and now Thanksgiving doesn’t only have to come once a year.  

Check out the time saving tip at the end of this post! 

Got Some Time Meal 2

Spinach and Gorgonzola Stuffed Chicken

So I think I’ve made chicken at least 100 ways, who hasn’t?  While my kids love veggies, spinach isn’t exactly their favorite and I wanted a way to get a bit more into their diet.  By incorporating the spinach with the gorgonzola and adding bacon to the mix, friends we got a winner, the kids love this dish!  I usually serve this dish over yellow rice. 

Got Some Time Meal 3

Huevos Rancheros

As you may remember I love Breakfast, I just don’t like to eat Breakfast between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., so here is another one of my Breakfast for Dinner menus. I saw this recipe on The Food Network years ago and over time I have tweaked it to contain all the components of a big breakfast.  I believe the original recipe only had black beans, eggs and salsa, and I’m sure most would say that’s the way Huevos Rancheros are supposed to be; but adding the bacon and potatoes made the meal complete in my little world.  Plus the best part is that it’s all wrapped up in an individual serving!  :)

 Check out the time saving tip at the end of this post! 

Pass the Wine; I got all the time - Meal 1

Italian Pasta Bake

I’m sure you guessed that I will be making my family my Magnificent Meatballs and Sauce for our Valentine's Day.  Since it was a recipe I featured last month and were not ready for repeats yet, I thought this dinner would work as our pasta dish for the week and still have that Valentine's Day vibe.  You would be able to combine it with the sides and desert below.

One thing I did realize when making this meal is that after you drain the pasta is add it back into it’s pot, add the sauce into the drained pasta instead of the other way around.  Less mess.

My Valentine's Day Dinner

I’m sure most of you have seen Lady and the Tramp.  My kids have and the little ones feel that your supposed to eat spaghetti and meatballs on Valentine’s Day because the two dogs were in love and that's what they ate.  Since this year we will all be together I decided to make my Magnificent Meatballs and Sauce.  I’ll  be adding my Pear and Gorgonzola Salad, cutting hearts out of bread slices and making some garlic bread and for desert I want to make a Jello cake.  I remember making this cake as a kid growing up and while I don’t quite remember the recipe I found this Strawberry Shortcut Cake.  It’s pretty close to what I remember and seemed pretty Valentine’s Dayish to me.  

TIP - Since this week we have three recipes that ask for potatoes, here is a quick tip to save you lots of time.  Gather all the potatoes you will need, peel and cube all of them, and start to boil in a large stockpot.  When you make mashed potatoes you usually boil the potatoes for 12 to 15 minutes.  At the 8 to 9 minute mark check on them; they should just start to lose their firmness.  Before they are completely soft remove about 4 large spoonfuls and place in a plastic container with enough of the water to cover them.  These will be the potatoes you use for your Huevos Rancheros, and since they are almost cooked thru, the frying process will be dramatically reduced.  Cook the remainder of the potatoes thru for the mashed potatoes and when they are done, divide equally into plastic containers with the water.  Place all of the potatoes in the refrigerator and when your ready to use them for mashed potatoes just add them back into a stock pot, warm up, drain and proceed with the recipe.  For the Huevos Rancheros you simply need to drain and start frying.