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

Weekly Menu for March 29th thru April 3rd - Spring Break Fare

Woo whoo!  Party Time! Today at 3:00 p.m. it will officially be spring break! Now I’m not sure if spring break has passed already, or if yours is just around the corner, or if spring break even applies to you, but if it does I’m sure you are probably thinking; party? are you kidding me, I will have the kids home aaaaallllll day long!  I on the other hand am so okay with this.  Why you ask?  Let me count the ways....

1. I do not have to set the alarm clock or get out of bed early, which means the true night owl in me can stay up past 11:30!

2.  I do not have to deal with homework or monitoring of the kids school activities.

3.  All practices for my kids sports are canceled and most importantly...

4.  We get ten whole days to play!  Since we recently moved to Florida I want to see what is in our own back yard per say.  Beach days, movies, the kids museum and site seeing are on the docket so far. Plus it’s Easter weekend, one of the most special holidays in my book! Such fun awaits! 

Since this surge of let’s get out and play is stirring in me, I know that this week I will need some easy meals that can be thrown together quickly.  Even though this weeks meals fit the above bill we will not be compromising  on proteins or flavors and dinner will be just as enjoyable as all the activities you may have planned.  If you don’t get to have fun this upcoming week, I’m truly sorry (solemn music playing) but there is a bright side; dinner will be done in no time this week and you will be able to kick back and possibly enjoy some “me” time after dinner.  Plenty of time to rest so that you’ll be ready to celebrate the Easter weekend with family and friends.

I have another reason for celebrating today; my blog is officially three months old and I succeeded in not posting the same recipe twice!  You will now find 80 recipes within this blog!  I’m so thrilled about this and I would like to thank each of you for sticking with me and spreading the word of my blog around.

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 saves you lots of time in the grocery store. As always you can email me at mydinnerplaybook@aol.com with any suggestions, recipe ideas or blog tips!  Don’t forget to sign up as a follower, by doing so you will show up in the “really cool people” slot.  Thanks for sending this blog off to family, friends and strangers!  As always, have a fabulous week!

Find this weeks Grocery List here

Quick Meal 1

Grape and Walnut Chicken Salad Cups Recipe

This happens to be one of the most versatile meals I have in my repertoire. While at my last Bunco/Girls Night Out parties I took these and then was asked why the recipe wasn’t on my blog and if I would post it.  Since I normally make these as an appetizer, beach fare or lunch, posting it as a dinner option for you hadn’t crossed my mind.  While I’m planning to make this meal for my beach day I would suggest that for dinner you forgo the bread cups and use a croissant instead, and I’d throw together a salad to accompany it.  If you are going to contribute a meal for Easter, volunteer to bring the appetizer, it won’t take you much time and everyone will be impressed.

Quick Meal 2

Garlicky Shrimp Recipe

What an easy and tasty recipe.  This recipe is so fast that it may take longer to warm up garlic bread!  Note: This recipe was created as a two serving recipe, I doubled it and listed the ingredients as such in the grocery list.

Got Some Time - Meal 1

Chicken Parmesan Panini Recipe

I love Panini’s.  They are easy and if you think about it, any combo you throw between two slices of bread and cheese is amazing!  This recipe had enough substance in it that I felt we only needed a salad to go with it.  

Got Some Time Meal - 2

Hot Wing Burgers Recipe

Burgers, I love them, and as my husband always states “you can never go wrong with a burger.’’ As much as we both love burgers I do believe that Rachael Ray has us both beat, her love affair with them runs deep as she has so many burger recipes.  In her latest Everyday magazine she created a Hot Wing Burger named for her favorite hockey team, while I’m a huge hockey fan, Go AVS, I was intrigued by the fact that these burgers were made with ground turkey.  Since this is such a budget friendly protein I thought I’d give it a whirl.  They were great an a huge hit with the whole family. 

Got Some Time Meal - 3

 Stripped Beef Tacos with Watermelon Salsa Recipe

Thanks to my slow cooker, stripped beef tacos are always a very easy choice.  I throw a roast in the slow cooker in the morning and when I get home at the end of the day I just have to throw a few items together for a great meal.  I’ve added watermelon salsa to create a meal more in tune with the spring feeling.  Also, this go around I’m going to use small flour tortillas instead of corn to save time, no frying of the corn tortillas. I just have to throw the flour ones in the microwave to warm.

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

Sweet Tea Ribs with Lemony Potato Salad Recipe

This recipe won’t really take all your time but it may take just a bit longer than the other five. Overall I think that this is a good take on a rib and potato dinner and feels like an official spring dish.

February 15th - 20th "Raid the pantry and stock the freezer" week!

So do you have those days where you just don’t have the energy to go to the grocery store and the kids are getting tired of eating cereal for dinner?  As funny as that statement is I have to admit I’ve had this happen to me on more than one occasion, and this is when I decide I better get creative and figure out what I can make from the items left in my pantry.  If you’ve followed this blog since the beginning you know that I like it when I create a meal and there are enough leftovers to create a whole other meal; they are the meals I call “Freezer Value Meals”.  This week is all about having a backup plan for those moments.   My Quick Meals will be recipes that can be made from those extra items we have in the pantry and freezer.  Three meals will double to create easy grab-n-go meals for the freezer so you can give the family another option besides cereal; because you know that you will have another one of those days.   :)

This week you will also notice to the right the title Additional Information.  This area is all about sharing; I will be listing tips and shortcuts that I’ve either discovered with my own hits and misses or what others have shared.   If you have a great tip for our readers let me know and I’ll post it.  In the shopping list area, you will find a snapshot of the spreadsheet I have available.  Although I did try to make it it’s own web page for easy access, the text and not the grid was all that would process, so until I can figure out the magic formula I will be more than happy to email anyone one who would like a copy, it is quite handy.  

Don’t forget that this is a new layout and you can now just click the title of the recipe to access it.  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, recipe ideas, or how I can take over the world with my blog, ha ha just checking that your still paying attention.  I’d love to hear from you and don’t forget about my goal of having 100 followers, sign up today and send this blog off to family, friends and strangers!  As always, have a fabulous week!

Find this weeks Grocery List here*

* Ingredients for the Pasta E Fagioli recipe are NOT included

Quick Meal 1

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Your either going to go respond with; Yuk, I’ll pass or I remember this meal, my Mom would make this for me when she didn’t want to go to the store.  Exactly why this recipe is here this week, we always seem to have tuna in the pantry right?   Although I have to admit, secretly I really do like this meal just don’t tell anyone. 

Quick Meal 2

D’s Tacos

If I’m going to make tacos I go for my stripped beef recipe, but if it’s my son’s birthday (this is what he requests every year) or if I’m sick and can’t make dinner, my son takes over dinner duties and makes his tacos.  I’m sure most pantries contain taco shells since you’ve probably picked them up at a 10 for $10 buck sale (I’ve done this, what a deal right, sure... what am I going to do with 10 boxes of taco shells!) and without a doubt hamburger is the one staple that is in the freezer; thus tacos.  They are easy to make and a 13 year old can make them unsupervised.  So kick back and let your kids make you dinner!

Got Some Time Meal 1

Chicken with Tarragon Cream and Green Bean Rice Pilaf

While you may have chicken in the freezer and extra sour cream, this meal really doesn’t fit this weeks criteria, but we needed a chicken recipe and this one looked yummy.  Hmm not a whole lot to say on this one so let’s move on....   

Got Some Time Meal 2

Pot Roast and Potatoes = Burritos-to-Go

So this is one of my freezer value meals.  When I buy a roast I make sure and get the biggest one I can afford and that will fit into my slow cooker.  While I enjoy a good Pot Roast and potato dinner that just needs some veggies and bread, I love what I can do with the leftovers!  This time we are going to make Burritos-to-Go, since these are individual servings they come in handy when you need a fast lunch or if you find yourself dining alone, or in my case; when I’m needing a chili fix!  This reminds me of this joke that was sent to me regarding New Mexico chili.... I’ll post it in the tips section so you can understand the obsession New Mexicans have with chili. :)  

Got Some Time Meal 3

Ham and Scalloped Potatoes = Breakfast Cups

Some of you may have a ham in the freezer that you picked up on sale during the holidays, which by the way is the best time to buy them and freeze them.  Nowadays since most ham’s you buy are precooked they can be moved into the Got Some Time category.  Our household is a fan of ham and scalloped potatoes are automatically the side dish.  While I’ve experimented making scalloped potatoes with different cheeses and add-in’s this combo is our favorite.  Your probably thinking that scalloped potatoes take forever to make but one day while trying a Rachael Ray recipe I found a tip that cuts the baking time by half and have stuck with it.  If you have a convection oven use it and shave off even more time!  Now the Breakfast Cups, have you seen the price for those prepackaged breakfast sandwiches?  Not only are they expensive but they are loaded with what I call glow-in-the-dark ingredients.  Making breakfast cups is your solution and our leftovers create one great breakfast to go.

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

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli

Are you a soup or salad person at Olive Garden?  I’m a soup gal, not that I don’t love their salad also, but if by chance we eat at Olive Garden I order this soup.  So how did this soup become a back up in my freezer?  One day I was craving this soup and decided to get online and find the recipe, tada there it was.  I got busy making this soup and noticed that this recipe is making enough soup to feed an army!  Now when you access this recipe they have a little handy dandy drop down box that allows you to change the serving size, last year they didn’t!  So with my bucket of soup (not kidding) I started loading the leftovers into plastic containers, I not only filled the freezer I had enough to give to family and friends!   Today I still make the bucket size because it’s a great way to have an individual serving of soup that is homemade and not from a can.  

*** Note - Ingredients for the recipe are NOT included in the above grocery list, decide the serving amount you want to make first and then add to your list. ***

*If you are going to make enough for an extra meal and individual servings, make sure you do the following:  When all your ingredients are added DO NOT add the pasta.  (I used the small round pasta that Olive Garden did) Cook a small amount separately in a small saucepan and add to your individual servings.  When you pack up the leftovers for the freezer add DRY pasta to the container, yes DRY.  Since the pasta is so small it cooks quickly and if you add it during the first go around it will be mushy when you are ready to reheat.  The pasta will be cooked through when you reheat it and still have a the great pasta bite it should have. 

Ham and Scalloped Potatoes = Breakfast Cups

Ham - Prepare per package directions.

Scalloped Potatoes

Recipe Courtesy of Jo Davison

Serves 8 - 10

2 cups milk

2 cups water

Salt

2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

3 lbs baking potatoes, peeled and sliced

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded

2 tbs flour

1 cup heavy cream

Paprika

Pepper

3 scallions, diced, greens included

In a large saucepan, combine the milk, water, 1/2 tsp of salt, and garlic.  Add the potatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender but slightly firm, about 8 minutes.

Heat oven to 375.  Prepare a large casserole dish by either buttering it or using non-stick spray. With a slotted spoon, remove 1/2 of the potatoes and place at the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with 1 tbs. of flour, add 1/2 of the onions and season with pepper.  Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 of the Gruyere over top.  Duplicate and create a second layer with the remaining ingredients.  Pour the heavy cream evenly over the top and season with paprika.  Bake the potatoes until golden brown, about 40 to 45 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Breakfast Cups

Recipe Courtesy of Jo Davison

Serves: Depends on the amount of leftovers :)

Leftover Ham, chopped

Leftover Scalloped Potatoes

Eggs

Milk

Salt and Pepper

Non-Stick Spray

Muffin Tin

Heat oven to 350.

Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray.  Add potatoes to each cup about 1/2 way full. Add ham to each cup.  In a separate bowl add 1 egg for each 3 cups, (a 12 cup muffin pan would require 4 eggs) add a splash of milk and season with pepper and salt.  Whisk eggs and add to each cup.  Sprinkle with cheese and bake until eggs are no longer runny and just a bit firm.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Wrap individually (wax paper sandwich bags are great) and place in the freezer.  When you need breakfast, remove from freezer and microwave for a few minutes.

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.