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.

Weekly Menu for March 15th thru 20th

Are you as excited about spring as I am?  March 20th is officially the first day of spring for 2010 and with Daylight Savings Time beginning on the 14th I am thrilled.  When I lived in the mountains where we were at 7000 feet in elevation, spring meant that the snow would finally start to melt, the mud would dry up, the trees would begin to bud and I would thaw out.  I do not like to be cold and when winter would last 7 months I was beyond ecstatic when the calendar promised that spring would come regardless of what it looked like outside.  When we moved to Florida I figured it would look like summer all year long and that there would be no signs of new beginnings or growth.  Well, I was wrong, if you’ve noticed the weather, we have been freezing here lately; it has been so cold that the lizards left (not that that’s a bad thing) there were many trees that lost their leaves in December and January and they are now starting their growth process again producing their vibrant greens and beautiful flowers.  In addition it seems that whoever I talk to, they are ready to start spring cleaning to get rid of the old and allow the new to come in. 

Since I’m still not doing any repeats I had to go back, way back to find this weeks recipes.  I found recipes that I had pulled and saved from as far back as 2003, but no worries they are equally as delicious. While this week contains older recipes I am excited for the week of the 22nd. To celebrate spring I will be posting a full week of “Clean” recipes.  Happy spring!

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

Turkey Burger Drumsticks Recipe

The title of this recipe I feel is a bit deceiving because in order to make the turkey burger look like a drumstick you have to stick a wooden skewer in it. I personally do not do this (as directed by the recipe) but I do like that this recipe is easy, fast and another way to use the cost effective protein of turkey.  Of course adding the skewer makes it much more fun for the kids. I usually serve these over buttered egg noodles or rice with a side veggie.

Quick Meal 2

Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

This recipe is a quick version of my regular chicken enchiladas and takes no time at all to assemble.   I top our dishes with fresh avocado, tomato and sour cream most of the time but every now and then I decide to top the dish with a fried egg.

Got Some Time - Meal 1

Baked Spaghetti Recipe

As a kid I remember my mom would heat up leftover spaghetti in a saute pan, sprinkle it with cheese and serve it to us.  I loved this meal, but then again I could eat leftover spaghetti for a whole week regardless of what it was topped with or how it was served.  In 2006 I found a recipe from Paula Dean (love her) for Baked Spaghetti; not only was it delicious but it brought back some wonderful memories.  I think you will really enjoy it and since it’s spaghetti and cheese the kids will love it.

Got Some Time Meal - 2

London Broil with Herb Butter Recipe

When compiling this weeks menu this was the last one I came up with.  I needed a dish that used beef and I wanted something budget friendly since we had steaks the previous week.  I find that the herb butter finishes this dish wonderfully and the only variation I made was that I used 1/2 cup of beef broth so I wouldn’t have to deal with the bouillon cube and I added 1/4 cup of red wine for the marinade.  Serving over mashed potatoes completes the meal.

Got Some Time Meal - 3

Potato, Bacon and Chicken Skillet Recipe

Skillets, yumm!  I love skillet meals because all of your flavors are combined within a crispy outer coating. This recipe is easy and tasteful in fact it’s so easy that if it weren’t for the time it takes to cook the potatoes it would be moved to my Quick Meal category.  Usually just adding a side salad  completes this dish.

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

Pork Wellington Recipe

My copy of this recipe is dated December 2003, so old school that I couldn’t find it online anymore.  Although I’ve seen other versions, this is the one I turn to whether we are having a nice Sunday dinner or if company is coming over.  Pork tenderloin, prosciutto, and herbed goat cheese encased in puff pastry, do I need to say more?  This recipe is absolutely amazing (so amazing I was willing to type the whole recipe for you) and such a crowd pleaser that once you make it, you will never want to try another version again.

Weekly Menu for March 8th thru 13th

So what is everyone doing with all of their extra time now that the Olympics are over?  Catching up like me?  I have to say that I’m a huge sports fan; (GO AVS!) and I was glued to the TV for most of those two weeks, anything that had to be done in the evening didn’t get done.  My to-do list and my sleep was severely affected but oh well the Olympics only come around every two years, plenty of time to catch up on the to-do list and sleep.

Since my goal is to have no repeat recipes in the first three months of my blog I’ve had to search all available resources in my home and in doing so I feel this weeks meals are a great compilation. We have five different ethnic backgrounds and a different protein with every dinner.  I love when a week works out this way, variety is definitely the spice of life. 

I was able to change up the layout a bit and feel it’s finally getting to the place I’d like.  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.  It saves 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! Are you shy? My blog is receiving over 700 hits a week but there are only  21 followers showing up on “My really cool people” slot.  What’s going on? Sign up today to help reach my goal of having 100 followers and send this blog off to family, friends and strangers!  As always, have a fabulous week!

Find this weeks Grocery List here

Quick Meal 1

5-Vegetable Fried Rice with 5-Spice Pork Recipe

While I’d like to think that I’m a lover of all food cuisine; the truth is that are “types” of food that I’m not fond of.  You already know how I feel about seafood and I have to say that you won’t find me entering a Chinese food establishment.  Chinese food is just one of those types of food thats not my cup of tea, no pun intended (wink, wink). To give my family additional options, and the fact that they do like Chinese food, I do what I can to incorporate or find alternatives that work for all of us.  This recipe got a place in my BBB (Big Blue Binder) a few years ago and enters the picture when my family needs to get away from all of my heavy, cream based and stuffed recipes.  Now I’m not sure how “authentic” it is but my family likes it and it’s about as far as I plan to venture.

On a side note, one of my close friends is in Beijing right now for 5 weeks and has been blogging about her trip.  When she has described the food I know I’d never survive a vacation there unless I was able to pack a suitcase full of food from the States.  Here is a sampling of some of the options she had before her at a local diner she decided to eat at one night; snake, donkey meat, fried duck blood, intestine, preserved pig face, turtle side meat and claws, fish head soup, and the worst was, Fried Fish Bowl which is a large heaving bowl of fish “bowel”!    I think I’ve made my case. :)

Quick Meal 2

Chicken Fajitas Recipe

Chicken Fajitas in the quick meal category?  Yes, I think when people see that there are so many plates and ingredients set before them in a restaurant, they feel that it would take forever to duplicate at home.  Not so, once you get going on the chopping, you will be enjoying this meal in under 30.  Kids really seem to like this one as they get to fill their tortilla with all the ingredients they like.  Enjoy.

Create individual quesadillas with the leftovers.  Place chicken over 1 tortilla, top with cheese and veggie mixture and finish with a tortilla on top.  Cut in half, place in a wax paper sandwich bag and freeze.  When reheating nuke for 1 minute and enjoy. 

Got Some Time - Meal 1

Vodka Sauce over Penne Recipe

This recipe was a recipe I had on my list last week from one of my March subscriptions to try before posting it.  Well I finally got around to it and I have to say it was very tasty, easy to make and everyone gave it a thumbs up.  You will see two recipes posted, one for a Perfect Marinara Sauce and the other for the Vodka Sauce.  To create the Vodka sauce you will need to make the marinara sauce first.  While I can’t say the Marinara was as perfect as they described, it was a good base for the Vodka sauce along with being easy and quick to make.    I of course had to top mine with Parmiagiano-Reggiano and throw some garlic bread into the mix.

With the leftover marinara you have I’d suggest freezing in two separate containers and using as the sauce for your homemade pizza’s.

Got Some Time Meal - 2

Turkey Meatballs with Spinach and Cheese Recipe

I like to add turkey recipes to the mix every now and then to not only save on the grocery bill, but to also take a break from the same ol’ regulars of chicken, beef and pork.  This recipe was torn out of a Rachael Ray magazine a long time ago and gives me a different way to use ground turkey since I’ve only come up with my Thanksgiving in a Pan recipe.  I’ve not only served this dish over wide egg noodles as suggested, but mashed potatoes and rice as well, my advise, use whatever you have on hand.  

Create individual shepherds pie’s with your leftovers.  In a 6 cup muffin pan add a double layer of cupcake liners (do not use foil ones) crumble meatballs on the bottom of each, top with a spoonful of mashed potatoes, add leftover sauce, sprinkle with cheese and sprinkle a few breadcrumbs over each of them.  Cover with plastic wrap or wrap each one individually. Nuke in microwave until thawed when you are ready to enjoy.

Got Some Time Meal - 3

Steak with Potato Salad and Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette Recipe

It’s time for a steak!  While most of my steak dinners seem to turn into “Pass the Wine; I got all the time” meals because of the time involved in creating all the components. By the time I make the baked potatoes, the sautéed mushrooms, the grilled veggies, the bread, and the salad I’m tired.  This is why I’m fond of this recipe because I get my steak dinner without the hassle.  This recipe is not only quick but it’s tasty, satisfying and you truly feel like you got the complete steak dinner. 

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

Chicken, Oyster and Andouille Gumbo Recipe

During the week of February 22nd I posted a Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage recipe that was created by the Neely’s of Food Network.  I chose to post the recipe because it was tasty and quick.  While on a networking site that I post my menus too I was told by this lovely woman from Louisiana, that the recipe wasn’t authentic nor was it a New Orleans food as was my thinking.  While she not only provided me with a quick history lesson she also very gracious provided me with some “authentic” Louisiana recipes and this is one of them.

Facts I learned quoted from Titus:

“Dirty Rice is not a New Orleans food, it is Cajun, which many people do not know is the exact opposite, it also uses organ meats as the meat part.”     Ewww, definitely do not want this recipe!

“The only rice dish we [those from Louisiana] really have that has sausage in it is Jambalaya.”

For this recipe Titus’ comment was:

“The Cajuns of South Louisiana often included andouille and oysters in a holiday gumbo. Normally, a sack of Gulf oysters would be purchased the day before the celebration. Half would be opened for the gumbo, and the other half would be eaten immediately with a dash of hot sauce. Serve this gumbo on Christmas Eve, and you will be duplicating an age-old bayou tradition.”

I want to not only thank Titus for sharing this recipe along with two others that will be posted down the line, but for setting my thinking straight.  Just another example of how food really does bring people together.  Enjoy!

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. 

Thanksgiving in a Pan

Recipe courtesy of Jo Davison

Serves 6 - 8

4 large Idaho or russet potatoes, about 3 lbs, peeled and cut into chunks

Salt

2 tbs. olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 lbs of ground turkey

2 tbs Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp. poultry seasoning

2 cups frozen green beans or peas, steamed

1 can or jar of turkey gravy

1 cup of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

3 tbs. butter

1/2 cup sour cream

1 large egg, beaten

2 tbs. chopped chives

2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 cup Parmesan cheese

3 tbs. olive oil

Place the potatoes in a stock pot, cover with water and bring to a boil, over high heat.  Salt the water and cook until tender about 12 to 15 minutes.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tbs of olive oil and sauté the onions and carrots for about 5 minutes.  Add the turkey, breaking it up.  Add the Worcestershire sauce and poultry seasoning.  Mix to combine flavors.  When turkey is cooked 90% through, season with salt and pepper to taste.  Mix in the gravy, cover with a lid or foil and set aside. 

Drain the potatoes in a colander and return them to the pot, add the butter, sour cream, egg and chives.  Mash the potatoes to your desired texture.

In a small bowl combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and olive oil.  Combine well.

Heat oven to 350F.  In a large casserole dish, layer the turkey mixture, vegetables, cheese and mashed potatoes.  Cover potatoes with the breadcrumb mixture and bake until the breadcrumb mixture is golden brown. (Usually about 10 minutes or so)