Let's start with some reviews this time. The Mexican-sytle Quinoa was a big hit with everyone. The kids didn't even question it and dove right in. The Baked Ziti was just ok for me. Nothing too special worth trying again. We did get a decent amount of leftovers out of it, though :)

On to this week. We have a couple of nights with dinner plans so it was an easy menu-making week for me :)

Spinach Salad with Warm (Turkey) Bacon Dressing

Chili with Cornbread

Chicken and Gnocci Soup

Swedish Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes (thanks to an Ikea run!)

Creamy Green Chilie Enchiladas with Spanish Rice (using leftover roast chicken!)

Jan 11 - 17

Our warm and hearty meals sure helped us get through the cold snap that passed through last week. I guess I'd never realized how much food those recipes make, though. The good news is we have plenty of left-overs to get us through a night or two this week which means less cooking for me! Keenan and the kids really enjoyed the salmon cakes, but I thought they lacked a little something. The double dumpling stoup was pretty good, but definitely not your traditional chicken and dumplings. We love potato gnocci around here (the 2nd dumpling in the soup) so that was definitely a hit and meatballs always go over well with the kids. I'd have to say it was more a glorified chicken and noodle soup than anything.

I wasn't very inspired for a menu this week so I'm pulling out some old stand-bys. Maybe next week I'll be more creative :)

BLT's with chips and fruit

Smothered bean burritos with cilantro-lime rice (made with left-over homemade beans!)

Creamy Green Chilie Chicken Enchiladas (didn't get around to this one last week)

Homemade Turkey or Chicken Pot Pie

Roast Chicken with Veggies

Brats with Beans and Sweet Potato Fries

Jan 4 - 10

Time to get back on track! Between travelling and the holidays I've been out of my usual menu making routine. While we had fun, I'm glad to be home and getting back in the swing of things. Ari will be back in school, we'll go back to the Y and we'll all need to eat some good food! It's supposed to be really cold this week so I've tried to plan some hearty, feel-good meals to keep us warm and cozy.

Creamy Green Chilie Enchilada Casserole

Turkey Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

Beans and Piquant Cornbread

Smothered Bean Burritos (using leftovers)

Double Chicken Dumpling Stoup

Salmon Cakes with Steamed Broccoli

Hearty Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Dec 22 - 27

Today I started getting all these ideas of a fabulous spread of appetizers and dishes for our Christmas dinner. Then I realized I only have a couple of (busy) days to plan and prep all this food and in the end it's just for our little family. If we hadn't have been out of town this past week I probably would do it. Alas, I am too tired and just not that motivated. I still planned a few things to make us feel special, though :)

Quick Tomato and Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken and Spinach Fettuccine Alfredo

Grilled Turkey Sandwiches with Chips and Fruit

Spaghetti and Meatballs

CHRISTMAS DAY:

Breakfast - Apple French Toast Casserole

Appetizer - Shrimp Cocktail

Dinner - Roast Leg of Lamb (Edit - Turkey. Lamb was too expensive) with Braised Garlic, Sherry & Thyme
Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Maple Roasted Yam Salad with Pecans and Cranberries
Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions

Dessert - Black Russian Cake

Merry Christmas :)

Sept 28 - Oct 4

We had yet another great weekend visit with family. Between that and a massive allergy attack, my brain is not functioning tonight and it was a struggle to come up with this menu. Only 3 more weeks until my test then maybe I'll be back in the swing of things. I can only hope :)

Burgers

Creamy Green Chilie Chicken Enchiladas (it's been way too long!)

Italian Sausage Linguine

Shrimp Pad Thai

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Sloppy Joes with Veggies

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

June 22 - 28

These next few menus are not going to be very exciting. We'll be out of town this weekend for a wedding (both Keenan and Ari are in it!) then after a few days of being home we leave again for our summer vacation. With Keenan gone last week and some other things that have come up, I have some roll-overs from last week. Makes life easier for me! Someday we will eat the creamy green chilie chicken enchiladas! They are the easiest to push off since the chicken is frozen, the sauce is canned and the cheeses last a while in the fridge.

Be sure to scroll down after this menu. I put up a couple recipes - finally!

Monday - Waldorf-style Pasta

Tuesday - Ham & Cheese Crepes (I have left-over ham from last week and Keenan didn't get to try them)

Wednesday - Creamy Green Chilie Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday - Tofu Stir Fry with Brown Garlic Sauce

Friday - Wedding Rehearsal

Saturday - Wedding

Sunday - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Creamy Green Chilie Chicken Enchiladas

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-2 cans green chilie enchilada sauce (either Old El Paso or Hatch brand)
8 oz block cream cheese (can use reduced fat)
flour tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cook over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season with salt and pepper or cajun seasoning after placing pieces in pan. Once the chicken is done, add cream cheese and 1 can sauce. Cook and stir until cheese is melted and combined with sauce. Fill tortillas with mixture and roll enchilada style. Place in lightly greased 9x13pan. Top enchiladas with remaining sauce mix and/or another can of enchilada sauce (depending how saucy you like them). Top with cheese. Bake at 425 for 10-15 min. or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

June 15 - 21

No reviews again this week, but I do have a handy dandy tip I tested out from Yia Yia. I typically buy ground beef in bulk, divide it into 1 pound portions and freeze it. YY mentioned that she cooks up the ground beef (lightly seasons it), then divides it and freezes it for quick and easy meals. I gave it a go since all we really use it for is spaghetti sauce and tacos. It's been great! Keenan wasn't home for dinner last night so I opened up a can of spaghetti sauce, tossed in some of the beef, cooked up some noodles and popped some frozen peas in the microwave. Dinner was ready in less than 15 minutes and both kids ate it up! I have to admit that I didn't divide up the ground beef - I just put it all in a 1 gallon zip lock bag - and that made for some trouble. Next time I'll definitely put it in sandwich size baggies then in the gallon one. Lesson learned :) Thanks Yia Yia! I still plan to freeze raw ground beef to have on hand for burgers or meatballs, but I suppose I could prep and freeze those as well!

Ok, here's this week's menu. I'll be on my own for a few days while Keenan's away on business so I have some quick meals planned and will probably eat with friends a couple nights as well.

Monday - French Dip Paninis

Tuesday - Frozen Pizza

Wednesday - Dinner with Friends

Thursday - Ham and Cheese Crepes (from Parents magazine)

Friday - Creamy Green Chilie Chicken Enchiladas with rice and beans

Saturday - Crunchy Chicken Pitas (from Parents magazine)

Sunday - Waldorf-style Pasta

June 8 - 14

I'm too tired for reviews tonight. I don't think there was anything too exciting anyway...

Monday - Creamy Green Chilie Chicken Enchiladas

Tuesday - French Dip Paninis

Wednesday - Black Bean Quesidillas

Thursday - Burgers (we're hosting a youth group dinner)

Friday - Sausage Pepper Pasta with Feta

Saturday - Mini Turkey Burgers with Potatoes Rissole

Sunday - Tofu Stir Fry

Week of March 9 - 15

Monday - Tuna Noodle Casserole with Peas

Tuesday - Creamy Green Chilie Chicken Enchiladas with Rice and Beans

Wednesday - Indian Chicken Curry

Thursday - Orange Beef with Cilantro Rice

Friday - Baked Chicken Parmesan

Saturday - Miso Soup with Springrolls

Sunday - Turkey Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes