Sept 28 - Oct 4

Nothing to report tonight - too tired from our camping trip :) Thanks to my friend Sarah for posting her menu to get me started tonight!

Chili and Cornbread

Tofu Stir Fry

Cheese, Crackers and Fruit

Mac 'n Cheese with Cauliflower

French Dip Paninis with Broccoli Cheese Soup

Steak, Potatoes and Veggies

Steak Quesidillas with Carmalized Onions

May 17 - 23

Well my Real Simple Magazine delivered (no pun intended) and then some! All of the meals I prepared were fantastic! Keenan's favorite was the Spiced Chicken with Couscous Salad and mine was the Grilled Buttermilk Chicken, Potato Salad and Green Bean Salad. The Marinated Chickpea Salad from Tapas Night was also a favorite while the accompaniments did not go over so well. The Soy Glazed Fish with Squash and Zuccini was a wonderful, light summer dish and came together quickly. I need to keep this one in my "wheel-house" for crazy nights!

This week we have Keenan's parents coming in for a visit so more easy to please and feed a crowd meals are planned along with some stand-bys to get us through the week.

Maccaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower (roll-over)

Corn Dogs with Baked Beans

Chicken Taco Rice

Grilled Chicken with Marinated Chickpea Salad

Dip Night

Chicken Oscar

May 10 - 16

The only new recipe for us from last week was Eggs Benedict. I'm not sure if I just don't like that dish or if the recipe wasn't great, but that was a big 'no.'

On to happier thoughts. Kelsey and her family will be visiting us this week so I'm planning some meals that will feed all of us without a lot of fuss. We're planning a trip to the children's museum and just letting the kids hang out together. Should be fun!

My Real Simple magazine came to the rescue this week filling in the gaps. I hope they're good!

Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower

Tappas with Marinated Chickpeas

Soy Glazed Fish with Summer Squash

Spiced Chicken with Couscous Salad

Buttermilk Chicken, Green Beans with Pecans and Maple Vinegrette and Creamy Potato Salad with Bacon (RS - these recipes weren't online yet)

Hamburgers, Baked Beans and Corn on the Cob

Chicken Fajitas with all the fixin's

Nov 16 - 22

I have a new plan for menu planning (is that redundant?). The last few weeks I have struggled to pull together a menu. It really shouldn't take that long. As I was thumbing through my recipe file for dinner one night it suddenly dawned on me that I should use it to help me each week! I have quite the collection of meals we enjoy in there and some I haven't made in a long time. So instead of coming up with ideas off the top of my head or pouring over website after website for new recipes or at least an inspiration or reminder of something we like, I'm going back to basics. I made this week's menu in record time and didn't even have to beg Keenan for a suggestion :)

As far as reviews - the Spiced Honey Lemon Chicken with Carmalized Onions and Brussel Sprouts was a huge hit and the Cheesey Chorizo Strata was delicous as well. I'm planning to make the strata for a brunch we have this weekend.

Jamacian Chicken with rice and veggies (didn't get to this one last week)

Shrimp Pad Thai

Mac 'n Cheese with Cauliflower

Turkey Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes

Orange Beef with Cilantro Rice

King Ranch Chicken

June 29 - July 2

Just 4 nights until our summer vacation! That means no menu next week, but hopefully I'll get back on track quickly after we return. Until then, happy eating! :)

Monday - Mac 'n Cheese with Cauliflower

Tuesday - Chicken Pesto Pasta (I need to harvest our basil before we leave!)

Wednesday - Tacos

Thursday - Leftovers/Empty the Fride Before We Leave Smorgasbord

April 20 - 26

Monday - Birthday party at Chick-Fil-A!

Tuesday - Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower

Wednesday - Jambalaya

Thursday - Chicken Teryaki

Friday - Turkey Meatballs with Cheesey Mashed Potatoes

Saturday - Black Bean, Zuccini and Tomato Quesidillas

Sunday - Chicken Tikka Masala (I'm trying a new recipe. Last time I used packaged mixes from the Indian market and it was way too salty.)