Week 304 Menu

Sunday: Out after Live Nativity at church
Monday: Hamburgers on homemade buns with salad
Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs, sausage, & toast)
Wednesday: Dry rub ribs in the slow cooker (requested AGAIN this week...sooooo good!)
Thursday: Cacio e pepe
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 303 Menu

Sunday: Out

Monday: Hamburgers on homemade buns

Tuesday: Chicken piccata and broccoli

Wednesday: Dry rub ribs

Thursday: Black beans, rice, and cornbread ("Florida dinner")

Friday: Leftovers 

Saturday: Smothered chicken

Week 302 Menu

Sunday: Out

Monday: Bagel dogs

Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner (scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast)

Wednesday: Lettuce cups

Thursday: Chicken piccata

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Smothered chicken (ATK recipe)

Week 301 Menu

Sunday: out to a friend's house

Monday: Orange chicken (from TJ's) 

Tuesday: Steaks on the grill

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup

Thursday: Homemade pizzas

Friday: Leftovers 

Saturday: Pork tenderloin 

Week 300 Menu

Sunday: out

Monday: Pasta

Tuesday: Orange beef and rice

Wednesday: French toast casserole

Thursday: Chicken noodle soup in slow cooker

Friday: Pizzas

Saturday: Roast chicken

Week 299 Menu

Sunday: Out for chipotle

Monday: Chicken on the grill and roasted broccoli

Tuesday: Pumpkin muffins and scrambled eggs

Wednesday: Korean BBQ (in slow cooker) tacos

Thursday: Homemade bagel dogs

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Trick or treating and dinner with friends

Week 298 Menu

Sunday: out

Monday: Lentil chili with baguette

Tuesday: Mini Italian meatloaves (meat muffins as the 3yo calls them)

Wednesday: Pizza (birthday girl's request!)

Thursday: chili mac 

Friday: leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 296 Menu

Sunday: Out

Monday: Pasta with marinara

Tuesday: BFD - bacon, eggs, and toast

Wednesday: Baked pasta with chicken carnitas

Thursday : Nachos with leftover carnitas

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Eat out

Week 295 Menu

Sunday: Orange chicken (TJs), brown rice...with ice cream sundaes for dessert!
Monday: School fundraiser at Chuck E Cheese
Tuesday: Stuffed chicken breasts
Wednesday: Burgers on homemade buns
Thursday: Pumpkin muffins
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 294 Menu

Sunday: Paella (ATK recipe)
Monday: Stuffed chicken breasts
Tuesday: Pasta with marinara
Wednesday: Indian burritos
Thursday: Pizzas
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 293 Menu

Sunday: Scallops, corn on the cob, and cranberry sauce
Monday: Grilled chicken and cranberry sauce
Tuesday: Burgers on the grill 
Wednesday: Lasagna roll-ups (with ground beef)
Thursday: Yorkshire pudding
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 292 menu

Sunday: ATK paella, chorizo, and broccoli
Monday: Out for grandma's birthday
Tuesday: Pasta with asparagus, tomatoes, & mozzarella
Wednesday: Italian beef and grilled corn
Thursday: Pizzas
Friday: Baked pasta with leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 291 Menu

Sunday: Salmon

Monday: Dry rub ribs in the slow cooker

Tuesday: Pumpkin pancake muffins  

Wednesday: Dragon noodles

Thursday: Pizzas

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 290 Menu

Sunday: Panzanella salad
Monday: Noodles
Tuesday: Burgers and pretzel buns
Wednesday: Pumpkin pancake muffins
Thursday: Pizzas
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 289 Menu

Sunday: Out with friends
Monday: French toast casserole
Tuesday: Noodles
Wednesday: Salmon foil packets on the grill with asparagus
Thursday: Pumpkin pancake muffins
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 288 menu

Sunday: Roast chicken

Monday: Lasagna roll-ups

Tuesday: Chicken nachos

Wednesday: Pizzas

Thursday: Burgers

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 287 menu

Sunday: Paella (ATK recipe) with green beans

Monday: Pumpkin muffins and shaved brussels sprouts salad

Tuesday: Sliders on pretzel buns

Wednesday: Pizzas (pear & gorgonzola for adults & pepperoni for kids)

Thursday: Pepe e cacio

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 286 menu

Sunday: Pork chops, green beans, roasted cauliflower, and lettuce salad

Monday: Tilapia foil packets

Tuesday: Burgers on the grill with homemade buns

Wednesday: Lasagna roll-ups

Thursday: Florida dinner - rice, beans, and cornbread

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 285 menu

Sunday: Steaks on the grill with corn on the cob and shaved brussels sprout salad 

Monday: Chicken carnitas

Tuesday: Carrot mac and cheese

Wednesday: Shrimp kebabs (onions, peppers, too) with lettuce salad from garden 

Thursday: Chicken nuggets

Friday: Leftovers 

Saturday: out

Week 284 menu

Sunday: Dinner at a friends....brought roasted potatoes and ATK's mac and cheese

Monday: Grilled chicken

Tuesday: Meatballs and marinara

Wednesday: Pumpkin muffins

Thursday: Pasta with butter

Friday: out

Saturday: Pizzas

Week 283 menu

Sunday: Indian restaurant

Monday: French toast casserole 

Tuesday: Indian food leftovers
Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup in slow cooker with cornbread

Thursday:  Pizza

Friday: Grilling out: burgers, corn on the cob; macaroni and cheese casserole (ATK recipe...to die for)

Saturday: out

Week 282 Menu

Sunday: Out to dinner with friends
Monday: Beef stroganoff, roasted green bean, and corn on the cob
Tuesday: French toast casserole (the family LOVES this recipe)
Wednesday: Homemade pretzel dogs
Thursday: Burgers on the grill on homemade pretzel buns
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out.

Week 281 Menu

Sunday: One pan roast chicken and potatoes
Monday: Asian salmon and green beans
Tuesday: Sweet potato lasagna
Wednesday: Beef stroganoff and lettuce salad
Thursday: Chicken cordon bleu casserole with leftover chicken
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 280 Menu

Sunday: Steak kebobs, grilled veggies, roasted sweet potatoes, and asparagus
Monday: Chicken nuggets
Tuesday: Burgers on the grill with pretzel buns
Wednesday: French toast casserole
Thursday: Homemade, individual pizzas
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 279 Menu

Sunday: Pork tenderloin and cauliflower buffalo bites
Monday: Cacio e pepe and Asian green beans
Tuesday: Taco bake (with leftover pork tenderloin)
Wednesday: Teriyaki meatballs and noodles
Thursday: Homemade fish sticks
Friday:Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 278 menu

Sunday: BBQ chicken, asparagus, skillet focaccia

Monday: Burgers on the grill, berries, and salad

Tuesday: Chicken nuggets

Wednesday: Noodles with butter

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Pizzas

Saturday: out

Week 277 Menu

Sunday: Steaks on the grill,  cornbread stuffing, and green beans
Monday: Pumpkin muffins
Tuesday: Chicken carnitas with first of garden cilantro
Wednesday: Burgers and homemade buns
Thursday: Date night; kids will have chicken nuggets
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 276 Menu

This week's menu was requested by the kids. Not bad choices...

Sunday: Nothing. Nada.The house is afflicted with a GI bug. No one ate anything more substantial than a cracker tonight.
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Baked chicken nuggets
Wednesday: Florida dinner: rice, black beans, and cornbread
Thursday: Homemade pizzas
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 275 Menu

Sunday: One-Pan Roast Chicken & Potatoes
Monday: Panzanella salad
Tuesday: Burgers on pretzel buns
Wednesday: Homemade fish sticks
Thursday: Sweet potato (w/ground beef) lasagna
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Granola of the week: Banana Bread Granola

Week 274 Menu

Sunday: Barbecue Burnt ends (ATK recipe), roasted potatoes, and cauliflower rice
Monday: Sweet potato (w/ground beef) lasagna
Tuesday: Burgers on pretzel buns
Wednesday: Homemade fish sticks
Thursday: Panzanella salad
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Granola of the week: Cranberry orange granola

Week 273 Menu

Sunday: Steaks on the grill, roasted asparagus, and focaccia

Monday: Pasta and meatballs

Tuesday: Rice, black beans, and cornbread...the 6yo requested this meal; she calls it "Florida Dinner"

Wednesday: Creamy chicken noodle soup

Thursday: Individual pizzas

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: out


Granola of the week: Chai-spiced Granola

Week 272 Menu

Sunday: Pork carnitas on pretzel buns with roasted potatoes and sautéed greens
Monday: Tomato soup and pretzel sticks
Tuesday: Spicy pork nachos
Wednesday: Fried rice
Thursday: Pork calzone
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 271 Menu

Sunday: Grilled honey-glazed pork chops and asparagus gratin (from Cook's Country)
Monday: Baked pasta
Tuesday: Chicken nuggets
Wednesday: Pumpkin pancakes
Thursday: Pizzas
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 270 Menu

Sunday: Leftovers from weekend
Monday: Smashed chickpea, avocado salad wraps
Tuesday: Sweet potato black bean burger
Wednesday: Lentil chili in slow cooker and cornbread
Thursday: Pizzas
Friday: Chili mac from leftover chili
Saturday: Out

Week 269 Menu

Sunday: Meatballs, marinara, and focaccia
Monday: Sweet potato stuffed shells
Tuesday: Corned beef in slow cooker with colcannon
Wednesday: Creamy rice and broccoli casserole
Thursday: Pumpkin pancakes in oven
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 268 Menu

Sunday: Stuffed chicken breasts and cauliflower rice
Monday: Ground beef lettuce cups and mashed potatoes
Tuesday: Chicken noodle soup in slow cooker and pretzel sticks
Wednesday: Pizza (caramelized onions, goat cheese, and cranberry sauce for grown ups; pepperoni for kiddos) with a side of cranberry sauce
Thursday: Taco Bake
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 267 Menu

Sunday: Fish sticks, roasted Brussel sprouts, and fried pickles

Monday: Chicken nuggets and pretzel bread 

Tuesday: Black beans, rice, and cornbread

Wednesday: Baked pasta

Thursday: Pizzas

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: out

Pretzel Bread

I am a sucker for pretzels. We've made soft pretzels for snacks and love them. We bought some pretzel buns for dinner last week and I thought, I can make those!

I went on the internet to find a recipe. King Arthur flour didn't disappoint: they have a great recipe. I don't have any dry milk. But, never fear. They still came out FANTASTIC!!! I think my favorite part is making the deep cuts in the dough to make those crosses on the top! I made a half batch - just enough for dinner for the four of us. There wasn't enough dough in my stand mixer to do the job. So, I ended up kneading by hand. Other than that, the recipe does halve nicely.

Pretzel Bread
from King Arthur Flour

Dough

• 1 3/4 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 teaspoon salt 
• 4 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Baker's Special Dry Milk or nonfat dry milk
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast

Topping

• coarse sea salt
• 
  
• Water bath
• 2 quarts water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/4 cup baking soda

Directions

1. Mix and knead the dough ingredients — by hand, mixer, or bread machine — to make a smooth, slightly sticky dough. 

2. Allow the dough to rise in a lightly greased bowl, covered, for about 1 hour, until doubled.

3. Gently deflate the dough, and transfer it to a lightly greased work surface. 

4. Divide the dough into 10 pieces and shape each piece into a smooth ball. 

5. Place the balls on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 400°F. 

7. Prepare the water bath: Bring the water, salt, and baking soda to a boil in a large pot.

8. Drop 5 dough balls at a time into the water bath. 

9. Cook for 30 seconds, flip over, and cook for 30 seconds longer. Using a slotted spoon, return the buns to the baking sheet.

10. Using scissors or a sharp knife, cut 1/2"-deep crosses into the center of each bun. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt. 

11. Bake the buns for 20 to 24 minutes, or until they're a deep-dark brown. Remove them from the oven, and transfer to a rack to cool.

Week 266 Menu

Sunday: Steak, roasted broccoli, and focaccia 

Monday: Chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker and baguette

Tuesday: Lettuce cups with chicken and taco fixins'

Wednesday: Black beans, rice, and cornbread

Thursday: Calzones - pepperoni for kids; kale and cheese for the grown-ups

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 265 Menu

Sunday: Italian beef sandwiches on homemade pretzel buns, rice, and salad

Monday: Dry-rub ribs in slow cooker

Tuesday: Homemade fish sticks

Wednesday: Parmesan chicken

Thursday: Homemade pizzas - everyone gets their own toppings

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 264 Menu

Sunday: Fish tacos with chipotle mayonnaise on lettuce cups
Monday: Pumpkin pancakes
Tuesday: Leftovers from the week
Wednesday - Saturday: Play it by ear
   Smoky ribs in slow cooker
   Pot roast in slow cooker
   Baked pasta
   Chicken Noodle Soup in slow cooker
   Out?

Week 263 Menu

Sunday: Seared duck breast and roasted potatoes
Monday: Bagel dogs
Tuesday: Potato soup and grilled cheese
Wednesday: Lettuce cups with chicken carnitas and fixin's
Thursday: Pizza
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 262 Menu

Sunday: I made Asian salmon at a friend's house

Monday: Yorkshire pudding with cranberry sauce

Tuesday: Chicken carnitas

Wednesday: Chicken nuggets

Thursday: Chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker (6yo is cooking!)

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Out

Week 261 Menu

Sunday: Out to eat with grandparents
Monday: Homemade ravioli and meatballs
Tuesday: Roasted sweet potato soup and crusty bread
Wednesday: Chicken nuggets and cauliflower rice
Thursday: Bagel dogs
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out

Week 260 Menu

Sunday: Korean BBQ-flavored pork tenderloin and green beans

Monday: Pumpkin pancake muffins

Tuesday: Taco rice bake

Wednesday: Chicken nuggets and roasted brussel sprouts

Thursday: Individual pizzas

Friday: Leftovers? Out?

Saturday: "Make-up" Christmas dinner with my parents (rib roast, cornbread stuffing, goat cheese mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green salad, pumpkin pie)

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Chicken fingers. Chicken rings. Chicken nuggets. Wait. What? "Chicken rings?" Scott's college dorm cafeteria served chicken rings. Now they're a family joke. He always asks, "What part of the chicken do they come from??" Ever since he posed the question, that sticks in my head and I cringe a little (I mean, chicken rings??? Seriously?! So not natural).

I work a schedule where I am not home at dinner time, but I still like to have home-cooked dinners. I do my prep for dinner in the morning and make sure there is minimal kitchen work needed when Scott gets home with the kids. This recipe was so simple to throw together, I worried it wouldn't be any good. But, this one turned out to be a family favorite. If I get unsolicited compliments on a dinner, you better believe it's going in the regular rotation!!!

I've found I like a moist bread crumb (rather than a dried one). Since no one eats the heels of the bread, we save them in the freezer for just such an occasion that demands bread crumbs. If you're prepping them in the morning, just be sure you spray the wire rack with cooking spray. Believe me: I speak from experience!

Baked Chicken Nuggets

2 Chicken breasts

1/4 cup flour

1 egg (for egg wash)

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Bread Crumb Recipe
2 slices of bread
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, cubed
1 T chili powder
1 t garlic powder
**Process in a food processor until the parmesan and bread are completely broken up, and spices are incorporated.**

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Cube chicken into 1" x 2" pieces

3. Set up standard 3-bowl breading station: 

        - Flour with a healthy pinch of pepper

        - Egg, beaten

        - Bread crumbs mixture

4. Dip chicken pieces in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs.

5. Place chicken on wire rack that fits in a half sheet pan.

6. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
7. Serve with sauce of your choice.
        We prefer: honey, mustard, chili mayo (2:1 ratio of mayo to hot sauce), Ranch

Note: If you prep the chicken nuggets in the morning, spray the wire rack with cooking spray, lay the chicken nuggets out, place plastic wrap over the top, and refrigerate until they're needed.

Tomato Soup

I love tomato soup. Add a grilled cheese to it, and it's one of my favorite meals of all time. It reminds me of Saturdays watching college football with my dad.

Today was the first real snowfall of the year, and after 2 hours of shoveling and playing in the snow, I figured we needed something warm and hearty for lunch. This soup certainly did the trick! And, it beats the pants off canned soup. It's thick and has great seasoning. And, there are even more vegetables in the soup than just tomatoes!


Tomato Soup
adapted from Jane Maynard

• 3 T Olive Oil
• 1 Onion, Small dice
• 3 carrots, small dice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes
• 1.5 c tomato sauce
• 48 oz vegetable stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1.5 c skim milk
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• Crackers or pita chips for topping, if you're feeling it

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Cook onions until soft and translucent (5 min). Add carrots and continue to cook another 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute.

2. Add vegetable stock, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes.

3. Fish out bay leaf, and blend the soup until a smooth consistency (either via an immersion blender or in batches in a blender).

4. Add milk to soup, and mix until incorporated. Season with salt/pepper to taste. Top with crackers/pita chips, if you so choose.

Week 259 Menu

Sunday: General Tso's Chicken with rice and roasted broccoli

Monday: Pulled pork sandwiches

Tuesday: Homemade pasta and meatballs

Wednesday: Creamy potato soup (a callback from last week)

Thursday: Pulled pork fried rice

Friday: Leftovers 

Saturday: Out