nichol magouirk

What's For Dinner | August 8-14 + my family's Taste Book

LAST WEEK'S MENU REVIEWS

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta: I have now made this 2 weeks in a row. Somebody STOP me.

 

Potato Leek Pizza from the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook: So remember when I said last week that Chad said, "I'm not going to lie. This sounds disgusting."? Well, I made the pizza tonight and it was FANTABULOUS. I mean, absolutely to die for yummy. The pizza crust is amazing. And, Mr. Negativity? He ate his made to order pepperoni with veggies (the pizza crust recipe actually makes two pizza crusts) and tried a bite of mine and went back for seconds (of the potato leek pizza of course!). I wanted to stick my tongue out and say, "I told you so". But I didn't.  

 

THIS WEEK'S MENU PLAN 

Pioneer Woman's Creme Brulee: I didn't get to make this last week because my torch didn't arrive yet. Boo. It should be here Monday or Tuesday and you can bet I will drop everything to make Creme Brulee. 

Lettuce Wraps. I didn't get to these last week either. So I put them on here for this week.

Steak w/ mushrooms: I have steak and I have leftover mushrooms that need to be eaten(from Chad's custom pizza tonight). A salad and a roll = super easy supper.

Cherry Tomato & Ravioli Soup: I don't care that it's been over 100 degrees here. I am ready for fall. And soup. And this is my favorite soup of all time. 

Italian Chicken & Tomato Pasta Toss: This is one of my kids' favorites. Pasta + Chicken. It's easy and tastes good. What could be better? Oh, and Chad & I like it, too! ;) One more thing: I don't use the kraft parmesan. I buy the yummy block of aged parmesan in the deli department and either shave or grate my own for dishes. It makes a huge difference in taste. Yum.

Peppery Pasta with Arugula and Shrimp: We haven't had this in awhile because I couldn't find arugula anywhere. And I love arugula. I could have substituted fresh spinach but I didn't want to. I wanted arugula. I found it at the store yesterday and I almost did a little jig I was so happy. Almost.

The rest of the week? Leftovers.

TASTE BOOK

Okay, I discovered something called a Taste Book while surfing online last week and I was instantly smitten. 

I have been looking for something easy to store and organize my recipes for awhile. 

I wanted something tangible. 

Something I could hold in my hands. 

Something that had a photo of the dish next to the recipe. 

Something that I could add to as I found more recipes that our family loved. 

I was so excited about this site that I found that I immediately started a book, ordered the book and recipe pages I had created and I have in my hot little hands my very own Taste Book. 

Custom made for me and my family. 

With room to add new recipes as I get them typed up or photos taken of the dish.

I love it.

And when the kids are older and move out and want their favorite recipes I can print them each their own books. 

I am so excited.

More crafty goodness coming tomorrow. 

Before I go, I want to share my favorite photo I took last week. 

Ethan was having breakfast one morning, cheerios and cut up banana, and I got him all set up and went to check on the dogs' water outside. When I came back in this is what I found:

I guess his zhu zhu pets were hungry too?

It makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Funny little dude.

Time to catch up with the True Blood gang and see what happens this week. Can you say addicted?

G'night!

What's For Dinner? Menu + Reviews.

I am super terrible at sticking with a menu plan.

But I am a super organized person.

So what's with the aversion to menu planning?

I think it's because I like to have some flexibility and when I plan a menu I feel like I have to stick to it. 

No matter what.

Which is really kind of stupid (pardon the language, my kids would say I need a time out). ;)

So my new plan is to post over the weekend with a menu list of what we will likely be eating that next week + a review of what we ate the week before. No specific meal with a specific day. Just a list. 

We'll see how this goes. 

LAST WEEK'S MENU REVIEWS

Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce: That Pioneer Woman. What did I ever do without her? My husband wonders that too. We have a peach tree in the backyard overflowing with fresh, ripe peaches. This Peach Crisp recipe...well, it's a "keeper". I served this last Sunday when we BBQ'd for the inlaws and it was gone in a nanosecond. Everyone loved it. It will likely need to make a repeat performance this week as I still have peaches everywhere.

Fresh Peach Salsa: See a theme here? Too many peaches. This is a delicious, low-cal salsa that is SUPER yummy with grilled fish. I have made it with Salmon, Mahi Mahi and Orange Roughy. Delicious. This will make a repeat performance this week as well. It is seriously so, so good.

Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks: Have I mentioned that I love the Pioneer Woman? Because I do. Leeks? Who knew they were that dang good? I certainly didn't. I couldn't find Pancetta so I substituted regular bacon. Delish. Still on the lookout for Pancetta though. This is going to be a regular addition to our menu. SO good!

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta: This recipe earned an OMG from Chad. It is that good. Penne Pasta? Good. Fresh basil? Good. Grilled chicken? GOOD. Another keeper. In fact, it may have to make a repeat performance this week as well. I have chicken we need to eat. Oh, and this is from the Pioneer Woman too. I think she is my new best friend. She just doesn't know it yet. ;)

 

Pico de Gallo: Thank you Pioneer Woman. Again. Served this last Sunday at the BBQ. Will be repeating. Often.

 

THIS WEEK'S MENU PLAN (AUGUST 1-7)

Pioneer Woman's Creme Brulee: You know the saying, "Life is short. East dessert first." I have been so skeptical of making my own but after reading Ree's post and seeing her step-by-step photos I'm going to go for it. Ramekins and butane torch have been ordered. Ingredients purchased. I will succeed in making a delicious Creme Brulee this week. Just wait and see. ;)

Grilled Hamburgers with Corn on the Cob: Along with fresh peaches we have a boatload of fresh sweet corn that the big kids picked from grandpa's field and sold this past week. So we need to eat it again before it goes bad. Inviting over some friends to enjoy a little cookout and pool time tonight. :)

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta: I decided. We are having this again this week.

Potato Leek Pizza from the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook: I read this and thought, hmm....not so sure about potatoes and leeks. However, that was before I actually tried leeks. (See Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks review above.) I am totally making this for dinner this week. I can't wait. That is just how good leeks are. YUM. By the way, Chad said, "I'm not going to lie. This sounds disgusting." hmpf! Good thing I'll be eating this while he is gone!

Brushetta with Tomatoes and Basil: Found this after we watched Julie and Julia a few weeks back. Bet I've made it at least 7 times since then. It's that good. Perfect compliment to any meal or just by itself. And it's easy. I like easy. Oh, and I add a little fresh minced garlic to the mix. Because that's just the way I roll.

Pot Roast. Because I have loads of meat in the freezer and I need to use it. And now that my mom gave me pointers on cooking  pot roast, I love it again. Will serve with fresh asparagus and probably a dinner roll. Because I have fresh asparagus and frozen dinner rolls. This meal doesn't require a trip to the store at all. I am lazy. There, I said it.

Lettuce Wraps. I have never tried these at home but after talking about the PF Changs ones with my friend, Jill, yesterday I am determined to try them. Because PF Changs is like, 3 hours away from me. That's too far to drive for a lettuce wrap fix. Gonna try my hand at making my own. I'll let you know how it turns out. ;)

Fresh Peach Salsa w/ Grilled Fish. Repeat.

Well, that's all the further that I've planned ahead. But, hey, it's better than last week!

Progress. ;)

Now, time to stamp and die cut and get some stuff done. 

Because my to-do list is scaring me. 

Just a little.

Happy Sunday!