We've had a beautiful weekend to end an otherwise dreary week. Our menu this past week was reasonably uninspired but sometimes it's more about just getting us fed than it is an exploration of my culinary abilities! I think the hi-lites of our menu were the Farmer's breakfast and the baked tortellini. I added lots of yummy vegetables to the sauce (zucchini, mushrooms, onions, celery, red & green peppers). And the best is that we froze half of it for supper another night!
The weekend's wonderful weather meant a great coming together of family to celebrate my older brother's 40th birthday. They had a great spread of delicious hamburgers, turkey burgers and hot dogs. My mom made her famous
No Bake Cheesecake (I'll get the recipe and post it soon) - I ate 2 and a half pieces! TroubleMaker had tons of fun tearing around my Dad and Step Mom's yard with his cousins - he slept very well last night!
Today was 'do it all' day! After a yummy Hubby cooked (not on the menu) breakfast, I made potato salad and tossed a frozen slab of beef into a marinade. I then baked Hubby's favourite chocolate cake (again, recipe will come soon, I promise). After a quick wash of some dishes and the floor (TroubleMaker has a way of making every surface in the house sticky) I was out to help pull weeds from the lawn Hubby is working to make soft and perfect for
Barefoots! ;-)
TroubleMaker is down for a nap and I wanted to share this weeks' menu! As always, links where applicable are shared and underlined recipes are shared below!
Dinners at a GlanceMonday: Tuna Sandwiches and tossed salad
Tuesday: Chicken fingers & fries
Wednesday: Crock pot meatballs over egg noodles
Thursday: Spinach salad with French bread
Friday: Gramma's Baked Mac & Cheese (maybe - I may be going to a fundraiser for
Dufashanye Canada! Check them out and support this very worthy cause!
Saturday: Chicken wings & veggies n dip from
Barefoot Deliberations MPM 4th EditionSunday: Hamburgers & chips
Lunches include cereal bars, yogurt and smoothies and breakfasts are cheese toast, Banana Muffins, PB Toast and hard boiled eggs on English Muffins!
Recipes:
Crock pot MeatballsUse your favourite meatball recipe (or use prepared meatballs) put in the crock pot RAW (that's right, you don't have to precook your meatballs for this recipe!)!
2 cans mushroom soup
3/4 cup water
1 can mushrooms (if desired)
1 package of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix
Add soups, water, mushrooms and soup mix to crock pot, stir well and then add your meatballs. Turn on low and cook all day. Delicious served over egg noodles!
Gramma's Baked Mac & Cheese4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1-1/2 cups milk
Lots and lots of shredded cheese
2 cups macaroni
1/8 to 1/4 cup butter
1/2 to 2/3 cup bread crumbs
Method:Boil water for the macaroni. When boiling, add macaroni and cook until desired tenderness is achieved. Meanwhile...
Melt butter and flour in small pot. Allow to bubble for 2 to 3 minutes but do not let brown. Add salt slowly, stirring well. Add milk, small amount at a time stirring well with each addition. Once all added, add mustard and pepper. One may add additional seasonings (such as parsley, garlic, etc) if desired. As it slowly starts to boil, add lots of cheese - the sharper the better. At least 2 cups. I often mix a blend of whatever is in the fridge - cheddar, mozza, etc. Stir after each addition of cheese. Allow to almost boil but continue to stir so it does not stick or burn.
Get another small pot and add about 1/4 cup of butter to it and melt. Then add about 1/2 to 2/3 cup of bread crumbs. Stir until mixed.
Drain macaroni well. Pour cheese sauce over and stir to combine. Pour 1/2 of macaroni with cheese sauce into a casserole dish. Top with 1/2 the buttered crumbs and a small amount of shredded cheese. Top with remaining mac & cheese and add the remaining buttered crumbs and more shredded cheese. Sprinkle with paprika & bake 15 to 20 minutes at 375 F.
Need more inspiration? Check out
Org Junkie's MPM!
