Since D has been laying low and isn't here to inspire us with her menu plans, I thought I would post mine.
I try to plan my menus on the weekend. It doesn't always work, but I have a better chance of succeeding if I have a plan. I was on such a roll this morning, that I went ahead and planned for two weeks. Realistically we will probably only make 4-5 of the meals planned each week, but that's still better than I used to be.
Thursday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Parsnip Soup, Veggies and Dip.
Friday: Vietnamese Tofu Lettuce Wraps, Spring Rolls or Pot Stickers.
Saturday: Pizza, Salad, Breadsticks.
Most of these recipes are from the most recent Eating Well, and Cooking Light Magazines. A few are tried and true favorites, and some are just easy fall back recipes. We won't necessarily eat each item on the night planned, sometimes life interferes. We have obligations during dinnertime every weeknight except Fridays, but we have a standing dinner date with friends, one of whom is Catholic, so if I am cooking, I have to abide by the no meat on Friday thing.
I hope this inspires someone to try something new or just stick to their plan. And help me stick to mine. Give me a shout and see if I am keeping up with it. I am looking forward to dinner tonight, the recipe looks really yummy.
--Francie
P.S. I can post recipes if there is anything someone wants to try.
The finger is on the mend, but still very sensitive to pressure...even light pressure of turning the knob of the toothpaste tube or turning a key in the lock. The DermaBond (skin glue) is mostly worn off now and the edges of the cut skin are starting to peel away, but the "slice" is still closed. I'm wondering if it is going to heal that way (i.e., stay closed) or if the slice will eventually fall off and the skin underneath will eventually heal (this was the doctor's reason for not stitching the wound because the sliced part was already dead at that point).
Using the mandolin with a Butcher's Glove sounds like a plan to me!
Did I tell you guys that no one in the emergency room knew what a mandolin was? They thought I cut myself on a musical instrument! LOL
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
This week is not going well at all. Aside from Sunday's meal, nothing else has been made. I have had a nasty head cold, and just can't seem to get it together.
Today I finally had enough oomph to put the dishes in the drainboard away, after three days of watching the pile grow.
Last night I had a banana milkshake and a handful of cheez-its (reduced fat) for dinner. S wasn't home, and I just couldn't muster up the energy to do better.
Tonight we have Theater tickets again. I may yet get that Breakfast casserole made. It sounds pretty tasty, and then I wouldn't have to cook tomorrow night either. Hmmm...
And YIPES on the mandoline accident! I always use the guard even though it is sometimes tempting to skip it. I haven't used ours in quite some time. I hope your finger is on the mend.
Originally posted by Brie: One of my friends amputated the tip of her finger over the holidays with her mandolin : (
I can COMPLETELY believe that. Mine is ridiculously, dangerously sharp. This isn't my first mandolin accident, but it was probably the worst. I rarely get the thing out because it is just so dangerous. I'm actually surprised they even make them for home use. Even when I am careful and use the guard, it is still pretty easy to get a minor cut from it...shoot, even getting the blades in or out can be troublesome if you are not 100% focused and careful.
In my particular case, it was a totally stupid move on my part. I knew I should have been using the guard, and I was...but I couldn't get the cuke to hold on, so I got frustrated and just figured I'd do most by hand and use the guard when it got close...well, the thing slices so damned fast that I got to the "close" stage well before I anticipated and was not as focused as I should have been (one of the bad things about having a dog who is constantly whining for your attention).
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by SheriaVa: I did not do my usual "cooking for the week" menu planning this week. I was having friends over for dinner on Saturday night and, during the afternoon, ended up in the emergency room with a small laceration to my thumb from my mandolin (V-slicer) while I was slicing cucumbers. I'm fine--just had to have a tetanus shot and get the thumb looked at--but it definitely threw a wrench into my schedule.
YIKES! I'm glad that you are OK!
One of my friends amputated the tip of her finger over the holidays with her mandolin : (
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Originally posted by iz: Are you getting as bad as me with sharp objects?? The mantra around my kitchen is "don't give mom any knives!"
I have always been pretty clumsy in the kitchen, though not just with sharp objects--most with hot objects. I would say burns probably top my list of kitchen injuries, but cuts from sharp objects is right up there too.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
I did not do my usual "cooking for the week" menu planning this week. I was having friends over for dinner on Saturday night and, during the afternoon, ended up in the emergency room with a small laceration to my thumb from my mandolin (V-slicer) while I was slicing cucumbers. I'm fine--just had to have a tetanus shot and get the thumb looked at--but it definitely threw a wrench into my schedule.
So, yesterday through tomorrow, I am eating the leftovers from Saturday's dinner, which was stuffed pork chops, steamed corn and a salad of cukes, grape tomatoes and red onion in balsamic vinaigrette.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Those turkey meatballs sound great. I may have to try them soon.
Last night's chicken was very tasty. Basically it was stuffed with a mixture of herbed cheese spread, almonds and some parsley. It was a nice change of pace from the plain old boring chicken.
Well, the end of the week didn't go according to plan, but I didn't totally blow it. Friday we ended up running errands in the late afternoon, and by the time dinner rolled around, we were still out and about. So we ended up with hot dogs at our favorite local place.
Saturday night I was on my own. I wasn't really feeling the cooking vibe, but I went ahead and made sausage and mushroom pizza. I was out of tomato sauce, so I improvised and used pesto instead. It was fairly tasty. I was too tired to mess with a veggie, but I had a sliced pear along with my pizza.
Today I have already been to the grocery. The fridge has been purged of last week's uneaten leftovers. It looks like I am on plan for this evening's Menu. The only change is that we will be having broccoli instead of green beans.
Hopefully this week will go better than last week, although it's another crazy week with obligations every night. And S's cold has finally caught up with me. Grrr...
I keep reminding myself that I will recover faster if I am full of nutritious food than if I am full of junk.
Last night was a bust on the cooking front. We had theater tickets for 7:30, and needed to leave by 6:30 to make it without having to rush.
I had a snack before we left, but when the play got out at 9, I was hungry and a half an hour from home. One of my favorite restaurants was right next to the parking garage, so we ended up there. I got my favorite thing there which is the chicken fingers. But I had a salad first, and I didn't eat all of the chicken. In years past I would have cleaned my plate. But I ate about 2/3rds of the chicken and only 1/2 of the fries. I saved the rest of the chicken, but pitched the fries. Not the best choice, but I have certainly done worse.
I will get the chicken for tonight cooked before I need it. And I won't be going out for dinner on Saturday, although we may go out on Friday instead.
Originally posted by fbroadie: That turkey sandwich sounds awesome. I never think about adding spreads and dressings to my sandwiches, but they always taste yummy when I am out to eat. I should give that a try...
Actually, I use the Ken's Steak House Lite Peppered Parmesan dressing as a dip for my baby carrots...but I think it would probably rock on the sandwich as well. It has great flavor.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
That turkey sandwich sounds awesome. I never think about adding spreads and dressings to my sandwiches, but they always taste yummy when I am out to eat. I should give that a try...
Grilled chicken marinated with Kraft Fat Free Zesty Italian dressing Brown rice with roasted red pepper, toasted sesame seeds and a splash of soy sauce.
Whole wheat fusili pasta w/marinara with salad and a small slice of crusty bread.
Black pepper turkey sandwich on white wheat artisan bread or seeded rye, pretzel crisps and baby carrots with lite Peppered Parm dressing.
Posts: 7864 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Update: Last night I ended up making two dinners. S was sick and asked for matzoh ball soup and a grilled cheese. But I still wanted my fried rice. So I made my dinner first and about an hour before S came home, I made his soup. I made the sandwich after he came home. I skipped the salad, but I did eat the pear.
I was thinking about wimping out on the chicken earlier, since we now have leftovers for this evening, but I may go ahead and make half of it, since I need it pre-cooked for tomorrow night. I guess we'll see how the day goes.
Steph- are there particular recipes you would like me to post? I don't think I have time to post all of them. The recipe for the Salisbury Steak can be found here: http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/ It was better the second day.
