Menu Plan Monday (Year 2, Week 48)

If you're like me and you jut read that this is week 48, you might've had a minor freak out that 2013 is a mere 4 weeks away. (Mainly, I'm freaking out because I have an anniversary and Christmas to celebrate between now and then, and absolutely no shopping has been done!). Perhaps I should jump on those cyber Monday sales!

With Thanksgiving followed up by the big Carolina-Clemson weekend, I've done nothing but eat eat eat for the last 5 days. (Oh, and decorate my house and my sisters house for Christmas).

There isn't an exact plan for the week because we have several activities going on, but rest assured, it includes lots of lettuce!

Hopefully I'll be back in the swing for the first week in December with some new recipes!

Menu Plan Monday (Year 2, Week 47)

This week I’m trying a little something different with my menu plan.  I stumbled upon this first recipe and then decided, hey, I’ll see what else she makes that looks good, and low and behold, both recipes this week are from Iowa Girl Eats.  So maybe for a few weeks I’ll pick all my recipes from a single source and let you know what I think.  These recipes also sorta feel like Fall to me, which is important since it’s Thanksgiving week! 

11.19.12 - Apple-Cheddar Chicken Tartines with Honey-Dijon Roasted Potatoes

11.20.12 – Mini BBQ Cheddar Meatloaves & leftover Honey-Dijon Potatoes

11.21.12 -  Leftovers/Preparing for Thanksgiving!!!

11.22.12 - THANKSGIVING

11.23.12 – Jenny’s Pre-Carolina/Clemson Party

11.24.12 – Clemson/Carolina Game

Other Recipes from Iowa Girl Eats that I want to try…

Kickin’ Green Chili

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Beer, Cheese & Corn Chowder

I started with this recipe from Pioneer Woman, but also wanted to add a beer in for more flavor, so I changed the ingredients slightly to accomodate for the beer.  Also, found some Shredded Kraft Pepper Jack w/ Philadelphia and decided to go for that rather than grating up two blocks of cheese (I know, laziness).  

1/2 stick butter

1 onion chopped

1/2 pack bacon, cooked and chopped

3 bell peppers (red and green), finely diced

2 cans summer crisp corn kernels, drained

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 and 1/2 cup chicken stock

1 beer

2 cups half and half

2 cups shredded pepper jack ( I used the Kraft w/ Philly Pepper Jack w/ Red & Green Jalapenos)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar 

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Cook onions for a couple of minutes, then add bacon, cook another minute, and add peppers.  Cook until tender, then add corn.  Cook another minute and then sprinkle flour over the top, pour in broth/beer and stir well to combine.  Allow this to thicken for a few minutes, then reduce heat and add half-and-half.  Cover and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes.  Finally, stir in cheese.  Once cheese is melted and soup is hot, add salt and pepper to taste, and serve ASAP!

I didn't plan ahead and buy bread bowls, so I served mine with tortilla chips, which was pretty darn good if I do say so myself!  This recipe brings together lots of my favorite things (cheese, corn, bacon, beer, and of course a little mexican flavor with the peppers!!)

Menu Plan Monday (Year 2, Week 46)

11.12.12 -Meatball Gyros

11.13.12 - Thai chicken bites & rice

11.14.12 – Girls Night Out for me, TBD for Ryan

11.15.12 - Grill + Salads

11.16.12 - Pioneer Woman’s Corn Chowder

11.17.12 – USC vs. Wofford Game – Making Homemade Cinnamon Bread for Tailgate

11.18.12 - Leftovers/TBD

Menu Plan Monday (Year 2, Week 45)

We had a busy weekend, despite the Gamecocks not playing any football.... We threw a surprise party for my sister's 30th on Friday, then went to a local corn maze on Saturday.   Even with the extra hour we gained from "falling back", I'm not really feeling all that well rested! I guess that's because I've gotten up really early both days so far, so I haven't taken advantage of the extra time yet!  Here's what we're eating this week...

11.5.12 - Free Chick-fil-A Sandwiches with Church Bulletins from yesterday
11.6.12 - Election day! Be sure you vote!  We're having Baked Chicken Parmesan
11.7.12 - Pork Tenderloin & Baked Sweet Potatoes
11.8.12 - Homemade Buffalo Chicken Pizza
11.9.12 - OUT
11.10.12 - South Carolina vs. Arkansas Tailgate food... TBD
11.11.12 - TBD

Clinton Sease Farm Corn Maze 11/3/2012