Welcoming the summer weather in a big way this week. I tend to gravitate towards lighter fare in the summer ( like Asian!) and the grill.  Chili is a classic and suitNtie is a chili fanatic.  The week closes with Father’s Day and I will be celebrating my awesome husband with some of his favorite foods. I don’t get to cook very fancy too often, but when I have the opportunity I take it and run with it!

14. Monday – asian chicken potstickers and brown rice
15. Tuesday – hot dogs for the kids, chili dogs for us (making a big batch of chili this day for the freezer) and an antipasto pasta salad (recipe to come on that one)
16. Wednesday – FFY Buffet, I am working this night
17. Thursday – pizza night, since Sunday is a holiday. I’m hosting a pizza social for my mom’s club, so we’ll have a variety.
18. Friday – chili for suitNtie and probably chicken nuggets for the kids. I am working out of state tonight.
19. Saturday – grilled chicken and rosemary skewers
20. Sunday – Happy Father’s Day! Surf and Turf of lobster tail and filet, some of suitNtie’s favorite foods. I’ll also make warm chocolate raspberry cakes for dessert. For more great menu ideas, check out Laura’s!

Last week was definitely interesting- only missed out on one meal due to some brief insanity, which was great.  This week is kind of a trip back to a lot of classics.  The weekdays are filled with foods that we’ve all grown up with.  The weekend gets a little hectic (more on that next week), so we are going back to basics that suitNtie can provide for the kiddos.  Nothing fancy, but sustaining.

7. Monday – salisbury steak
8. Tuesday – spaghetti & meatballs with roasted garlic bread
9. Wednesday -FFY Buffet
10. Thursday – chicken croquettes
11. Friday – Pizza Night today due to my work schedule. chicken margherita!
12. Saturday – working in Maine, suitNtie will handle the kiddos with waffles and sausage
13. Sunday – working again, hot dogs will keep things easy

For more great menu ideas, check out Laura’s site!

May certainly went by in a flash. I am in awe that June is already here. It’s a very busy month for me- it’s set up to be my busiest month yet for work AND we’re heading to Mexico to celebrate our 5th anniversary.  I can’t wait!  I just have to make it to the end of the month!   I’m trying almost all new recipes this week, enjoy…

31. Monday – chicken fricassee
1. Tuesday – char siu BBQ pork tenderloin
2. Wednesday – French Dip Sandwiches
3. Thursday – Chicken Pate Puffs with veggies
4. Friday -  FFY buffet. Working at night so suitNtie is handling dinner.
5. Saturday – I will be gone most of the day for work. I’m guessing hot dogs on the grill or Eggos!
6. Sunday – pizza night- apricot and proscuitto

For more great menu planning ideas, head over to Laura’s site!

So I forgot about my new Tuesday class. Oops.  See original post for links for recipes.

Revised plan:

24. Monday – Chicken Milanese
25. Tuesday – FFY buffet, I am starting a photography class tonight
26. Wednesday –   pretzel crusted chicken breasts with a cheddar mustard sauce
27. Thursday – corn cakes with goat cheese and crispy ham (from Everyday Food)
28. Friday – we are at a wedding!
29. Saturday – arugula salads with grilled chicken, cranberries, goat cheese and pecans
30. Sunday – pizza night – grilled chicken margherita

I can’t believe Memorial Day weekend is almost here. As hectic as Spring has been, it just flew! Grill season approaches (but i’ve snuck out a few times to get my expertise tuned up)…I love summer foods so I can’t wait!

This week, we are anticipating a big house repair on June 1 so I am trying to cook out of my freezer to help offset the cost. I’m using up a whole tray of boneless chicken breasts this week,  trying to get creative with my chicken usage! Some of these are new (Mon, Tues) and some are old and classic (Wed).  I’m even breaking up the week with an almost meatless dish on Saturday that looks yummy!  So even though it’s a chicken-y week, I think it will be a tasty one.

24. Monday – Chicken Milanese
25. Tuesday -  pretzel crusted chicken breasts with a cheddar mustard sauce
26. Wednesday – FFY buffet, I am working this night
27. Thursday -  arugula salads with grilled chicken, cranberries, goat cheese and pecans
28. Friday -  we are at a wedding!
29. Saturday – corn cakes with goat cheese and crispy ham (from Everyday Food)
30. Sunday – pizza night – roasted chicken with garlic and caramelized onions

for more great menu planning ideas, check out Org Junkie!

Monday – Sloppy Joes (from the freezer)
Tuesday – spicy pulled pork sandwiches and bbq meatballs for the kids (both from the freezer)
Wednesday – Nana’s chicken soup (some will end up going into the freezer)
Thursday- FFY Buffet
Friday – Nana is with the kids, we have a wedding
Saturday -  breakfast for dinner- whole wheat chocolate chip pancakes (inspired by the link) and sausage!
Sunday – pizza night! French Onion Dip. This came very highly recommended by a friend and I’m using it as inspiration.

For more great menu plan ideas, check out Org Junkie!!!

Monday – pesto turkey club sandwiches (easy night, Mom’s club meeting at my house right after dinner)
Tuesday – crunchy parmesan chicken tenders, a favorite in our house
Wednesday – braised short ribs (a new recipe!)
Thursday – hot dogs on the grill!
Friday/Saturday – FFY Buffet, I will be celebrating my best friend’s birthday all weekend at a resort/casino
Sunday – pizza night

For more great menu ideas, check out Org Junkie!!!

YUM.

Monday – roasted turkey breast
Tuesday – sofrito marinated center cut pork chops and red beans, Puerto Rican style!
Wednesday – Happy Cinco de Mayo! spicy pulled pork soft tacos (kids will have cheese quesadillas) and banana quesadillas for dessert!
Thursday – asian peanut butter pork tenderloin
Friday – FFY Buffet
Saturday – pizza night
Sunday – Happy Mother’s Day! We’re grilling steaks!

Stumbled across this one while exploring the net, as well.

This meal got pushed off two or three times, to my annoyance. However, when I finally got around to making it this past weekend,  YUM.

I found it to be a bit too spicy to be family friendly. suitNtie and I LOVED it, but I wouldn’t serve it to my kids.  Amazing flavor, and I will do it again in a heartbeat! It made a huge amount, too, which is sitting and aging like fine wine in my freezer.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (spice rub from Cooks Illustrated)

Spice Rub:
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons table salt
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground white pepper

1 (6-8 pound) bone-in pork shoulder ( I used two 3 lb boneless shoulder roasts from Smithfield)
½ teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)
2 cups barbecue sauce

1. Mix all spice rub ingredients in small bowl.

2. Massage spice rub into meat. Wrap tightly in double layer of plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 3 hours. (For stronger flavor, the roast can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, but I actually didn’t do this step- I rubbed the meat immediately prior to putting it in the crockpot. I was just sick of pushing the meal off!)

3. Unwrap roast and place it in slow cooker liner. Add liquid smoke, if using, and ¼ cup water. Turn slow cooker to low and cook for 8-10 hours, until meat is fork-tender.

4. Transfer roast to cutting board; discard liquid in liner. “Pull” by tearing meat into thin shreds with two forks or your fingers. Discard fat.

5. Place shredded meat back in slow cooker liner; toss with 1 cup barbecue sauce, and heat on low for 30-60 minutes, until hot. Serve with additional barbecue sauce.

This week, we are cleaning out the deep freeze! Lots of choice nights but it saves on the wallet!

Monday – FFY Buffet (a lovely assortment of baked haddock or leftover marinated pork tenderloin)
Tuesday – another choice night: chili for suitNtie, corn and squash soup for me, and lasagna bowl for the kids)
Wednesday – sloppy joes
Thursday – grilled pork cutlets
Friday – italian crockpot roast beef
Saturday – breakfast for dinner: suitNtie will have a smoothie and the kids will have waffles and sausage (I’m out at a meeting all day and I have a party at night)
Sunday – pizza night!  TBD.