Weekly Menu Ideas!!!

stoneycakes

What is everyone eating for dinner this week?  I'm going shopping today and I need ideas.

stoneycakes

I want to make some refried beans today so I can try out my epazote from Penzey's. Not sure what we're having with the beans, though.  And DH and I are kind of obsessed with @TJ1979's chicken and rice, so I might make some variation of that this week, too.  

stoneycakes

Guys, I need to go shopping this morning.

stoneycakes

DH just sent me this link for pickle soup.  I'm totally trying this.  I have some awesome pickles at home right now, too.

https://noblepig.com/2013/03/dill-pickle-soup/

TJ1979

What about a roast? With potatoes and carrots. Nothing fancy, but delicious and easy and confort food.

stoneycakes

TJ1979 said:

What about a roast? With potatoes and carrots. Nothing fancy, but delicious and easy and confort food.

Yeah.  I was totally thinking about something like that, too.  It's getting to be pot roast weather.  Sold.

stoneycakes

Okay Southerners.  Grits.  Should I try them?  My husband hates polenta.  Will he hate grits, too?

TJ1979

Yes, they are the same thing.

But why does he hate them?

stoneycakes

TJ1979 said:

Yes, they are the same thing. But why does he hate them?

But they're not the exact same thing, right?  Isn't there a different process to the corn?  He hates polenta because the first time we had it, we made it over a camp fire and it was terrible, terrible, terrible.  So now he's traumatized.  I think he would like it if it were made well.  But he's not into things of that texture in general, so maybe it's just not really his bag.  I don't know. He likes tamales and those are similar but firmer, right?

flummadiddle85

I've been thinking about trying meatloaf or sloppy joes. But I need good recipes for both. For some reason I hated them growing up as a kid. Just the smell of sloppy joes cooking kinda made me gag. But I know DH likes both. 

Baked mostacolli is on the menu tonight since it's easy enough, and I already had the meat cooked in the freezer. 

TJ1979

stoneycakes said:

TJ1979 said:

Yes, they are the same thing. But why does he hate them?

But they're not the exact same thing, right?  Isn't there a different process to the corn?  He hates polenta because the first time we had it, we made it over a camp fire and it was terrible, terrible, terrible.  So now he's traumatized.  I think he would like it if it were made well.  But he's not into things of that texture in general, so maybe it's just not really his bag.  I don't know. He likes tamales and those are similar but firmer, right?

I thought the corn was processed the same way.  According to google, polenta might be more coarse.  I always thought it was a geography thing.

But yeah, maybe if you call it something different, and you prepare it correctly, he might like it.  Shrimp and grits is soooo good, and I hate shrimp.

Brandiewine11

We're having beef fajitas tonight. With rice and black beans.

Other possibilities for the week are chicken chili, beef roast, and spaghetti.

And grits are awesome, especially seasoned with a little butter, salt, and pepper. Or cheddar cheese. Shrimp and grits is a great meal. They are softer than polenta - not as grainy? But you need to season them as they are pretty flavorless on their own.

Hmmm....Maybe we'll have shrimp and grits this week instead of spaghetti!

bumpuser9353653

We made zesty quinoa salad last night. It tastes like Chipotle.

You'll need: quinoa, cumin, 1 lime, cilantro, 1 can of black beans, cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, EVOO, salt and pepper. I think that's it. It's so good!

Brandiewine11

stringy813 said:

Anyone have a good white chicken chili recipe, like with cilantro on top? I had one at a potluck and it was a-mazing.

https://tasty-yummies.com/2013/10/19/chicken-and-white-bean-chili/

I'm making this one this week.

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bumpuser9353653

@theultimatesak‌ Can I come over for venison night?

Brandiewine11

@theultimatesak how do you do your venison tenderloin? I still have a little of last years venison in the freezer (tenderloin, steak, and roast) that I need to use up and I'm in a rut with it. I need to use it before my husband's hunting trip this year.....

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sarenu1

I'm doing beef stroganoff tonight.

Probably the chicken and rice tomorrow.

And either salmon or a shrimp curry later in the week.

I'm hoping I can eat some of these, since my throat hates all solid foods. I might be eating soup all week.

Into+the+Kitty

We did a veggie lasagna, and still have minestrone soup, stir fry, and pizza on the menu. Nothing super inspired for the next few weeks because I don't want our food going bad if we end up going to the hospital.

Next week, I'm planning on making another veggie loaded chicken parm casserole, because I made two the other week (one to eat, one to freeze) and it was amazing.

bumpuser10179393

I made tater tot casserole last night. We'll probably have leftovers this week.

stoneycakes

@stringy813, I once made an improvised white chicken chili that came out so good, I'm pretty sure I wrote down what I did.  It was an all day affair with a whole chicken and dried beans.  You still interested?  I can probably find it.

stoneycakes

So I decided we're having braised brisket tacos with refried beans and fajita veggies for dinner tonight.  Then, a whole roasted chicken with cauliflower and butternut squash, lasagna with bechamel sauce, a pizza night and I'm going to try out that dill pickle soup with either homemade crusty bread or grilled cheeses.

Mandmeesh

Veggie chili in bread bowls! I used that crusty bread dough (that you posted) and instead of baking it the way it says in the recipe, kneaded it slightly after rising for 24 hrs then cut into 4 equal portions. Let rise in a pan for another 2 hours. Brushed with egg wash and baked at 425° for 40 minutes

stoneycakes

Stringy I found it.  I wish I bought tomatillos and poblanos because now I kind of want to make this with my whole chicken instead of roasting it.

Green Chili 

1 small whole chicken

½ pkg dried white beans

3 cans tomatillos, drained

3 med onions

4 poblanos

½ pkg frozen corn

2 jalepenos

4 cloves garlic

Oregano

Cilantro

Salt

 

Soak the beans overnight (Or you can do the quick soak directions on the package).  In a stock pot, cover the chicken about half way with water and add the tomatillos.  Salt to taste (about 1-2t).  Simmer covered for 3-4 hours or until chicken falls off the bone. 

Meanwhile, roast the poblanos under the broiler, remove skins and dice.  Dice the onions, coat in oil and broil in the same pan, stirring at least once, until they are a bit blackened. 

When the chicken is ready, remove it and place in a bowl of ice.  Once it’s cool enough to handle, separate the meat from the bones and skin.  Store the meat in the refrigerator and discard bones. 

Add beans, poblanos, onions and oregano (to taste, about 1t) to the stock pot.  Bring to a boil.  Once boiling, lower the heat to a rapid simmer and cook without a lid for about 2 hours or until beans are soft and the liquid is reduced to a nice thickness. 

Rough chop jalepenos and a handful of cilantro.  Put in the food processor with the 4 cloves of garlic and pulse until finely minced. Add this, along with the chicken and corn to the chili.  Heat through and salt to taste before serving.

stoneycakes

Yeah Stringy, you could totally use chicken broth, chicken breasts and canned beans and put it in the crock pot.

bumpuser9353653

I think I'm going to try giving A real food this week. She'll be 6 months next week and she's really showing signs of wanting to eat what we are.

I bought a little steamer pack of baby veggies. Had what looked like the perfect sized carrots in there for her to grab and gnaw. I'll eat the other snap peas and zucchini.

I'm so nervous! Any other May moms started foods yet? (besides Maple)

Carrots are a good first BLW food, right? I'm sure I'm over thinking this

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DanandVan

I am having a love affair with my crock pot. I made a huge batch of lentil soup that even my kids liked. Healthy and easy!
I sauted chopped onion and carrots in olive oil in a pan, then put it in the crock pot with a 1lb bag of lentils, 8 cups veg broth, a can of diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cooked on low 7-8 hrs.

Also, this week I plan to make (veggie) meatball subs in the crock pot with Trader Joe's meatless meatballs, but regular meatballs would work too!

freezorburn

Loving this thread! Maybe I'll give that green chili a try!

DH is cooking tonight. He said sausage pasta, which I think is sausage, onions, garlic, and kale sauteed together, and I think he tosses in a little wine at the end to get the right consistency. He might toss in a few fresh cherry tomatoes for color, but it's not really a tomato sauce. 

unaveragejane

I really wish I had read this thread before I went shopping this morning. I didn't really get much to cook, so maybe I'll go again tomorrow.

@stoneycakes - If you decide to do a roast later, the Pioneer Woman has the best recipe. I don't know what it is about hers that is better, but DH never likes roast and he LOVES this recipe. I tried it with the optional mushrooms one time, and it was so buttery and delicious! https://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/09/2008_the_year_of_the_pot_roast/

stoneycakes

That roast looks awesome, Jane.  That's on next week's list for sure.

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bumpuser9353653

@Mapleme‌ your food wisdom is always welcome! I was just curious if anyone else besides you had started. :-)

Did you cook the pear wedges at all or just pick a really ripe one?

bumpuser9353653

Oh, and I'm making ham and lentil soup. Honey Baked Ham will sell you a ham bone with scraps for $10 so hubs is picking that up tonight and I'll be making the soup for dinner tomorrow :-)

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stoneycakes

theultimatesak said:

I'm going to try meatloaf in the crockpot today. I'm 95% sure it will burn the outside of it, but I'm willing to take that chance bc of the use or freeze by today date.

How does this work? Do you put in the meat raw? What about all the grease?

We shall find out... But you put it in the oven raw too.

Yeah, the raw part doesn't gross me out, it's getting some of the grease out. when I pull a pan of meatloaf out of the oven I can dump some of the fat out. I would love to cook a meatloaf in my crockpot. I will definitely be needing an update on how this works out

Oh, I will find a way. A turkey baster would work amazingly but I don't have one

Good because I don't have one either and I'd hate if that was the solution

Can't you just pull it out of the crock pot and put it on a cooling rack?

stoneycakes

^^^Yeah or you could even put it on some carrots or onions to hold it up and let the grease drain down.

stoneycakes

This brisket smells Ah-mazing.  I should really do the world a favor and open up a taco truck.

sarenu1

You need something like this.

sarenu1

Chickypoo2468 said:

sarenu1 said:

You need something like this.

Yeah, I have nothing like that. Is that a thing? Can I buy one?

It came with the slow cooker. Maybe search for a steamer/roasting rack for slow cookers?