Menu Planning Monday

   
So I have this problem.

I have NO idea what to make for dinner any more.  I say we have no food.  Scott opens the freezer and says, "We have...." and proceeds to list all of the things that I can clearly see in there.  He then adds, "And that's JUST the freezer." 

Yes, Scott, we have food.

We don't have things to turn into MEALS.

I am a big believer that a good meal has a main dish and a side.  I also know that I need to eat more vegetables and other healthier choices.  While I can't guaruntee the healthy part, I can at least start trying to plan meals.  Then instead of coming home and eating something unsatisfying, a plan will be in place.

Cue Elizabeth from The Young Retiree and Jane from Adventures to Taingamala. They have come up with Menu Planning Mondays.  While I can't promise to link-up every week.  I thought that this week would get me off to a start.

Monday

Today, I have a Decor Divas team meeting at my sponsoring designer's house for Celebrating Home. So Scott is on his own.  (He has to work night shift anyway).  I'm not sure what the main course for dinner will be because everyone always brings something to share.  I'm taking my Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip. 

(UPDATE: Both school and my meeting were cancelled today because winter will just not go away here in PA. I'm definitely having my dip for dessert. I'm going to try to stick to the plan for the rest of the week and come up with something to eat today...wish me luck!)

Tuesday

Dinner Time Tuesday!  You should come link up.  (Confession.  My post this week will be about something I had for dinner last week.  This is necessary to be able to go live Tuesday evening.) What I'll actually be having? Chili with corn bread. 

Wednesday

Fish sticks with Velveeta shells & cheese and steamed broccoli

Thursday

Beef pot roast with potatoes, onions, celery, and carrots.  There may be a side of French or Italian bread involved here.  (Update: When I went grocery shopping, I couldn't find the bread I wanted.  I actually chose a half-loaf of sour dough bread.  It will be delicious!)

Friday

Cheese Ravioli with cheesy garlic bread and a side salad

Saturday

Leftovers.  (It is likely that there will be chili and roast left over.)

Sunday

Finally, we will finish the week by having Steak Sandwiches with mushrooms, peppers, and onions and a side of chips.

I promise to do my best to stick with this plan!  :)  What are you having this week?

It's time for Chili

I was going to post "My Harry Potter Fix: Fashion Edition" link-up post today, but Polyvore is being difficult. I create an outfit, save, and publish, and then it disappears. Can anyone offer some advice?? My first outfit was actually there, and I had it inserted into my post. Then it vanished. It still said it was in my set, and I can click edit and the outfit appears. Weird??

Anway...it's FREEZING here in Pennsylvania.  According to weather.com, it's 20* right now, but we're expected to drop to single digits with -10 windchills over night.  Windchills are expected to be -15 with highs in the single digits during the DAY tomorrow.  Awesome.

In other words, I need to share my Chili recipe with you.  I don't make mine super spicy or anything, but if it's cold where you live, too, this should help to warm you up!

Chili & Corn Bread

• 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
• 2 small onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1 heaping T chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 can (15 oz.) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1. Brown beef with garlic and onion over medium heat, drain.

 

2. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the beans.

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3. Heat to boiling. Then turn the heat to simmer and add the beans

 

4. Cover and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, grab your favorite corn bread recipe or mix and get that ready. I use Jiffy corn bread mix because it's good, and it's super cheap.

I

This one uses a box of the mix, 1 egg, and 1/3 cup of milk. Heat the oven to 400*F. Mix up the ingredients with a spoon. Let sit 3-4 minutes and restir before filling cups. This makes 6-8 regular size muffins. I made minis. :)

Spray the pan with Pam, and then fill each cup. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

I never eat chili without making corn bread. I don't know if this is how everyone eats chili or not. I didn't like chili when I was a kid (or teenager) because I didn't like beans. I had beanless chili once, and I loved it. When I started making it for Scott and me, I thought I could just pick out the beans but....turns out, they're pretty good! :) ANYWAY, in the "pre-crazy Lindsay Lohan" version of The Parent Trap there is mention of chili and corn bread. I think this is where my idea that they go together came from.

Either way, it's delicious!

Enjoy. :)