Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooking. Show all posts

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Menu Plan Monday



Wow, I can't believe that I wasn't able to post any more last week after Monday.  Hopefully this week will be a bit easier for me at work and I can participate in the blogging world more.  Okay enough of that......




It's time again for Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.  I am so inspired every week when I read through all of the wonderful meal plans posted there.  If you've never been or don't go there on a regular basis; I really want to encourage you to check it out!

Here's what is on my menu for this week:


Monday - Oven Roasted Chicken, Steamed Veggies, Bread (Bread Machine), Death By Chocolate Cake
Tuesday - Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Tossed Salad, Homemade Bread Sticks, Left Over Cake
Wednesday - Pork Tenderloin, Glazed Carrots, Green Beans, Left Over Bread, Banana Pudding
Thursday - FFY or Left Overs
FridayBeef Enchilada Casserole, Salad, Cornbread, Fresh Fruit and Ice Cream
SaturdayBaked Potato Soup, Sandwiches, Apple Slices
Sunday - Homemade Pizza, Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars


What's on your plate for the coming week?  Leave me a comment!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Menu Plan Monday



I've got to confess this past week was a rough week for me.  I've been really, really busy with work.  The deadline for the federal tax rebate for home purchase is quickly approaching and I've had folks coming from every direction hoping to find a house before it's too late.  I'm not complaining, just tired.  Frankly the idea of doing just about anything right now seems daunting, even planning my menu for the coming week.  


I did manage to work it out though and here's what's cooking for me and mine this next week.


Monday:  Buttermilk Oven-Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, cornbread, brownies


Tuesday:  Tacos, rice, black beans, leftover brownies


Wednesday:  Pork Tenderloin, roasted sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas, homemade bread from bread machine, peach cobbler (old family recipe posted on Tuesday)


Thursday:  Chicken Spaghetti, salad, leftover bread, leftover peach cobbler


Friday:  Sirloin Steak, baked potatoes, green beans, Texas toast, oversize chocolate chip cookies


Saturday:  FFY or out to eat


Sunday:  Slow Cooker Roast with Veggies, seasonal fruit with vanilla ice cream




Don't forget to check out all the great meal plans and recipe links on Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.  







Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Down memory lane with my cookbooks.....


Lately it's hard not to think about cooler weather, pumpkins, holidays and family gatherings.  Fall is in the air even here in Texas.  One of the things that I really enjoyed doing years ago when I was a stay at home mom to my 3 precious little boys, was to curl up on the couch with a warm cup of coffee, cocoa, or apple cider and pour over cookbooks.  Yep, cookbooks!  Nothing made me happier.  I've always had a passion for cooking and baking, really mostly baking.  Ask any one of my boys and they will tell you that they fondly remember the evening meal together as a family.  Rarely was there a meal served that did not include homemade bread of some sort (before I owned a bread machine), and a wonderful dessert of something gooey and delicious.  


It's so easy now to jump online, type in a specific ingredient and have hundreds of different recipes at a clicks notice.  Don't get me wrong, I use the internet for recipes all the time and love that I can find a recipe for anything quickly.  I just miss the slower paced life of living in a very small town, going to the public library on a regular basis, checking out a new to me cookbook and looking for that delicious goodness that might find a permanent place as a family favorite.  


A few years ago I ran across a book that I just had to have, so I added it to my collection.  Yes, it is a cookbook.  It's called "A Return to Sunday Dinner" by Russell Cronkhite.  Oh what a lovely cookbook it is.  There are beautiful pictures and amazing recipes from around the country to remind you of the indelible memories a simple menu can bring your family.  


I think today will be a perfect day to snuggle up with a fuzzy throw, a warm cup of coffee and my precious cookbooks..... here's hoping you too will will find a simple past pleasure to revisit today.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Preserving A Last Little Bit Of Summer

Yummy, Yummy corn on the cob.  One of my summertime favorites.  I didn't have a garden this year but I did fully take advantage every time any of the local grocery stores had corn on sale.  I'd buy a bunch and freeze it so we could enjoy it in the cooler months ahead.  This is my attempt to show you how to prepare fresh corn for the freezer so that you too can enjoy it later in the fall.

First clean the corn of all the husks and silk.  Rinse it off really well to make sure that you get as much of the silk off as you can.

Place a few ears in a pot of boiling water.  I like to package my servings in four, so I always do four at a time with each process.  Hey it works for me!  Let it boil for 7 minutes for small ears, 9 minutes for medium size ears and 11 minutes for large ears.

After it boils for 7, 9 or 11 minutes, immediately place the ears of corn in very cold, ice water for the exact same amount of time that you boiled them.  This process is called "blanching".  It is very important because it stops the production of enzymes.  If this is not done and the corn is simply put in the freezer without doing this process, you will likely have corn that will have an off flavor, look different in color and be tough.

After the cooling off time, gently drain on a paper towel, and place in freezer bags. (I like the vacuum seal kind.) Date it and place it on a flat surface in the freezer to freeze and store.  You will want to cook and eat these ears of corn within 3 months for maximum freshness.  I use my handy dandy steamer to prepare my frozen corn on the cobs for dinner.  I put it in frozen and steam for 30 minutes.  Comes out perfect and so, so good!

I'm linking this tip over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for Tasty Tuesday and over at Blessed with Grace for her Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

















Always count your blessings,