We have a giant patio with a teeny tiny outdoor table that we never use. Well, I use it all the time to photograph food, but that’s about all it is good for. I’ve been really wanting to get a big table and chairs for the patio. Yesterday Nate bought and built a beautiful table, chairs and a bench. I AM SO EXCITED. Our family will finally be able to enjoy eating outside in the lovely weather together. It’s about time…we’ve only been living in California for 10+ years! Owen loves the set up, so I think we made a good pick!
Also, won’t this table be pretty for food photography? I have a feeling you will all be seeing it quite often!
MONDAY:
– Rachel Sandwiches (Cate’s favorite)
TUESDAY:
– Stuffed Peppers (didn’t get to these last week!)
WEDNESDAY:
– Omelettes (Anna’s favorite)
– Fresh fruit
THURSDAY:
– Family Fun Night at school – pizza will be served!
FRIDAY:
– Grill night…hot dogs, hamburgers (Nate’s favorite)
– Baked beans, fresh fruit
SATURDAY:
– Eat out
SUNDAY:
– Orange Chicken (Nate’s other favorite)
– Rice & Veggies
I wasn’t feeling super inspired to plan a menu this morning, despite reading through all of your great menus from last week. So, I went with my family’s favorite foods. At least I know everyone will eat what I make this week!
Time to share menus! Please let us know what you’re eating this week for dinner!
Outdoor eating is the best! Enjoy your new table/chairs.
Sunday- At a Christening today, so we’ll probably just nibble on leftovers from the fridge if we’re still hungry later.
Monday- homemade margarita pizza and salad
Tuesday- Cacio e pepe (http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/02/spaghetti-cacio-e-pepe/) and salad
Wednesday- Grilled chicken, roasted potatoes and asparagus
Thursday- Chicken masala (Trader Joe’s simmer sauce) with rice and peas
Friday- I have no idea. Looking to all of your for inspiration!
Saturday- out
Guess we know where you and the little ones will be all summer. Fire up the grill and eat on the deck. Nothing better. Love this time of the year.
Sunday – Grilled chicken breast, roasted red potatoes
Monday – Meatloaf on the grill, corn on the cob
Tuesday – Crab and shrimp fetticini, caesar salad
Wednesday – Leftovers
Thursday – Pork steaks, rice and broccoli
Friday – Ravoli in red sauce, tossed salad
Saturday – Leftovers
I don’t have a formal menu for this week.
I’m about a month from my due date, and came down with a cold last week, that has turned into a sinus infection and bronchitis. Then yesterday, my 3 year old came down with that bug (or something else, who knows), so we’ve been eating a lot of chicken soup and the like, and I haven’t even sat down to make a menu yet. Bad me!!! 😉
Here are my non-concreted dinner plans for the week. Simple yet filling, mostly from the freezer or pantry:
-Spaghetti and Salad w Garlic Bread
-Baked Mac and Cheese, Steamed Carrots
-Tacos or Burritos and Salad and chips
-Breakfast for dinner
I hate it when I get sick when I’m pregnant and nursing…so annoying. hang in there!!!!
Sunday – out for a fancy brunch so not planning on eating later!
Monday – chicken curry and rice
tuesday – spring pizza (with asparagus)
Wednesday – salmon, broccoli and fries
Thursday – stuffed peppers
friday – out at a Phillies game!
Saturday – visiting DC to see son in a play !
Monday: Southwest Black Bean Casserole and Tomatoes and Avocados
Tuesday: Black Beans and Spicy Chicken Tacos
Wednesday: Thai Pork and Noodles with Green Beans
Thursday: Jagerschnitzel and Goody Girl Potatoes and Corn
Friday: Cheeseburger Salad
Saturday: Rosemary Red Bean Soup and Herbed Rolls
Sunday: Breakfast for dinner, Pumpkin Vanilla Crepes
Those Pumpkin Vanilla Crepes sound delish!
Would you mind sharing the recipe for the Pumpkin Vanilla Crepes? Please, pretty please! 🙂
I found the recipe at foodnetwork.com, it’s from Anne Burrell. I change it up a little bit, and add some pumpkin to the crepe batter. I can’t get the site to come up for some reason, but I’ll try to post a link here for you.
Sorry, I was confused with another recipe. Here is the link to the crepe recipe
http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/pumpkin-cream-cheese-topped-cinnamon-vanilla-crepes/
Hope you enjoy them!!!
Love the table!! Very jealous. We live in FL and have a great patio. We’ve been here 6 years, but haven’t set up a table yet because it can get so buggy.
Sunday: Chicken/tofu Pad Thai
Monday: Individual homemade pizzas with a variety of toppings and jicama slaw (inspired by the Cantina Laredo side I had on Saturday)
Tuesday: Baked Polenta Pie (Two Peas) with oven fries (featuring Peter Wilcox potatoes from the CSA!)
Wednesday: Dinner at church
Thursday: Husband at work dinner; for the girls – Smashed Chickpea and Avocado salad in a bread bowl (my spin on Two Peas’ recipe) and roasted carrots from CSA
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Out
I have to say, I really truly appreciate the fact that we have practically no bugs where we live…it’s AMAZING and whenever I got east I realize just how good life is without those pesky things flying around and biting you!
Nice picture. I really like the outdoor furniture. Just wondering, was it difficult to assemble? I’m looking into a bench from ikea but have heard some crazy stories about putting together stuff from there. Anyway, the menu:
Monday: sliders, oven fries, carrots
Tuesday: breaded chicken cutlets and veggies
Wednesday: BLTs
Thursday: fresh linguini with roasted garlic
Friday: steak, grilled corn, rolls
Saturday: out
Sunday: something quick—either shrimp, leftovers, or stirfry
I’ll also be baking a berry tart with fresh raspberries and blueberries, as well as homemade ice cream (flavor to be decided)
I don’t think it was too difficult, I’ll have to ask nate…but he did it all in one afternoon. we bought a hemnes 6 drawer dresser last weekend too and that was a PAIN IN THE BUTT to assemble, took like 4 hours just for one dresser. so, compared to that, this table and chairs were easy peasy! 🙂
Sunday: Grilled filet, asparagus, strawberries
Monday: Baked panko crusted chicken, salad
Tuesday: Beef strogonoff
Wednesday: Waffles
Thursday: Not sure, something simple
Friday: Creamy taco mac
Saturday: Pork tenderloin, au gratin potatoes
It is still cold here to eat out side. I am hoping soon. I will grill in almost any weather.
The letters stand for my room mates. I let them have control of the kitchen for a day this week.
Sun- Creamy Chicken-apple Chili(P)
Mon- Cheeseburgers, Onion Rings
Tues- Shrimp Stir-fry (L)
Wed- Mystery Lunchbox
Thurs- Pizza Quesadillas
Fri- BLTs
Sat- Grilled Chicken Drumlets, Corn on the cob
I have lots of onions and potatoes to use up this week and lots of chicken in the freezer. I would like to grill out, but it is supposed to rain most of the week.
Sunday – Roast Chicken & Vegetables, Red Potatoes with Thyme, Roasted Asparagus
Monday – Corned Beef & Cabbage with Carrots, Onions, and Potatoes
Tuesday – French Onion Braised Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus
Wednesday – Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Orzo with Basil & Pine Nuts, Lemon-Dill Green Beans
Thursday – Salt & Vinegar Chicken Thighs, Artichokes, Garlic Dill Red Potatoes
Friday – French Onion Soup, Roast Beef Sandwiches
Saturday – Cream of Mushroom Soup, Parmesan Chicken, Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Table looks beautiful! Our favorite dinners are outside in our backyard.
Mon: Creamy Tuna & Mushroom Linguine w/ garlic breadsticks & roasted asparagus
*Also making PB & Blackberry Jam butterfly sandwiches for a picnic at a bug playdate.
Tues: Spicy White Bean & Veg Soup (onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper, garlic) w/ leftover breadsticks
Wed: Leftovers
Th: Making Corned Beef for sandwiches on Rye w/ horseradish coleslaw & baked sweet potato fries
Fri: Niece is babysitting and we’re going out w/ friends to 333 Pacific…great seafood restaurant on the beach! 🙂
Sat: Going to baseball game with son’s t-ball team so it’s hot dogs, cracker jacks, peanuts, and beer…yay! 🙂
Sun: Using leftover corned beef to make breakfast for dinner…Corned Beef Benedicts (corn beef, poached egg, English muffin & Swiss) w/ baked garlic fries & fruit salad
Weekly Dessert: Nutella Pops (got idea from someone’s posting last week…Thanks!)
Sunday: roast chicken, mashed potatoes and veggies
Monday: creamy chicken enchiladas! Excited to try them.
Tuesday: leftovers
Wednesday-Friday: sour cream noodle bake”>
Saturday: date night out
Sat – chicken pot pie
Sun – cheeseburgers
Mon – sub sandwiches
Tue – pulled pork sandwiches
Wed – homemade pizza
Thurs – Janna’s Chicken & rice
Fri – pancakes
Not sure what meal is which day yet:
Turkey meatloaf
Pulled pork sandwiches
Mac n cheese w/ chicken sausage and broccoli
Polenta and roasted veggies
Fresh n Easy lasagna
I have the opposite problem this week- I made a great plan, but now I’m exhausted and don’t feel like making anything, so it will probably change so we don’t waste food, since I’ve already bought everything.
Sunday- leftover steak in Caesar salads, Texas Roadhouse copycat seasoned rice
Monday- grilled burgers and oven fries
Tuesday- Italian chicken tenders, pastasides and green beans
Wednesday- out
Thursday- Chicken fried rice and egg rolls
Friday- pizza
Saturday- Slow cooker Italian meatballs and spaghetti
Mon: Pasta with sprouting broccoli and garlic butter
Tue: Chicken stew, new potatoes, green beans
Wed: Risotto primavera
Thur: Potstickers, stir-fried greens
Fri: Lamb and squash curry, naan, raita
Sat: Potato and corn bake with ratatouille
Monday
Asparagus, Chickpeas and Brown Rice with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Grilled Salmon (cook and extra ½ lb)
Tuesday
Salmon Noodle Bowls (flake last nights salmon)
Roasted Broccoli with Japanese Dipping Sauce
Wednesday
Burgers
Chopped Salad
Roasted Russets with Chipotle Aioli
Thursday
Kitchen Sink Enchiladas (use up all leftovers)
Avocado and Tomato Salad
Friday
French Bread Pizza
Green Salad
Mine is posted at my blog: http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/04/23/423-weekly-meal-plan/
I went through last week’s menus for inspiration today.
that’s what I do every week, read through all the comments from the week before. it’s so helpful!
S-Homemade Hamburger and Mushroom Pizza
M- Turkey Hard Tacos
T- Chicken Stroganoff
W- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Soft Tacos
Th- Mexican Casserole
F- Baked Fish and Onion Rings
S- Take Out
I struggled this week, for some reason, but here it is!
M – Fish in Packets, Tomato & Spinach Salad
Tu – Sweet Potato & Black Bean Enchiladas (for real this week)
W – Mac & Cheese, Broccolini
Th – Corn Dogs, by special spousal request
F – breakfast for dinner (TBD)
Sa – Southwestern Quinoa Salad
Su – Lasagna, Salad, something special for dessert (suggestions welcome!)
I just found this great recipe for Chocolate Yogurt Souffles & I saw you were looking for suggestions… There was a note also that it has a tangy taste to it, but if you prefer sweeter then vanilla greek yogurt would be better. 🙂
Chocolate Yogurt Souffles
1 cup plain greek-style yogurt
3 large egg yolks
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp honey
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tbsp sugar
butter and sugar, for ramekins
Preheat the oven to 375F.
Butter six 6-oz. ramekins. Pour a small amount of sugar into each and roll the ramekins to coat (just like flouring a pan). Set on a baking sheet.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, egg yolks, flour, cocoa powder, honey, salt and vanilla extract.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually stream in sugar and continue beating on medium-high speed until all sugar has been incorporated and egg whites have reached soft peaks.
Working in two or three batches, gently fold egg whites in to the yogurt mixture. This can be done with a whisk or with a spatula. Make sure all egg whites have been fully incorporated.
Divide mixture evenly into ramekins, using about 1/2 cup in each and leaving ramekins on the baking tray.
Bake for 15-17 minutes, until evenly risen and lightly browned around the edges.
Serve immediately.
Makes 6.
Note: These can be baked in four 8-oz ramekins, but baking time will need to be increased by 5-10 minutes.
lisa, those souffles are very intriguing and sound wonderful – I have saved this to my to-try recipe list!
Yum! Thanks for the suggestion, Lisa!
Crazy week this week since my one-year-old niece and three-year-old nephew will be joining us on Wednesday and staying until Sunday (their mom and dad get a well-deserved long weekend in Chicago). So I know things will change and it’ll be difficult to cook early for two little ones and then later for three teenagers but I think my plan for easy meals on Thursday and Friday will work until my husband’s back in town and can help with the meals. Also, most of meals can be broken down in parts for the little ones to eat.
Sunday: Asian salmon with quinoa risotto and roasted brussel sprouts.
Monday: Pizza (late track meet for two kids).
Tuesday: Tortellini garden bake or BLTs ”” whichever sounds better!
Wednesday: Chicken rice bowls.
Thursday: Chicken, corn and zucchini enchiladas with guac and tomatillo salsa.
Friday: Pierogies and sausages with broccoli and fruit.
Saturday: ?? Maybe grilled steak/chicken with baked potatoes?
Sunday – at a friend’s house, so no cooking!
Monday – Calzones
Tuesday – Thai curry noodles
Wednesday – Leftovers
Thursday – Trader Joe’s gnocchi and puttanesca sauce
Friday – Pizza night!
Here’s my menu this week with some new (to me) frugal bean recipes.
http://nearlynaturalnicole.blogspot.com/2012/04/menu-plan-423-429.html
We are having delicious homemade thai pizza! Menu and recipes here: http://www.lcvalleymom.com/2012/04/thai-chicken-pizza.html
I love thai pizza!!! yum!
Monday:
Greek Turkey Burgers, Sweet Potato & Beet Hash and Watermelon & Cantaloupe Salad (didn’t get to this last week)
Tuesday:
Grilled Tilapia with Jalapeno Sauce, Roasted Squash and Spicy Pea Salad
Wednesday:
Leftover Tilapia
Thursday:
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Tacos and Mexican Brown Rice Casserole
Friday:
Leftover Chicken Tacos
Saturday:
Chicken Taco Salad in Baked Taco Shells (Round 2 Recipe)
Sunday:
Ground Beef Stroganoff Casserole and Roasted Snow Peas & Carrots
Sun: Hot Dogs & Baked Beans
Mon: Pizza (after daughter’s softball game)
Tues: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Wed: Chicken Enchiladas
Thurs: Sloppy Joe Macaroni & Cheese (Rachel Ray)
Fri: Pork & Ginger Stirfry (Martha)
Sat: Pasta Carbonara
My first visit here… I love it. I am new at the weekly meal planning. And, just started a couple weeks ago trying to plan ahead. We kid of fly by the seat of our pants =). My hubby was always the big cook in the house. But, our lives have changed around & I find myself not wanting to have those freak out nights where I try to throw something together when he is not up to it. So little, by little I have been trying to get beyond boxed, canned & frozen everything… He is happier & even now says he loves my food. But I still need tons of help! Which is how I found your site trying to come up with new & delicious meals. So here is what my week is looking like (so far… this changes all the time!)
Mon: Roasted Chicken, broccoli & french bread
Dessert: Brownies (I usually just do dessert on weekends…)
Tue: French Dip Sandwiches & sweet potato fries
Wed: Stuffed Cabbage
Dessert: Birthday Cake for my Son
Thur: TBD (the reason I came looking)
Fri: BBQ chicken, potatoes & corn bread.
Dessert: Cookies
Sat: Meatloaf & mashed potatoes
Sun: Crock pot pulled pork
Dessert: Apple Pie
welcome to the world of planning! it really really really helps…I used to get so stressed out every afternoon around 4 pm because I never knew what we were eating. anyway, so glad you found the site and look forward to seeing more of your menus! 🙂
Mon: Stirfry
Tues: Red Lentil and Carrot Soup with Coconut Milk (in the crockpot)
Wed: Black bean burritos
Thurs: Minestrone Soup
Fri: Away visiting my brother in Vermont
Sat: Ditto
Sun: Ditto
Jane – that table set looks beautiful! Your patio is huge and lovely – this will be so great!
Monday: Black Bean Soup Like You Mean It
Tuesday: Lemony Kale Pasta
Wednesday: last night class! Ben fends for himself.
Thursday: Potato & Chorizo Tacos
Friday: my birthday! out to eat to celebrate 🙂
Saturday: leftovers or maybe out to eat again, thanks to loads of birthday freebies 🙂
Sunday: chicken curry and couscous
Sat – turkey, cheese, bacon paninis, homemade onion rings
Sun – white chicken chili, fresh bread
Mon – maple glazed salmon, rice, summer squash
Tues – french onion soup (freezer), paninis
Wed – spaghetti & salad
Thurs – BBQ baked chicken pcs, mashed potatoes, corn
Fri – homemade pizza
Tuesday- Shrimp & Garlic Pizza
Wednesday-Chicken, rice, veggies
Thursday- Fish- whatever is freshest, potatoes, veggies
Friday- Dad’s birthday celebration dinner
Saturday-Eggs and waffles
Came across this website last week and LOVED it! I always plan my weekly meals, but have been in a rut lately. I was excited to read last week’s menus from everyone and happy to share mine for this week (I don’t plan weekend meals):
Monday – tilapia with a parmasean crust and broccoli
Tuesday – beef bbq sandwiches and french fries
Wednesday – we always have frozen pizza & salad on Wed.
Thursday – Butter chicken (or something like that. I think someone posted it last week or the week before)
Friday – spaghetti w meatballs
Last night we had takeout
Tuesday – chicken apple sausages, pasta, green beans
Wednesday – crock pot bbq chicken over baked potatoes (aka loaded texas spuds)
Thursday – balsamic chicken with spinach, tomatoes, cous cous
Friday – steak fajitas
Saturday – miso glazed salmon, rice, asparagus
Sunday – out
Sunday: Pepperoni Pizza
Monday: Hamburger Helper (it was a big weekend)
Tuesday: Roast Chicken with Roast potatoes and canned peas
Wednesday: Wings
Thursday: Pioneer Woman’s Pork Chops Asparagus and Rice Pilaf
Friday: Left overs, fend for your self or tuna boats
I suggest you use some thicker cut pork chops for TPW garlic and wine pork chops. I used the skinny but on sale ones and… feh….not as good as last time I made them!