Menu: Sept 21-27

Well, it's time for another menu this week. I'm kinda putting together another easy one since we will be gone again this weekend. But, I am hoping to try something new too! I hope you enjoy my menu ideas... my goal is to provide a variety of meals for my family and add new favorites to the choices in the process. I like making new things; however, I do have some stipulations...

1. the recipe MUST not contain any ingredients I have NEVER heard of or have NO IDEA what they are. I hate buying something that I know I may never use again!
2. it kinda needs to be a "normal" type meal. I don't really fix "fancy"! I HAVE THREE KIDS AND A HUSBAND WHO IS PICKY!!!
3. I watch reviews and pictures...if other's aren't giving it a thumbs up and if it doesn't look appetizing...what's the point!
4. I also try and watch prep and cook times. I don't have a ton of time prepping a meal and waiting on it to cook...I HAVE THREE KIDS!!!

I guess that is mainly it. I get most of my "new" recipes from the church or previous work cookbooks, from friends and relatives AND from one of my favorite websites... www.allrecipes.com. I love it AND you can request a daily recipe emailed to you. Then I can keep it or delete it. EASY! You should try it out.

Anyways... back to the menu for this week...

Monday ~ Taco Soup - great for a rainy day like today!!!

Tuesday ~ Mushroom Steak & Potatoes (didn't get that made last week)

Wednesday – BBQ Meatballs (this is one of Chris' utmost favorites! I'll share the recipe later this week.)

Thursday – Headed to Chicago!!! YEAH!!

Friday – Chicago

Saturday – Chicago

Sunday – Chicago

Well...now to make my grocery list...one of the many TO DO items on today's agenda. Have a great week!

Menu: Sept 14-21

Well...this week's menu is SHORT! Busy week with lots of plans. So, I won't be trying any new recipes this week. We'll be eating LOTS of fair food...but that is okay with me. That is one of my favorite parts of the fair!

MONDAY ~ Working at fair - must fend for ourselves.

TUESDAY ~ Leftover Goulash - we have lots from last weekend!

WEDNESDAY ~ Mushroom Steak & Potatoes

THURSDAY ~ Hot Dogs

FRIDAY ~ FAIR!

SATURDAY ~ FAIR!

SUNDAY - FAIR!

PS. We aren't going to the fair this whole weekend...actually Chris and I work at our friend's food booth and sell TACONES! They are wonderful! Stop by and see us if you are going to the fair this weekend...we would love to catch up with all our friends and family! We're located at Rotten Rodney's just west of the northwest corner of the food court! Have a great week!

Menu: Sept 7 - Sept 13

Whew...got through another week! I am doing better about getting back to my menus...thank goodness! This weeks' menu is pretty easy...which is okay by me. I could use a slight break. No new recipes this week, but I'll share the French Fry Casserole one later...as it is a great one that my friend Kelly gave me a while back! Look for it later in the week.

Monday – Breakfast for Supper

Tuesday – Grilled Pork Chops

Wednesday – French Fry Casserole

Thursday – Leftovers

Friday – Steaks

Saturday – Goulash

Sunday – Pot Roast

Have a great week!

Tacos in a Pasta Shell

Sounds wierd huh? I thought so...I was really nervous about this one. I just couldn't quite see myself eating mexican with pasta...it just doesn't go!

However, I was pleasantly surprised! This turned out to be really good...and relatively easy to make, which was another one of my hesitations. Chris and I couldn't get over how tasty the meat was! Yum. Another one to add to our regular supper menu items!

Here is the recipe...

Taco Pasta Shells

1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
18 jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup sour cream

In a large skillet, brown beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add cream cheese, salt and chili powder; mix and simmer for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Toss cooked shells in butter.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Fill shells with beef mixture and arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish; pour taco sauce over shells. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove dish from oven and top with Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese and tortilla chips; return dish to oven to cook for 15 minutes more.
Top with sour cream and black olives; serve.

Baked Ziti

Wonderful!!! This is sooooo good!!!

1 lb. hamburger
1 small onion, chopped
2 jars spagetti sauce
6 oz of sliced provolone
1 cup sourcream
1 lb. ziti
1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Pre-heat oven to 350. Brown hamburger and onion in skillet. While hamburger is browning, cook ziti per package instructions. Drain hamburger then add sauce to hamburger, simmer until sauce is well heated. When ziti is done, drain. Layer in 9 x 13 pan in this order: 1/2 of ziti, provolone cheese, sour cream, half of hamburger/sauce mixture. Then the rest of the ziti, the rest of the hamburger/sauce mixture. Top with mozzarella cheese. (we usually use more than it calls for because we like it very cheesy. Bake for 30-40 minutes, just until cheese is started to brown.


YUMMY....YOU MUST TRY IT!