Dinner Diva Menu Week of 4/13

My cupcakes are in the oven, and the house smells SO good! I'm going to let go of my control issues (ok, maybe not let go, but I'll try to loosen up a little) and let the kids decorate the cupcakes. (AAAAH!) As tempted as I am to make some cute fondant bunnies or chocolate easter basket toppers, I'm going to give myself a break and give them something fun to do. They won't be perfect, but they WILL be tasty!!!!



Monday (Meal Swap Day, my turn to cook): Stuffed Grilled Chicken Breasts, Grilled Vegetables with Balsamic Vinaigrette, grilled garlic bread



http://www.great-chicago-italian-recipes.com/grilled_stuffed_chicken_breasts.html



http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222862

(I cut these smaller and grill them in a grill basket. A foil packet would work too.)



Grilled garlic bread: to grill bread, I put a little butter or cooking spray on each side, some crushed fresh garlic or garlic powder, and stick it right on the grill rack (coat the rack with cooking spray too). It just takes a minute or two--watch it closely; it will brown (and blacken) quickly. Then flip it over and do the same for the second side. I usually do the bread after the other foods are done, since it's so quick.



If this is too much "grilled" in one meal (never too much in my opinion), serve homemade cornbread or storebought sourdough bread instead.

Tuesday: orange roughy, sauteed zucchini, commercial rice pilaf (such as Uncle Ben's or Near East)

(This orange roughy recipe is from the Eating For Life cookbook. If you prefer, sprinkle your fish with lemon-pepper seasoning and a little dried basil, then grill on an indoor grill such as a George Foreman, or in foil packets on your outdoor grill)

1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg white
4 orange roughy fillets, thawed

Preheat oven to 400. Lightly coat a cooking sheet with cooking spray. Mix breadcrumbs, italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese in shallow dish. Beat egg white until slightly foamy.

Lightly brush both sides of each filet with egg white, then dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Arrange fillets on baking sheet. Sprinkle with dried parsley, if desired. Bake 20 minutes or until fish is opaque throughout.

Wednesday: chicken and cheese quesadillas, mexican rice (commercial boxed)

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222423

Thursday: Meal Swap Day, Jen's turn to cook.

Friday: Beef and Peapod Stir Fry, steamed white or brown rice, cream cheese wontons

http://www.yumyum.com/recipe.htm?ID=7582

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=45520

Saturday: (guess what!) Pizza/Family Fun night