Appetite Appeasers for April

Cookbooks and magazines, new and old, are scattered around me each week as I menu plan. I do use the internet too, but I start the old fashioned way. Sometimes I'll choose a recipe in the book and, rather than re-type it into my blog, will look for the recipe already online and provide the link. Sometimes I see a recipe that inspires me to look for another recipe, and I'll do a search, and sometimes I'll start with an ingredient and search online from there. Myrecipes.com, foodnetwork.com, and allrecipes.com are my favorites, but I will also google to find other people's blogs.

Sunday: Savory Sausage, Spinach, and Onion Turnovers, Fruit Salad

Monday: We're going Meatless for this Monday! Pappardelle with Baby Spinach, Herbs, and Ricotta, fresh French Bread

Tuesday: Grilled Chicken Breasts, Asparagus with Balsamic Tomatoes, Garlic Baked Potato Wedges

I'm a plain and simple girl, usually. I dress simply, I decorate simply, and I cook simply. Usually. There are occasions when I bust out the bling, but this is not one of them! Plain boneless, skinless chicken breasts straight on the grill suits me fine, but if you want to sauce it up, do so. Try brushing with olive oil and dusting with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, or might I suggest a light balsamic vinaigrette or italian vinaigrette for a marinade.

Wednesday: Peanut Butter-Banana Pancakes

2 T. natural peanut butter, softened
1 ripe banana, fork mashed
3 T. egg whites (such as All Whites) or 1 whole egg
1/3 C. milk
1 C. bisquick

Optional toppings: maple syrup, strawberries, strawberry preserves, sliced bananas....

Heat griddle to 450, or nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray on high. Mix peanut butter, mashed banana, egg whites and milk until combined. Add Bisquick and mix until moistened.

Reduce heat to 375 if using griddle or to med-high if using stovetop.

Pour batter onto hot surface by 1/3 cups. Cook til edges appear dry, then flip and cook 30-45 sec longer or until done.

Top with pure maple syrup, melted strawberry preserves, sliced bananas, chopped peanuts, or any combination.

(this is your protein, starch, and fruit all in one bite...it's perfect for a quick meal, especially sports nights. It's also perfect for picky or light eaters, because it's packed with nutrition and flavor.)

Thursday: Beefless Spaghetti Bolognese, spring salad, garlic bread
This is my cheater meal. It's good, it's easy, and it's commercial.

Cook spaghetti as directed on package. While noodles are boiling, heat 1 jar marinara sauce and 1 package Morning Star Farms soy beef crumbles together in a saucepan. When noodles are al dente, drain and top with sauce. Sprinkle parmesan over the top, if desired.

Friday: Artichoke-Parmesan Stuffed Tilapia, steamed sugar snap peas, steamed brown rice

You can buy fresh sugar snap peas in the produce section of most supermarkets.

Saturday: Pizza