Just another Dinner Diva week!

It's just another week here at Dinner Diva's. Gymnastics practice, husband late home, 87 loads of laundry, keeping the house ready for an on-the-spot showing, and a whole lotta miles on my running shoes. A mid-week visit to the science museum will help break up the monotony. Plus, I'm wrapping up the week with 11 fabulous ladies for an exciting game of bunco and some (hopefully) tasty food. What are your plans this week?

Monday Plan B: Meatloaf Sandwiches, fresh apple slices
(we need to use up the leftover meatloaf!)

Monday Plan A: Homemade Quick Mac-n-Cheese, fresh apple slices

Homemade Mac-n-Cheese

1 box whole wheat rotini pasta (or shape of your choice)
1 1/2 cups pre-shredded cheddar cheese (more or less to taste)
1/2 c milk
1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
salt, pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain. Put drained pasta back in warm pot and put pot on off-but-still-warm burner. Add remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined and cheese is melted. Serve warm.

(this is almost as quick as that famous blue box but a thousand times healthier, and my kids prefer its taste!)

Tuesday: Beef-Broccoli Stir Fry, Steamed Brown Rice

Wednesday: Monte Cristo Sandwiches, Fresh cut vegetables, baked potato chips

This recipe calls for raspberry or strawberry jam, but it is equally good with peach preserves or orange marmalade!

Thursday: Pasta with Shrimp and Veggies, fresh garlic bread

Friday: BUNCO! Garlic Flank Steak, Spinach, White-Bean, and Red-Onion Salad, Pioneer Woman's Olive Cheese Bread, Oreo Mousse

Oreo Mousse (this is almost too simple for entertaining, but it tastes wonderful and presents nicely)

1 box instant chocolate pudding, plus ingredients to make pudding
1 package Oreos, any variety
1 large tub cool whip
Additional Oreos, Fresh Mint Sprigs, and cool whip, for garnish, optional

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Allow to set.
Coarsely chop oreos. I like to leave bigger chunks; they make me happy!

Gently fold pudding and cool whip until combined. Fold in Oreos. Distribute evenly into dessert bowls, or, for a more elegant presentation, champagne flutes, wine glasses, margarita glasses or martini glasses.

Optionally add 1 dollop of cool whip and 1 whole oreo to each glass (use a serrated bread knife to make a slit in the side of each cookie, then place the cookie on the rim of the glass, or just place the cookie half way into the center of the mousse.)
Top with mint sprigs, if desired.

Add a dusting of shaved chocolate for even more "wow" factor.

Saturday: Pizza night

Sunday: leftovers or out