Dinner Diva Menu Week of 2/22

It's national clean-out-the-freezer week. (Isn't it?) Well, even if it isn't a national movement yet, ours needs it. I have to make room for our next freezer meal swap. Like a cookie exchange, I and several of my neighbors exchange pre-made, frozen meals. It was a success last month, our first try, and we plan to have monthly exchanges. It's a nice break, to grab something from the freezer and set the oven up for delay baking. Our family gets a homemade meal without mom's effort! (well, with less effort anyway!) Have I mentioned how much I love our neighborhood? Well, I do. Even if at this precise moment I'm mad at Oklahoma.

Sunday: Shrimp and Grits casserole

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1687624

Monday: Tomato-Cheese Ravioli Soup

http://www.publix.com/aprons/meals/AllRecipes/SimpleMeal.do?mealId=376&mealGroupId=1000

Tuesday: Onion-Smothered Pork Tenderloin
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1733265

Wednesday:

Chicken Enchiladas

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=65679

Thursday:

hamburgers, garlic-smashed potatoes, steamed broccoli

http://homecooking.about.com/od/vegetablerecipes/r/blv320.htm

Friday: Raspberry-Balsamic Glazed Chicken, wheat pilaf (such as Near East), salad

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=223463

Saturday: Pizza Night

Dinner Diva Menu Week of 2/15

I'm back and ready to get cooking! I've got some yummy meals planned for us this week.

Sunday: Chicken Enchiladas

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=65679

Monday: Crab Cakes, Twice-Baked Potatoes, Steamed Green Beans (make extra crab cakes for Wednesday)

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=223853
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe/index.html

Tuesday: Grilled Pork Chops, homemade applesauce, steamed peapods, commercial rice mix (such as uncle bens)

http://heart-healthy-cooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/chunky_applesauce

Wednesday: Meal Swap Day, Jen's turn to cook (Or serve Crab Cake Sandwiches...Reheat the crab cakes in the oven at 350. Place on whole wheat hamburger buns with lettuce, tomato, and chili sauce.) Commercial French Fries or Onion Rings (such as Ore Rida) would be a good side.

Thursday: Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread

The best spaghetti sauce ever:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=223781

add ground beef or turkey for added protein, and serve over whole wheat noodles. Make your own garlic bread by slicing a loaf of french bread in half lengthwise, spread with butter or fat free plain yogurt, and sprinkle with garlic powder. Broil until toasted and golden.

Friday: Chicken Fajitas (I use pre seasoned fajita meat by John Soules, and cook it with sliced peppers and onions. Serve it on tortillas with cheddar, pico de gallo, and sour cream.)

Saturday: Pizza night

Dinner Diva Menu Week of 2/8

We're vacationing this week in the gorgeous town of Estes Park, Colorado. While we're enjoying the snow, the views, and the crisp, clean air, I don't plan on doing much cooking. But, I can offer some suggestions for a week's worth of meals:

Sunday: Nachos Grande
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=640251

Monday: Italian Vegetable Pie
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222962

(Feel free to substitute your choice of actual meat for the tofu, or go for it! I'm sure it will be good. Try ground bison or ground chicken for a change.)

Tuesday: Thai Beef Rolls, sauteed Zucchini
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1197243

Wednesday: Chicken and Broccoli Pockets
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1739,152178-230192,00.html

Thursday: Grilled Orange Roughy, commercial rice pilaf (such as Uncle Bens), commercial sweet potato fries (from the freezer)

Friday: BBQ chicken breasts, corn muffins, broccoli cole slaw (bagged, from the produce section)

Cornbread - from Quaker Corn Meal box
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup corn meal (fine polenta) (I use white corn meal, and the bread is fantastic..not dry and crumbly, but moist and sweet...top it with pure maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness)
1/4 cup sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt (optional)
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup oil
2 egg whites or 1 egg, beaten Heat oven to 400F. Grease 8 or 9-inch baking pan. Combine dry ingredients. Stir in milk, oil and egg, mixing just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown and wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Serve warm. 9 servings.

Saturday: Take-Out, Pizza, Out to Eat, or leftovers

Dinner Diva Menu Week of 2/1

Sunday: Meatloaf, baked sweet potatoes, steamed green beans

Monday: deep dish pizza, salad

Tuesday: Tomato-Cheese Ravioli Soup, whole grain crackers

1 can italian style stewed tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried italian seasoning
1 9 oz package any flavor tortellini or mini ravioli (such as bertolli)
2 small zucchini, cut into bite sized chunks
freshly ground pepper

Combine first three ingredients in saucepan and bring to a boil. Add pasta and zucchini, and boil for 8 minutes or until pasta and zucchini are tender. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper, if desired.

I also like to sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese over the soup sometimes. Very easy recipe, very tasty!

Wednesday: meal swap day, jen's turn to cook (or leftovers or go out to eat)

Thursday: shrimp scampi over linguine, salad, garlic toast

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=549789


Friday: Pork and Snow Peas Fried Rice

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=223608

Saturday: "The Works" Stuffed Potatoes

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222115

Dinner Diva Menu Week of 1/25

Sunday: Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, Creamy Broccoli Soup

A new twist on grilled ham and cheese:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=571884
SO GOOD!!!!!


Creamy Broccoli Soup
Ingredients
14 ounce package frozen broccoli florets (about 5 cups)
1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
3 cups chicken broth (vegetable broth can be substituted)
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
3/4 cup fat free half and half
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 1/2 Tsp. salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup small fresh broccoli florets
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Directions
Place frozen broccoli, onion, chicken broth, and parsley in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover tightly and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove from heat and uncover. Stir together half and half, milk, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside. Puree hot cooked mixture in blender, in batches, until smooth. (My husband, who recognizes that the purchase of kitchen gadgets for me returns in yummy food for him, bought me an immersion blender for Christmas. I plan to use it in place of the blender in this recipe.) Return to pan. Stir in half and half mixture, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, broccoli florets, and lemon juice. Bring up to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Taste and correct seasonings, if necessary, and serve.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 85; Fat: 1.5g; Saturated Fat: 1.0g; Protein: 2g; Carbohydrates: 16g; Fiber: 2g; Cholesterol: 3Mg; Sodium: 1112Mg

Monday: Meal Swap Day, my turn to cook: 4 cheese Stuffed Shells with Smoky Marinara, salad, homemade french bread

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=428921

Note: this recipe makes 2 casseroles. One to eat now and one to freeze for later.

Tuesday: sweet orange salmon, orange wedges, steamed edamame, red potatoes

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1054902

Wednesday: Meal Swap Day, Jen's turn to cook (note, eat leftovers tonight if you're not in a meal swap)

Thursday: Sloppy Joes, steamed mixed veggies, commercial french fries (such as Ore Rida)

try this sloppy joe recipe from Deceptively Delicious (psst: it has veggies in it, but noone needs to know):

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=430485

Friday: Sesame Shrimp, rice, commercial egg rolls

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sesame-Shrimp/Detail.aspx

Saturday: Pizza night!

Dinner Diva Menu Week of 1/11

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie (meal swap day, my turn to cook)
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1870831

Tuesday: BBQ Meatloaf, steamed broccoli, baked potatoes (make extra for another meal)
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1160599

Wednesday: Meal Swap Day (Jen's turn to cook); if you're not lucky enough to participate in a meal swap, serve meatloaf sandwiches tonight with leftover meatloaf, steamed edamame, and tater skins (using leftover baked potatoes)

Thursday: grilled steak, baked sweet potatoes, sauteed zucchini

Friday: grilled salmon, mixed greens salad, wheat pilaf

Saturday: Pizza or eat out!

Sunday: Taco Soup
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-live/tex-mex-chicken-taco-soup-recipe/index.html

Dinner Diva Menu Week of 1/3

Happy New Year! By now we've all resolved to eat better and exercise more, right? Fewer dinners out and more dinners at home will help us through this economic downturn. Hopefully Dinner Diva Menus can help by providing ideas.

Sunday: Beef Stroganoff, Caesar Salad, Fresh french bread or dinner rolls

Monday (Meal Swap day, my turn to cook):
Onion-Smothered Pork Tenderloin: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1733265
Roasted Potato Wedges (wash 8-10 small to medium sized white baking potatoes, cut into wedges. Put wedges, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper into gallon sized ziploc bag. Seal, and shake to coat. Arrange wedges on baking sheet and bake at 400 for about 45 min to an hour, or until browned and tender.)
Steamed Broccoli sprinkled with fresh parmesan

Tuesday: Mexican Black Bean Chili: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=520032
(tip: use leftover chili to make supreme nachos, chili-stuffed baked potatoes, or freeze it for another day)

Wednesday: Meal Swap Day, Jen's turn to cook (If you're not lucky enough to participate in a meal swap, serve leftovers tonight)

Thursday: Polynesian Chicken and Rice: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=665456

Friday:
Grilled Orange Roughy fillets
sauteed zucchini
steamed brown rice

Saturday: leftovers or pizza