Meal Plan Monday 7/16 thru 7/22

Sorry it's been slow around here guys!  We've been super busy lately!  My meal plan for last week went awry so you may see some repeats here.  That's b/c instead of cooking them last week, I was lazy and probably cooked frozen pizza instead, lol.  Eh, it happens!  With that said, here is a look at what we're having this week....

MONDAY
-Hot Dogs
-Kettle Chips
-Peaches

TUESDAY
-Pizza
-Salad

WEDNESDAY
-Fried Chicken Tenders
-Mac N Cheese
-Broccoli

THURSDAY
-Chipolte Beef Tacos
-Cheese Quesadillas

FRIDAY
-Leftovers

SATURDAY
-Soup N Salad

SUNDAY
*It's Family Fun Day!  Which means, we're probably going out to dinner!*

Meal Plan Monday 7/9 thru 7/15

Here is what's in store for this week....

MONDAY
- Tuna Helper
- Biscuits
- Salad

TUESDAY
- Crock pot Chili
- Salad
- Ice Cream dessert (a special treat!)

WEDNESDAY
- Hot Dogs
- Chips
- Potato Salad
- Fruit

THURSDAY
- Chicken Stir Fry w/zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, onion, mushrooms, broccoli, and snap peas
- Rice
- Fzn. Egg Rolls

FRIDAY
- *Something quick for the husband and I....kids will be eating at my parents b/c we work late*

SATURDAY
- Chicken Alfredo w/ Broccoli
- Side Salad
- Garlic Toast


SUNDAY
- Chipolte Beef Tacos
- Cheese Quesadillas (for the girls)
- Fruit Salad

NO BRAINER! "Homemade" French Onion Dip

Here's another no brainer for ya!  If you want to have a delicious onion dip that you can claim is homemade, try this simple solution!  It's sometimes cheaper than buying the already made stuff, plus it's packed with A LOT more flavor! 

Ingredients:

- 2 pkgs. French Onion Soup Mix
- 1 16oz container of Sour Cream

Directions:

1.  Mix the 2 pkts of soup mix to the entire container of sour cream. 

2.  Stir well and break up any clumps of soup mix.

3.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  Serve and enjoy!

Here's the final product....

Total hit at our 4th of July party!  It took maybe 2 minutes, if that to prepare.  And it was cheaper too! ;-)

Lazy Morning Breakfast Casserole

Good Morning!  If you're like me, there's nothing better than a delicious, hearty, and home cooked breakfast!  The problem is, who feels like slaving away at the stove in the early hours to create such a meal?  I certainly do not!  This casserole is perfect b/c you can put it together the night before and just pop it in the oven when you wake up!  Give it a try soon!

Ingredients:

- 1 bag frozen hash browns w/green/red pepper added
- 1 pkg. sausage of your choice, casings removed (if they have them)
- 1 or 2 onions (depending on sized), chopped
- 8 to 10 eggs, beaten
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
*You can also add mushrooms and green pepper.  I did not do that this time around*

Directions:

1.  Chop up your onions and remove your sausage from it's casing.  You can do this by using a sharp knife and slicing the casing down the middle.  The sausage pops right out.

2.  Cook your sausage and onion is a bit of Olive oil until browned.  With a slotted spoon, remove to a bowl.

3.  In your casserole dish, place a layer of frozen hash browns on the bottom.  You could also spray the bottom of your dish with spray to limit the amount of sticking.  But, I've never done this and I've never had an issue.  Be cautious though.

4.  On top of the hash browns, place the sausage/onion mixture. 

5.  Now in a bowl, crack your eggs.  I ended up only needing 9 eggs here and it was perfect.  Beat them together with a whisk and add some salt/pepper.

6.  Now pour the eggs over your entire mixture.  Add some shredded cheese.  Now refrigerate overnight. 

7.  The next day, take out your casserole and place in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until you have a nice browned top and everything is cooked through. 

Here's the final product.....

We enjoy ours with some biscuits or toast and some fruit.  It's filling enough for dinner as well, which is how we eat it most of the time, lol.  Enjoy! 

Fourth of July Flag Cake

In honor of 4th of July tomorrow, I thought I would share the cake that I've been making for my family every 4th of July for about 3 years now.  I found the recipe in a magazine a while back and decided to give it a try.  It is so simple and so fresh and light!  Definitely what you want to eat on a hot day in July!  Also, it's healthy and cheap to make, not to mention festive!  Make this tomorrow....you won't regret it!

Ingredients:

- 1 container of Strawberries
- 1 container of Blueberries
- 1 box of White Cake mix (any brand)
- Eggs/Water/Oil per cake mix's directions
- 1 container Whipped Topping

Directions:

1.  Bake the cake according to the directions on the box.  Allow the cake to cool COMPLETELY!  If you don't, you will make a mess with the whipped topping later b/c it will melt!

2.  Once your cake is cool, wash your fruit and slice the strawberries in half. 

3.  Spread the container of whipped topping over the entire cake.  Smooth it out the best you can.

4.  In the right hand corner, make a square out of the blueberries to resemble the stars in the American Flag.  Fill in the square with more blueberries. 

5.  Now, starting with a row of strawberries, alternate between the red "stripes" and the white "stripes", creating the look of the American flag. 

Here's the final product....

This is a hit every year!  Just a tip...make sure to keep this cake refrigerated due to the whipped topping.  But really...it won't last long enough to worry too much about that, lol!  Enjoy and have a healthy, happy, and safe 4th of July!!! 

Meal Plan Monday 7/2 thru 7/8

Yes, I know that technically it's not Monday yet, but I work in the morning so I thought now would be the best time to post!  So, with that said, here is what we are having this week...

MONDAY
- Breakfast Casserole
- Toast
- Fruit

TUESDAY
*We're having a 4th of July Party!*
- Pico de Gallo w/ chips
- French Onion dip w/chips
- BBQ Beef in the Slow Cooker for sandwiches
- Pigs in a Blanket (this is a maybe...)
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Fresh Veggies w/dip
- 4th of July Cake

WEDNESDAY
- Tacos
- Leftover Tortilla Chips/Pico de Gallo


THURSDAY
- Leftovers


FRIDAY
- Spaghetti
- Salad
- Garlic Bread

SATURDAY
- Daddy's Choice (meaning my husband's in charge of whatever we're having...I work late.)

SUNDAY
- BBQ Chicken
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Broccoli
- Potato Wedges

Slow Cooker English Roast w/ Potatoes/Carrots/Onions

I'm a meat and potatoes girl.  So I was more than happy to make this dish today!  My youngest daughter is just like me, and I essentially put this on the menu for her, but well, I guess you can say I had my own selfish reasons as well, lol.  It's so flavorful, and so filling! But the best part is that it's sooo simple!

Ingredients:

- 1 English Roast, about 2-3 lbs.
- 2 small onions, sliced
- Half a bag of baby carrots
- About 5-6 potatoes, quartered
- 1 pkg. Onion Soup Mix
- 2 Cups water
- Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Slice up your onions and toss them into your slow cooker.

2.  Open up your roast and season it LIBERALLY with salt and pepper.  You have a lot of meat here, so don't be afraid to season it up!

3.  Place the roast on top of the onions

4.  Pour the onion soup mix onto the roast and surround it with the carrots.  I don't use a lot of carrots here b/c we're not super carrot-y type people.  Whatever that means.....

5.  Now quarter your potatoes and place along side and on top of the roast.  Pour in the water.

6.  Set your slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours. 

Here's the final product.....

My daughter ended up having two helpings!  It was so moist, flavorful and satisfying.  Make this classic soon!  Enjoy!