Monday's Menu

It's been amazing how posting these weekly menus has really helped me to stay committed to fixing our meals at home.  We've saved quite a bit of $$...not from just 'eating in', but as I plan my menus, I also check the pantry/fridge for ingredients I need.  Instead of buying dinner ingredients on a whim (and many times buying things I already have), I am able to plan and even center meals around items we already have available.

One thing I've really enjoyed (and Michael too!) is that over the past 3-4 months, I don't think I've repeated more than 2-3 meals.  I've really begun to enjoy thumbing through my cookbooks (instead of using them for kitchen decor only!), trying new recipes of friends, and browsing the internet/TV for some new ideas.  There truly are tons of EASY, FAST ideas out there...it's just taking the time to look :)

Monday:  Sweet n' Sour Pork Chops, saffron rice, broccoli n' cheese, honeyed carrots.

Tuesday:  Burrito Pie, Fruit Salsa w/ cinnamon tortilla chips

Wednesday:  Chicken w/ peppercorn sauce, garlic potato cakes, tomato salad

Thursday:  Lasagna, pepperoni bread roll

Friday:   French onion beef roast, carrots and potatoes, Caesar salad 

Weekly Recipes:

Pepperoni Bread Roll:

1 Tbsp. butter

1 (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza crust dough

24 pepperoni slices

1/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Melt butter in microwave safe bowl.  Lay pizza dough flat on work surface and spread butter evenly over dough.  Sprinkle evenly with remaining ingredients.  Fold over one side of dough (about 2 inches wide) and gently pat down folded side.  Continue to fold over until seam is on bottom.  Cut 1/2 inch slits in top of dough about 2 inches apart.  Place on baking sheet and bake 15 minutes.  Serve.    

From Publix Apron's Simple Meals Recipes

Chicken w/ Peppercorn Sauce:

1 lb. chicken tenderloins

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

3/4 c. reduced fat milk

1 (1 oz. ) pkg. peppercorn sauce mix

Preheat large saute pan on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.  Place chicken and mustard in medium bowl; toss chicken to coat evenly.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Place chicken in pan using tongs; cook 2 minutes on each side.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.  Serve.

From Publix Apron's Simple Meals Recipes

Sweet n' Sour Pork Chops:

8 thick boneless pork chops

1/3 c. soy sauce

1/3 c. chili sauce

1/2 c. honey

Place pork chops in a shallow baking pan.  Combine soy sauce, chili sauce, and honey; pour over chops.  Bake, covered, at 325 degrees for 50 minutes.  Delicious over yellow rice!

From my Sumner County School Nutrition Cookbook...submitted by Tamera Clark