Week 19 Dinner Menu

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and maybe travel offers some inspiration too. Since coming home I have been easing myself back into my nightly cooking routine, and have been thoroughly enjoying the rewards. Case in point, pizza I made last night.

This pizza was 100% inspired by my trip. Every morning there was an amazing breakfast buffet at our hotel. They had everything from omelets, to oatmeal, to miso soup and rice. I was particularly fond of the lox with sliced tomatoes and scrambled eggs.  During our trip we had a rather delicious chicken pizza, yes, CHICKEN pizza, but that is a whole separate discussion altogether.

Back to last night's dinner.

The huz and I usually struggle when it comes to pizza - he wants meat....I don't. One thing we mutually love though is smoked salmon. I thought, "Why don't I make a smoked salmon pizza?" We've been married almost 13 years, and I have no idea why I have not thought of this sooner. It was perfect.

I made a pesto from flat leaf parsley, and topped the pizza with smoked salmon and a light sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. After I removed it from the oven, I topped it with diced red onion (I wanted the crunch and zing to remain in tact, versus cooking the onion on the pizza).

Homemade pesto - parsley, garlic, olive oil, almonds, salt and pepper

This was hands down the best pizza I have ever made. Ever.

My version of the Mona Lisa.  Perfection!

And I won't even tell you about the orange cake we had for dessert.

I digress.

Fueled by inspiration, and a handful of new recipes, I am really looking forward to the week ahead.

Week 19 Dinner Menu

Sunday: Rigatoni with Vegetarian Sausage and Broccoli (I literally just ate this for dinner and if you are lucky I will share this recipe. It was VERY good)
Monday: Salmon with Corn Salad (I already prepped the corn tonight - I'm excited to try out this new recipe)
Tuesday: Sesame Noodles with Tofu and Vegetables
Wednesday: Asian Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Miso Soup
Thursday: Roasted Cod with Lemon Couscous (although I may use quinoa instead)
Friday: Veggie Burgers and Homemade BBQ Fries
Saturday: Going out to dinner. Lucky me.

Sweet dreams!

Week 15 Dinner Menu

Well, I’m a day late (no excuse), and $9 richer (thanks to coupons I used at the grocery store yesterday). 

I have to admit, sitting down to write out my menu yesterday was like watching grass grow. I could not have been less motivated, or uncreative (is that a word???). I don’t know what it was. I came off of this fabulous week of great meals (seriously, we were happy eaters last week), and then boom. It was like I hit the proverbial wall (I’m no distance runner, but I hear this happens to the best of them). I was going along, not a care in the world, and then I literally could not move my feet…or in this case my pen. The way I was thumbing through my cookbooks you would think it was the first time I had ever looked at them – and trust me I have looked at them MMMMAAANNNYYY times. Strange.

So I squeaked out a pathetic menu. Pathetic I tell you. I’m actually quite embarrassed. Considering I know only one other person reads this, I’m really not that mortified (Cheryl, I know you’ve got my back).  It could be worse.

I know the anticipation is just killing you.

Sunday: Kung Pow! Vegetables with Chicken/Tofu and Rice. I’ve made this before – the recipe is here, and it is AWESOME!  I had it for lunch today and have another container for tomorrow. Score!

Monday: Pasta with Sausage and Salad.  Really the gist of this recipe is pasta prepared with tomatoes, basil, and cheese, and then you add browned sweet Italian sausage to the mix. I’m doing everything, vegetarian style, and the huz will add the sausage to his pasta. Some people garnish with grated Parmesan. The huz garnishes with crumbled pig. Oink.

Tuesday: Sesame Noodles with Chicken/Tofu and Vegetables. Does this sound like Sunday? Told you. Uncreative. Anyways, this meal traveled so well for my lunch last week, I had to make it again (I’m working out of town on Wednesday).  Plus it gives me an excuse to use up the rest of that tofu brick from Sunday.

Wednesday: Vegetarian Chili. Don’t tell the huz. He’s not the biggest chili fan. I’m thinking this is one of the last times I will be breaking out the slow cooker before we have warm, sunny weather (I’m optimistic that it’s coming).Maybe I can sell it to him with some chips and salsa – kind of like deconstructed nachos.  I, however, love chili. No selling needed. Cheddar cheese, scallions, and sour cream. I’m salivating.

Thursday: Chicken Meatball Wraps. I found the huz has buffalo chicken meatballs in the freezer that should be gobbled up soon (gotta love Costco).  I thought this might be a creative way to use them up. I will be enjoying a fine Morningstar Farms “Chicken” Patty in mine. I’m thinking of putting together some kind of coleslaw or shredded vegetables and an amazing sauce. Who doesn’t love their protein, veggies, and carbs in one neat little bundle?

Friday: Sandwiches and Football Salad.  We both have a long day on Friday and I wanted to do something easy (I’ll actually make the salad on Thursday to save time). I don’t think I’ve shared my “football salad” recipe yet. I’m reluctant to share because it is SO good. It is one of my favorite things to take to potlucks.  Consider this a gift.

Saturday: Wild Card. I know I’m cooking; I’m just not sure what. The steam officially ran out when I tried finding a recipe for Saturday. I know I have food. I may have to wing it. I’m really thinking I’ll be buying some salmon on Saturday. We need some heart healthy fish this week.

To all the other struggling cooks out there, my apron is off to you this week. Hang in there.  If you cook it, they will come.

Week 14 Dinner Menu

Here we are. The first official full week of April. I am ready for spring.  Unfortunately I'm not sure that spring is ready for us.  The huz and I are heading out for some R & R later this week, but I planned our menu accordingly. I can't imagine NOT cooking!!!

Sunday: Chicken and Tofu Enchiladas, served over a spinach salad (yes, over a spinach salad. It works! How do I know? Because I just ate it.  Y-U-M

Monday: Asian Noodles with Chicken/Tofu and Veggies - Are you seeing a theme? Have you cracked the code?  I bought a rotisserie chicken today and am using it for the enchiladas on Sunday and the noodles on Monday. Oh...and I'm sure you'll be seeing it on Tuesday, too.

Tuesday: Chicken Sandwich (Morningstar "chicken" for me) and Coleslaw. Have I mentioned that I LOVE coleslaw? I'm not kidding. If coleslaw is an option as a side at at restaurant, I'm all over it.  Now, I'm not talking the drippy, soupy, saucy coleslaw you are probably familiar with. I'm talking crunchy slivered cabbage, carrots, red onion, maybe English cucumber and some type of refreshing vinaigrette.  My instant thought is to do an Asian style vinaigrette (rice vinegar, vegetable oil, soy sauce, sugar, etc.), but it could just be that I have the Asian noodles on my mind. We'll see what happens.

Wednesday: Vegetarian Ziti Gratin I'm almost cringing at the thought that I made this almost two months ago. My how time flies!  When I made this recipe I froze half of the ratatouille, which is the first component (you can read about that here).  We are traveling on Wednesday, so I figured this would be the perfect thing to pull out of the freezer, and complete the recipe at our destination. Easy peasy!

Thursday: Quinoa Salad and Burgers.  I really don't have much to say about that, other than this is a new recipe, and of course I'm modifying it. Fingers crossed. I just found quinoa at Costco this weekend (usually I buy it in bulk, as needed).  Since I now have a four pound bag, taking up valuable real estate in my pantry, I better start getting creative with quinoa. Hmmm, maybe that could be a week unto itself.

Friday: PIZZA. Can you say "date night?"

Saturday: Potatoes Au Gratin and Seafood in Foil.  Ever since I made those potatoes a few weeks ago, I have not stopped thinking about them. Sure, the days of slow cooked comfort foods are coming to a close as we embrace the early signs of spring, but I can't help myself. I NEED some creamy, cheesy potatoes. The second part of this dinner is actually inspired by a dining experience I had recently, where I had "shellfish in foil." The name says it all. I think I will do some type of white fish, scallops, and prawns, with lemon juice, broth/wine, butter, S/P, and fresh parsley. Again, that's just thinking off the top of my head, and now that I think about it, I'm not sure putting lemon juice in foil is a good thing - maybe I can hit it with lemon after it cooks. We'll see.

Week 13 Dinner Menu

This week is a break for me - some old familiars and a couple nights to myself = a very easy cooking week. I hope yours is too.

Sunday: Lemon Pasta with Scallops

Monday: Bulgur Salad and Burgers (just click for recipe)

Tuesday: Roasted Cod with Gnocchi and Veggies

Wednesday: Hummus/Bagel and Soup

Thursday: Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew w/ Couscous

Friday: Probably a combination of leftovers from Wednesday and Thursday night, because I have a lunch date on Friday. Yee Haw!!

And yes, I did change my blog name, which completely messed up my Weekly Dinner Menus tab, but I will have that resolved by the end of the week. Hang in there. 

Week 12 Dinner Menu

In an effort to recommit myself to my blog (if you can't tell I really slacked last week), I have given her a new name - http://www.dinneroneweekatatime.blogspot.com/.

When I started this blog I figured I would give it a year. My goal is that by the end of this year I will have a more organized repertoire of recipes, as well as a years worth that I can refer to over and over again. This blog has really reaffirmed my love of food and cooking.  The meal planning has not only helped my time management, but I believe it is saving me money as well. Those two factors alone are worth the price of admission.

Last week there was an interesting article in The Oregonian about using what you have kind of cooking. Not relying on recipes so much, but really assessing what you have in your pantry/fridge/freezer and thinking outside of the box. I have to admit I love recipes.  That being said I do find myself modifying them quite a bit to accommodate my vegetarianism. I believe I use recipes more as a personal guidebook, not as a chartered bus tour where you are lead around like a lemming.  I think in the coming weeks my challenge will be to not be so dependent on formal recipes and to trust my instincts when it comes to food. Tonight was a perfect example of this, but I will write more about that tomorrow, I promise (how's that for a tease?).

With this approach in mind, here is my Week 12 Dinner Menu:

Sunday: Grilled Burgers, Salmon Cakes, Broccoli Slaw, and Potatoes Au Gratin.  In honor of the first day of Spring we really wanted to start up the grill. Of course, we had lots of Oregon sunshine (rain) today, but that doesn't keep us from grilling in the Pacific Northwest. As you can see as the week progresses grilling is my theme. I think after working in the yard this weekend I am itchin' for summer!

Monday: Grilled Sausages with Peppers and Onions and Orzo Salad

Tuesday: Chili Pasta Bake with Steamed, or perhaps Grilled Vegetables

Wednesday: Grilled Salmon Salad

Thursday: Enchilada "Sandwiches" with Steamed Vegetables.  This is probably the one true "recipe" I am following this week.

Friday: Yakisoba Noodles with Vegetables and Beef/Tofu

Here's to the first week of Spring and new beginnings!

Week 9 Dinner Menu

Good afternoon. I'm actually early today. Already made my menu for the week, and even got my grocery shopping done this morning. I am on a roll. I'm going to keep this post brief and to the point because I am making lunch as I type. Here is my menu for this week:

Sunday: Homemade Pizza and Salad. It's Oscar night, and I am going to be glued to my TV for a good three hours. I figured what better way to celebrate than by making pizza. I also have a date with my laundry. Another wild and crazy night at our house.

Monday: Smoked Salmon Hash and Salad. Yes, salad two nights in a row. I'm craving crisp green salads right now. Maybe it's been this hit of cold weather we have had. I'm longing for warm days and refreshing vegetables. The smoked salmon hash is one of the huz's favs, so I am not counting on leftovers.

Tuesday: Vegetarian Tortilla Soup and Quesadillas. I have never seen a vegetarian tortilla soup recipe before - always chicken - so I'm souper excited to try this. I love me some soup, and the huz loves him some melted cheese, so I'm hoping this combo will please us both.

Wednesday: Brown Rice Salad with Chicken Sausage. This is actually a main dish salad recipe I found through a local health food store. In theory it can stand on it's own. I think the huz would beg to differ, hence the side of sausage. I'm also preparing some collard greens as a side for both of us (there was no kale at the grocery store today!).

Thursday/Friday: No cooking. You heard correct. Friday is my better half's birthday, and we are heading out of town. I have agreed to go out two nights in a row, (1) because we won't be leaving until after work on Thursday, and (2) because Friday is his actual "special day." You have no idea how much it pains me knowing that we are eating out two nights in a row. I'm sure that sounds crazy to some of you, but I think eating out is such a waste of money. But, it's not about me, it's about the huz, and I want him to enjoy his birthday. We are going to a couple of his favorite haunts, and it's totally worth seeing him happy.

Saturday: Lemon Pasta. This is a fav of the huz as well, and since it is his birthday weekend I want to make him something I know he loves. I will pick up some yummy fish or seafood, and maybe a fabulous artisan bread as well.

Have a great Sunday!

Week 8 Dinner Menu

When planning my weekly menu I try to take certain variables into consideration. Weather is a good one, because if it is going to be hot outside I don't want to be using my oven, or if the forecast is for say snow or freezing temperatures, I may want to go heavy on casseroles, to heat up the house and our bellies. Another important factor is our work/play schedules, because there can be a night or two that one or both of us may not be home for dinner. This week I have both to take into consideration (cold temps and long work days), so I planned my menu accordingly. I have to admit, I feel like I'm getting off kind of easy this week.

Week 8 Dinner Menu

Monday - Baked Rigatoni with Grilled Chicken and salad

Tuesday - Easy "Sausage" Bake with steamed broccoli

Wednesday - Camarones Enchiladas.  This is a new recipe for me, although I have had the recipe since May 2010. I've just never made it. The huz suggested enchiladas this week, so I figured it was a good time to test a new recipe.

Thursday - Leftovers. The huz has a late work night, and I know there will be quite a smorgasbord of various leftover dishes in the fridge by Thursday. 

Friday - Roasted Cod with Gnocchi, and steamed veggies.  We will see what is in the crisper drawer by the end of the week.

Saturday - Wild Card. I'm calling Saturday a "wild card" because I have a feeling we may be eating out. I am actually going to work with the huz on Saturday, to paint his office, and I have a feeling I probably won't want to cook by the end of the day. If I had my way though, I could pre-plan our dinner, or even take something out of the freezer. The only problem is the huz informed me, last night, that I am cooking WAY too much, because of this blog. He feels quite strongly that it is okay for us to go out to eat once in awhile. He's pretty cute sometimes. I think I may give in on this one - but I know in my heart I could make dinner. We'll see what happens.

Week 7 Dinner Menu

Even though it is Valentine's Day, I'm not going to shower you with roses and chocolates.  I'm really tired, and trying my best to not fall asleep on the sofa. It doesn't mean I you don't mean the world to me, because you do. You really do. Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday – Steak (Mmmmm steak ;-), baked potatoes (now you’re talking) and roasted veggies.  Since it is Monday I can tell you we had this for dinner last night and I think the huz liked steak and potato night.  I love baked potatoes, but never have them because the huz doesn’t really consider a potato a meal.  So, what is the universal secret women possess to get unwilling men and reluctant children to eat something they don’t like? Cover it in cheese. And butter. And a special sour cream mixed with chipotle sauce.  And diced green onions. He ate the whole thing!

the perfect dinner

Monday – Roasted Red Pepper Soup and Panini Sandwiches.  I love roasted red pepper soup. It is one of the few “processed” foods I will buy.  There is a great one out there, the name escapes me, but it’s delish. Well in going through my notebook of recipes I found a recipe for Roasted Red Pepper soup. I made it tonight (I will blog more about this tomorrow), and all I can say is I don’t think I will ever have to buy the carton of soup again. Amen.

Tuesday – Chili Pasta Bake with green salad.  That’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Wednesday – Salmon with Bistro Rice Blend and Kale (even the huz is really digging kale these days)

Thursday – Kung Pao Scallops. Saturday the huz took me to Marco Polo for lunch, since we ate in everyday last week. The huz enjoyed some Kung Pao Beef, while I had some delicious stir fried noodles with veggies and fake chicken. Note: If you are vegetarian and anywhere near Salem, Oregon, I highly recommend Marco Polo. They have an entire vegetarian menu. Anyways, we were so inspired by our lunches that I decided I wanted to try and make Kung Pao sauce. I’m on the hunt. I’ve never made Kung Pao before. The huz requested scallops. We’ll see how it goes.

Friday – Burritos.  Sounds really boring doesn’t it? Look, in my defense this is going to be a long work week for me. Plus I’m coming down with a cold. And it’s raining.  And I’m tired. Um, I think that’s enough excuses, right? Actually, I’m going to kick it up a notch by using buffalo chicken meatballs (yes, I’m still pulling these out of the freezer) to create something shall we say “unconventional” for the huz.

Saturday – Minestrone Soup with some wicked bread. I think we are heading to the beach to dine on some good old fashioned fried fish and chips for my dad’s birthday lunch and I want to cook something that will counteract all of that greasy deliciousness, when we come home.  Beautiful veggies simmering in a clear broth outta do it.  I can feel the minestrone clearing my arteries now.

Week 6 Dinner Menu

I feel like I’m kind of all over the place this week. It’s probably because I’m a day behind in my blogging. That’s life.  I think I have an eclectic menu this week. I’m still cleaning out the freezer, and working with what I already have. Here is the week ahead:

Monday: Angel Hair Pasta with Marinara and Seared Scallops.  I have frozen scallops thawing away, and the last of the frozen marinara sauce from the veggie chicken parmesan I made a few weeks ago. Yes, it made that much sauce. This is the end of it, I swear.  I’m probably going to cook up some kale with this as well (I can’t get enough of it!).

Tuesday: "Beef" and Beef Soft Tacos.  When I made “Flaming Nachos” on Sunday, I sautéed Morningstar Farms Crumbles with some diced red onions (a request from the huz). I had at least half of this mixture left over and  will be using this for my tacos, while the huz will be enjoying some kind of sliced up meat I pulled out of the freezer. We will be devouring our tacos with salsa and cheddar cheese, and probably some brown rice with broccoli, or some type of dark green vegetable – not kale.

Wednesday: Pasta Fagioli Soup with Buffalo Chicken Wings. I’m sure this is not a traditional Italian combination.  A couple weeks ago I was perusing World Market and came across this packaged bean soup mix. I’m going to try it out in the slow cooker (it has stove top directions on the package, but screamed “SLOW COOKER” to me). Because it is vegetarian, and the huz is not the biggest soup fan, the carnivore in him will be sated with buffalo chicken wings (relics from the freezer). I see warm, yummy, crusty bread in our future too.

Thursday: Vegetarian Ziti Gratin.  This is another Real Simple magazine recipe that I have had for some time. It is a little time consuming to make, BUT it yields great freezer potential (yes, I know I’ve been working diligently over the past two weeks to clean out my freezer, but it’s out with the old, and in with the new, right?).  You are going to love the multi-purpose aspects of this recipe. I promise.

Friday: Chicken Burgers/Veggie Burgers and Roasted Veggies.  I call this “fast food” in our house. It’s the closest the huz gets to junk food from me.  I’m thinking its Friday. What the heck. Let’s go nuts.

Saturday: No cooking! Can you hear the angels singing? We have a birthday party to attend. You know I’m going to be all over the cake. There better be cake.  Oh God, what if there’s no cake?  I’m saying a prayer.

Week 5 Dinner Menu

I'm ba-ack. Yes, it's the second post of the day, but it is the most important post for the week - The Menu. Now as I mentioned before, when your freezer looks like this...

The tree hugger in me really hates seeing all of this plastic. Oh my!

...you really need to build a menu around what you already have. 

As you can see, the top two contenders are the box of Morning Star Farms Grillers, and underneath that Hefty bag is a huge box of buffalo chicken meatballs that the huz found at Costco. There are also some pork loins, or some kind of chop in there, that I know my ever lovin' carnivore would love to have this week.

Seeing this treasure trove of frozen delights forced me to put on my thinking cap, and pull out my binder of collected recipes.  Because some of these recipes actually go back to 2003 (hold the gasp) I will have to manually type (stifle second gasp here) each recipe as the week progresses.  This little exercise will be really good because it will force me to [1] write in my blog each day and [2] allow me to review the recipe before I make it  (the huz would call that having a very "glass is half full" attitude by the way). Oh, and did I mention we have been having some crazy spring-like weather here, and I think the sun has put me in a salad kind of mood?

Monday: Burger/Griller on Roasted Garlic Bread with Bulgar Salad

Tuesday: Buffalo Chicken Meatballs/Prawns on Caesar Salad - presumably with the last of the roasted garlic bread

Wednesday: Pork Loin and White Bean Casserole, with a green salad

Thursday: Salmon with Soba Noodle Salad

Friday:  The famous "Chicken" Parmesan from Week 3.  The beauty of this is I have a container of frozen marinara from when I previously made this recipe, which means 3/4 of the work is already done.

Saturday: It's my birthday, no cooking for me. I see a restaurant in my future.

That's it. Tomorrow I will give you the recipe for the Bulgar Salad (don't make a face...it's really, really good).  Sweet dreams!

Week 4 Dinner Menu

First I have to give a quick shout out to the last two dinner items from last week. The huz proclaimed the lemon angel hair pasta "the best pasta ever." Coming from a man who does not consider pasta a meal - I'll take it. He even told me I need to make it again this week, so I will.  The veggie chicken parmesan was beyond words, so here's a picture...

Cheryl, you HAVE to make this!!!

I have to say I feel tremendous pressure this week because I'm not gonna lie, I nailed it last week. I feel like this week is going to be a little bit lighter and healthier perhaps, but should be equally tasty. Most of the recipes this week are from Real Simple magazine (I just received the February 2011 issue). Here we go:

Monday: Spinach Salad with Salmon, Barley, and Oranges. This is a new recipe (as most usually are for me). Typing the title it sounds pretty boring - BUT, we have this fantastic three cheese sourdough artisan bread that we need to eat up, and I thought this would be the perfect companion.
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/spinach-salad-with-salmon-barley-and-oranges-00000000051140/index.html

Tuesday: Sesame Noodles with Tofu, and Escarole with Leeks. I have made this recipe MANY times.  I love it.  The Escarole with Leeks is new, and of course I could not find escarole at the grocery store today, so I bought kale (have I mentioned I really like kale?)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sesame-Noodles/Detail.aspx
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/sauteed-escarole-leeks-00000000044579/index.html

Wednesday: Steak Fajitas with Sweet Potato and Poblano (refried beans and brown rice for me). I'm going to make a lot of brown rice, because it will be useful on Thursday. http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/steak-fajitas-sweet-potato-00000000044696/index.html

Thursday: Asian Rice wth Vegetables Bowl with Eggs and Chile Sauce - the huz will be having chicken because he hates eggs. Ironic.
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/asian-rice-and-vegetable-bowl-with-eggs-and-chili-sauce-00000000051136/index.html

Friday: Veggie Chili with Veggie Burgers. I'm waffling between two chili recipes that I'm partial to - I'll keep you posted.

Saturday: Lemon Angel Hair Pasta (the same recipe from Week 3). Yes, it was that good. We had it with seared scallops, which we loved, but I would really like to try it with prawns. We will see what looks good this week.

Here's to the week ahead!

Week 3 Dinner Menu

Even though this is only my second post, this is technically the third week of the year...and the third week of my menu planning. I contemplated posting the first two weekly menus - but decided against it. This is going to be a learning process for me, I'm sure. 

I have to say that I have been heavily influenced by television cooking shows this menu.  Here we go.

MONDAY: Veggie Pad Thai and BBQ Chicken Wings (for the huz).  I have to admit I am not a huge Sandra Lee fan, BUT I happened to be watching her on Saturday, and she made this recipe. I am a sucker for Thai food, and figured it would be worth a shot. She also made this ridiculous Thai iced tea cocktail that looked really good.  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/pad-thai-recipe/index.html

TUESDAY: Rock fish with Cucumber Salsa and Brown Rice.  I have recently discovered Cristina Ferrare's show on OWN (Oprah's network), and I'm really liking it. Now I have not tried any of her recipes, so this will be a first. Cristina's recipe is for sea bass, but I bought rock fish, and we will see how it works. I'm afraid the rock fish may be a little delicate - not as firm - but it's worth a shot (it was a great price at Roth's).
http://www.oprah.com/own-cristinas-big-bowl-of-love/Sea-Bass-and-Cucumber-Salsa-Recipe

WEDNESDAY:  Smoked Salmon Enchiladas with Sauteed Kale (warning I am LOVING kale right now).  This is actually a recipe that I have made up. If anyone really wants to know how I do it, just ask and I will share the "recipe."

THURSDAY:  The huz and I are heading to the beach for the weekend, so we will be dining out on Thursday. To be honest, if the huz wasn't so excited about going out to dinner we would probably be packing soup and sandwiches. We are planning on eating at the Hawk Creek Cafe, in Neskowin. It is one of our faves.

FRIDAY: Veggie Chicken Parmesan with Steamed Broccoli and Carrots (  I have had the Morningstar Farm "chicken" patties several times, but never in a million years would I have thought to do this. Again, this is a new recipe and I'm really excited to try it. With "fried chicken," marinara sauce, and lots of ooey gooey cheese, I know the huz will love it.
http://www.oprah.com/own-cristinas-big-bowl-of-love/Vegetarian-Chicken-Parmesan-Recipe

SATURDAY: Lemon Angel Hair Pasta with Fish/Seafood  I'm going to see what looks good locally and play it by ear. I figure any type of fish or seafood will go with Lemon Angel Hair Pasta. I'm sure I will saute some type of vegetable to go with this as well (probably kale :-)
 http://www.oprah.com/own-cristinas-big-bowl-of-love/Lemon-Angel-Hair-Pasta-Recipe

I will let you know how the recipes work, if we give them a thumbs up or down, and maybe even pictures. Now I've got to go make dinner! Have a great week!