tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post1813088491809966192..comments2023-10-28T07:51:34.413-07:00Comments on Mama Needs A Book Contract: Perfectionist Tries to Plan Meals - a plea for helpUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-60455551634064538892007-10-26T06:21:00.000-07:002007-10-26T06:21:00.000-07:00No problem Carolyn. Oh the pork dish is pulled po...No problem Carolyn. Oh the pork dish is pulled pork or barbeque. When the meat is fully cooked you pull it apart with a fork until it is stringy. I usually serve it with chips and fresh veggies. Sometimes I will add some type of cold salad like pasta salad or potato salad. According to my husband, I make the best potato salad in the world. <BR/><BR/>I'm so picky that most of hte stuff I make, I hate. You can make the humus by hand if you want. I suggest finding a good humus recipe before you start because you can mess that up really easily. I use chickpeas, lemon juice, olive oil and something else, put it in the blender until it is a mushy texture. I can't stand the stuff so I never make it.<BR/><BR/>A good site for building a meal plan is lhj.com. They have a meal planner and recipes. You just put in what you want for meals, vegetarean, low fat, low carb, etc. <BR/><BR/>Best of luck getting your plan together.Sirena Van Schaikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17652732356888765613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-52245182093235566492007-10-26T06:02:00.000-07:002007-10-26T06:02:00.000-07:00Thanks Nicole. I LOVE Allrecipes.com for recipes. ...Thanks Nicole. I LOVE Allrecipes.com for recipes. But does it help you plan meals (Main dish and a side type thing)???<BR/><BR/>That would be great. I'm going back there to check.<BR/><BR/>:)Carolyn Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453503978412913878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-75541495599214921322007-10-25T22:39:00.000-07:002007-10-25T22:39:00.000-07:00I would check out allrecipes.com for a look. I re...I would check out allrecipes.com for a look. I really like their format and lots of wonderful recipes. All rated by the readers. I have a printed version of their five star recipes and I use it all the time. Happy cooking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-69159301953871376932007-10-25T21:16:00.000-07:002007-10-25T21:16:00.000-07:00Ooh, Sirena, the Gyros and Caesar wraps look wonde...Ooh, Sirena, the Gyros and Caesar wraps look wonderful and perfect for those fall days that suddenly turn hot!<BR/><BR/>Mmm. Love Pot Roast, and the BBQ roast, although I usually use beef. I'm going to remember to try Pork. What do you usually serve with them? I can only think of raw veggies and chips...<BR/><BR/>But then again! That's good enough, isn't it? Kick out the engineer, who wants 20 different optional combinations!! :D<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm going to be ready for NaNo, ya know? <BR/><BR/>Cooking is easy -- it's the planning that takes me so much time.<BR/><BR/>You guys are the best!<BR/><BR/>CarolynCarolyn Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453503978412913878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-8028969356240174982007-10-25T21:07:00.000-07:002007-10-25T21:07:00.000-07:00Here are a fwe more, sorry that my recipes aren't ...Here are a fwe more, sorry that my recipes aren't exact but I'm one of those women and to top it off, I learned in my mother's resteraunt.<BR/><BR/>Crock Pot Roast<BR/><BR/>One roast<BR/>two or three carrots chopped up<BR/>1 medium sized cooking onion chopped<BR/>3 or 4 garlic cloves pressed or diced if you don't have a garlic press<BR/>a bit of garlic, salt, pepper, sage and oregeno. <BR/>One or two bay leaves for the water<BR/>Oxo cubes or if you don't have oxo a package of powdered gravy.<BR/><BR/>Throw everything into the crock pot, add water to until the crock pot is almost full and cook all day. (optional) add potatoes)<BR/><BR/>Barbeque (I hate this stuff but my husband loves it)<BR/><BR/>Another crock pot idea<BR/><BR/>Take a pork roast place it into the crock pot and add a container of low fat garlic barbeque sauce. Simmer all day and add to buns.<BR/><BR/>Vegetarian (or if you're not a vegetarian, meat and veggie) Gyros<BR/><BR/>2 red peppers<BR/>2 green peppers<BR/>2 yellow peppers<BR/>1 red onion<BR/>(optional, mushrooms, or any type of vegetable you like)<BR/>meat (I usually use beef but pork or chicken is fine too)<BR/><BR/>Sautee the meat in virgin olive oil, add in the veggies and cook until tender. Add in basalmic vinegar to taste (this is optional and you can cook it with no sauce if you want)<BR/><BR/>When it is cooked add it to pitas, garnish with lettuce, cheese (the recommended is Feta but we use other ones) tomatoes, etc. Add humus or tzatsiki sauce (my spelling is horrible) and serve with rice and salad.<BR/><BR/>Chicken Ceasar Wraps<BR/><BR/>Makea grilled chicken ceasar salad, you can buy ceasar kits at the store. Serve with a variety of veggies. I usually put out shredded radishes, carrots, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes and olives to garnish the wrap with and then I add shredded cheese. Wrap all the items in a fahita (the green veggie fahitas are the best with this recipe) I find this is a meal in itself and does not need anything else. <BR/><BR/>Last but not least, good old shephard's pie (another one I hate)<BR/><BR/>1 to 2 pounds of ground beef<BR/>can of peas and carrots<BR/>1 medium sized cooking onion<BR/>oxo cube or pack of gravy powder<BR/>potatoes <BR/>margarine<BR/>salt and pepper<BR/><BR/>Cook the ground beef thoroughly and drain. Also cook the peeled potatoes. In a cassarole dish put in the can of peas and carrots and the diced onion. Add the ground beef adn then mix. Add the oxo cube and cornstarch and water (if you do it that way) or the gravy and a cup of water the other way. Mash the potatoes in a seperate dish, place over the ground beef, add dallops of butter to the potatoes and bake at 350F until the potatoes have browned.<BR/>Serve with gravy and a bread if you want. <BR/><BR/>I have tons more but you should email me if you would like them. LOL. Ignore my spelling tonight. My brain isn't working. I remember going grocery shopping one time with my son (he usually goes with me) and he aksed me, "Where is your grocery list?" I told him, "In my head." He laughed for a few minutes and then said,"No really, where is it." So I try to use lists now, if only to make the children happy. VBG.Sirena Van Schaikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17652732356888765613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-80868579444549276802007-10-25T08:25:00.000-07:002007-10-25T08:25:00.000-07:00MYSTI -- You are so my hero! :)Those are awesome m...MYSTI -- You are so my hero! :)<BR/><BR/>Those are awesome meal ideas, and complete with recipes!<BR/><BR/>I used to have something that worked for us. It was a rotating menu: week 1, week 2, etc. and then I would repeat it.<BR/><BR/>But eventually it got very boring. I still make a few of those meals, but I've wanted to change up the routine.<BR/><BR/>And I haven't even left for the grocery store yet. You're brilliant! :D<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Carolyn Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453503978412913878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-27758426082058543412007-10-25T07:34:00.000-07:002007-10-25T07:34:00.000-07:00If you are doing a weeks worth of meals, follow a ...If you are doing a weeks worth of meals, follow a simple guideline.<BR/><BR/>Monday: Chicken Salsa Fiesta<BR/>2/3 C bisquick <BR/>2 tbs water<BR/>1 egg<BR/>1 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese<BR/>1/4 C chopped onions<BR/>3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch pieces<BR/>2 tsp vegetable oil<BR/>1 1/4 C salsa<BR/>1/2 C Tortilla Chips, Crushed<BR/><BR/> 1. Heat oven to 400°F Spray a 8 or 9-inch pan with pan spray. Stir together Bisquick mix, water & egg. Spread in the pan then sprinkle with 1 1/4 cups of the cheese.<BR/> 2. Using a skillet cook & stir chicken in oil over medium-high heat until outsides turn white; drain. Stir in salsa & chopped onion; heat until hot. Spoon over batter in the pan to within 1/2-inch of the edges.<BR/> 3. Bake 22-25 minutes or until edges are dark golden brown. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1-3 minutes or until cheese melts; loosen from sides of the pan & serve.<BR/><BR/>I find this goes great with a salad topped with a flavor-filled dressing such as a spicy ranch (ranch with salsa.)<BR/><BR/>Tuesday: Meatloaf Roll<BR/>1 pkg. (10 oz.) chopped broccoli or spinach<BR/>2 lbs. hamburger<BR/>2 eggs<BR/>3/4 c. soft bread crumbs<BR/>1/4 c. catsup<BR/>1/4 c. milk<BR/>1/2 tsp. salt<BR/>1/4 tsp. pepper<BR/>1/4 tsp. dried oregano leaves<BR/>1 tsp. salt<BR/>1 pkg. (3 oz.) smoked ham<BR/>3 slices Mozzarella cheese, each 3x3 inches, cut diagonally into halves<BR/><BR/>Rinse frozen broccoli under running cold water to separate; drain. Mix hamburger, eggs, bread crumbs, catsup, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the pepper and oregano. Pat hamburger mixture into rectangle, 12x10 inches, on piece of aluminum foil, 18x15 inches. Place broccoli on hamburger mixture to within 1/2 inch of edges; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Arrange ham on broccoli.<BR/><BR/>Roll up rectangle carefully, beginning at 10 inch side and using foil to lift. Press edges and ends of roll to seal. Place on rack in shallow roasting pan. Cook uncovered 350 for 1 1/4 hours. <BR/><BR/>Overlap cheese on top; cook just until cheese begins to melt, about 1 minute longer (center of meat loaf roll may be slightly pink due to ham). Garnish with celery leaves, if desired. Serves 8.<BR/><BR/>This meal goes well with mashed potatoes if you want to increase starches for the meal or a salad for the additional vegetables. Don't be frightened by the vegetables in the meatloaf. It's one of my favorites!!<BR/><BR/>Wednesday: Tuna Casserole<BR/>2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni<BR/>12 ounces of tuna in spring water<BR/>2 small cans of concentrated cream of chicken soup<BR/>1 small can of sweet green peas<BR/>1/2 cup of milk<BR/>1 small pack of shredded mozzarella cheese<BR/><BR/>In a medium pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, add noodles. Let cook until noodles are tender.<BR/><BR/>Preheat oven to 350.<BR/><BR/>Flake tuna in a casserole dish. Then add in soup, peas, and milk. Mix all ingredients till they are blended well. Then add an even layer of cheese across the top.<BR/><BR/>Bake for 20-30 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy.<BR/><BR/>Thursday: Pork Chops, Potatoes and steamed vegetalbes (broccoli, cauliflower, squash and zucchini)<BR/><BR/>Friday: Tacos/Burritos with Spanish rice<BR/><BR/>Saturday: Family Fun Night - Make your own personal pizzas. <BR/><BR/>Shortening (to grease 2 baking sheets)<BR/>All-purpose flour<BR/>1 pkg. biscuits (10 pack)<BR/>1 (8 oz.) can pizza sauce<BR/>1 (4 oz.) pkg. shredded mozzarella cheese<BR/><BR/>Toppings of your own choice: <BR/>1/4 lb. sliced pepperoni<BR/>1 hot dog, sliced<BR/>1/2 c. chopped green pepper<BR/>1/2 c. sliced black olives<BR/>1/2 c. chopped onions<BR/>1/4 lb. sausage, cooked & sliced<BR/>1/4 lb. ham<BR/>1 can pineapple<BR/><BR/>Grease two baking sheets and set aside.<BR/><BR/>Sprinkle flour on a cutting board. Use a rolling pin to roll each biscuit to a 4 inch circle.<BR/><BR/>Place biscuits on baking sheets. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons of sauce on each biscuit. Sprinkle each biscuit with 1 1/2 tablespoons of cheese.<BR/><BR/>Let each person put on their favorite toppings.<BR/><BR/>Bake at 325 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. <BR/><BR/>Sunday: Roast (Beef or Pork) with potatoes, onions, carrots<BR/><BR/>Although I'm sure some of these recipes are new to you, they are family favorites in my home, which is why I shared them. I hope it will help you find a few new things that pique the interest of your family!! Happy planning and cooking!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-31773201290815487872007-10-24T20:22:00.000-07:002007-10-24T20:22:00.000-07:00Awwww. Now my heart is all melty!You're doing that...Awwww. Now my heart is all melty!<BR/><BR/>You're doing that on purpose, aren't you? :DCarolyn Ericksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453503978412913878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875264211659505702.post-10163458987108570932007-10-24T19:48:00.000-07:002007-10-24T19:48:00.000-07:00I think you are a very capable meal planner.Your H...I think you are a very capable meal planner.<BR/>Your HubbyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com