If you don't want to have to stand in front of the refrigerator - again - trying to figure out what's for supper, then weekly menu planning and you are a match made in heaven. For a little time up front spent picking recipes and making a grocery list, all the head scratching and aggravation is eliminated and you are guaranteed yummy meals every night of the week.
Here's what's for supper this week at our house (*indicates recipe is included):
1) *Breaded Ranch Chicken,**Special Baked Potatoes, Steamed Veggies
*This recipe serves 6, so it makes for a great company meal, or, freeze the leftovers for a future fast meal. In a shallow bowl, combine 3/4 C crushed cornflakes, 3/4 C grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 packet ranch salad dressing mix. Dip 2 lbs boneless chicken breast halves in 1/2 C melted butter and roll in cornflake mixture to coat. Place in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 min or until chicken juices run clear.
**I almost always bake potatoes in the microwave, but as long as I'm baking chicken in the oven, here's what I think I'll do. Rub baking potatoes with olive oil and roll in kosher salt. Bake until done. The crispy skins are to die for.
2) Chili, Cornbread, Fresh Veggies & Dip
3) Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Balsamic Reduction, Brown Rice w/Chopped Pecans and Craisins, *Steamed Broccoli with Goat Cheese
This recipe is what brings more people to Empty Nest Full Heart than any other Google search. It is the perfect special weeknight meal. Pan searing pork chops is my favorite way to prepare them - the juices are sealed in by the high heat searing that creates a deep brown coating. Adding balsamic vinegar to the pan juices takes advantage of all the yummy flavor hiding there. Click on the link for the recipe.
*Want a quick way to make broccoli special? Cut 2 oz goat cheese into chunks and stir it into 2 servings of steamed broccoli until it's melted. That's all there is to it!
4) *Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Scramble, Fresh Fruit (from your grocer's salad bar!)
*We love this meal because it's diabetic friendly and (of course), because it's fast and easy at the end of a long day. Whisk together 4 eggs with 1/2 C cream (I use half 'n half) and 1 t dill weed. Slice 4 scallions (green included), chunk 4 oz goat cheese, chop 3 oz smoked salmon and set aside. Saute the scallions in 1-2 T butter for one minute. Stir in the egg mixture and scramble until about halfway set. Add the goat cheese and salmon and cook til the cheese is melted and the eggs are cooked through.
5) *Teriyaki Burgers on Whole Wheat Buns, Relishes, Whole Grain Tortilla Chips
*Chop 1/2 C water chestnuts and 2 scallions and mix with 1 lb ground beef, 1/4 C soy sauce, 2 T dry sherry, 1 t minced garlic, and 1/2 t grated gingerroot. Form into 4 burgers and cook for 5 min. on an electric tabletop grill. While the burger are cooking, mix together 2 T apricot preserves, 1 t soy sauce, and 1/4 t grated gingerroot. Spoon on top of the burgers before serving.
One night of leftovers and a date night complete the week! Enjoy!
Coming soon...we have enough recipes that they're getting a little unwieldy. Stay tuned for a new page indexing them all.
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