Menu - Week of 12/15

It feels like I blink and a week goes by.  Am I that busy that I don't even notice the days passing by?  That is kind of sad.  Winter is supposed to be a time to slow down.  With the short days and the cool weather, I should spend more evenings reading by the fire.  I need to restart my annual tradition of reading the entire Little House on the Prairie series over the Christmas break.  I used to do that before the kids came.  N loves those books; D not so much. 

Anyway, I am forgetting that this blog is about food.  I am looking forward to cooking a lot of dinners this week.  I love sitting down at the table, giving thanks for our meal, and lighting the advent candle this season.  So for this week's menu:

• Monday -  Party Leftovers (Chinese Egg Rolls, Queso Dip, Pizza, Macaroni and Cheese, fruit)
  
• Tuesday - Broiled Salmon with Herbs, Mexican Rice, Edamame, Corn on the Cob (on sale), Orange Wedges
  
• Wednesday - Baked Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Carrots, Grapes
  
• Thursday - Sweet Potato Soup, Rolls, Cheese and Apple Slices
  
• Friday - We're ordering pizza.  After dinner, we are caroling around the neighborhood and coming back home to hot cocoa, and we're roasting marshmallows by the fire (it's supposed to be 70's degrees, but we'll pretend it's still cold!).
  
• Saturday - Paella, Raw Veggies
• Sunday - Grilled Steaks, Potato Wedges, Grilled Asparagus

Broiled Salmon with Herbs:  Rinse 1 lb. salmon fillet.  Pat dry with paper towels.  Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sage, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, salt and pepper to taste.  Broil for fifteen minutes or until done.  I am serving this with Rice, but  you can also use this fish to make fish tacos.  Just serve in corn tortillas and add pico de gallo and thinly sliced cabbage. Delicious!

Provecho!

Menu - Week of 12/8

Last week was awful in terms of eating out and eating unhealthy.  We were at school most of the day because of the book fair and we got home fairly late which means we ate out at places such as McD's a lot.  Not good for the checkbook or for the body.  Must start the body cleansing process tomorrow.   

We still have tons of turkey leftovers, but I am getting tired of turkey, plus we are trying to eat less meat.  So here is what I am planning for dinners this week:

• Monday - Potato pancakes, steamed broccoli, watermelon
  
• Tuesday - Turkey stroganoff with egg noodles, carrots with dip, strawberries
  
• Wednesday - Bean burritos, rice, tangerines
  
• Thursday - Gypsy Soup (from Mollie Katzen's, The New Moosewood Cookbook), grapes
  
• Friday - Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe at Mexic-Arte Museum - must eat Mexican food there!
  
• Saturday - We are hosting David's faculty party at our house.
  
• Sunday - Grilled steaks, baked potatoes, and tossed salad (so much for not eating as much meat!!!)  You can't live in Texas and not eat steak.
  

Potato Pancakes (from Healthy Meals in Minutes): I love this recipe.  The pancakes taste so much better with sweet applesauce.  This recipe makes 12 pancakes.

3 russett potatoes, peeled and coarsely shredded

1/2 a small yellow onion, grated

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespooons chopped fresh parsley

1 large egg

1 egg white

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided

Nonfat plain yogurt or unsweetened applesauce (optional)

1. Place potatoes in colander and rinse.  Squeeze dry on paper towels.
   
2. In a large bowl, combine onion, flour, and parsley.  Stir in egg, egg white, salt, and paper. Add potatoes; mix well.
   
3. Spray a large non-stick skillet with vegetable cooking spray.  Heat skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 1 teaspoon of butter.  Place about 3 tablespoons of potato mixture in skillet; flatten into pancake with spatula.  Make 3 more pancakes in skillet as directed.
   
4. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 7 minutes, pressing with spatula.  Turn carefully; cook until golden on other side, about 6 to 7 minutes.  Place on a plate and cover to keep warm. Repeat twice with the remaining butter and potato mixture.  Serve with applesauce or yogurt.
   

Provecho!