Sunday, September 7, 2008

Monday Menus



I am going to try something new this month (starting next week ;o)). I was reading my new Gooseberry Patch cookbook that I picked up this week at Costco and it suggested to give each day of the week a theme. I had read this before from Rachel Anne at Home Sanctuary (check out her other ideas for meal planning on her side bar). I am thinking this will help simplify my meal planning. The thought is to give each day a theme of something that your family enjoys. For us it will be Mexican, Italian, Breakfast, Soup & Salad (or sandwich) and I am still thinking on the other two, maybe a casserole night? We always have dinner at church on Wed nights so that makes only 6 I need to figure out. Sunday night will definitely be something in the crock-pot since we are at church all afternoon. Emma has started a cooking class and is required to make 3 meals a week for her family; a breakfast, lunch and a dinner, so I am trying to help her come up with good and easy meals to make.

The weather and our schedules are changing a little. Football, church, school and lessons are all in full swing. We really try to make eating dinner as a family a priority but Monday and Wednesday nights are impossible. Monday will be crock-pot night and Wednesday we eat at church.

Monday: Fall Harvest Chowder
Tuesday: Hot Chicken Sandwiches
Wednesday: Roast beef & Mashed potatoes (church meal)
Thursday: Spaghetti, salad & bread
Friday: Roast beef sandwiches (thank you Tricia)
Saturday: Chicken soup

Fall Harvest Chowder (slow cooker)
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 C chopped onion
4 C water
1 C carrots
1 C diced celery
1 C cubed potato
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatos
1 can (8 oz) tomato puree
1 t. salt
1/4 t pepper
1/4t crushed bay leaf
1 1/2 t Italian seasoning
6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high

Hot Chicken Sandwiches (Gooseberry Patch Taste of Autumn)
2 1/2 - 3lbs chicken
6T butter
6T flour
1t salt
1/8 pepper
1/2c celery thinly sliced
12 sandwich buns
Boil chicken for1 hour. Reserve 2 1/2 c broth. Allow chicken to cook; remove skin & bones, shred meat. Melt butter in a sauce pan; whisk flour until smooth. Blend over low heat. Stir in broth, boil 1 min. Add salt, pepper. Stir in celery & chicken. Heat thoroughly; serve on toasted buns.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a yummy week! I've tried to do the theme approach, but I never stick with it for long. Good luck!

Charuka | Katriona said...

Hi there!

Just found your blog today on MPM.

Your menu sounds interesting. Especially the hot chicken sandwiches! Never heard of anything like that, I might just try that ;)

Have a great week!

Tricia said...

Your recipes sound great! Let me know how the chicken sandwiches are.

Hope you have a peaceful blessed day!!!

Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

JUST today I sifted through my Gooseberry patch cookbooks (I have aout 15, my mother in law keeps getting me them) the only I use the most is called Quick & Easy :)

Yours sounds yummy!

Jeanine said...

I've been doing a "theme" night for the last several months and it works out great! However, now that my parents have moved in for a few months my mom and I have started alternating nights to cook. That works even BETTER! Good luck with the new approach...and your recipes sound yummy!

Jamie said...

Having themed nights seems like it would make menu planning all the easier. Monday & Wednesday are crazy at our house as well (and Tues. & Thurs. too during soccer season). The crock-pot gets a lot of use this time of year. I'll have to give those recipes a try...they sound good.

Carol said...

Great idea to do a theme... Mine may look like this:

Mexican- Taco Bell
Italian- Papa Johns
American- McDonalds
Southern Home Cookin – KFC


LOL! ;)

Christy said...

Those chicken sandwiches sound great! I will have to try out that recipe some time. Thanks for sharing!