Meal Plan Monday

Saturday, Sunday and Monday
I was out of my kitchen.

Tuesday
Grilled Kilbasa
Mushroom Pierogi
Cauliflower
Carrot Salad

Wednesday
Sweet and Sour Meatballs(from the freezer)
Snow peas and Broccoli
White Rice

Thursday
Chicken Marsala (with LOTS of mushrooms)
Pasta
Spinach Salad

Friday
Family Flick Fest (details will be posted later in the week)
Is it sick and wrong to serve fish while watching Nemo? We'll find out on Friday.

Friday’s Family Flick Fest

Every Thursday I take my boys to the library to pick out some new reading material for the week and to select a movie for Friday’s Family Flick Fest. To make the evening even more fun I plan a meal to match the movie. This week we are watching Monsters Inc. a scene in the movie takes place in a sushi restaurant so here’s what were having…
Take out Sushi
Edamade
Asparagus and Toasted Sesame Salad
Popcorn with Rice Crackers and Wasabi Peas
Monster Cupcakes

On Top of Spaghetti

My boys love meatballs and you may have noticed that they are on my meal plan at least once, most weeks. I always have some in the freezer. When I make a batch I cook and freeze them in two sizes. Tiny walnut sized ones are great to serve as appetizers. For an easy cocktail party serve them with a Red Pepper and Feta Dip. Add a hunk of feta cheese, some olives, hummus and pita chips and you have an instant trip to the Mediterranean. Or start an Indian Night with mini meatballs dipped into a Creamy Mango Yogurt Sauce (made my mixing Greek yogurt, mango chutney and lime zest).

Larger golf ball sized ones are great to use for a quick dinner. Favorites in my house include Swedish Style with lingonberry jam, steamed potatoes and carrots, Sweet and Sour over rice with sugar snap peas and broccoli, Stroganoff Style with buttered egg noodles and a beet salad, and of course on top of spaghetti. Since meatballs can become appetizers, sliders, sandwiches, or dinner shouldn't you have some in your freezer? I have modified Rao’s meatball recipe to suit my family--give it a try.

Meatballs
2 lbs ground beef or (1 lb beef, ½ lb veal, ½ lb pork)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup grated pecorino
1 ½ tablespoon chopped flat leaf Italian parsley
1 clove of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
2 cups water (yes 2 cups)

Mix all ingredients together and shape into balls.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Bake for 10-15 minutes depending on size of meatballs.
When meatballs are cool freeze them in one layer on a sheet pan.
Once frozen transfer to zip top bags and you will always have something for dinner.

FYI
Mixture will seem wet but this will make the meatballs very tender.
Handle the mixture as little as possible or the meatballs with be very dense.

Meal Plan Monday

1. Meatballs Served Austrian Style
Spaetzle
Cauliflower and Carrots
Applesauce

2. Broiled Salmon
Brown Rice
Broccoli

3. Salmon Cakes (like crab cakes but made with left over salmon) with Dill Pickle Tarter Sauce
Oven Fries
Green Salad

4. Pasta with Alfredo Sauce
Sautéed Spinach with Garlic
Asparagus with Lemon Butter

5. Cornflake Crusted Chicken Cutlets
Broccoli
Smashed New Potatoes with Mustard

6. Chicken Parmesan (made with last night’s cutlets)
Pasta
Green Salad

This Lady Knows How to Party

Sara Hicks Malone likes Sebastian’s Science Party. Who’s Sara? She’s a graphic designer, illustrator, and mom. She is a former art director for Martha Stewart Baby and Kids magazines, designer for Hicks Paper Goods, a blogger, and she has chosen to feature Sebastian’s Science Party on her blog Sara’s Party Perfect.

It is such an honor to be included on her blog. When you’re a stay-at-home-mom it's sometimes hard to find personal achievements to celebrate. I did get our laundry done in record time yesterday but this is so much bigger. Thanks to Sara for giving me a reason to celebrate. Yay me!

Check it out…http://saraspartyperfect.com/2011/04/science-party-2/

Sunday
Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes, Cauliflower and Chickpeas (freeze leftovers)
Basmati Rice
Naan Bread

Monday
Corned Beef with Dried Fruits
Mashed Potatoes and Cleric
Carrots

Tuesday
Corned Beef and Dried Fruit Topped Baked Potatoes
Broccoli

Wednesday
Veggie Lasagna
Cesar Salad
Rosemary Bread

Thursday
Chicken Curry Pot Pies
Salad

Friday
Seared Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic
Asparagus

Meal Plan Monday

Sunday
Raspberry Chicken (make a double batch)
Mashed Carrots and Parsnips
Wild Rice Pilaf

Monday
Chicken Salad Sandwiches (using last night’s chicken)
Sweet Potato Oven Fries
Green Salad

Tuesday
Turkey Three Bean Chili Topped Baked Potatoes (chili from my freezer)
Chips and Guacamole

Wednesday
Ricotta Stuffed Bell Peppers
Sweet Potato Gnocchi (from the freezer--see recipe page for details)

Thursday
Burgers with Goat Cheese and Caramelized onions
Green Salad

Friday
Grilled Shrimp Cesar Salad (make extra dressing for next week)