Meal Plan it!

Meal planning is what really makes eating at home a lot simpler on busy weeks. I am trying to get meat out of the freezer the night before and marinading or just setting ingredients out to have all the things ready when getting home after a busy day. So getting things set this week for dinner, with this Monday Meal Plan.
Monday: Chicken Fajitas with refried beans, chips and salsa.
Tuesday:  Balsamic & garlic pork, rice and green beans
Meatless Wednesday: Eggplant Parma, noodles
Thursday: Sloppy Joes with watermelon on the side
Friday: Sesame ginger chicken over rice, with a side of broccoli
Saturday: Chicken, Feta and Zucchini
Sunday: Out to eat before another week

Meal Plan in Order

There has been a lot happening, so I have been very behind on meal plans. I was in Denver for a week, got back to Utah, went camping and now I am ready for some home cooking. I wrote down meals on a magazine page on the way home yesterday. So here we have this Monday Meal Plan, so we have this week for dinner.

Meatless Monday: Black bean quesadillas with salsa
Tuesday: Blueberry pancakes with turkey sausage on the side
Wednesday: General tso's chicken, sides of rice and broccoli
Thursday: Pulled pork sandwiches with green beans
Friday: Out on the town
Saturday: Hamburgers, corn on the cob
Sunday: Spaghetti Spaghetti

Strawberry Hand Pies

Only one hand needed to eat this Strawberry Pie. 

I think that every picnic needs a sweet ending. Some desserts can be a bit messy when packed in the basket. These pies are a neat little package that fits in your hand to eat. Also it can be filled with so many different fillings to fit your tastes. This time I went with strawberries because for some reason I just can't stop baking with them.

 Strawberry Hand Pies

3/4 pound strawberries, chopped
3 Tablespoon sugar
1 refrigerated pie crust (or your fave basic crust)
1 egg, beaten

- Stir together the strawberries with the sugar and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. 
- Roll out the pie crust onto a floured surface. Used a 3" circle cookie cutter, biscuit cutter or mug to cut out 10 circles (or as many as your can fit as an even number). On half of the circles, use a smaller cutter to cut out a shape, or use a knife to cut slits.
- Dip your finger in water and circle around the edge of the pie crust circle with no cuts. Spoon on a tablespoon of the strawberries. Cover with one of the crusts with cuts. Use your finger to seal the edge, by pressing down firmly but not to tear it.
- Brush top lightly with egg. Place on parchment paper or silicone mat. Bake for 15 minutes in preheat 450 degrees F, then lower to 350 degrees F and bake for about 30 more minutes or until tops are golden brown and fillings are bubbly.

Steal the Moon Caramel Corn

This would taste good even on the moon, yes the moon.

Last week I watched my first movie in the park. Despicable Me. I needed something to munch on during the movie, but just salt popcorn didn't sound that good. Caramel corn it was. Having all the ingredients on hand and how quick and easy it is to makes, caramel corn was the best choice. Better than the frozen cookie dough, I could have baked. Plus eating popcorn is what you do at a movie. My friend and I had a great time with the star above us as the little minions stole the screen.

Steal the Moon Carmel Corn

Slight change from All Recipes                                   
3 1/2 quarts plain popped popcorn
1 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- Place the popped popcorn into two shallow greased baking pans. I used a cookie sheet that had sides. Set aside.  
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). 
- Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring enough to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly.  Be sure to stir!
- Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pan, and stir to coat. Don't worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.  
- Bake for 30 minutes, removing the pan, and stirring the caramel around the popcorn every 10 minutes.
- Allow the popcorn to cool slightly in the pan or  line the counter top with waxed paper and dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags. (if it makes it to the containers!) 

Lost in Summer Meal Plan

After being MIA for a couple of weeks,  I am attempting to find myself in summer and make a meal plan. We took a little trip to see my family, the extended family and my parents. My mom found a cabin in the Colorado mountains, so we had a little get away. Even had a bit of a campfire.
More exciting was that when we were away the Ogden Farmer's market opened for season! We missed opening day, but the second week we made it. There was so much variety, already in the season! My favorites were that we picked up over 2 pounds of cherries and some fresh garlic. We also selected some green beans, zucchini, lettuce, peas, and carrots.
So with all that local produce, here this Monday Meal Plan. In hope that this week for dinner will not leave me eating just ice cream. Plus a friend from Phoenix will be visiting this weekend!

Meatless Monday: Salads (because no one really wants to cook)
Tuesday: Grilled Chicken sandwiches topped with pepper jack cheese, side of green beans.
Wednesday: Chili Verde (Pork with tomatillo salsa)
Thursday: Baked Ziti (filled with sausage, cheese, and zucchini)
Friday: BBQ: Kabobs with a side of rice
Saturday Dinner: Out to Roosters

Sunday: Chicken lime tacos

Pre-July Meal Plan

Over the weekend, we loaded up the car with our Hayden and my friend's pup Chloe plus a lot camping gear. We headed near Park City, to Rockport Sate Park. The majority of Utah state parks allow dogs, which make them the destination of most our camping trips. It was a great weekend in a tent. The dogs were so tired that after there baths, they just slept in on the couch yesterday. J didn't catch any fish but we still soaked up the sun by the reservoir for most of the time. There is a hike that goes along the side of the lake which offers really beautiful views. The river near Cottonwood campground (they one we stayed at) was so high that many of the campsites had water in the fire pits or the whole site was flooded. Luckily, our site wasn't close to the river and we were able to have a fire each night plus we stayed dry at night. 

I can't believe that Fourth of July is next Monday. I am planning a BBQ with a few friends at our house. Not the traditional BBQ. I probably should because that is what all the stores have on sale. However, I am taking a bit of a different approach. So I am have included next Monday in this Monday Meal Plan. In hopes I can get a bit past this week for dinner.
Meatless Monday: Black Bean Stoup
Tuesday: Pulled pork sandwich with mash potatoes, and green beans
Wednesday: Kung Pao Chicken with side of broccoli and hopefully egg rolls
Thursday: Baked ziti (filled with sausage and zucchini)
Friday: Dinner out
Saturday: Sesame ginger chicken with rice and broccoli
Sunday: Southwest chicken, chips and salsa
4th of July Monday: Grilled Pizza, salad, chicken wings

Alligator Picnic

Teddy bear picnics are out, Alligator picnics are in! 

CHOMP! When I was little a family friend made these cream cheese and chicken crescent rolls when she would watch us for a day. I made a mouth with one end and would CHOMP other foods with them. They were my alligators. The name stuck and were even put in the church's cookbook as Alligators. Nowadays, I make these every now and then. They are good warm or cold, meaning a perfect picnic food! That is just want I made them for this time. I truly love picnics, but always want something different than a sandwich, simple or upscale. I made these the night before, then threw them in the picnic basket when it was time to get on the road. They are also great finger foods, for other occasions. 

Alligators

Family friend                                                 
2-8oz refrigerated crescent roll packages
1-8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 can drained chicken or turkey
1 Tablespoon chives, dried or fresh
1 teaspoon salt or season salt

- Mix cream cheese, mix in chicken, chives, and salt. Put around 1 Tablespoon of mixture in each laid flat crescent. Roll mixture up covering with crescent.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes of until golden brown.
- Be careful if eating warm, cream cheese gets hot!