MPM - April 13-19

I'm back!! Yay for me huh??!! Did you miss me?
Aww thanks!

So I really hate when I don't plan out the week. It seriously messes up everything else we do.
Last week was so scattered and unorganized, I'm JUST getting everything back to normal.

Thins week I have some great recipes that I've pulled from all over. Well all over my book shelf anyway.

I hope you enjoy them.

Don't forget to visit Organizer Junkie and the other Menu Planning Monday participants.

Monday
Taco Ring
Yellow Rice

Tuesday
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore over Pasta
-from Ragu Menu Mailout Booklet
Garlic Bread

Wednesday
Grilled Sausage w/Chunky Tomato Sauce Poboys
-from Southern Living Homestyle Cooking
Sweet Potato Oven Fries

Thursday
Tuna Pasta
-from Weight Watchers Magazine (May/June 09)
Broiled Veggies

Friday
Oven Fried Pork Chops
-from Southern Living above
Cornbread Dressing
Green beans

Saturday
Richard Family Reunion

Sunday
Amalie's 11th Birthday Party!!

Slow Cooked Chicken Cacciatore

6 servings/Prep Time 10 minutes/Cook Time 4 hours

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (and/or breasts)
1 jar Ragu Old World Style Pasta Sauce
1 sm green bell pepper, sliced
1 sm onion, sliced
3 tbsp dry sherry or chicken broth
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper

1- In slow cooker, arrange chicken: add remaining ingredients.
2- Cook covered on LOW 8-10 hours of HIGH 4-6 hours, or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve, if desired, over hot cooked brown rice or wheat pasta.


Grilled Sausage w/Chunky Tomato Sauce

6 servings

1 lg onion
3 lg cloves garlic, chopped
3 tbl olive oil
1 1/2 tbl fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper
2 (28oz) cans Italian-style tomatoes, drained & chopped
1 (8oz) Fresh sliced mushrooms
2 tbl tomato paste
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper (we use much more)
3 lbs assorted fresh sausages
Bun or Poboy bread

Cook onion & garlic in hot oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat, stirring constantly, 7 minutes or until tender. Add rosemary and red pepper; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in tomatoes and next 4 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer uncovered, 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Grill sausages, covered with grill lid, over medium high heat (350 to 400) 6 minutes on each side or until done. Serve with tomato mixture.


Tuna pasta - Weight Watchers

Serves 4

1 28oz can diced tomato
1 tbsp garlic
4 tsp oil
3 c whole wheat pasta
2 5oz cans solid white tuna

Cook tomatoes & garlic in oil for 10 minutes.
Stir in cooked pasta & drained tuna.

Points Value - 5 (1.5 c)


Oven Fried Pork Chops

4 servings

4 (6oz) lean center cut pork loin chops
1 egg white
2 tbs unsweetened pineapple juice
1 tbs lite soy sauce
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 paprika
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/3 c Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
Cooking spray

Trim fat from pork chops. Combine egg white and next 5 ingredients in a shallow bowl and whisk gently. Dip chops in egg mixture, and dredge in breadcrumbs.
Place chp[s on a rack in a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, turn and back 25 minutes or until pork chops are done.


Yum huh!!
These are some of my favorite meals... in a lower fat and calorie way. I can actually eat with my family this week!! Yay me! Well except the taco roll which is their favorite not mine but its super easy so that works!

MPM - March 30 - April 5

Hey there!! Thanks for stopping by!

Another week of meals from our South Louisiana home. No true Cajun dishes this week but all very easy and mostly figure friendly.... Mostly...

A few of the recipes are available below.

Monday
Cresent Casserole
Chuck Wagon Corn

Tuesday
Family Dinner at my Mom's
(yay no cooking for me!!)

Wednesday
Johnny Massetti - Family Favorite
(pasted down from Jon's G-ma YUM!)
Garlic Bread

Thursday
Baked Tilapia
Carrot Souffle

Friday
Sausage & Pepper Baked Ziti
Green Beans

Saturday
Date Night!
Sushi @ Osaka w/friends

Sunday
Enchilada Casserole
Yellow Rice

Hope you enjoy some of these recipes.
This will be my 1st attempt at the carrot souffle... I'll keep you updated!

To see other fabulous menus and MPM participants click here.


Cresent Casserole - from Jon's Maw Maw

1 lb ground meat
1/2c Sour Cream
1/4c Chopped Onion
1 (8oz) can Dinner Rolls
1c Spaghetti Sauce
1/3c Grated Parmesan Cheese
6oz (1 1/2c) Shredded Mozzarella
2tb Margarine


Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Brown meat & onion, drain.
Add spaghetti sauce until heated.
In another bowl, stir mozzarella & sour cream.
Pour meat into ungreased baking dish.
Spoon cheese mixture over meat.
Unroll dough over cheese.
Mix parmesan and butter.
Spread over dough.
Bake for 18-25 minutes.


Johnny Massetti - from Jon's Grandma Maclynn

1 lb ground meat
1 stick of butter (I use 1/2)
1lb Cheddar Cheese
1 medium onion - chopped
1 medium bell pepper - chopped
1 can (5oz) Tomato Sauce
1 jar Button Mushrooms (I use 1 package of fresh)
1 (14oz) can Whole Tomatoes
1 can med Black Olives
1 pkg medium seashell pasta

Brown onion & peppers in butter.
Add meat.
Season to taste.
Brown & drain.
Add tomato sauce, whole tomatoes & mushrooms.
Boil pasta, to firm texture.
Melt in cheese to meat mixture, about 15 minutes.
Add pasta & pour into casserole dish.
Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes.


Thanks for stopping by!!

Weekly Menu Plan March 23-29

It is so much easier for me to shop when I know what we are eating... and I spend alot less money this way as well.

To do this I really try to make out my menu for the week. Once I comb through various magazines that come to my door and a few of the other fabulous bloggers who post their menus, I get the "OK" from the people who are forced privileged to eat what I cook each week. I only plan dinners. This is because I stay home with my 2 youngest and I don't cook all day! I don't mind cooking on the weekends. Our breakfasts usually consist of cereal, bagels, fruits, and/or granola bars. Lunch isn't much different, if we are home. Sandwiches or leftovers are par for the course.

If you'd like tips and helpful printouts so that you can start menu planning as well, check out these sites:
Menu Planning Central
Menus 4 Mom
Organizing Junkie - Menu Planning Monday


So here goes my list:

Monday
Meatloaf w/Mozzarella, Mushrooms & Pepperoni (All You)

Tuesday
Chicken, Chili & Cheese Enchiladas (All You)

Wednesday
Crispy Parmesan Baked Chicken Breasts (adapted from a bag of Tilapia)

Thursday
Crock Pot Beef Stew (McCormick packet)

Friday
Tuna Casserole (Amalie is cooking)

Saturday
Walker's Birthday!! He picks.

Sunday
Walker's Party - Kart Ranch Pizza

Great part about this menu is that I only have to go to the store for 1 (ONE!!) thing, a rotisserie chicken for the enchiladas!! But I could always bake one myself..... Albertson's is just so much easier.

So what are you cooking this week?? Any healthy cheap new recipes you've found lately??

Don't forget to check out the other menu planners listed above.

Thanks for stopping by!!


Edit: A very helpful reader suggested I post my recipes. Thank you so much! I will def do that next week.