Hello Friends!
Another week, another menu to be planned! I have to say that last week, the rosemary merlot steak was fantastic. This week, I will be out two nights with work related events, as we are piloting a new leadership program. So, you'll see that there are two crockpot recipes this week to accommodate Daddy and kids only nights.

It was a busy weekend and soccer is OVER! I'm ready for the break till we start again in Spring. I have two more weeks of co-leading the Truth Project at church, and then only two more teach times with the Career Transition Ministry and then I'm taking a break for a while from my evening commitments. Expect some good menus then! But till then...

Sun: Cheese Tortellini, ham, peas. This is a standby in my house when I have no time to cook, and it is Nick's favorite dinner. It is SO EASY. Fresh cheese tortellini, cooked according to package directions.... then while that is cooking, heat up a package of diced ham (by the lunchmeat at the store), a small package of frozen peas (literally dump them in with the ham and heat till they're bright green) and then pour in pre-made alfredo sauce. When the tortellini is done, drain it and toss it with the alfredo, ham, and peas. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with a Caesar salad and hot bread.

Mon: Baked Tilapia (lemon pepper, butter, slice lemon), couscous, sauteed spinach with garlic, black-eyed peas and corn bread.

Tues: Pot Roast in the crock pot (sear the meat before putting in the crock pot, then add one onion, a package of italian dressing mix (like good seasons), one beer, one can of cream of mushroom soup, small new potatoes, and baby carrots. Cook all day.)

Wed: Parmesan Chicken and Rice Casserole with steamed green beans. (Ingredients: 1 chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 bags boil in bag brown rice, 1/3 cup white wine, 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, 1 1/2 tsp thyme, 2 cups low sodium chicken broth, 3 tablespoons whipping cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. 450 oven, saute onion, garlic in touch of olive oil, for two mins. Add rice (uncooked) to pan, stir 30 seconds, stir in wine, cook until wine is almost gone. Put in 13 X 9 pan. Put chicken breasts over rice, sprinkle with thyme and some salt. Mix broth and cream, pour over chicken and rice. Bake for 15 minutes, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese, bake additional 5 or 10 minutes till chicken is done.)

Thurs: Pulled pork tacos with black beans & corn. Pork butt or roast in the crockpot with one package of taco seasoning on top and a can of rotel poured around it. Let cook on low all day. Take two forks and pull in opposite directions when ready to eat... thus "pulled pork" - it shreds nicely. I like it best in corn tortillas with all the regular taco fixings. Open a can of black beans and a can of corn and you have dinner tonight.

Fri: Cornflake crusted Halibut with mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. (In a shallow dish, mix 1 cup milk and 1 large egg white, lightly beaten. In another dish, 2 cups of finely crushed cornflakes, 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat about 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Dip fish in milk mixture, then cornflake mixture. Cook 4 minutes on each side - test it to make sure it is flaking the whole way through. Serve with tartar sauce.)

We have a wedding to go to on Saturday night and all the kids will be sleeping over with friends, a cousin, or grandparents. Yes - when you have this many children, you do have to send them to different places. We're so lucky that everyone has a place to go and that they're all looking forward to it. We are looking forward to our night out!

Have a wonderful week... stay strong!

Mecca