Sweet Potato Fries

Barbacoa Beef (linked below)

(Happy helper who needs to cuff her stretched out sleeves)

Here you go. . . Lent is a perfect time to simplify and clean out the winter foods from the freezer and pantry.  I thought it would be good discipline for me to actually make a meal plan and stick to it. I have scored a number of recipes from pinterest lately that have been a huge boost to our meal times.  (I love, love pinterest.)   Most often we have salad for our greens which works for us.  If we have leftovers, I will just scratch a meal and enjoy the night off.  (With this large group, that does not happen often.)  I waited to post this at the end of the month to ensure that I was not “promoting” something that was unrealitistc.  Here it is, a month later, on the brink of Holy Week and I can say it was a success. There have been a few modifications (company, activites, etc) but for the most part we are sticking to the schedule!  I love not having to think about what we should have.

To further simplify, I often prep in the morning and use my slow cooker and rice cooker as much as possible. The dinner hour is always more enjoyable when I am not stressed out from dinner making chaos.  I rarely make anything that is very fussy at the end of the recipe.  Please do not be intimidated if you have lots of littles and no kitchen help.  If I rewound the clock to ten years ago, most likely, we would have had leftovers at least twice a week.

I tried to link many of the recipes in case anyone was interested.  A few things I have made for what seems like forever and I do not have gorgeous pictures to accompany my recipes.  When the meal is read to be eaten, no one is willing to wait for pictures!  If you want more specifics, ask and you shall receive!

I hope that this blesses your family!  If you make something from here and it is a hit, I would love to know.

Mangia!  Mangia!

Week One

Sunday:  Braised Short Ribs, Mashed Potatoes,Caesar salad

Monday:  Spanish Rice with Sausage, Salad

Tuesday:  Sweet and Sour Chicken, Steamed Broccoli, Brown Rice

Wednesday: Lentil kale soup

Thursday:  Shepherds Pie (from left over mashed potatoes), Salad

Friday:  Clam Chowder, Salmon cakes, Salad

Saturday: Easy sausage veggie roast *

Week Two

Sunday: Roasted Turkey Breast, Grandma Ruth’s Stuffing, Salad

Monday:  Korean Beef, Rice, Peas

Tuesday: Turkey Tetrazzini, Salad

Wednesday: Pasta with Mary’s All Day Meat Sauce, Caesar Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday: Mexican Chicken Chili, Corn Chips

Friday: Asian noodles

Saturday:  Beef and Black Bean Enchiladas

Week Three

Sunday:  Beef Fajitas, Peppers and Onions, salsa, Guacamole

Monday:  Chicken piccata, Arugula Salad, crashed potatoes

Tuesday:  Tequila Chicken, Salad, Garlic Fries

Wednesday:  Beans and Mexican Rice

Thursday:  Chicken Planks with Honey Mustard Sauce, Arugula Salad

Friday:  Madras Lentils, sliced red peppers, Naan

Saturday:  St. Patricks Day Salmon, Potatoes, Sauteed Green Beans

Week Four

Sunday: Garlic Lime Chicken, Sweet Potato Fries, Asparagus

Monday:  St. Joseph’s Day Steak, Mesquite Fries, Caesar Salad

Tuesday: Sesame chicken with Broccoli and Rice

Wednesday:  Crockpot Ziti, Salad

Thursday:  Lemon Chicken, Ina’s Quinoa Tabouli

Friday:   Kale and White Bean Pasta

Saturday: leftovers

Week Five:

Sunday:  Birthday dinner: Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Monday:  Chili, Corn Chips, Peppers

Tuesday:  Chicken Enchiladas, Salad

Wednesday: Skillet Potatoes, Black Bean Soup, Salad

Thursday:  Chicken Piri Piri, Mexican Rice, Green Beans

Friday:  Tostadas, Black Bean Soup left over

Saturday:  Birthday: Stuffed Shells, Caesar Salad

Holy Week:

Sunday: Barbacoa Beef, Salsa, Chips, Guacamole, Rice and Beans

Monday:  Chicken Parmesean, Arugula Salad

Tuesday:  Mexican Black Bean Burritos

Wednesday:  Korean Beef, Broccoli and Rice

Thursday:  Leg of Lamb, Quinoa Tabouli, sautéed Broccoli Rabe

Good Friday:  rice and beans

If you “pin”, come on over and say hello, www.pinterest.com/leslie_ann