Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Quick Scalloped Potatoes

If it were up to my husband, we'd have these mashed potatoes with every meal. Unfortunately for him, I like a little more variety than that. So I am always on the hunt for other potato recipes that are simple and have a similar flavor to the mashed potatoes he so loves while being different enough that I'm not getting bored.

Every time my Mom makes ham, she also makes these awesome scalloped potatoes from a Martha Stewart recipe.  I finally asked for it and tried it a few times. My hubby wasn't sold, until I started making some small changes that made them more my style. It worked! He's finally on board with trying some different styles, and has even requested these a few times. Yeah!


The recipe is pretty flexible, you too can tailor it to fit your families tastebuds. We've had it with chicken, steak, and ham, but it would also taste great with pork chops. When slicing the potatoes, try not to go too thin. I use a 1/4" chopping tool; I found the Kitchen Aid Mixer attachment sliced too thin. I have not yet tried my slicing tool on my new Cuisenart food processor.


Quick and Easy Scalloped Potatoes

3-4 potatoes, peeled and sliced (Golden is best, but I used good-ole Russet just fine)
1 c heavy cream
1 Tbs butter
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbs onion, finely chopped
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper (or to taste)
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese


Pre-heat oven to 375. In an oven-safe coated cast iron pan (I use this Le Creuset pan) melt butter and sauté the onion. When ready, add the minced garlic and stir to combine. Pour in the cream and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, salt and pepper and reduce to a simmer. Simmer with the lid on, stirring occasionally for about 10-15 minutes. The potatoes should be tender, but not mushy.

Remove from heat and sprinkle the cheese on top. Without the lid, place it in the oven and bake until  the top browns and cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Best served immediately.

*Adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe handed onto me from my Mom.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Weekly Menu, May 29

First week of summer has been wonderful! The kids and I have been enjoying all sorts of summer festivities. Picnics, trips to the park, puppet shows, it's been fantastic. And it's only just the beginning. Next week we start swim team and begin the trail of practices and meets. Changes up the menu a little... some of the practices are at dinner time and we'll want warm yumminess when we come home.

Last week it seemed we had some leftover over illness we needed to finish off, so we didn't get to try everything on the menu last week. So...we have some repeats. We'll try again this week. I have a feeling it will go well.



Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sunday
oatmeal

PBJ
goldfish puffs
cantelope
pizza
salad
Monday
waffles
eggs
Pizza
carrots
grapes
hotdogs
baked beans
potato salad
s’mores
Tuesday
bfast burritos
PBN crackers
strawberries
yogurt
meatloaf
mashed potatoes
green beans
Wednesday
roll up pancakes
grilled cheese
goldfish
cantelope
beef quesadillas
corn
refried beans
Thursday
biscuits & jams
eggs

PBJ
chips
apple slices
crockpot ravioli casserole
broccoli
Friday
toast
sausage patties
cheese & crackers
carrots & dip
grapes
sausage penne pasta
broccoli
garlic bread
mashed bn
biscuits
HB eggs

hot dogs
chips
cantelope
PBJ sandwiches
crackers
apple slices

This should be a good week. Let's do it!

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Weekly Menu, May 22

Wow, another week done. Last week was a total blur. Between end-of-year parties and commencements, and of course last minute mom time enjoyed before summer begins, we got nothing done last week. It felt like one of those weeks where I was lucky to get anything on the table.

I actually discovered something interesting last week. With all the eating out and eating on the run, I felt horrible. Even exercise wasn't enough to fend off the feeling of grease and fat and generally unhealthy foods I was consuming. I was actually missing my home-cooking and portioned meals. The balance that comes with cooking for yourself and having control over what ingredients are used and in what quantities. It has reignited my desire to continue with my weekly menu's and work harder to find ways to avoid eating out (or at least find smarter ways to eat out).

When planning this week, I really wanted to keep it simple as we figure out our balance in our new summer schedule. I created a magnet schedule (I'll have to write a post about that sometime this week), and so far the kids are interested.  As for food, here's what we have going on this week.



Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sunday
waffles
eggs
turkey sandwich
goldfish
apple slices
crispy chicken
mashed potatoes
green beans
Monday
oatmeal
Pizza
carrots
watermelon
beef quesadillas
corn
refried beans
Tuesday
Welsh biscuits
sausage links
PBN crackers
strawberries
yogurt
chicken manicotti
broccoli
Wednesday
bfast burrito
grilled cheese
goldfish
cantelope
steak/fish
potatoes
carrots
Thursday
pancakes
eggs

PBJ
chips
apple slices
chicken kabobs
rice
pineapple
green peppers
Friday
toast
sausage patties
meat & cheese skewers
cheez-its
grapes
crockpot ravioli casserole
broccoli
Saturday
biscuits & jam
HB eggs

hot dogs
chips
cantelope
Mac n Cheese
sauted chicken
carrots

Hopefully we'll be able to transition smoothly into a comfortable summer schedule. I am really excited about summer. So many fun things to do with the kids, and so much more relaxed; in other words a LOT LESS commuting! Yeah to that!

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Weekly Menu, May 15

Last week was a mess, and in many ways a total disaster. I don't know if it's my age, or my last 12 months of efforts to eat healthier, or simply a string of bad food but this week I felt yucky all week! I am starting to think there's value in combining my birthday with Mothers Day and get it all done at once. The days we did cook at home were difficult because I didn't feel good so I wasn't very motivated. New week, new menu, and new inspiration to stay on track.

On the plus side, I got an AWESOME new printer for my birthday! I haven't had easy access to a printer in years, and I don't think I realized how many things I avoided or found tedious ways to accomplish. Now I can print my weekly menu after making it for easy access each day, which hopefully will make for a better success rate.

I also got a dough hook for my new food processor I got for christmas. I didn't realize the value of my dough hook on my old machine. The book for the new machine said the chopping blade would work just as well. So NOT True! It leaves the dough lumpy and inconsistent. I haven't tried the new blade, but I'm super excited to give it a whirl. I think there's three bread recipes in this weeks menu. I will really be putting it to the test.



Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sunday
roll up pancakes
sausage
eggs
ham sandwiches
Cheetos
apple slices
steak kabobs
rice
broccoli
Monday
waffles
eggs

PBJ sandwich
watermelon
chips
chicken teriyaki meatballs
rice
stir fry veggies

Tuesday
cinnamon toast
HB eggs

cheese & meat skewers
Cheetos
apple slices
ravioli in white sauce
broccoli

Wednesday
pancakes
sausage patty
PBN crackers
goldfish
fruit cup
beef quesadillas
corn
beans
Thursday
biscuit & jam
eggs
turkey & cheese roll up
watermelon
goldfish
hot dogs
homemade buns
baked beans
baby carrots
Friday
bfast burrito
PBJ sandwich
goldfish
applesauce
pizza
salad
Saturday
oatmeal

hot dogs
chips
watermelon
Mac N Cheese
broccoli & carrots


I think I've got some new things in place to make this week work smoothly. It's the last week of school here for the kids, which will either help me or hurt me. We'll see, but I'm optimistic! We can do this!