Menu plannig together??

[kima]

I have no real ideas on how we could do this but I thought it might be fun to plan a weeks worth of family meals together. I think novice cooks especially would appreciate learning from the pros how to put together healthy meals for a family,. We could have meatless, ethnic, quick,easy entertaining, splurge night etc.
I know I should get the ball rolling but I have brain freeze due to a challenging substitute teaching job. Tomorrow is my last day-- yipee!!

[This message has been edited by kima (edited 05-30-2001).]

[luv2cook]

I made the Pork Chops Mole and served it with brown rice, fresh broiled asparagas & refried beans (FF). How's that for starters?

[KristaMB]

I'm not real good with food combinations, so I'd love to see what others are planning. To be honest, I'll probably do more lurking than participating. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Hopefully I'll be inspired!

[RUSTYSMOM]

Hi Kima - I have been wanting to start a menu planning thread for ages - glad you did! I have been trying hard to menu plan each week for the past 6 months or so. As a general rule I have done pretty well (sticking to my plan). However I have been traveling alot for work lately so have been off track. Your thread has reinspired me! I am a full time working mom so efficiency is a requriement for my weekly meals.

Here is my menu for next week:

Monday - Italian Meatloaf w Fresh Basil & Provolone (from freezer), mashed potatoes (I will make them Sunday), brocolli

Tuesday - Cheddar Jalepeno Quesidilla Salad W Cilantro Lime Vinagrette (June 01 CL)

Wednesday - Chicken Strudel w Green Beans (I am hoping thsi will be as easy as the threads suggest)

Thursday - Grilled Pork Chops, Oven Fries, green salad

Friday - Out to Dinner (a rare date night for my husband and I)

Saturday - bday party - no dinner to prepare

If you want I am happy to share some of my prior weeks menu plans.

God Luck.

[LaraW]

This is a great idea

This was the plan for last week:

Monday - Traveling back to Iowa from CO - Ate at the airport

Tuesday - Black bean burgers (CL 6/01), salad, and then strawberries for dessert

Wednesday - Eggplant and red pepper frittata, strawberries

Thursday - Pizza and salad

Friday - broiled salmon, couscous, and steamed veggies

Saturday - grilled chicken, leftover couscous, salad and steamed veggies

Did not eat the salmon yet, as I went to mom and dad's house for dinner last night.

I ended up with 1/2 the dough left from the pizza and some eggplant left over, so I am going to make the eggplant pizza that is talked about on another thread one day next week.

[This message has been edited by LaraW (edited 06-02-2001).]

[cchhbb]

I'm trying to plan my meals. It's really been a struggle for me. Here's next week's plans.

Saturday: international potluck for Newcomers Club. I'm making Middle Eastern Dip from March 01 CL.

Sunday: Adobo Flank Steak with Summer Corn and Tomato Relish June 01 CL

Monday: Tangy Pork with Tomatillos June 01 CL

Tuesday: I was planning on Grilled Shriimp and Plum Skeewers with Sweet Hoisin Sauce, but the grocery did not have any plums. So, we're having chicken thighs with marsala from May 01 CL

Wednesday: Sea Trout with white wine and butter, brown rice, and stir fried vegetables

Thursday: Asain stuffed peppers May 01 CL

Friday: Out to eat. By then I'll be tired of cooking.

BTW, I usually don't try this many new recipes during a given week, but I know that I'm going to have a light week at work and will be able to start cooking early.

I look forward to planning meals together. Maybe some of the more experienced meal planners out there can help us out.

Thanks,
Cheryl

[ama47369]

I love this idea! It will be a great source in the future! Here are our recipes for the week. I planned for 6 meals, thinking we would have at least one night for leftovers.(There are only 2 of us)And, I haven't really designated which night we will have each dish.

Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Orange-Chipotle Glazed Sweet Potatoes, and Jalepeno-Lime Glazed Shrimp on the grill

Pizza night-CL All-Purpose Pizza Dough with various toppings(night to splurge)

Beef Empanada Potpie with salad

Grilled Cajun chicken burgers with blue cheese dressing and CL Cheese Fries

Monterey Jack, Corn, and Roasted Red Pepper Risotto with mexibeans on the side

Twice-Baked Spinach Potatoes

We do have some leftover Four Cheese Lasagna in the freezer that we could have one night if we needed to.



[This message has been edited by ama47369 (edited 06-02-2001).]

[kima]

Thanks everyone- let's see I'll be at Rusty Mom's dinner on Tuesday.... I have been out of town for three days at our provincial high school track and field championships so I have not been able to plan any menus!! We are vegetarian (we eat seafood) so I think I will steal some of your plans! I promise that as soon as things settle down here I will post my menu plans. Look forwaard to seeing what more of you arre having this week!!

[kwormann]

Im in bed with the laptop, but Ill se if I can remember mine for the week. Im a MAJOR planner http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

M-Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Sausage with Tomato Couscous Salad with bitter greens

T-Pasta with veggies (asaparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, tomaotes) and feta

W- Red Snapper with leftover pasta

Th-See what is leftover...possibly add beans to leftover pasta or couscous

F- Dinner at a friends house http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

S- Dinner out with friends

Kim

[CHRIST1NE]

I usually only plan a few menus at a time (I seem to change my mind alot) so here is my menu for this weekend:

Fri - Grilled Striped Bass w/Chunky mango-Ginger Sauce, steamed asparagus and French Bread. I used Haddock instead of the Bass.

Sat - Grilled Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms June 2001, Tex Mex Black Bean Dip & ChiChi's Chips one of CL's top 10, Williams Sonoma Margareta's This was my official kick-off to summer, even though we were wearing coats out on our deck.

Sun - BBQ Roasted Salmon May 2001 (I think), Steamed Asparagus,Spinach/Strawberry Salad(again, I think it was last month) and Creamy Chocolate-Amaretto Cheesecake June 2001.

Mon - Lemon-Rosemary Chicken Quesadilla Salad w/Shallot-Mustard Vin. June 2001.

I'm so excited, this is the most new stuff I have tried in a weekend - I just love CL and this BB http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by CHRIST1NE (edited 06-03-2001).]

[Donna P]

Stir Fry Pork, bell pepper, cabbage and onion with black bean sauce (sauce from 5/01); steamed rice, green been almondine (CL complete, 487)

bbq roasted salmon (5/01), green beans w/bacon Balsamic (CL Complete, 487), oven roasted potatoes

Enchilada Pie (recent post, CL95); chipotle black beans (4/01); salad

Meatloaf (my recipe from old A-1 steak sauce); mashed potato caserole (CL complete) harvard beets (CL complete)

Chicken Thighs w/Marsala-Mushroom Cream Sauce Over Noodles; green salad


[This message has been edited by Donna P (edited 06-03-2001).]

[SusieO]

I love meal planning. Here are our meals for the current week:

Baked Cheese Polenta with Swiss Chard (May 2001), steamed cauliflower and carrots

Spring Tortellini Salad (April 2001), sliced canteloupe

Midsummer Risotto (Moosewood LF Favorites), green salad

Tomorrow night we're celebrating our anniversary with a beach picnic consisting of Split Pea Spread (April 2001), Marinated Mushrooms (April 2001), cucumber salad, cheese, crackers, bread and assorted fruit. For dessert, we'll come home to Died-and-Went-to-Heaven chocolate cake. Can't wait!

[RunnerKim]

Here's this week:

Sat
Black Bean Burgers
Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Sun
Open-Faced Smoked Pepper & Basil Sandwich
Spicy & Smoky Baked Beans (Epicurious)
Steamed Broccoli

Mon
Chicken Thighs w/Marsala-Mushroom Cream Sauce Over Noodles
Bruschetta Salad (French Bread, Tomato, Basil, Mozz, Romaine)

Tue
Grilled Halibut & Baby Red Potatoes
Broccoli

Wed (Quick meal)
Ham & Swiss Loaded Potatoes
Tossed Garden Salad

Thu (possibly by myself)
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Potato Discs (sliced and baked, like fries)

Fri
Roasted Veggie Pizza (zucchini, onion, tomato, garlic, bell pepper) - actually should re-name this to grilled veggies as we'll do the pizzas on the grill this time of year.

Kim

[m4star]

This is a great thread!!

Like MelissaAS I don't plan out which meal will make an appearance on which day. But here's this week's dinners (I also plan out my lunches!)

beef fajitas
pork papillards (Martha Stewart June issue)
lentil stuffed tomatoes & grilled asaparagus
Cannelini Beans and Greens over toast
Chicken Tenders(homemade) with sweet potatoes
and we are going out to eat one night with friends.

[kima]

I posted a menu plan hours ago and it seems to have vanished!! The time I posted appears but not the post!!! Do I have to do it all over again? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[Linda in MO]

Originally posted by kima:
I posted a menu plan hours ago and it seems to have vanished!! The time I posted appears but not the post!!! Do I have to do it all over again? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

I can see it, kima.

[kima]

Here is my menu plan for the week:

Pasta Primavera with Roasted Vegetables, Basil and Olives

Spaghetti with Neat Balls
Salad
Foccacia
Coucous with Seven Vegetable Tagine
Broiled Fillet of Sole with Chinese Flavors
Steamed Brown Rice
Stir-fried snow peas with julienned red peppers

Skordalia
Spanokopita
Greek Salad

I will also bake some blueberry muffins and make a Zucchini and Carrot Quick Bread to have around for snacks and dessert.
The Pasta Primavera and Coucous recipe are from The Mediterrean Vegan Kitchen a new book I am really excited about. The fish dish is from Prevention Magazine (April 2000) and the Neat Balls are a new Yves Veggie product.
Happy cooking one and all http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[MelissaAS]

I don't have a plan as to which night will be which yet but these are the meals "on the docket" for the week:

-London Broil
-Spicy Grilled Shrimp
-Garlic-Lime Chicken Thighs
-Sea Bass (CL Supper Club!)
-Grilled Pork Chops (probably BBQ from CL)

Almost always with salads and some kind of rice (my husband doesn't do potatoes).

[RUSTYSMOM]

Hi - any over achievers out there who have already planned next weeks menu? I usually do mine on Friday and welcome ideas...

[Laura]

Okay... am I the only one who actually plans nights where I don't cook (and that doesn't include going out to dinner). At my house the kids call it free choice, which means fend for yourself but it has to be somewhat healthy. I have been in a cooking rut of late (although I did make Lindrusso's Easy Santa Fe chicken tonight - - quite yummy and very easy) I am too embarrassed to print what I have (or should I say haven't http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif ) cooked of late.

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 06-13-2001).]

[MelissaAS]

Laura-
We have planned no cooking nights too! To borrow a phrase from my big sister, it's "yoyo" night (you're on your own): Leftovers, sandwiches, whatever you want. I need at least one of those a week for a break from cooking and to use up all of the yummy leftovers.

[crc77]

A great idea- I sometimes pull my hair trying to think of the veggie.

mon-cajun stuffed peppers spincach salad with the leftover spinach
tues- salsa del sol CL 99 pg 205 I think
salad, homemade bread (I just bought a bread machine!)
wed- bbq salmon from april, steamed broccoli with key west spice, garlic-herb couscous
thur- garlic lime chicken (thighs if I can find the boneless ones) potato salad-it has green beans in it and no mayo!
fri- out http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[cchhbb]

Here are my menus through next week. I've been working on this for a few days as we are getting two different sets of company between now and then.

Thursday - Chicken Thighs with Black Bean Sauce CL 5/01

Friday - Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper salsa appetizer. Then we are going out.

Saturday am - banana bread

Saturday lunch - Soy-Salmon with greens CL 5/01

Saturday pm - potluck where I was assigned a green salad

Sunday am - Canadian bacon strata

Sunday lunch - Ultimate chicken sandwich

Sunday pm - Grilled chicken with hot and spicy tequilia, black beans and rice, salsa and chips

Monday - Friday am - breakfast breads, muffins, ect. All from freezer

Monday pm - Grilled flank steak with summer corn and tomato relish, brown rice, corn on the cob CL 6/01

Tuesday pm - Thai Grilled Chicken, Spicy Cucumber Salad with Peanuts CL 6/01

Wednesday pm- Mostly vegetatarian lasagna, green salad, garlic bread

Thursday pm - Braves afternoon game and then out to eat.

Friday pm - Company has left and I'm not cooking

I also have made a bunch of cookies, brownies, ect for desserts. We'll eat what I pull out of the freezer.

[HUNGRY!]

Here was my menu for this week:

Sat. Went to a party. Had too many beef tips.

Sun. Flew in early afternoon from Boston. Fell asleep and missed dinner. Got up at 7 and had chips with homemade salsa

Mon.
B-Nutrigrain waffle, OJ
L-PB&J
D-Bean and okra soup with pita bread.

Tue.
B-Bagel w/ light cream cheese
L-Gross pre-made salad from Safeway (never again!)
D-Mexican night- Gorditas (sp??) with fresh salsa and a variety of toppings (very good-made up for bad lunch!!)

Wed.
B-Fruit salad
L-Leftover Mexican made into taco salad (yummy!!)
D-Chicken strudel, cream corn, bread, and potatoes (way too heavy for a near 100 degree day IMO--BF loved it. I would have been happy with a nice cool salad).

Thu.
B-Mug of tea (bad bad bad I know-at least it has milk in it. Still full from the night before. Ugh.)
L-Probably a sanwich (couldn't face leftover strudel)
D- Going out to Four Courts of Ireland

Fri.
B-
L-
D-Black beans and rice (dried beans cooked in crock pot--pray for me--my first time--thanks to Phoebee and others in old posts)

This is a fun and helpful thread. Thanks for starting it!

[eggbeater]

This is a great idea. I am not very good at planning side dishes though. I like to try new things and my daughter will eat anything under the sun but my son and DH are very hard to please. So I have to try to make something plain (or that I can camoflage ) I think this would be very helpful. When we were in Brhm they said that if you have a well stocked pantry you can be a good cook. They also said to make your biggest meal on the weekends so that you can use the leftovers during the week. It was not worded exactly like that but that is what I got out of it. I work part time and have 3 children so I like to make it eazy a can be. Help !!!!!all suggestions are more then welcomer.

[Peggy]

What a fun post! I love seeing what everyone is making for dinner. It is very inspirational!

Here was my plan for this week: (I will highlight the CL recipes)

Sunday:
Penne with Sausage, Porcini and Portabello Mushrooms (Wine Lover's Cookbook)
Greens with Creamy Berry Dressing (CL - 5/01)
Sliced Melon

Monday:
Lemon-Rosemary Chicken Quesadilla Salad with Shallot-Mustard Dressing (CL - 6/01)
Squash-Rice Casserole (CL - 11/00)

Tuesday:
Tangy Pork with Tomatillos, Tomatoes and Cilantro (CL - 6/01)
Basmati Rice
Fresh Fruit with Tangy Dressing (CL Complete)

Wednesday:
Herb and Spice Roasted Cornish Game Hens (Wine Lover's Cookbook)
Rice Pilaf
Summer Squash and Corn Saute (CL - 6/00)

Thursday:
Parsley and Garlic Rubbed Flank Steak with Sweet and Sour Red Onion-Vinegar Sauce (CL - 6/01)
Baked Potatoes
Orange and Avocado Salad (CL Complete)

Friday:
Linguine with Pesto and Tomatoes (CL Complete)
Gourmet Greens Salad
Brushetta

Saturday:
Dinner with our Wine Tasting Group (My night off!!)

[kima]

Thanks for aharing all your wonderful menu Everyone!! I will post my on Sunday or Monday- weekends are hectic right now. I am making a vegetarian chili today which should carry us through until Monday.
I will be stealing some of your ideas http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif