Thursday, April 10, 2014

Weekly Menu Planner #4

Welcome, to yet another Weekly Menu Planner! #4

We are on a two week Spring Break and we will be in Germany for part of that.  In celebration of me being in one of my favourite countries, how about a little cuisine from Germany?  Let's keep it simple!

Monday: meat, starch, veg (Choose your own if you don't like German cuisine or follow the recipe and just don't use the kraut.)

A typical dish is sauerkraut, potatoes and pork.  Chop your potatoes up rather large, chop carrots if you would like more veggies, add whatever pork meat you would like.  I like to use a mix.  Think about some thick, lean bacon, a tiny ham still on the bone, a thick slice of ham, sausages...kilbasa... (If you don't like pork, substitute those yummy veggie dogs!  They won't need to cook long.)  Then pour your sauerkraut over the top and add enough water or bouillon to cover the dish.  I would make it in the slow cooker on the slowest level and let it cook while you are at work or you can simmer it on the stove.  Note:  If ya wanna trade up this meal for in the weekend with the skillet lasagne, it will be a time saver.

Wow!  I grabbed this recipe, I thought looked great.  Mine is a little different and faster, but this one! I'll try this one next time.  Mmmm.....

 recipe


Tuesday:  fish, starch, veg

Choose your favourite fresh or frozen fish and cook it how you like.  Grilled, steamed and baked are the healthiest ways to cook it.  Maybe look for a cajun spice recipe!

Everything goes with fish.  In Belgium, they often eat it with croquettes or mashed potatoes.  Mmmm...I really like mine with rice.  A quick and easy way to get some rice to go with your fish is this.  Chuck your rice and water in your rice cooker and turn it on.  When it's finished, take the lid off and throw in one of those gelatinised bouillon thingies and a pad of butter and stir!  MMM....If you have no idea what I'm talking about use half a regular bouillon cube or a 1/2 tsp of powdered bouillon.

Carrots, green beans, broccoli...all go great with fish!  Steam them and don't add too much slat or butter or use one or the other.

Wednesday:  Beef Stroganoff

 kraft

The image is all hooked up to Kraft Recipes.  It's not my all time favourite place because they use a lot of recipes that have processed food, but this is one that doesn't  Yay!  Their recipes are typically really easy and fast.

This recipe is very close to the one I make.  You might be very surprised at how easy this meal is.  The thing with getting your meat just right is to use a good cut of meat and cook it fast or get a less good cut and let it sit until it falls apart.  This second method is cheaper and taste a lot better. Mmmm....This is also awesome in the slow cooker!

Thursday:  gourmet tunafish sandwiches with raw veggie boat side

Mix all of these ingredients in a large bowl:  diced, hard boiled eggs 3x (if you have time), a large can of tuna, chopped pickles or relish if you wanna save time, mayo (take it easy!), a shot of dijon mustard, pepper (no salt, it's in the mustard), and some parsley....Onion and celery if you like is yummy as well.

If you use all of these ingredients, then you will NOT need to make extra raw veggies, but do so if you like.  If you have to put out some dip to make the veggies more...appreciated/eaten, then do so!

Another tip for the eggs, break open some eggs in a greased muffin pan, then put them in the over for...I forgot 5 to 10 minutes?  It goes really fast.  While you are putting all of your ingredients together the eggs will be finished!

Use the freshest bread you can get or even better, some older fresh bread toasted.  I love tuna on toast!

Fun Food Friday:  hot wings, raw veggie tray and loaded french fries

Awwwweee....your mouth is watering, isn't it?!  Get some fresh wings, throw them in the fryer for the fastest method (once a week won't hurt, too much).  Just take your favourite hot sauce and mix it with some butter over low heat and toss your wings when they are finished, in it.  Awesome and super easy, right?!

I've got ya hooked up to a wing recipe, but I don't bread mine.  It's healthier.

 wings recipe


Blue cheese dressing and ranch dressing is unbelievable easy to make and SO much better for you and your family than the stuff from the shelf.  I'm hooking you up with some recipes for both!  After you make these, you're gonna be like, "Oh, my God!  Why haven't I always done?!"  That's what I've been saying for the last 10 years!  Hehehe...It literally, takes 5 minutes to make!!!!

 ranch recipe

 blue cheese

People!  I don't know about you, but everything fries are my weakness!!!  Le'me dip'm in some Ranch and I'm in heaven!  Make your fries, shake your favourite cheese or cheeses over them with some cooked bacon and some scallions and parsley.  OMG!!!  Let it all melt in the oven and voila!  Ok, this might take some time, but the family will love you for it.  I would!  Call me, ok?!  Hehehe...


Saturday:  Italian Subs/hoagies/grinders... depending on what part of the woods you're from.  Hehehe...


Now, I've got a recipe if ya  need one, but probably not.  Throw any kind of meat you like on there.  We typically do ham, salami and chicken...Watch your cheese though!  Don't go throw'n some Swiss on there!  Keep it mild!

 recipe

Sunday:  Skillet or classic lasagna

Lasagna is a bugger to make!  Way too much work for me and the kids don't like it.  However, a classic lasagna is so awesome.  I'll hook ya up with a recipe.  Note:  lasagna is also very expensive to make because of all of the ingredients, if you choose to make it fresh.

This recipe looks awesome except for the sugar?!  Ah, sweet lasagna?!  No way!  Leave it out.  Tomatoes are really sweet!  Check out your sauce, too!  No sugar!!!  I also do NOT like Fennel seeds.  If you don't know what they are, stay away from them.  They are super powerful and to me, they steal the show.

 lasagna recipe

You WILL thank me for this next recipe.  It's the fastest, cheapest and really quite healthy way to eat lasagna.  You ARE welcome!

 recipe

All righty then!  You are set for this week.  If you are using any part of my recipe series, please be a doll and leave a comment once in a while?  If you have suggestions, questions or would like for me to start doing a shopping list, let me know by commenting.

Thanks for checking out The Cherry!











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