Well, here it is a rainy Monday. My boys are on spring break and what they really want is a no-pressure week at home with casual, kid friendly meals. What this means, in teen speak, is that they don’t want to clean up after big dinners! I took this opportunity to involve them in the meal planning…
Granted, a few of these meals are a bit higher in calories, but they fit into my overall goals so I don’t worry about it. My family servings are set pretty high to accommodate 3 active males, but the DIET is set for me, so no matter what is for dinner I know how much to eat of each thing.
Penne with Pink Vodka Sauce and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. I have everything but the cream, so I’ll use sour cream, which I do have. It will make the sauce tangy, but that’s fine because we are…generous…with the hot pepper flakes which pretty much nullifies the calming nature of the cream. Yes, my kids eat Brussels sprouts, if I roast them. Close your mind to the boiled-to-mush-from-frozen horrors of your past and embrace the future of oven caramelization.
Baked Chicken Fingers, rice, and broccoli. I marinate the chicken in buttermilk - and whatever spices strike my fancy - for an hour or so before pressing the slices into the crumbs – it tenderizes and adds flavor at the same time. Rice and broccoli are just part of the standard rotation.
Thai Pork with Capellini and ginger ale glazed carrots. The recipe is chicken, but I’m using some pork that’s in the freezer. I haven’t found the noodles of my dreams yet – but I’m getting there. I want the sauce light and slippery without being greasy, which is a lot to ask of peanut butter!
Mock Sliders and fries. We had burgers last week, but these little things really appeal to the guys. They don’t really like a cooked vegetable with burgers, so I’ll make a veggie platter of whatever is on hand and needs to be used.
Marinated Grilled Flank Steak, BLT salad, and mashed potatoes. It’s starting to feel like grilling season around here. I use whatever steak is on sale, and marinate it for a good, long time.
I’m leaving two days open to go somewhere and do something – it is spring break after all!
Have a great week!
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