First, I’d like to report on some of last week’s meals.  The Romano Chicken was a surprise hit with the boys.  I need to edit the recipe, though, because 30 minutes of cooking for a boneless, skinless chicken breast is way too much.  The CranApple Pork Tenderloin was also well received, but I didn’t put the curry or ginger in the sauce because as I suspected, the boys wanted regular cranberry sauce.

My brother’s birthday dinner had a lot of moving pieces, and without the meal  planner I would not have been able to do this so easily.  The plan I keep on my fridge is covered with notes to myself about what I’ve prepped in advance, what I need to pull out of the freezer…etc. 

Sunday I went off the meal plan and made some recipes from Secrets from a Restaurant Chef.   The Sweet Potato, Bacon and Apple Hash was really good, and so was the Maple and Cayenne Glazed Chicken.  I think these can be adapted and added to our collection – I’d rather serve pieces of chicken at the table than the half bird that Anne does, and I”m not sure that roasting the sweet potato was worth all the time it took. 

We are in desperate need of a leftover day.   The lentil and brown rice soup that is cooking right now will probably have enough leftover for dinner, as well.

I’m developing a recipe to turn an inexpensive eye round roast into a decent roast beef instead of the sandwiches I usually do. Will serve it with mashed potatoes and whatever vegetables look fresh at the store.

While I was at the store, going off plan for Sunday’s dinner, I picked up a pork loin that was on sale (and this is EXACTLY why I like to plan my meals, the impulse buy causes extra work!), and I am going to use it in place of the pork chops in this Stuffed Pork Chops recipe.  Will also make a raspberry sauce to go with it.

Chicken Schnitzel is super easy if you buy cutlets (which I don’t), and just a little more work if you have to pound the chicken yourself.  I’ll serve it with Corn Rice Saute (no raisins – personal preference although the recipe reviews say it’s good), and applesauce.  I’m going to try baking the apples instead of cooking them in the crockpot.

We need a taco night in order to use up all the snack sized bags of Doritos.  I make the fixings and the kids just pile in what they like.   I’ll serve it with a fruit salad.

Halloween is Saturday!  That meal needs some thought and it’s own post.

Have a great week!