Monday, September 26, 2011

Weekly Menu (Sept 26-30)

Haven't done a menu in awhile...don't worry, we still eat! Like I could go without food. Haha!

This week I found some new (well to me at least) crockpot meals and decided I would give them all a try:

Monday - Crockpot Italian Chicken, rice, green beans
                 **EDIT - This wasn't that great. It was missing something, but I'm not sure what.***

Tuesday - Crockpot Chili (we are having frito chili pies or 3-way)
                  **EDIT - This was AMAZING!***

Wednesday - Poppyseed chicken, carrots (the only meal not out of the crockpot this week)
                  **EDIT - This was very tasty and the kids liked it also.***

Thursday - Crockpot Ravioli Casserole, corn

Friday - Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup, biscuits

Saturday - Help yo'self! Leftovers, sandwiches, etc.



I can't wait to gain about 7 lbs this week!



Hearty Beef Chili (for the crockpot)
You’ll need:
2 1/2 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons oil
4 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 dried bay leaves
1 1/2 cups beef-flavored broth
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup green bell pepper
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons cornmeal
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
Garnish with:
Freshly grated cheese
Sour cream
Chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
1. In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, place half of the beef and 1 tablespoon of the flour; seal bag and shake to coat. Repeat with remaining beef and flour. In 4-quart Dutch oven or other large pan , heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook beef in oil until brown on all sides; drain, if desired.
2. Transfer meat to crockpot and stir in remaining chili ingredients except cornmeal, beans and chiles. Cook on low about 7-8 hours or on high about 4-5 hours (it’s done when the meat is melt-in-your-mouth tender!).
3. Stir in cornmeal; cook and stir about 1 minute to thicken. Add beans and chiles; cook until thoroughly heated. Remove bay leaves. Serve chili with garnishes.
POPPYSEED CHICKEN

Chicken, cooked & cut up in small pieces
Linguine, cooked according to directions
Cream of celery soup
Cream of chicken soup
Sour Cream

TOPPING:
1 – 1 ½ sleeves Ritz crackers
1 stick butter, melted
2 tsp Poppyseeds

Boil 3-4 chicken breasts.  Cut in small pieces.
Boil Linguine-Drain

Mix soup & sour cream together.  Add chicken & linguine.  Put in a 9x13 greased pan. 
Crunch up ritz crackers.  Add melted butter & poppyseeds.  Put on top.  Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.


Monday, September 19, 2011

Zack ATTACK

My life!

My oldest son has a few nicknames, they are: Zack Attack, Zackary Daiquiri, and Z.  So this photo challenge is perfect for him. He loves him some football!!



Attack - Photo Challenge


Every Saturday he plays one football game...
I promise he is mean on the field!

...and my daughter cheers for two games.  This is her first year and I may be biased, but she is doing so good! I love watching her come out of her shell a little bit. She is kinda shy and quiet. She definitely doesn't get that from me. (She is in the middle).
Go Em!!



My poor baby (he is now 19 months old, so maybe I should start calling him a toddler, but I don't wanna!) gets to spend almost 6 hours every Saturday at the football field. Thank God for older siblings and other parents on the team who love my baby. (Also, I am very grateful for family that helps with C during his nap time!)