For mother’s day a couple of weeks ago I got some nice gifts. Two gifts which I asked for and received were some Fiestaware cookware and an electric wok. Our stove, which is supposed to be very “nice” (sorry Jenn-Air) doesn’t get very hot, and I have a hard time stir-frying successfully. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I try to stir-fry a lot at one time. . . However, enter my new wok!
Earlier this week I made an Asian meal of stir-fried chicken and vegetables. I used a homemade stir-fry sauce which was very low in sodium (68 mg). I used less molasses and a bit of homemade (no salt) chicken broth instead of beef bullion and when all was said and done everyone loved it!
This week here’s what’s on my menu. Even though I didn’t write them down, I always have two veggies side dishes and usually a fruit as well!
Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings
Thursday: Vegetarian Spaghetti with homemade Italian bread
Friday: Pizza night!
Saturday: Black beans and rice with homemade tortilla chips
Sunday: Herb Baked chicken
Monday: Brown rice and veggie wraps
Tuesday: Bocca burgers, homemade fries
Question: I feel like I am in somewhat of a rut and really need some new meal ideas! What’s something on your menu this week that I could “borrow”? Diane
My meals are so boring and plain I would be too embarrassed to share them with you.
I did something special about u on my blog today!
We are having salmon this week. And my kids love things on kabobs on the grill. Which is a great way to cook the veggies and protein at the same time.
.-= Karen@WaistingTime´s last blog ..I Knew You Were Coming So I Baked A Cake =-.
Meal planing can be such a brain drain sometimes ( I say that knowing I have to do mine for next week later today). Here is what was and is on tap this week for our house. Fell free to grab anything and if you want a recipe for any of these, just holler !
Saturday- grilled steak and roast vegetable salad, Sunday Creole Chicken with spinach and brown rice and salad, Monday Spinach turkey burgers with sweet potato fries and salad, Tuesday pork chops, quinoa, roast green beans and salad, Wednesday roast vegetable pizza and salad, ^Thursday Pork and vegetable stir fry with brown rice and fruit salad, Friday Pork chop casserole( pork chops, brown rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers) and salad. ( Pork was on sale this week, so its what’s for dinner !
.-= Diane´s last blog ..I will no longer be feeling my Wheaties =-.
I feel like I am going to “borrow” from your menu now!! I agree with Karen, my family loves kabobs
=-.
.-= Staci´s last blog .." Not Me" Monday and Missing Running
Man, that stir fry looks YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need an electric wok!
I am a very boring cook, Diane, so I got nothing… unless you want chicken breasts based with my tangy mustard!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Best Chocolate Choices; Chocolate Rasberry Pound Cake =-.
I’m in a rut, too, but nothing on my list is on yours, so maybe we can swap rut foods.
Here are some of mine:
*Quesadillas with bbq chicken
*Giant salad with tons of veggies (this is my go-to because it’s so simple)
*Veggie sandwiches with zucchini, pepper, etc
*Breakfast for dinner (omelet, etc)
Currently queued up on my dinner list – huevos rancheros, kabobs, thai salmon cakes, mock duck coconut curry (with lots of vegetables) and curried lentil soup (made with red lentils and lots of carrots and spinach). Because I’m working hard doing yard work and putting in a garden this week I’m thinking about making a batch of chili so we have leftovers. I’m not sure whether you ever have leftovers with a family of nine, but if you do I have two much loved suggestions for leftover chili. Thicken with tomato paste and make tortilla stackers with corn tortillas and a bit of grated cheese. Bake until the tortillas are crunchy on the edges and serve topped with roasted peppers, chopped green onions and plain yogurt. Great with spinach salad with sliced apples and grated carrots. Alternately add cinnamon to the chili and serve over spaghetti with chopped onions and grated cheddar (Cincinnati chili).
Oh Diane,
That’s so sweet of you to assume that I have anything on the menu.
I don’t. Last night, I got home late, had a sandwich for dinner then headed to the pool.
When I do get around to cooking, here’s one of my go-to recipes, Seared Scallops with Warm Tuscan Beans, if you’re into seafood…
http://tinyurl.com/yj8fjgm
.-= ‘Drea´s last blog ..Meeting At The Top Of The Stairs =-.
I’m making barley asparagus risotto tonight. So good with balsamic and parmesan
.-= Cynthia (It All Changes)´s last blog ..Scenic View =-.
When I am at a total loss I usually make a baked omlette for dinner. That’s what I did yesterday, using up leftover chicken, spring onions and roasted red peppers. I put it over a hashbrown base and baked. Yum.
Does your family like fish? That is so easy to do a fish rub and grill. Grill some veggies alongside it and you have a meal! We do a lot of fresh caught salmon and halibut. I love fish tacos, but I appear to be the only one that does in my family. If yours is more open to it, that is a good quick meal, too.
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..Manual labor =-.
thank you for this post, it has helped me think of new meals too! (I will be checking back to see what others have posted)
for next weeks meals, some of mine include:
lime navy bean chili with grilled chicken breast,
lean pork tenderloin in crock pot with potatos and carrots,
lemon chicken/artichokes over penne noodles,
roasted asparagus served with a lean meat (to be determined when I see what the grocery store has) and baked sweet potato,
sweet and sour pork (made with fresh red peppers, carrots, fresh pineapple) over brown rice
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..true friends =-.
We are super boring in this house. My kids eat next to nothing and each part of the meal can’t touch. The chicken can’t touch the rice the rice can’t touch the veggies…and boy, if they do…watch out! I guess I am part to blame for that one…hopefully it is just a stage and they will grow out of it and I can start making casseroles again!
.-= sian-girlgetstrong´s last blog ..Giveaway: Shabby Apple Running Skirt =-.
That stir fry looks amazing! I could go for some of that right about now…hmm I think you have inspired me to make that for dinner tonight!
I miss my WOK…gotta get another one! Thanks for the reminder!
Looks like a tasty meal plan for the week. One thing I like is taco night. Another idea is baked potato bar- since you have a big family- prepare toppings and line them up- give everyone a potato!
ummm…. deluxe grilled cheese night (or panini night) Just a few ideas! 
.-= tj´s last blog ..Taco Tuesday! =-.
Darn, trumped by Stacy!!!! When in doubt at dinner, I often make fun omelets, with anything out of the ordinary from artichoke hearts to shrimp, and even black beans, or carne asada.
But like Jody and some others, I’m pretty boring in that I am good with eating the same things a lot, and don’t have a need t fancy them up.
Thank you so much for sharing that Stir fry sauce recipe – I am so going to have to give it a go! I have been contemplating a wok myself, you might have just persuaded me….
I think we’re going to be having omelets tonight…I’m feeling uninspired. Last night we had broiled Tilapia, a new recipe that I had for baked polenta and green beans that I sauteed in grapeseed oil and used a no salt blend to season. It was very good.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Thanks for sharing your menu and the recipe. I love a good stir fry. I am making chicken enchiladas this week the recipe is on my blog. I forget how many people are in your family, you may have to double the recipe.
I make chicken fried rice with left over rice. It makes a ton and is so filling. The recipe is on my blog.
Sometimes I make breakfast for dinner, hash browns, scrambled eggs, whole wheat pancakes and turkey breakfast sausages.
.-= Tami@nutmegnotebook.com´s last blog ..Marathon Shopping =-.
Here’s my weekly main entree menu. I always serve two to three vegetables with supper. Monday – Healthified Chicken Parmesan (had my parents over for dinner) / Tuesday – Tortilla pizza night / Wednesday – grilled chicken breast with fire roasted tomato sauce / Thursday – Grilled Turkey Burgers crumbled over a bed of Romaine with salsa and diced avocado / Friday – Chicken schnitzel made with whole wheat bread homemade crumbs and baked instead of fried
I usually do a lot of stir fry meals, but haven’t done many lately. Broccoli prices around here have been atrocious lately, so I’ve been subbing a lot of other veggies instead of my normal broccoli, but no stir fry!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..CHOCO BERRY, baby! =-.
I made faux fried chicken and crab-stuffed shells. Both were wonderful. I am thinking shish-kabobs tonight, though! Easy and healthy!
.-= Nicole, RD´s last blog ..(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday =-.
Tonight we had grilled chicken and fruit salad! The fruit salad contained fresh fruit (strawberries, apples, grapes and bananas) with a tsp of sugar sprinkled on top and lemon juice to keep the fruit fresh (this on the whole salad, which was placed in a big plastic mixing bowl).
Last week I made teriyaki chicken breasts and oven-baked egg rolls! Very yummy!
~Kellie
.-= The Chubby Girl Diaries´s last blog ..It feels good to do something about your weight. Doesn’t it?! =-.
Quinoa and black bean enchilada’s (posted recipe a few days ago.
Fav chicken one was on oprah a few years ago by Nigella L.
In a zippy bag add olive oil. Cut onion , sprigs of rosemary and salt and pepper-add chicken and squish and marinate over night then bake- yummy with sweet potato “fries”
Pasta with al dente veggies and a small amount of pesto added in with a touch of parmesian (sp)
Toasted pita pocket stuffed with previously cooked chicken, cucumer and cilantro- tiny smear of mayo and sprinkled with dill.
Pancakes with either turkey or boca sausage (cary’s lo cal syrup is good-only thing I use with artifical sweetner)
Stir-fry looks delicious! I know what you mean about getting into a rut and eating the same things too much. My favorites lately have been pan fried salmon (by fried I mean just a bit of Pam spray in the pan), Crock Pot Santa Fe chicken, and just tonight I tried ginger glazed mahi mahi, which turned out great!!!
.-= Laura Jane´s last blog ..Munchies, Munchies, Go Away and Come Again Another Day… =-.
I am a simple cook too Diane but some of the things I make are healthy ground turkey meatloaf, chicken and brocolli casserole, ground turkey & fat free refried beans burritos, I make up different burgers such as turkey, or chicken with ground meats when I can’t think of whats for dinner and I hate that question by the way! One of my favorites is take 1 lbs ground meat cook drain fat add it to big can of spahghetti sauce, add in 3Cups of rotinini noodles uncooked and 3.5 cups of water boil for about 20 minutes till it thickens up so simple and fast I love pasta!
Hope this helps if you have questions ask.
Mon – Springtime Linguini (from Cooking Light May or June 2010)
Tues – chili
Wed. – Chicken, Corn and Black Bean Enchiladas
Thurs – Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Fri – Mexican Night Out
Sat – Burgers on the Grill and Oven Fries
Sun – Chicken Fajitas
1. Grilled salmon (or chicken) with a salad, grilled asparagus, and pasta or couscous.
2. Enchilada bake. Layer enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, 2 cans of black beans, and chihuaua cheese or queso fresco. Finish 4 layers with cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Delicious!
3. Lentil soup with cornbread and fruit salad.
4. Whole wheat tortillas, scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, avocado, and salsa served with Greek yogurt and fruit salad.
5. Chicken crescent rolls. Use 2 cans of reduced fat crescent rolls. Fill each with grilled or baked shredded chicken. Rolel up into a crescent roll and put in 1 layer in a 9×13 pan. Top with a mixture of reduced fat cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, and 1/2 c milk. Cover all crescent rolls and bake at 325 for 50 minutes.
.-= Bonnie´s last blog ..Do It Anyway =-.
Looks like you have a good menu plan! I try to do this every Monday, at least for the first three days of the week. One thing my kids really enjoy is a leek quiche with vegetarian bacon, so I make that often. I think it’s great that half your meals are vegetarian!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Back to normal =-.
Yum, you eat a lot like I do. Some things I’ve made recently that I love are…
-Mahi mahi w/lemon pepper seasoning
-Grilled Shrimp w/onion, peppers, and spicy asian (homemade seasoning)
-Shepard’s pie (96/4 ground beef, you can use turkey but we both hate it mixed with mixed veggies and tomato sauce with homemade mashed potatoes and light cheese on top like a pie, bake for 30 mins)
-tilapia tacos (chili and garlic seasoned, with corn tortillas and black beans, onions, cilantro, and salsa)
-fiber pasta (the benefit of wheat with the taste of white) w/spicy sauce, lean meatballs, mixed with broccoli, onions, and cauliflower w/garlic bread and salad.
I get into ruts too – like some weeks all I’ll eat for lunch is turkey sandwiches and then I’ll just want SOMETHING else.
.-= Quix´s last blog ..Death By Fun =-.
I think your meals look very balanced and yummy. I am on a grilled salmon kick these days. It just feels good to eat salmon. I have to be careful not to burn out.
.-= Kat´s last blog ..Blog and Real Life =-.
As the weather warms a healthy, easy dinner for us is grilled kabobs.
My husband marinates big chunks of beef or chicken in a baggie.
We chop of various veggies, usually onion, bell peppers (all colors), cherry tomatoes and mushrooms, maybe zucchini or squash into large chunks.
Finally he puts together kabobs and grills them outside. They are great because they have the meat and veggies and then I might just make some rice for a side dish or not.
Just a thought. There’s no specific recipe, but I can email you later if you want ideas for marinades. I’d have to ask my husband.