Weekly Menus for a Crazy Week: Week of 11/4/2012

Gentle Readers, thank goodness for the extra hour. At least that’s how The Practical Cook looks at the fall time change. I blissfully ignore that it doesn’t mean an extra hour. Another conference happening this week, this time locally, means another week of forward meal planning. Simplicity is key.

The most requested dish by the Juniors right now? Polenta. If my other experiment fails on Friday, Polenta is my back-up option. Several people have asked me about this dish, and yeah, it’s that good. Easy too, just not something that can be prepped in advance.

Which leads me nicely to this week’s menus:

Weekly Menus: 11/4/2012

And the Four-Square Grocery Shopping list:

The Four-Square Grocery Shopping List: 11/4/2012

Which translates into:

Sunday: Burgers and Fries
Odd as it seems, I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat, this is one of the easiest meals to serve to both vegetarians and meat eaters. Whether you opt to do turkey, beef, tuna, salmon, etc burger, it’s very little extra effort to offer a portobella or veggie burger of some stripe as the alternative. Food on bun. Repeat. The fries will be sweet potato.

Monday: Pasta and Salad
Our plans on this day are up in the air, so I’m going to lean on pantry staples if the original meal plan doesn’t happen.

Tuesday: Leftovers
Somehow we always make more than we can eat. Plan for a day of reintroducing the food if you don’t eat it for lunches.

Wednesday: Spinach Quesadillas and Beans
A tried and true favorite, full of iron and packed with protein, the speed on this dish can not be beat. If yours can’t abide spinach, try adding something else to avoid being just cheesetarians.

Thursday: Baked Mac and Cheese with Squash and Veg
I’m determined to make at least one casserole this week to leave for the Juniors. It is fall, the happy casserole time. I feel a savory bread pudding in the not too distant future as well.

Friday: Beans and Rice OR Vegetable Pastry Puff
This is in response to a good idea/poor execution dish I experienced earlier this week. I can do better, and I’ve got the puff pastry to prove it.

Saturday: Dine Out!
We have been traveling so much, it will be exciting to do a bit of exploration in our own backyard.

What’s on tap for you this week? I would love to hear some of your make-ahead selections, particularly vegetarian adaptable ones! Post a comment below. I don’t bite.

Send your good ideas, kitchen questions, and lattes to practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press “like” on Facebook today!)

Coming up Wednesday, School Lunches, Revisited.

Weekly Menus: Week of 3/18/2012 (with Snack Week Bonus)

Gentle Readers, what a week it has been. First, apologies for the lateness of the post, between birthday preparations for the Eldest (raising a foodie is NOT easy during this time of year) and recovering from an ill-timed stomach bug, The Practical Cook has had her hands full. Special thanks to The Practical Cook’s Mom, who stepped in and ran the show. However painful it was personally, it does make for excellent blog fodder.

Lessons learned this week:

1. Keep the house stocked with some bland things, crackers, soup, bread, etc.

2. Teach your children how to prepare their own breakfast. You never know when you’ll need to ask them to do it.

3. Have a back-up plan. Always, always have Plans B through D in mind.

So happy birthday Eldest! The Birthday Carrot Cake is baked, and we’re getting ready to frost it for your decorating pleasure. Food is that much more fun for me because of you.

Birthday Carrot Cake Decorated

Another busy week ahead, so here are the Weekly Menus:

Weekly Menus: 3/18/2012

And the Four-Square Grocery Shopping List:

The Four-Square Grocery Shopping List: 3/18/2012

Which translates into:

Sunday: Dine Out!
The birthday girl will choose the establishment, stay tuned.

Monday: Frozen pizza and broccoli
Simple, simple, simple

Tuesday: Sammies and Soup
Potentially BLTs.

Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner
I feel the need for pancakes in the near future.

Thursday: Sausage and Greens
More freezer clean-up, prepping for the start of the CSA soon.

Friday: Fridge Surprise
Perhaps we’ll just eat leftover birthday cake, as if there will be any.

Saturday: Dine Out!

And for Snack Week:

Monday: Mandarin oranges and crackers

Tuesday: Parfaits with the letter “V” written on the top

Wednesday: ???

Thursday: Trail Mix

Friday: Blueberry Muffins, milk, and grapes

What are you cooking this week? What is your emergency plan for food when things go awry? Post a comment below!

Send cake and presents to practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press “like” on Facebook today!)

Coming up Wednesday, How to Find the Best Restaurants in Town.

Weekly Menus: Week of 2/19/2012

Gentle Readers, it is that time again, when The Practical Cook looks into her crystal ball, or at least her crystallized freezer, and plans the meals for the week. Once again, she is also traveling during that week. And while that leads to some expertise in plane food (do NOT try the pizza), it is less conducive to complicated sit-down dinners.

Deep Fried Moonpie at The Pig in Chapel Hill: Speaking of Cravings

And I have been craving some serious field research lately. I am having a moment like the Chairman did before creating Kitchen Stadium. I don’t think I’ll bite a whole pepper, but I want some new ideas. Spring can’t come fast enough.

So without further delay, here are the Weekly Menus:

Weekly Menus: 2/19/2012

And the Four-Square Grocery Shopping List:

Four-Square Grocery Shopping List: 2/19/2012

Which will hopefully translate into:

Sunday: Something Traditional
You might even say “revolutionary.” Any guesses where we’ll be doing field research?

Monday: Frozen Pizza and Salad
Sometimes, it’s just best to Punt! in advance. This will be most necessary after our journey!

Tuesday: Salmon and Brussels Sprouts
I need more fish in my life, my brain needs all the support it can get. And I’m craving sprouts, don’t judge.

Wednesday: Tacos!
We need to use up some ground beef, and nothing says “festive” like tacos.

Thursday: Beans and Sausage
My kids could eat this constantly. I love it because the variations are endless, just choose a bean, a sausage, and a green. Tomatoes optional but encouraged.

Friday: Chinese Take-Out!
I feel an extreme need for Field Research coming on. I believe it will be a two-fer.

Saturday: Dine Out!
The problem with scheduling in advance is that I sometimes create my own cravings. Sigh. I’m not committing to where the dining will happen, but I’m thinking a lot about Turkish food.

Send your menus, leftovers, and cooking questions to practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press “like” on Facebook today!)

On Wednesday, Three Reasons to Host a Potluck.

Weekly Menus: Week of 12/25/2011

Gentle Readers, if there were ever a perfect time for casseroles, slow-cooker meals, take-out, and leftovers, this is that week. The Practical Cook will be indulging in many of those tactics herself, in the thin guise of “field research.” I feel, as the last week of menus for the year, this should be some sort of trumpets blaring occasion, but alas, it is but a practical one.

Weekly Menus, Week of 12/25/2011:

Weekly Menus: 12/25/2011

The  Four-Square Grocery List:

Four-Square Shopping List: 12/25/2011

Which means:

Sunday: Leftovers
Schedules this year mean the heavy lifting happened before the actual day. Tomorrow is about Santa Cereal (small boxes of the extra sugary stuff) and relaxation.

Monday: Dine Out!
Will be conducting some important field research. I shall dutifully report in if all goes well.

Tuesday: Sammies
Are you sensing a theme here? I’ll be cleaning the house, there are some carrots I desperately need to pickle, and apple butter doesn’t stir itself.

Wednesday: Salad with Salmon
Thinking healthy options are the way forward this week. Fine, that also means I’m getting my cholesterol tested soon, and my mental acuity can use all the salmon it can get.

Thursday: Breakfast for Dinner
Perhaps eggs, perhaps something in the oatmeal line.

Friday: Dine out!
I will be ready to move on something Fried at this point, let’s see if I withstand that urge.

Saturday: Pasta and Sauce
Gearing down and getting back to the normal schedule. Cleans out the freezer, too!

What do you serve for Christmas (if you celebrate), and when do you celebrate? Post your comment below!

Send presents and questions to practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press “like” on Facebook today!)

Up next, Reviving the At-Home Tradition.

Weekly Menus: Week of 12/11/2011

Gentle Readers, this week is the calm before the storm. Holiday season is here, but The Practical Cook gets to breathe just a bit before plunging into the next round (a.k.a., cookie production). This week’s menus are straightforward and organized to create leftovers for the next day. Also, I’m dusting off a personal classic dish, one I’ve not made in a while and that hearkens a return to the kitchen and to cooking for people: Chicken Bowl. More on that later this week.

Here we go, Weekly Menus for this week:

Weekly Menus: 12/11/2011

The Four-Square Grocery List:

Four-Square Grocery List: 12/11/2011

Which all adds up to:

Sunday: Fish and Veg
I think this will be salmon and frozen veggies of some stripe, possibly with orange-cranberry couscous.

Monday: Chicken Bowl
This faux Asian delight is chicken and broccoli with green onions atop rice served in a bowl. Yes, the name is overwhelmingly creative, I know.

Tuesday: Leftover Delight
Marketing. We’ve been doing leftover surprise, this version will delight.

Wednesday: Beans and Rice
Don’t know which flavor path this will take. I’m thinking it will be a large pot of black beans served over rice, maybe with some mango on the side.

Thursday: Taco Night!
Going for the classics here.

Friday: Nachos?
Great way to use up the accumulated leftovers from the week!

Saturday: Dine Out!
It feels like a good week to research fried chicken some more. Because, you know, fried chicken won’t research itself.

What are you cooking these days? Post your ideas, thoughts, etc. in the comments below!

Questions, deep thoughts, cookies? Email practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press “like” on Facebook today!)

Up next, An Ode to Bread.

Weekly Menus: Week of 10/30/2011

Gentle Readers, this week is one of high strategy. We are somewhat between seasons, the weather has turned cold, and there’s more pantry and freezer clean-up to be done. The Practical Cook is making a concerted effort to run a kitchen with a lower inventory. No more Sam’s Club, limiting the use of coupons to items used, etc. I am hoping the leaner operating machine will leave me stocked but with more space, and ever more focused on the fresh right now.

So for this week, we’re eating down the inventory in anticipation of some upcoming travels.

Which means the Weekly Menus are as follows:

Weekly Menus: 10/30/2011

And the very lean-machine Four-Square Grocery List:

Four-Square Grocery List: 10/30/2011

Which all adds up to:

Sunday: Kale/Squash/Pasta
Perhaps together, perhaps as components, the pasta will be in a white sauce, possibly with a bit of lemon and rosemary. Sunday Dinner with the extended team, and I’m trying to sell Red Russian Kale, which I love and have in bulk.

Monday: Beans and Franklins
This is the name I gave homemade beans and franks as a child. This is strategy people. For those with kids (or who still are kids), this is a night where you want to serve something that has protein and gets eaten, because the sugar bomb is coming.

Tuesday: Leftover Surprise
See above.

Wednesday: Mexican
This is likely to be a casserole, but could also become quesadillas. I’ve been rocking th0se for lunch as well for the Juniors. Spinach ones made in a cast iron skillet. Hello iron.

Thursday: Frozen Pizza and Salad
This is preparation for travel day. We need simple and simple.

Friday: Dine Out
More to come on this. Let’s just say there’s going to be a serious and unique field research opportunity.

Saturday: Dine Out
See above. My lips are sealed until the Juniors are told. Too much excitement for one week may cause uncontrollable shrieking, mine.

What do you serve to clean out your cabinets, freezers, fridge? Share your secrets in the comments section below. Don’t make me start calling you out by faux name.

Questions, recipe ideas, taste test challenge? Email practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press “like” on Facebook today!)

Tomorrow, Vampire Smiles Snack! (Pinkie Swear This Time)

Weekly Menus: Week of 9/28/2011

Gentle Readers, this week’s edition of weekly menus is taxing my powers of forethought and planning. You see, I’m going remote again. As you’re reading this, presuming you’re reading it on Sunday over a cup of coffee, I’ll be in the air, heading for Las Vegas, to play in  a charity dodgeball tournament, amongst other things.

Footage from last year’s tourney:

Our charity is Wounded Warriors, a great cause, completely worth taking  a hit to the head. Did I mention I was the only girl on our team? Yeah, I’ll be sure to share the video, especially if I can work food in somehow.

Back to business, here’s the menu line-up. Shout out to The Practical Cook’s Mom for holding down the fort/kitchen while I’m out and about.

Weekly Menus

Weekly Menus: Week of 8/28/2011

Four-Square Shopping List:

Four-Square Shopping List: 8/28/2011

CSA from Brinkley Farms:

Taking the week off, will double-order next week to make it up.

Which translates to:

Sunday: Sandwiches
I’ve got choices galore, from bologna to avocado to hummus to PB and J. I carpetbombed the sammie aisle basically.

Monday: Lasagna and Salad
Now I just have to finish this blog and make that lasagna to leave behind. If  TPC’s Mom needs to punt, I bought tortellini, too.

Tuesday: Leftovers
Because you can only eat so much people. Reference the sandwich list above. I could feed you all from my fridge right now.

Wednesday: Chicken Pie
Made by church ladies and imported from my hometown, a sure-fire hit with the crowd.

Thursday: Taco Night!
It really needs an exclamation point, but requires no explanation.

Friday: Leftovers/Pasta
I’ll be back in the driver’s seat on Friday, but completely wiped out. So we’ll see if I decompress by cooking, Punting!, or drowning my sorrows in a bowl of cereal.

Saturday: Dine Out!
There must be a food truck somewhere with my name on it!

What do you make when you aren’t there to make it? Discuss in the comments below.

Send your ideas and questions to practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press “like” on Facebook today!)

Up tomorrow, a Rise and Shine: Cinnamon Rolls, From a Can.