Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of January 9, 2012
As much as I love holiday meal planning and the break from our regular schedule, I’ll admit I’m glad to be back in a consistent menu planning routine. The predictable is comfortable, at least for a while anyway. And after this first week of the New Year I feel like I’m back on the proverbial horse as far as juggling the family schedule is concerned.
Resources for Menu Planning
While Rachel Ray would have us believe the meals in 30 minutes are the bomb, it’s possible to get dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less, as all of these recipe collections show.
- My Recipes 15 Minute Meals Collection
- Martha Stewart’s 15 Minutes or Less Main Dish Recipes
- Real Simple Dinner in 15 Minutes Flat
- Steamy Kitchen’s 15 Minute Asian Light Meals
- The Kitchn’s 10 Meals to Make in 15 Minutes or Less
This Week’s Plan
Last week not-so-gently reminded me that our regular schedule is not to be reckoned with. By the time Friday rolled around I was “stick a fork in me” done. With a little bit of R&R this weekend though I’ll be ready to tackle next week with some new easy recipes and even some fun football fare over the weekend. The kiddo does have a basketball game to cheer at so that’s one less meal I’ll be cooking.
- Monday: At the game
As with football games there will be Chick-Fil-A at the basketball game so I’ll have an easy dinner there. After we get home I will prep the filling for Tuesday evening’s dinner so I’ll have less to do when I get home from yoga the next evening. - Tuesday: Taco Bites, guacamole, pineapple salsa,
I love this idea of mini taco bits in wonton wrappers as both a fun kid-friendly dinner and a possible addition to my arsenal of one-bit party foods. I’m going to make my bites with ground pork and manchego cheese. Guac and salsa on the side will let everyone finish their bites their way. - Wednesday: Out after an Apple Store visit
The kiddo’s iPhone had an unfortunate and rather firm introduction to the sidewalk so we’re headed to the genius bar to find out exactly how much allowance she’ll have to save to get it fixed. I’m not expecting good news so we’ll enjoy a casual diner out afterwards to numb the pain. - Thursday: Lettuce Wraps (freezer stash)
Thursday nights find me both tired as the week comes to a close and playing mom’s taxi service to late evening acting classes, so a quick and easy dinner is a must. I’ll raid the freezer for the filling for lettuce wraps which can be ready in 15 minutes or less. 
Friday: Rotisserie chicken, roasted veggies, macaroni and cheese cupcakes (freezer stash)
I really like having the whole family around the dinner table as the week draws to a close but the last thing I want to do on a Friday evening is spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I’ll snag a roast chicken from the store downstairs, so pre-prepped veggies for roasting, and the round the meal out with mac and cheese cupcakes from the freezer.- Saturday: Lamb ragu with pasta, sauteed broccoli
With just a little bit of prep this ragu will largely make itself which is just perfect on a Saturday when I want to get some things done. I’ll put the leftovers in the freezer for easy weeknight dinners later this winter. - Sunday: Soy and Cola Braised Pork Shoulder Sliders, Sriracha Glazed Chicken Wings, and Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls
I’m testing out some new recipes for a big game menu post so we’ll enjoy them with playoff football.
Do you have any favorite recipes that take 15 minutes or less to prepare? Please share them in the comments!
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