Menu Plan Monday....

Back in the day when I could think straight I used to plan my menu a month in advance and literally do all my grocery shopping (except for fresh produce, milk, bread etc) in one day. Well I have kind of skipped that the past few months and I really want to get back on track with that... so this week I am joining my friends Pam and Megan who do a weekly blog thingie called Menu Plan Monday.

So here is my Menu Plan for this week on Menu Plan Monday:

Monday: Grilled Burgers and Brats w/ chips

Tuesday: Swedish meat balls over egg noodles

Wednesday: Polish Sausage, raw fries and corn on the cob

Thursday: Johnny Carino's Bowtie Festival w/ bread sticks and salad

Friday : Grilled Steak, sides unknown

Saturday: Ground Round Chicken Tortilla Soup w/ fresh Parker House Rolls

*thank you Megan for the awesome recipes for this week's menu plan*

Freezer Meal... FAIL

A while back I blogged abut some amazing freezer meals that I had made with friends.... well the cheddar cheese meatloaf was LESS than a hit with my family. We have made this recipe several times and eaten it right away so the only thing I can think of is that the freezing some how made it less an likable for our family but lesson learned...won't be doing that again.

Easter Cake/ Veggie idea

OK... so this isn't a  'recipe' so much as fun ideas for the holiday... The first is an Easter cake that Shelby found in a magazine that she wanted to try out:

Simple cake mix in 9 inch pan and then 'layered'

Marshmallow rope around the bottom and the top

All 'roped' off

Green coconut for the 'grass'

Candy added, Jelly Beans and a chocolate bunny

 Can't forget the Peeps

Shelby's cheeseball veggie tray...

Crazy Mama's Seasoning

I am sure that someone else has this combo in some variation at their house or probably in a recipe book somewhere but this is the 'standard' seasoning that is used at our house:

Crazy Mama's Seasoning

• 1/2 cup iodized salt
• 1/4 cup ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder
• 1/4 cup onion powder

Mix together and store in an air tight container...especially with summer coming up.

This goes on EVERYTHING at our house.... :)

Mama needs a drink...

ok... so I don't "NEED" a drink but I do enjoy a cocktail from time to time and this one is certainly a CrazyMama favorite....

Bloody Ceasar (aka ClamDigger)

• 2 oz vodka
• 6 oz Clamato Juice
• 2 dashes Tabasco
• 4 dashes worchesterire sauce
• ice
• green olives
• banana peppers
• dash of celery salt

Put ice into glass, and add vodka.
Put in tobasco and worchesterire sauce, celery salt, and clamato.
Stir
Garnish with olives and Peppers....
And most important.... ENJOY!!!

MOMS Club Cooking Night

Tonight I was able to join some friends and make some freezer meals. You see two moms from my MOMS Club of Bismarck are expecting babies in the coming weeks and they wanted to be able to have some meals stashed in the freezer for when the time comes. We had a very productive time this evening and were able to make three meals and one side dish. I can't wait to try them all...

A special Thank you to Emily and Megan for the sharing of their recipes. I don't know where I would be without the two of you and your AMAZING yummy recipes. 

Chicken Taco Bake

2 c cooked rice
2 c cooked & cubed chicken
1 can tomato sauce (doesn't say - I think this is the little one though)
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can refried beans
1 c shredded cheese, reserved.

In a 1 gallon freezer bag, place cooked rice. In a bowl mix taco seasoning & tomato sauce. Add chicken and coat well. Add to bag and freeze.
After thawing: place rice and chicken mixture into a 9x13 pan and frost the refried beans over the top. Top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. For this recipe I just 'dumped' all the ingredients into a bag and threw it in the freezer. I will thaw the mixture, and then use it to fill tortilla shells. I will then place them in a baking dish and cover with enchilada sauce and top with cheese and bake until heated through.