Menu Plan Monday - 1/30/12

Last week went pretty good.  I am getting back into the swing of things, and it feels good too!!!

So, this week is our week of experiments! I am making a few dishes I have never made before, so we shall see how it goes.

I like to start my menus on Sunday, it's easier for me to do my planning that way.  Sometimes I will even start on Saturdays, just because of the shopping planning.  Anyway, on to our menu for this week!

Sunday - Chicken and Veggie Pot Pie (this is always a big hit!)

Monday - Buffalo Chicken Chili - Slow cooker, tossed salad

Tuesday - Tacos

Wednesday - Cheeseburger Macaroni

Thursday - Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Friday - Southwest Cheese Soup, Tossed Salad, Turkey Sandwiches

Saturday - Buffalo Chicken & Potato Casserole


A little about our choices this week (DH and I always plan the meals together).  We love Buffalo chicken wings, if you haven't guessed by now!  So, anything to do with Buffalo chicken, we are willing to give it a try.  We even had Buffalo chicken dip this past weekend for snack!  The chili is going to be different for me to make.  I have never strayed from my traditional chili before, I am even thinking of calling it something other than chili just so it doesn't affect my thoughts on chili, lol.

I have seen the Cheeseburger Macaroni recipe on a few Gluten Free blogs over the last few months, so thought I would give it a try.  I love one dish dinners, they are so easy!  The family love them too.

The Southwest Cheese Soup appealed to DH because it uses Velveeta cheese, lol.  He loves his Velveeta!!

And of course, another Buffalo chicken recipe.  This one calls for a can of cream of celery soup, which you know if you are gluten free, you can can't have it.  I actually did buy a can, and was going to just risk the side effects, but then found a great recipe for making your own!!!!  Check it out, I really hope it helps. :)  So, instead of using that can of soup I bought, I am going to try to make my own cream of celery soup.  That recipe is equivalent to one can of condensed soup.  I am pretty excited to try to make my own Cream of Something soups!!

I have to go back to the store sometime this week though.  I forgot the buy the chicken breast for the casserole (totally did not put it on my list!) and I got the wrong kind of potatoes.  I got shredded hashbrowns instead of the cubed hashbrowns.  I may just use the shredded though.  But, I have to go get chicken anyway, so...we will see.

Menu Plan Monday - 1/23/12

Big lack in posting menus.  There is a reason behind that (besides being a slacker!).  I had surgery on Halloween, and my menus have pretty much gone out the window since then, along with my ambition.  But, I made a menu this morning and went to town and got a few groceries.  So, here it is, starting with Sunday (today) because I like it that way, lol.

Sunday -  Nachos

Monday - Chili

Tuesday - Tacos

Wednesday - Brats, Garlic Noodles

Thursday - Chicken & Rice Casserole

Friday - Pizza, Chicken Wings

That's as far as I got this week.  Saturday will have to wait. :)  Lets try again for next week!

Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese

This is my grandmother's recipe that I have loved since I was a kid.  Now I make it gluten free style with a couple little tweeks.  Warning:  This is by far not the healthiest recipe in the world, this is definitely a comfort, eat on the rare occastion type meal.

Ingredients:

1 (16oz) package of Gluten Free elbow macaroni (I love Tinkyada's Rice Elbows) cooked Al Dente
1 small to medium onion, minced
1 can evaporated milk
1 stick of butter (cut in half lengthwise, and again, then cut into cubes)
1 (8oz) brick sharp cheddar cheese (cubed about the same size as the butter)
1 (8oz) brick monterey jack cheese (same as above)

Combine all ingredients in a 9 x 13 baking dish and cook at 375F for 35-40 minutes or until the top starts to get browned.  Stir halfway through cooking.