Recipes from the Bean

The Bean is quite the chef around here these days. She is always whipping something up for her "friends" (i.e., her stuffed animals) or Mommy, Daddy, and Bubs. Usually she serves these delectable dishes at a tea party or a picnic. The other day I asked her to share some of her recipes with me. Here's what she told me verbatim.

The Bean's Fruit Salad

• delicious candy
• banana
• sour sauce
• ice cream
• milk
• forkus (what????)

Directions: First put food in bowl. Get a spoon. Stir the food. Then you eat it.

Chocolate Chip Bread

• banana
• yogurt
• chocolate chips
• ice cream
• milkshake
• pink lemonade
• hot dog
• chicken leaf

Directions: Put food in bowl. Stir it up and eat it. And microwave it.

Bon appetit!!

Menu Plan Monday

I don't know why I have been so bloggy lately...maybe it's b/c all the "school year" activities are over and our summer "schedule" is more laid back. Anyway, I'm sure I'll drop off soon and stop posting as often. But for now, here's our menu plan for the week!

Monday: Chicken salad, crackers, fruit

Tuesday: Red Beans & Rice w/ sausage

Wednesday: Grilled Pork Chops, rice, veggie

Thursday: Quiche Lorraine, fruit

Friday: BBQ Baked Potatoes

Sat./Sun: Leftovers/sandwiches

What are you eating this week? :) Check out other menu plans on Menu Plan Monday at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

Guacamole deliciousness

I used to hate guacamole. I was always the person who asked for it to be taken off of my dish when I went to a Mexican restaurant. And I thought, why would anybody order a side of guacamole when they give you free salsa or you could order delicious cheese dip??? However, in the last couple of years, I've given guacamole another try. (You know they say your taste buds change every seven years! So if you haven't tried something in a while, try it again - you might like it!) And I have found that guacamole is super delicious! Well, a few months ago I went on a scrapbooking retreat, and they served guacamole as a snack. With lime tortilla chips - even better! And they gave out the recipe. I've made it at least 3 times since then. Truly, this recipe is too yummy to keep to myself. So I will share it with all of you. You will want to immediately go out and buy some avocados after reading this. And it's super fast to make. The Bean loves the "rock-a-mole".

Guacamole

3 avocados
1 lemon
1 lime
1/2 small can chopped green chiles
1 jalapeno
1/4 chopped white onion
salt to taste

Cut jalapeno in half length wise and remove seeds. Mince in food processor. Cut onion. Mince in processor. Put onion and jalapeno in mixing bowl. Cut avocados in half and spoon out avocado into mixing bowl. Add 1/2 can of chopped green chilis. Add 1 T. of lemon juice and 1 T. of lime juice. Mash up with a potato masher. Salt to taste.

The only things I changed were to use pre-sliced jalapenos from a jar, and I probably add a little more of the lemon and lime juice. Bon appetit!!

Tasty Easy Lunch Idea

As my husband will attest, I get REALLY tired of the turkey sandwich for lunch. Boring!! So I am always looking for a good lunch idea that's tasty, quick, healthy, and not boring. Here's my latest fave: the Bean and I have been making mini pizzas w/ mini whole wheat pitas as a "crust." Just spoon on some pizza sauce from a jar, put whatever toppings you have on hand (we like the low-fat turkey pepperoni (or macaronis, as the Bean will occasionally call them) and bell peppers and onions) and add some cheese. I even make them in our toaster oven, so it's super quick! And the Bean loves them.

Just wanted to share this for those of you out there who hate the turkey-cheese-bread-mustard sandwich just as much as me!!

Menu Plan Monday, uhhh, or Tuesday!

Hey, better late than never! See Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas!

Monday: Horseradish Flank Steak (a la Super Suppers) and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Tuesday: leftover steak w/ salad and garlic bread

Wednesday: Double Herb Roasted Chicken and Potatoes, green beans

Thursday: Italian Mini-Meat Loaf, baked potatotes (This is the best meatloaf recipe I've ever had, and I like it better in mini-loaves...it doesn't seem as old-fashioned and icky.)


Friday: Cheesy Ham Chowder (Super good soup, and the leftovers are just as good! RR loves this stuff.)

Saturday: leftovers

Money saving grocery tip: plant fresh herbs! I planted a little herb garden this year to see how I'd like it. (RR laughs at my calling it a garden...hey, it's a container garden!!) I used to only occasionally use fresh herbs b/c they are expensive, but it is really cheap to plant them yourself and then you have an abundance! I only planted basil, oregano, and rosemary, and I used them a ton and will definitely do it again.

Yummy

Last night we had our new neighbors over for dinner last night, and I thought I'd post the yummy dessert recipe we had. I made a friend's Derby Pie recipe, which is almost identical to this. Also, I ended up waiting to use the pork loin that I put on my menu for last week until night, and may I say again that you have GOT to try this recipe! It's great for company.

Menu Plan Monday

This is my first time to do Menu Plan Monday. I typically plan my meals for every two weeks, so we have a very fluid plan. I.e., if my husband wakes up that morning and wants something different than what I've planned, I can oblige him b/c we have so many options available. That being said, this is the APPROXIMATE menu plan for the week. For more menu plans, visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Monday: not cooking...RR has a meeting at the church, and I am going to a Super Suppers tasting (Anybody tried that??? Would love to know your opinion on quality, taste and price.)

Tuesday: BBQ baked potatoes

Wednesday: manicotti (will freeze 1/2 for later), salad, garlic bread

Thursday: chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes (will freeze a second pot pie for later), rolls

Friday: homemade pepperoni pizza

Saturday: good 'ol Hamburger Helper...yes, that's right. RR LOVES the stuff and likes to have it pretty often. He calls himself a "quantity eater", not a "quality eater." He does not like stuff that includes "fancy" ingredients like capers or artichokes or most vegetables!!! :)

Sunday: pork tenderloin, green bean casserole, leftover mashed potatoes (a very easy and extremely tasty rub)

Enjoy!

The Best Salsa Ever

My husband and I are self-proclaimed "salsa snobs." We will choose the Mexican restaurant we go to based off how good their salsa is. (Our favorite in town is Hacienda on Valleydale.) Also, we will not buy the nastiness in a jar from supermarkets that masquerades as salsa. Yuck! So I usually make my own when we want some salsa at home. This is best as a dip, since it's a little on the thin side compared to some salsas. So if you like yours chunky, you may not love this recipe. Or you may want to just finely chop everything instead of putting it in the food processor. But we think it's pretty great!! The cilantro and lime are what really make it good! It also very easily doubles.

"Restaurant Salsa"

1 10 oz can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel
1 tomato, chunked
1/2 small onion, chunked
3 green onions (w/out scallions)
1/2 bunch cilantro
1/2 lime (just the juice)
salt to taste
2 slices jalapenos (or more to taste)

Use food processor or blender to mix everything together until smooth.