Menu Plan Monday - September 1st

Last week's menu went off primarily without a hitch. The only night that got shuffled around was Friday, because I didn't feel like cooking so we ordered a pizza instead. And then made the breakfast pizza for breakfast instead! On Saturday evening we ended up trying out a new restaurant down the street, Lochrann's. It was amazing! It's a traditional Irish pub and they serve traditional Irish items like Shepherd's Pie and Corned Beef Sandwiches. I had a sandwich called the Lochrann and I fell in love, I keep talking about how yummy the Guinness gravy is. I'm going to try to recreate it this week. This upcoming weekend will be kind of hectic since I won't be home alot. I'll be checking on my parents' dog while they're out of town and then I've got a wedding to work on Sunday so the boys will be fending for themselves, hopefully without much fuss because I'll have quick meals for them to reheat.

Monday - Labor Day!
Breakfast: Cereal
Labor Day Party:

• Hamburgers with Double Cheddar Cheese, Grilled Vidalia Onion and Horseradish Mustard

• Bush's Baked Beans

• Perfectly Grilled Corn on the Cob

• 
• Grilled Pineapple with Pound Cake and Rum-Caramel Sauce

Photos and recipes courtesy of FoodNetwork.com


Tuesday
Dinner: Salmon Cakes with Creamy Ginger-Sesame Sauce and Asian-Style 3 Bean Salad

A fresh take on the traditional salmon patties. Out with the fat and in with the cool and healthy. I'm serving it with a heaping full of antioxidants and energy.

Photo and recipe courtesy of FoodNetwork.com



Wednesday
Dinner: Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas, Spanish style rice & a kicked up salad

I saw this yummy recipe on Kim's blog and knew we just had to try it out. It sounds perfect for my husband who loves anything that is cooked in a casserole dish and contains salsa and tortillas.

I'll serve it up with quick and easy boxed rice and a traditional Mexican restaurant style salad of avocado, tomatoes and lettuce.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Kim

Thursday
Dinner: Crockpot Bourbon Chicken, broccoli

This recipe is known as "crack over rice" by a group of my friends. It's so good you'll become addicted to it and keep coming back for more. This will be our first official time trying the infamous recipe by Katie. And as usual we'll be adapting to the crockpot instead.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Katie

Friday
Dinner: FFY

My parents are oot so I'll be stopping by their house after work to look after their puppy Taylor. I'll be spending the night so that I can feed her in the morning as well, so the boys will be left to their own defenses, heaven help them.

Saturday
Breakfast: FFY
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: "Take Me Back to Ireland" Sandwich with chips

Traditional beef tips sauteed with caramelized onions, Guinness gravy served over a hot toasted hoagie with melted Swiss cheese.

Sunday
Breakfast: FFY
Lunch: FFY
Dinner: Crockpot meal? Will figure out in a bit and post.

No shopping list this week, the template's at work and I don't have much time to recreate it today. I'll update it on Tuesday.

As always, stay turned for the recipes to be posted bright & early each morning, or the night before.

4th of July Feast - Grilled Lemon Bay Shrimp Skewers

This year we decided to do things differently. We were tired of the same old hamburgers and hot dogs. My dad's rib recipe is always a favorite but we've had it way too much this year already. So we decided to go coastal. This menu ended up being delicious and satisfying but best of all it didn't leave you with that "I don't want to move" over-ate feeling. After this meal we were ready to walk around the park taking in the warm evening and fantastic fireworks.

• Grilled Lemon Bay Shrimp Skewers
  
• Grilled Summer Squash with Green Sauce
• Grilled Garlic Bread
• Mixed Berry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

Grilled Lemon-Bay Shrimp

(Recipe from Cooking Light) The simplicity of this dish belies its incredible taste. Bay leaves and lemon wedges infuse peppered shrimp with woodsy and citrus flavors. If your grocery doesn't carry fresh bay leaves, substitute good-quality dried bay leaves (such as Spice Island) soaked overnight in water. Leave the tails on the shrimp for a prettier presentation.

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

32 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 1 1/2 pounds)

32 fresh bay leaves

4 large lemons, each cut into 8 wedges

Cooking spray

1. Prepare grill.
2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add shrimp; toss to coat. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 10 minutes.
3. Place bay leaves and lemon wedges in a large bowl. Coat with cooking spray; toss to coat.
4. Thread 4 lemon wedges, 4 shrimp, and 4 bay leaves alternately onto each of 8 (10-inch) skewers. Place skewers on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 2 minutes on each side or until shrimp are done.

Grilled Summer Squash w/Green Sauce

Grilled Summer Squash with Green Sauce

(Recipe from Williams-Sonoma) Zucchini is one of the most popular vegetables for grilling. It is easy to prepare, cooks quickly and is delicious, particularly when served with this tasty green sauce.

Ingredients:

For the green sauce:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 shallot, chopped
2 tsp. capers
2 anchovy fillets in olive oil
1/2 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

4 or 5 small zucchini or yellow summer squash, about 1 lb. total, cut lengthwise into slices 1/4 inch thick

4 garlic cloves, minced

6 Tbs. olive oil

1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. To make the green sauce, in a food processor, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, shallot, capers, anchovies, white pepper and the coarsely chopped parsley. Process until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the finely chopped parsley and the basil. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Place the zucchini in a large, shallow non-aluminum dish. In a small bowl, mash together the garlic and 2 Tbs. of the olive oil with the back of a spoon until smooth. Whisk in the remaining 4 Tbs. oil, the thyme, salt and black pepper. Pour over the zucchini. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Prepare a hot fire for direct-heat cooking in a grill. Position the grill rack 4 to 6 inches above the fire.
4. Place the zucchini on the rack. Cook, turning once, until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a serving dish and spoon the green sauce evenly over the top. Serve immediately. Serves 4.