On the Menu...

I find that my week has quite a bit less stress in it if I have my menu already planned out!  I actually have it planned out a month at a time for grocery shopping purposes, but I think I may share with you each Monday.... feel free to steal the recipes and make them your own.  I noticed that most the recipes I have feed about 6.  haha.  Even though there is only 2 of us.  KaeLee doesn't really count because she doesn't ever eat anything.  But that's what weekends are for: LEFTOVERS!  :) Have a great, less stressed week this week!  Enjoy!

This week's menu:
Monday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches (via crockpot)
Tuesday: Tator Tot Casserole
Wednesday: Meatloaf with scalloped potatoes
Thursday: Ham and Potato Soup
Friday: Chicken Stir Fry

Pulled Pork.... YUMMY!
Serves about 6
Ready in about 8 hours (but takes less than a minute to set up in the morning!)
A pork roast (2 lbs) in the crockpot with a 12 ounce can of root beer poured over it.  Let it cook for about 7 hours.  Take roast out and shred it, add it back to crockpot.  Pour an 18 ounce bottle of your favorite bbq sauce over it, stir and let it cook for about a half hour or until ready to eat.  Serve on Toasted Buns. 

Tator Tot Casserole
Serves about 6
Ready in about 1 hour 15 minutes
Preheat oven to 350.  Cook 1/2 pound hamburger with onion until browned.  Add 2 cans of cream of chicken and mushroom, 1/4 can of milk, 1 can of green beans (drained) and stir together.  Pour tator tots into a 9x11 pan, covering the bottom of the pan.  Pour the mixture over it.  Top with cheese and sliced olives.  Bake for 30-45 minutes.  YUM-O!

Meatloaf:  Nikki's version
Ready in about 1 1/2 hours (but a snap to prepare!)
Serves about 6
3/4 pound ground beef
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
3/4 johnny seasoning salt
1/8 teas. black pepper
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/8 teas. ginger
1 teas. garlic powder
1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers
1/8 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp. brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix all these ingredients in a bowl and form into the shape of a loaf.  Press about 1/4 cup of brown sugar into the bottom of a loaf pan, and squeeze some ketchup over it.  Place the loaf on top of the ketchup and then squeeze more ketchup on top of the loaf, covering most of the top of it.  Bake for 1 hour or until temperature reaches at least 165. 

Nikki's Delicious Ham and Potato Soup
Ready in about 45 minutes
Serves about 6 (we love the leftovers...!)
3 1/2 cups diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
2 teas. garlic powder
1 cup diced cooked ham
1/2 cup bacon crumbles (or real bacon bits)
2 cups frozen corn
2 cans chicken broth
2 can water
2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teas. ground white or black pepper
5 Tbsp. butter
5 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk

Combine potatoes, celery, onion, ham, bacon crumbles, corn, garlic chicken broth and water in a stockpot.  Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.  Stir in Chicken bouillon, salt and pepper,

In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.  Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick (about 1 minute).  Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all the milk has been added.  Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick.  (about 4-5 minutes)

Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, cook soup until heated through.  Serve immediately. 

Chicken Stir Fry
Ummmm..... go to Costco and pick up their chicken stir fry in the frozen section.  It takes a while 6 minutes to make.  Through together a salad and TaDa!  A delicious meal!  Hey, what's a girl to do when I work until 6:30?!?!  :)

Enjoy!  Hope these recipes help if you are in a pinch of what to make for dinner!  Of course, you may have to think of the sides to go with them... veggies, salads, fresh fruit, dinner rolls..... the possibilities are endless!  Have a great week everyone!