What are we doing with our leftovers??  My mom is the cook, and thus the holder of the majority of the leftovers.  I have to say that having her cook has it's benefits (SHE is doing the cooking, and she is an amazing cook-YUMMY-it's the best part of Thanksgiving!), and it's downfalls (SHE gets most of the leftovers!!)

  I will get some, but not enough to be super creative-I imagine we will have enough for a re-creation of dinner for one or two of us once or twice-which is great.  Anyone who has tons of leftovers (like those of you who cooked a 29 lb turkey!!), what do you do with them?  Any ideas for the readers?

  Christmas cookie season is upon us! I will be posting some of my favorites soon!

Yesterday, I made a roast with a packet of Lipton onion soup mix-dry, then added about 3/4 cup water. I also always add fresh ground pepper and other seasonings like Mrs. Dash and Tastefully Simple's Garlic Garlic, and add baby carrots and cubed potatoes.  I started it in the crock pot, completely frozen, then transfered it to the oven (covering the roast with foil) for the last half hour.  I also cooked Rice a Roni beef flavored rice, and roasted more cubed potatoes in olive oil and salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash, Cosmo's Rub and Seasoning (see   www.cosmosauce.com), some Garlic Garlic.  I did not have any parmesean cheese, but typically, I use that at the end, as well.  YUMMY!!

 The soup mix really gave the roast a very good flavor-I will use it again for sure!

Crock Pot Chili

Here is a recipe that I got from my mom for crock pot chili.  I am making this on Monday. I have everything together and have already browned the beef, so all I have to do in the morning is dump everything in the crock pot, turn it on and go!  Then it will be ready when we get home! Yummy!  Feel free to add any crock pot recipes-there is nothing better than coming home to supper already finished-all you need to do is dish it out and garnish it!

1 ½ # ground beef

28 oz. chopped tomatoes (or 2 15oz. cans diced tomatoes)

2 15 oz cans kidney (chili) beans

6 oz. tomato paste

2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 teas. cumin

1/8 teas. nutmeg

dash salt

diced green pepper (opt.)

diced onion

 

Brown meat.  Add rest of ingredients.  you can put all in crock pot.  cook

for 5-6 hours on low setting.

 

Alternative: Microwave instructions:   micro on high for 30 minutes.  stir halfway.  Let stand for

5-15 minutes before serving

 

Serve with nacho chips, sour cream and grated cheddar cheese.

Two Variations of Porcupine Meatballs

PORCUPINE MEATBALLS

1 box Rice-A-Roni 1 1/2 lb. ground beef 1 egg 1 can beef gravy Set aside envelope from Rice-A-Roni. Mix all ingredients in bowl. Make small meatballs with mixture and brown in frying pan. Add water amount on Rice-A-Roni box and add envelope contents. Add can of beef gravy. Serve over egg noodles. PORCUPINE MEATBALLS II   1 box beef rice-a-roni 1 lb. hamburger 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper 2 c. lukewarm water Roll hamburger meat in the rice that comes in box. Salt and pepper to taste. Make into small meatballs. Brown meatballs. Mix gravy packet with the lukewarm water. Add to meatballs and let simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.

Since I have started back to work, I have been horrible about making any "quick and easy dinners made at home" and settling on quick and easy dinners picked up from a restaurant!  I need to get out of this habit, and one way I can think of to do this is to menu plan for the week.  I have a difficult time coming home and brainstorming ideas for dinner.  

  Here is what I have planned for this week: meatloaf on Monday, spaghetti on Wednesday. Tuesday, Anthony is with his father, so I only need to plan for Matt, Seth and I.   Thursday Seth will be with his dad, so I only need to plan for Anthony and the two of us....not exactly sure what I am making for those nights yet, but at least I have Monday planned!!

  What about everyone else? How do you plan dinners for the week? Do you menu plan, or fly by the seat of your pants?  Do you have certain nights that you serve similar items each week (ex Monday is Mexican, Tuesday is Italian, etc...)?

  

Sorry, it's been awhile since I have posted a dinner idea--Had rotisserie chicken on Friday night, a friend came and made us enchiladas on Saturday, my mom cooked ham and scalloped potatoes on Sunday, we had pizza tonight, and will probably do Chinese tomorrow!!  I feel so neglectful!

  I will post the recipe for the enchiladas soon!