July Menu Plan

A monthly menu plan!  Wow!  I haven't gotten one of these done in quite some time!  I want to spend less time shopping and more time enjoying summer so that was my inspiration:)  As always, I don't have many vegetable sides included because we will have whatever is ready in the garden and/or whatever looks good at the grocery store:)

1st:  French Toast Bake, Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini, Fresh Veggies, & Chips


2nd:  Leftovers
3rd:  Man Pleasing Chicken, Sundried Tomato Risotto
4th:  Best Steak Marinade in Existence, Bacon Onion Cheddar Biscuits, Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, Fruit Flag Kabobs, Fourth of July Cake
5th:  Easy Calzones
6th:  Eggs Benedict, Crockpot Baked Potatoes, Broccoli Cheese Dip, Chili's Skillet Queso
7th:  Fresh Fruit Salad, Breakfast Sausage Casserole, Hamburger Buns, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Things, Sliders with Chipotle Mayo
8th:  Clone of a Cinnnabon, Pretzel Buns with Grilled Dogs and Spicy Cheese Sauce

9th:  Pork Sandwiches with Cilantro Jalapeno Slaw
10th:  Chicken Makhani
11th:  Toasted Sesame Ginger Salmon, Olive Focaccia
12th:  Leftovers
13th: Potato Oles & Tacos
14th:  Cheesy Ham & Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole, BBQ Chicken Quesadilla with Smoked Tomato Relish and Buttermilk Dressing
15th:  Our Anniversary!

16th:  Killer Club Sandwich & Amish Macaroni Salad
17th:  Chicken Lo Mein
18th:  Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Chili Butter, Orzo with Parmesan and Basil
19th:  Leftovers
20th:  Pizza Crust
21st:  Kade's Birthday
22nd:  Sloppy Joes

23rd;  Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken, Fresh Green Beans
24th:  Johnny Garlic's Cedar Planked Salmon
25th:  Cajun Chicken Pasta
26th:  Leftovers
27th:  Tacos in a Bag
28th:  Eggs in a Hole, Summer Corn Fettuccini 
29th:  Biscuits and Gravy, Beef Noodle Salad Bowls

30th:  Aussie Chicken, Oven Roasted Asparagus
31st:  The Marlboro Man Sandwich, PW Style

Misc. Snacks:
*Baseball Cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting
*Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Drinks:
*Limoncello and Proseco Cooler
*Rhubarb Slush
*Watermellon Frosty or Margarita
*Beer Margaritas

Crispy Shrimp Pasta

Here is a delicious dish easy enough for any weeknight meal!  We have had this several times and everyone from the kids to the dad around here really enjoy it!

Here are the ingredients you will need!  Pretty simple, huh?

Crispy Shrimp Pasta

16 oz fettuccine pasta

1 lb raw shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp white pepper

3 tbsp flour

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp butter

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 1/2 cup whipping cream

1 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning (I really like Tony Chachere)

2 Tbsp. freshly minced chives

Cook pasta according to package directions. 

Sprinkle shrimp with salt, pepper, and toss to combine. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tbsp flour over the shrimp, and toss to coat the shrimp. Sprinkle 1 1/2 more tbsp flour and toss to evenly coat the shrimp. Melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. When hot, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook on each side, flipping once, until golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove to plate lined with paper towels. 

Pour in the chicken broth. Cook for about 5 minutes at high heat, whisking the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce heat to medium and pour in cream, whisking constantly. Cook sauce over medium heat until bubbly and the cream starts to thicken the mixture, about 5 minutes. Taste the sauce and add seasonings as desired (salt, pepper, cajun seasonings, etc.) Add the drained pasta to the sauce, and stir to combine.

To serve, place pasta mixture on plate.  Top with shrimp and minced chives.  

*If you have trouble getting the sauce to thicken, thoroughly mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 4 tbsp cold water and add to the sauce. Sauce will thicken immediately.

Adapted From:  Kevin and Amanda

Menu Planning

Sunday:  Tilapia Parmesan, Bacon Wrapped Green Beans, & Rice Side

Monday:  Korean Beef over Rice & Steamed Broccoli

Tuesday:  Crispy Shrimp Pasta & Salad

Wednesday: Steak and Veggie Kabobs with Creamy Avocado Dipping Sauce & Cheesy Quinoa Mac and Cheese

Thursday:  Tomato, Basil, & Cheddar Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Friday:  Jalapeno & Cheddar Buns, Brats, Sauerkraut, & Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

Saturday:  Bacon & Egg Savory Cupcakes  Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Blue Cheese- Chive Butter, Onion Strings, & Corn on the Cob  Blended Cherry Mojitos  Brownie Batter Dip  Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats, & Cheddar Bacon Dip

Sunday:  French Toast Bake, Chicken Bacon Ranch Panini, Fresh Veggies, & Chips

Cake Batter Martini

I saw a recipe for Cake Batter Martini's on pinterest a while back and it immediately caught my attention.  Cake Batter in drink form??  Heck ya!  I was intrigued by the cake batter vodka and I have been wanting to buy it for a while.  Hello, I LOVE all things cake batter!  In honor of my birthday tomorrow I decided to pick up the ingredients for this beauty to make for myself on my special day.  Only...I couldn't wait to try it so I am celebrating a day early!  

Give these a try, you won't regret it!  

Cake Batter Martini

Yield: 2 martinis (or 1 BIG one!)

ingredients:

3 ounces  Cake Vodka

3 ounces white/clear creme de cacao

2 ounces amaretto

2 ounces heavy whipping cream

1 ounce Godiva white chocolate liqueur

sprinkles (I used nonpareils)

Place sprinkles on a shallow plate that is a little larger than the mouth of your martini glass. Dampen a paper towel with whipping cream (or water) and wet the rims of the martini glasses. Dip glass into sprinkles to coat the edges.

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into martini glasses and drink!

Make ahead: For a big party, mix up a big bath of these martinis and store in a large pitcher in the fridge. Shake a glass at a time over ice whenever ready to serve!

Source:  The Novice Chef

Spicy Beef Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

I know this is not a "traditional" Gyro recipe but it is delicious and I will be making it again.  The spicy beef pairs SO deliciously with the tzatziki sauce.  Wrapped in the pita and covered with the tzatziki sauce, the beef became mellow enough for my 2 boys to enjoy it.  My daughter is much more sensitive to spicy foods and she choose to eat her Gyro sans meat.

Spicy Beef Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

~~~~~~~~~Spicy Beef Kabobs~~~~~~~~~

2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules

2 tablespoons water

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1/2

-inch cubes

10 wooden skewers, soaked in water

for 1 hour

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1. Dissolve bouillon in water. Stir in the garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Toss the meat in the marinade, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

2. Preheat a grill for high heat.

3. Skewer the beef cubes, using 6 to 8 pieces per skewer. Pour the oil onto a plate, and roll the skewers in it to coat them on all sides.

4. Grill the skewers, turning frequently, until the beef has turned light pink, 12 to 15 minutes. 

~~~~~~~~Greek Tzatziki Sauce~~~~~~~~

1 (32 ounce) container plain Greek yogurt

1/2 English cucumber with peel, grated

1 clove garlic, pressed

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint

1/2 tablespoon salt

1/2 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper

1. Stir together yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a bowl. Add lemon zest, dill, mint, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Pour into a serving dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

Warm Pitas and top with Beef, Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Onions, and Drizzle with Tzatziki Sauce.  Enjoy!!

Source: Adapted from allrecipes 

Linked up to Weekend Potluck!  Check it out!

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Do you want your kids to try and enjoy a veggie that you haven't had a much sucess getting them to eat in the past?  I will give you my advice...wrap bacon around it.  Heck, that is a good way to get me to eat my veggies up too!  The best part about this recipe is that it looks fancy but it is SO easy!

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

1 bunch of asparagus

salt and pepper

bacon strips

Lay strips of bacon flat on a paper towel lined plate.  Cover with another paper towel.  Precook bacon for 2-3 minutes.  You are not trying to cook the bacon all the way, you just want to get it started so that the asparagus does not overcook while you are trying to get the bacon to cook nicely.

Spray nonstick cooking spray on a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Bundle 3-4 asparagus spears together and wrap a slice of bacon around them.  Place them on the baking sheet.  Continue process until you have used all of your asparagus spears.  Sprinkle salt and pepper over bacon wrapped bundles.  

Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or bacon is done to your liking.  Enjoy!

Grilled Salmon

Finding delicious recipes that my entire family enjoys always makes me happy.  Especially when they are healthy!  This salmon recipe is all of the above and also EASY!  It is a great recipe to throw together and begin marinating whenever you have a minute.  It will be in the fridge ready to throw on the grill whenever your busy family is ready for dinner!  If you are like us it is not always easy to find time for the family to eat together between baseball games and other activities that we are always running our kids to!

Grilled Salmon

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets

lemon pepper to taste

garlic powder to taste

salt to taste 

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1. Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.

2. In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved. Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

3. Preheat grill for medium heat.

4. Lightly oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Source:  Allrecipes