Ahh, Halloween is over and two of my children’s birthdays have come and gone and now I can focus on family visiting for Thanksgiving and our trip to San Diego! Plus I can hopefully crank out lots of recipes between now and Christmas- such a busy time of year!
In the military typically when you move to a new assignment you are assigned a sponsor, someone who assists you in becoming familiar with your new post and all the in-processing you have to do. For whatever reasons, we have never had one take care of us but we were so excited to be able to sponsor another family who recently moved here from Germany. We had them over for dinner last night after they have spent 1 month in a hotel (with a baby and two dogs, bless their hearts). We had a lovely dinner and great time getting to know each other.
I always struggle with what to cook for people I don’t know. Challenging wouldn’t you agree? Once I got clearance that there were no diet restrictions or dislikes it definitely made my job easier. I wanted to start by sharing this simple appetizer that I like to make for company or parties: a wedge of cheese (I prefer Brie or this Boursin Garlic and Chives- it is fabulous) with crackers and roasted vegetables with herbs. I adore cheese but think it’s nice to pair it with something low in saturated fat like vegetables. When I am hosting a larger group, I would add a bowl of olives and hummus. I prefer to make very simple appetizers for dinner parties so that I can focus my attention on the main meal. There are exceptions though such as bigger celebrations or Holidays. I love this combo because I can make the roasted veggies early- they are great eaten at room temperature but you could easily reheat them before your guests arrive. I have posted this recipe before but here is the link to make the roasted broccoli and carrots and marinated olives.
Have you gotten a chance to save anything to your recipe box? ZipList emailed last week to say there were some reported issue with recipes being saved to the box (I believe it was a delay in the recipes showing up) but they assured that everything has been fixed. If you had any problems last week please check it out again today. Play around with saving a recipe, make a quick shopping list and see what grocery deals are in your area. I think it’s a great tool to get organized for the week….and like I said you can save any recipe you find on the web that have the ZipList powered “save recipe” function. Here is a list of the partners that have teamed up with ZipList in case you are looking for more websites and blogs that have recipes you can save to your recipe box.
Here is meal planning for this week. Lots of vegetarian goodness for us!
Sunday
Leftovers- Lamb Chops, Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce, Salad and Roasted Veggies
Monday
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Burritos
Tuesday
Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes, Olives and Feta
Wednesday
Hearty Vegetable Soup, Crusty Bread
Thursday
Leftovers
Friday
Pizza Friday- this time out to our favorite Pizzeria
Saturday
Appetizers- Cilantro-Jalapeno Hummus Quesadillas, Veggies, Chips & Dip
Let’s chat: What are you meal planning this week? What is your favorite appetizer to serve company?
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I came up with an appetizer where I make a soaked cashew spread and stuff that into dates and drizzle with a balsamic reduction. Served with some olives and it is a great appetizer for foodies!
Sunday: Reid’s bday and he wants egg-in-the-holes for dinner. I will eat some foods I am practicing for my cooking class.
Monday: My homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese. Totally craving tomato soup again!
Tuesday: Mashed potatoes and cauliflower, served with peppered peas and roasted carrots.
Wednesday: Gretchen is making a tomatillo crock pot invention. YUM!
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: pizza night
Brittany Smith recently posted..Why I haven’t posted as much and a meal plan!
Melanie, do you eat the veggies on the crackers with the cheese or do people just eat the veggies? Looks so good!
No, we don’t eat them with the cheese/crackers. I used to put out cute appetizer picks but if it’s a casual group it’s just more finger food! Thanks. 😉
Here are our plans for the week. We are running the half marathon on Sun sowe are a bit more carb heavy for the week.
Sun- today is my birthday so Greg and his brother have baked a cake and are doing crock pot beans for burrito bowl.
Mon-pre made tortellini from trader joes(so happy to have access to TJ) with salad and roasted butternut squash. I will make soup for the week with the left over squash.
Tues-Greek lentil patties and extras for gyro type sandwiches. I will make extras to freeze
Wed- a tomatillo beans and rice dish I am inventing from an old recipe. Roasted broccoli
Thurs- most likely leftovers if not a taco soup
Fri- pizza night
Sat- in pre- race tradition pasta. A roasted veggie pasta.
Happy Birthday Gretchen! You are such a good girl meal planning on your birthday. 😉 Good luck at the 1/2! Is this your first time running one? Have a great week and enjoy the rest of your day!
Thanks Melanie, no I ran some 1/2s in college but that was a life time ago. I am excited to give it a try again.
Oh I’m sure this family loved being able to have you host them!
Simply Life recently posted..Apple Picking in New England!
Roasted Veggie are my FAVORITE!!! i will be making this very soon.
Sunday- your tortilla soup and GF corn bread muffins
Monday- pioneer woman’s Asian salad w rice noodles
Tuesday-leftovers
Wednesday-we are going to cooking class, kids will have pancakes, bob’s red mill GF mix
Thursday- spagetti squash topped with roasted Brussell Sprouts and eggplant
i did not get to your butternut soup last week. i will be making it this week for lunches.
Hey
Am so glad to have discovered your blog today, you have so many great recipes I can’t wait to try. Please post about your black bean and sweet potato meal 🙂
My Meal Plan this week:
Monday:
Spring Vegetable & Herb Rice
Tuesday:
Super Salad Session
Wednesday:
Herb & Parmesan Popcorn
Thursday:
Honey Pineapple Sesame Chicken
Friday:
Sausages
Saturday:
Cheeky Mac & Cheese
Sunday:
Chicken & Pesto Pockets
Ibbs recently posted..Orange Prawns
Thanks you so much and thank you for joining along with meal planning! Chicken and pesto pockets sound lovely as does the sesame chicken. 🙂