Weekly Menus

I've decided to start a little something new on my blog - recording the weekly recipes I plan for our family. It's mostly for my benefit, since I feel like every week I am racking my brain trying to think of new stuff to cook... but I also figured anybody else who reads this might benefit too, since I know I like using recipes my friends have recommended!

I'm going to include the recipe, a link or the recipe (if I got it online) and then a rating - "make again", "ok", or "don't make again". These are mostly reviews given by Ben, but including my thoughts on if the meal was worth all the effort put in! For our family, Ben likes meat, fried things and generally stuff I consider pretty unhealthy :). I like to make sure we are getting all of our food groups in and eating healthy, so you'll see a large variety in what I prepare as I try to keep Ben happy but stay healthy as well!

MONDAY- Rachel Ray Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/hot-buffalo-chicken-sandwiches-recipe/index.html): Make Again... this is super easy and Ben loves this meal. I already forget what I served on the side, I think maybe salad... thus why these posts will be helpful in the future.
TUESDAY- Bennihanas Fried Rice (I used a recipe from a cookbook, but the first time I made this I had found a good recipe online. I liked the online recipe better): Make Again. We served frozen egg rolls and edamame on the side.
WEDNESDAY- Black Bean Burritos (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Delicious-Black-Bean-Burritos/Detail.aspx): Make Again. This was a new recipe I tried, and I really liked it... Ben was ok about it, but since it was simple and healthy, I'm definitely going to make it again.

I had Chicken Lo Mein planned for Thursday, but I think we ended up having plans twice this week, so I actually ended up wasting some of my ingredients... boo.

And I made these bad boys for Lucy's lunches, but they were not a hit. I ended up throwing most of them away because I didn't really like them either.

Spinach Nuggets

1 16-oz package frozen chopped spinach, cooked, drained, and chopped further if needed
1 cup Seasoned bread crumbs - (3/4 cup breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup wheat germ or flax meal is a healthy substitution!)
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese Try tomato & basil cheddar!)
3 Large eggsor 5 egg yolks

Heat oven to 375F

1. Lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.
2. Combine all remaining ingredients and mix well. *Add seasonings if you like - garlic powder, pepper, extra basil & oregano for example. Add a fruit or veggie puree to substitute for the eggs if desired*.
3. Shape mixture into nuggets or fun shapes such as squares or squigglies etc..and place on baking tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turn nuggets over after 15 minutes. Serve warm

You can "roll" this out and then try using small cookie cutters to make these into fun shapes