What we are having for dinner. . .

Meal Planning Ideas

The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner

Easy Family Meals for Every Day of the Week

If you haven't heard of the "Food Nanny" it is worth learning about her great meal planning ideas!

Her website is:  http://thefoodnanny.org/

Anyone who wants to be re-motivated to cook for their family should watch one of her TV episodes.  

Meal Planning

“The key to effective meal planning is mapping out your meal schedule a week or two in advance,” Edmunds explains. Here’s what The Food Nanny suggests:

1. Choose your themes for each night of the week. (You can start with what I have used, or choose your family’s preferences.)

2. Get out a calendar.

3. Choose meals (using recipes from The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner or your own recipe file).

4. Write down your chosen meals on the form provided (in the book and at www.thefoodnanny.com),or on a sheet of paper or index cards.

5. Check your food supplies and make a grocery list of what you will need for the week’s menus.

6. Go Shopping.

Fresh Produce

'tis the season. . .

dried fruit

fresh jam

homemade fruit leather rolls

fresh peas

Blueberries. . .

Tonight I will be dreaming about blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes and blueberry cobblers.  

We purchased the most delicious blueberries from our nearby Amish friends. 

I apologize that I have been so slow to post new menus.  The summer sun has distracted me.

. . .and soccer camps, vacations and picnics at the park.

Homemade Tortillas

This was my first attempt at homemade tortillas.  Everyone in my family agreed that they were so much better than store bought tortillas.  I was amazed how easy they were to make! 

Whole Wheat Tortillas

(Taken from "Wild Flour" by Denise Fidler, the Country Baker)

3-4 cups soft whole wheat pastry flour (I used freshly ground white wheat flour)

1 tsp. sea salt

1/3 cup oil

1 cup warm water

In your Bosch bowl with batter whips (or other mixer), mix dry ingredients.  Add all wet ingredients in a slow and steady stream.  Mix and knead adding more water or flour as needed to produce a smooth dough for 1-2 minutes.  Form into 12-18 balls.  Cover and rest 30 minutes.  Press in electric or manual tortilla maker and cook.  The secret to a great tortilla is a soft and moist dough.  

*I used a rolling pin to roll them out and cooked them on my electric griddle.  

*Warm tortillas with butter, cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top are delicious.

*Tortillas freeze great.  Just seal in heavy-duty freezer bag with layers on waxed paper between them.  

No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

So easy. So good. Perfect for a summer get together. 

No Bake Cherry Cheesecake

(recipe from Sheri Feller, mom)

Filling:

1 8 oz. cool whip

1 8 oz. cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

Crust:  

one graham cracker crust

Topping:

one can cherry pie filling

With electric mixer beat filling until smooth.  Place in crust.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  Spread cherry pie filling on top before serving.  

Healthy Happy Lunch

I was a little skeptical when my friend, Jessica Orrock, mention that her family really likes Lemony Lima Beans with Parmesan.  I made them last night for dinner and Hyrum requested that I make them again for lunch.  Yes, it was good.

Healthy Fruit Smoothy

orange juice + frozen fruit= yummy

Homemade Toast

Lemony Lima Beans with Parmesan

course salt and ground pepper

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen baby lima beans, thawed

3 T. olive oil

1 T. lemon zest

2 T. fresh lemon juice

1/3 c. shaved or shredded parmesan cheese

1.  Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil.  Add lima beans and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 minutes.  Drain, rinse with cold water (to stop further cooking), then drain again, and pat dry with paper towels.

2.  Transfer lima beans to a bowl.  Sir in oil, lemon zest, and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.  Divide among four serving plates, and sprinkle with Parmesan.

6 grams of protein and 0 grams of fat, you can't beat that!