Menu Plan for the week of March 20

Last week, it turns out was all about eating out. So some of  the items from last week are back on the menu for this week. 

Sunday: Stovetop Taco Pasta
Monday:  Rotisserie Crockpot Chicken
Tuesday:  Leftovers
Wednesday:  Spicy Pork Chops with Herbed Roasted New Potatoes
Thursday:  Cheese tortellini with marinara sauce
Friday:  Teriyaki marinated chicken (using Trader Joe's amazing Soyaki marinade)
Saturday:  Leftovers (since we have lots on our weekend To Do list

Good luck with your week's menu plan.

Check out http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to see other menu plans for the week.

Menu Plan for week of March 13 - This Week We Are All Irish!

I love St. Patrick's Day.  Not because I am a huge fan of corned beef and cabbage but because I love hard cider (preferrably Irish, of course) and traditional irish music (especially the pipes), and I can't forget Irish Cream.  :-) 

While there isn't much Irish fare on the menu this week, we will still be celebrating by having some of our favorite recipes this week.  And I am planning on making Irish Cream Brownies for a treat.  And while it is all about the green this week, don't forget that tomorrow 3/14 is Pi Day, so you might want to make a pie tomorrow night.  I am thinking a mixed berry pie using some of the fruit I have in the freezer sounds like the ticket.  Yum!  Looks like this is a week for desserts.  And it looks like a week to spend some extra time on the excercise bike.

Sunday:  Steak Perfection with corn and potato rolls
Monday:  BBQ pork in the crockpot with peppers over brown rice
Tuesday:  Out for dinner and Mr. Gooch is in class
Wednesday:  Italian marinated chicken on the grill with harvest grain blend and a salad
Thursday:  Leftovers (or Out for dinner depending on which locale has the traditional Irish music and food)
Friday:  Stovetop Taco Pasta and crescent rolls
Saturday:  Cheese tortellini with chicken (leftovers from Wednesday) and marinara sauce, salad and crescent rolls

Here's hoping you have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day and get to have some tasty pie on Pi Day.

Menu Plan for January 10, 2011

Doesn't it seem like the best laid plans come apart as soon as you make them?   It seems that this as been the case since one of my resolutions was to be better about planning our menus and posting the new recipes we have been trying.  Well both have already fallen by the wayside.  Between the home renovations (at least the new bamboo floors are finally done), our dog (who thinks she needs to oversee the renovations) and work, things have been busier than I planned.  And if you are going to post recipes, it helps to actually remember to take photos of the dishes before they are consumed.  Yeah, I haven't been too good about that part.  So I have about six or seven recipes that could be blogged but, yup you guessed it, no photos. 

All that being said, we have a plan for this week.  Yay!!  It isn't particularly ambitious but there are a couple of new things or variations on some of our favorites. 

Sunday: 
Monday:  Parmesan coated salmon
Tuesday:  FITF since Mr. Gooch has class
Wednesday:  Beef meatballs (this time mixed with cheese tortellinis)
Thursday:  FITF since Mr. Gooch has class
Friday:  Crock pot roast
Saturday:  Oregano chicken (from Easy Cooking with 5 Ingredients by Barbara C. Jones)

If you need help with your menu plan, visit www.orgjunkie.com to see what others have planned.

Menu Plan for December 20

It is like deja vu all over again with this week's menu plan.  Needless to say, we totally didn't stick to the menu plan.  Between needing to work late one night (blech), Mr. Gooch's exams (and related studying), a trip to the auto shop (transmission work...boo!) and an all around busy week, we didn't cook much in the evenings last week.  I think we cooked only twice, once the taco pasta and once with a fab salad concocted by Mr. Gooch (posting to come shortly).

But on the positive side, that means that we still have all the fixings for this week's menu in the freezer and the recipes already picked out so prep will be kept to a minimum. 

One nice thing about this week's recipes is that they utilize marinades so you can actually mix the marinade the night before and just throw them on the grill, Griddler, or Foreman Grill when you get home.  This helps to keep cooking time to a minimum. 

So for this week we have on the menu

Monday:  WW Chicken Breast Peruvian (modified from this recipe)
Tuesday:  WW Honey Teriyaki Salmon

Wednesday:  Tri-Tip on the Grill using this preparation
Thursday: Forage in the Fridge
Friday:  Christmas Eve Party at Mom & Dad Gooch's house
Saturday:  Leftovers from Christmas Eve party

Don't forget to head over to www.orgjunkie.com to see what others have planned for the week.

Menu Plan for the week of December 12

With the holiday coming and all the tasty treats we know we will be eating, this week we thought we would incorporate some Weight Watchers recipes into the menu plan.

Sunday:  Chinese with my parents
Monday:  Stovetop Taco Pasta
Tuesday:  WW Honey Teriyaki Salmon
Wednesday:  WW Zesty Chicken Noodle Casserole
Thursday:  Tri-Tip on the Grill using this preparation
Friday:  WW Chicken Breast Peruvian (modified from this recipe)
Saturday:  Forage in the Fridge 

Visit www.orgjunkie.com to see what others are planning for their menus this week.

Menu Plan for November 21

It is the week of Thanksgiving, and that means an abbreviated dinner menu.  We have two Thanksgiving dinners to prepare for, one hosted by us and one hosted by Mr. Gooch's mother.  We also may be having some friends over for dinner on Wednesday. 

With that, here is our week's menu plan.

Sunday:  Carne Asada with peppers and onions (Mr. Gooch's recipe.  Look for a blog post on this one coming as soon as I get my camera fixed.)
Monday: FITF (Forage in the Fridge)
Tuesday:  WW Southern "Fried" Chicken
Wednesday:  Either FITF or Teriyaki marinated tuna steaks using Trader Joe's Marinade (if friends end up coming over to dinner)
Thursday:  Thanksgiving Dinner at our house
          Alton Brown Roasted Turkey
          Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes (this recipe with roasted garlic added)
          Garlic Knot Rolls
          Cranberry Orange Chuntey with Cumin and Mustard Seeds (we are skipping the fennel seeds)
          Baileys Marbled Cheesecake (using this recipe as a starting off point)
          Mushroom Gravy (brother Gooch is making this one)
Friday: FITF
Saturday:  Thanksgiving at Mr. Gooch's mother's house.  We are bringing a Baileys Marbled Cheesecake.

Look for blog posts on the Thanksgiving recipes in the next few weeks.

Wondering what others are planning for their menus this week at www.orgjunkie.com. 

Menu Plan for the Week of October 17

This week's menu plan is all about comfort food.  It has gotten cool here in Michigan so I seem to want food to warm my insides.

Many of the recipes are repeats of our favorites so we know they are good ones.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.


Monday:  Stove Top Taco Pasta
Tuesday:  Rotisserie-style Crockpot chicken with potatoes and carrots
Wednesday:  Dinner salad topped with leftover chicken
Thursday:   Smoked Salmon in a Basil Cream Sauce over Pasta (recipe to be created by Mr. Gooch)
Friday:  Beef Cooked in Red Wine
Saturday:  Leftovers
Extra Recipe: Baked Potato Soup in the crockpot (for lunches)

Menu Plan for the Week of August 22

We were quite good about sticking to our menu plan last week though we did switch some of the days around because someone (that would be me) forgot to put the stuff in the crockpot before leaving for work on Wednesday.  Oops.  

We also skipped the pizza on Friday - deciding instead to head to Chili's for strong air-conditioning (we don't have central air), skillet queso and margaritas and on Saturday night, instead of FITF, Mr. Gooch made a tasty salmon to go on top of a large dinner salad on Saturday.  Look for the that post coming shortly.

Our menu this week is about eating the items we already have in our fridge and freezer.  We got a new fridge last week and when we were cleaning it out (and moving things around), we realized that we didn't have a good handle on what we actually had spread between our kitchen fridge, the basement fridge and the garage freezer.  So other than some fresh veggies, everything on our menu was already in our freezer, fridge or pantry. 

This week's plan is a mix of old favorites and some new recipes, it will be good to get back into the swing of blogging about our new recipes.

Sunday:  Seasoned Steak Perfection with salad, corn on the cob and mashed potatoes
Monday:  Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs with brown rice and corn on the cob
Tuesday:  Seasoned Steak Perfection with salad and steamed veggies.
Wednesday:  Garlic-Lime Pork Chops with Chipotle basmati rice and salad. 
Thursday:  Dinner Salad topped with either leftover beef, chicken or pork. 
Friday:  Late dinner with friends
Saturday:  Celebrating Mr. Gooch's grandmother's birthday

Don't forget to visit www.orgjunkie.com to see what others are planning for their menus this week.

Menu Plan for the Week of August 15

Oh my, are Mr. Gooch and I bushed after a busy weekend.  Between a wedding, buying and unloading more boxes of flooring than I want to think about (55), emptying our fridges to prepare for the delivery of the new one, helping the delivery men make the switcheroo (basement fridge out the door, old kitchen fridge to the basement, new fridge into the kitchen), plus all the regular weekend stuff like laundry and cleaning - we are bushed.


So this week's menu is an easy one so we can have time to start pulling up carpet, removing tack strips and pulling off baseboard to prepare for the laying of the flooring in those 55 boxes. 

Hope your week is less hectic than ours. 

Sunday:  Leftover Panera Bread sandwiches
Monday:  Stove Top Taco Pasta
Tuesday:  Chicken Teriyaki with brown rice and steamed veggies (using a fab marinade from Trader Joe's)
Wednesday:  Smokey Beef Brisket
Thursday:  Orange Chicken with Pot Sitckers with white rice
Friday:  Pizza
Saturday:  FITF (Forage in the Fridge)

Don't forget to check out other menu plans at www.orgjunkie.com.

We Are Back - with a Menu Plan!

Sorry for the radio silence over the last few months. There have been some big doings here at Casa Gooch and we have fallen so far off the menu planning, cooking new recipes and blogging wagons that I am not sure what the wagon even looks like anymore.

The Mister and I had gotten new jobs but our schedules totally did not connect which meant no meals together (boo hiss). So we each found another (better) job with (better) more regular schedules so we have been slowly working our way to a regular dining schedule since we actually are together in the evenings.

The summer heat has meant mainly grilling basics like chicken and brats which aren't really blogworthy. That and just being out and about for summer related activities means not much cooking at home.

We also had a freezer and a pantry that were in total organizational disarray so we really had no idea what we even had available so we did end up making plenty of calls to the local pizza place (I am positive they recognize our number by now) since that was easier than trying to dig through the chaos.

But now that things are settling in, back to being organized and cooling off a bit, we are back.

This week, to get back in the swing we are making some of our favorite dishes. But in the coming weeks, we will have new or improved recipes.

Sunday: Pizza (from our local place)
Monday: Teriyaki chicken on the grill (using Trader Joe's fabulous marinade), steamed veggies and brown rice
Tuesday: Sate chicken stir-fry with tri-colored peppers and brown rice
Wednesday: BBQ Salmon with steamed veggies and brown rice
Thursday: Crockpot Chicken with potatoes and carrots
Friday: Picnic at a local concert venue (Still working on the menu).
Saturday: Seasoned Steak Perfection, with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob

One big change in our menu planning is our usual "Forage in the Frige" or FITF is gone for the most part. Now that Mr. Gooch and I have access to microwaves at work, leftovers have become lunch. Now I just need to get more containers for our lunches.

Menu Plan for the week of February 21

Sorry about my absence over the last couple of weeks.  We have been pretty busy in Casa Gooch.  Mr. Gooch has been taking studying and taking mid terms, I have been working on odds and ends around the house and we have been eating with my folks or on the fly a ton. 

However, Mr. Gooch is on Spring Break this week and it is his long week at home so I am back on the wagon this week. 

Sunday:  Breakfast for Dinner aka Pancakes
Monday:  Soy-Marinated Chicken (a new recipe for us)
Tuesday:  Beef Meatballs in Marinara over Pasta
Wednesday:  Smokey Crockpot Brisket
Thursday:  Leftovers
Friday:  Stovetop Taco Pasta
Saturday: Leftovers

Bonus Recipe:  Chicken Stew (a recipe I have been muddling over in my head for a couple of weeks so I am goig to try to see if it works)

Menu Plan for the Week of January 31

Last week we did quite well in our menu plan.

We made the Beef Meatballs in Homemade Marinara over Rigatoni and Mr. Gooch made us a tasty Cucumber & Pepper Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette.   We also enjoyed a tasty Steak on the Grill, even though it was about 10 degrees outside.  It just gave us an excuse to build a fire to combat the opening and closing of the slider door (and to have s'more for dessert).

We did not get to the Baked Potato Soup in the Crockpot or the Stovetop Taco Pasta so those will go back on the menu for this week.

Check in with us next Sunday to see how we did in following this week's plan.

Sunday:  Out to dinner with my parents after a show
Monday:  Crispy Baked Rosemary-Garlic Chicken  with Balsamic Roasted Potatoes (new recipes for us)
Tuesday:  Stovetop Taco Pasta
Wednesday:  Chicken Chile Verde (new recipe for us)
Thursday:  Forage in the Fridge
Friday:  Forage in the Fridge
Saturday:  Salmon with Lemon Ginger Sauce (new recipe for us)

Bonus Recipe:  Baked Potato Soup in the Crockpot

Make sure to visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to see what others are planning for their week's menu.

Menu Plan for the Week of January 24

Last week was a bit of a bust in the menu planning department.

I made the 3-packet roast but didn't get any pictures since we had my mom and dad over for dinner.  I ended up going out to eat more than I planned and even made myself a Lean Cuisine one night instead of cooking. Mr. Gooch was again working out of town most of the week, thus the eating out and Lean Cuisine. 

So I am hoping that this week will be better.

Sunday:  Chicken Panini with Peppers and Creamy Cheese Sauce (a Mr. Gooch Cooks original recipe...post coming on this shortly)
Monday:  Meatballs in homemade marinara sauce over Rigatoni
Tuesday:  Out to the movies so a dinner of popcorn and movie treats
Wednesday:  Steaks on the grill
Thursday:  Forage in the Fridge
Friday:  Lean Cuisine
Saturday:  Stovetop Taco Pasta

Bonus Recipe:  Baked Potato Soup in the Crockpot

Menu Plan for the Week of January 17

Last week was a great success.  Of the four new recipes we tried, three were good enough to stay in rotation and the fourth we decided was more appropropriate as a side dish. 

Not sure if we can match the success of last week but I am going to try.   This week is a crockpot week.  And our new recipes are all for things cooked in the slow cooker.  And since last week all our planned new recipes came from one source, the same goes for this week.   They are all from A Year of Slow Cooking (http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/).  You should bookmark this site if you regularly use your slow cooker.

Sunday:  Cheese Tortellini with Alfredo Sauce
Monday:  3-Packet Pot Roast with red skin potatoes
Tuesday:  Forage in the Fridge
Wednesday:   Crockpot Tandoori Chicken with basmati rice
Thursday:  Forage in the Fridge
Friday:  Old Fashioned Chicken Soup in the Slow Cooker
Saturday:  Forage in the Fridge

Bonus Recipe for the Week: Baked Potato Soup in the Crockpot with fresh baked bread

Menu Plan for the Week of January 10

Last week we tried two new recipes.  Neither were a real hit though one was totally my fault.  Note:  reading IS fundamental.  See why here.  But this week we are back to trying new recipes (and a redo of last week's mishap).  Here's hoping they are a greater success than last week. 

Sunday:  Mr. Gooch is cooking.  I have no idea.  Will report back later in the week.
Monday:  Penne with Cream and Smoked Salmon (a new recipe)
Tuesday:  Beef Cooked in Red Wine (a new recipe)
Wednesday:  Chili-Spiced Chicken (this is our recipe redo)
Thursday:  Chicken Quesedillas (using the leftover chicken from Wednesday)
Friday:  Forage in the Fridge
Saturday:  Forage in the Fridge

The First Menu Plan for a New Year! - Week of January 3

I have been absent, I know.  But we have been busy here at Casa Gooch.  Watch for upcoming posts to hear all about what has been going on.

For now, it in on to this week's menu plan.

Sunday:  Steak on the grill (damned be the freezing temps) using this recipe.
Monday:  Citrus Marinated Salmon Fillets (a new recipe for us)
Tuesday:  Stove Top Taco Pasta
Wednesday:  Forage in the Fridge
Thursday:  Chili Spiced Chicken (another new recipe for us)
Friday:  Forage in the Fridge
Saturday:  Homemade BBQ chicken pizza

Be sure to visit http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to see what others are planning this week.

Menu Plan for the Week of December 20

Merry Christmas Week!!!

Again, there isn't much of a plan.  Mr. Gooch is still out of town this week and I am hosting the family Christmas Eve Party.  However, most of the dishes are brought by other people. 

In case you are looking for ideas for your own holiday dinners, here are some of the dishes we will be enjoying the evening of the 24th.

Crab Appetizer (recipe to come from Mom)
Deviled Eggs (recipe to come from my Grandmother)
Honey Baked Ham
Cheesy Potatoes
Baked Beans
7-Layer Salad (recipe to come from my Grandmother)
Green Bean Casserole (recipe to come from Mom)

Check in with http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to see what others are planning for this week's menus.

Make sure to check back next week when I actually do a menu plan.  DH will be back in town for several days and we will be celebrating Christmas with our immediate family next Monday evening.  I think a chicken may be in the plan. 

Menu Plan for the Week of December 12

No menu plan this week.  Mr. Gooch is working out of town this week so I am hitting the freezer and the Lean Cuisines, the pantry and the fridge for foraging. 

Next week I will have a plan, mainly because we will be hosting my family's Christmas Eve party. 

Check out http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to see what others actually have planned for this week.

Menu Plan for the Week of November 22

I cannot believe how time has flown.  It is already the week of Thanksgiving with December and the Christmas holiday close behind.  (gulp!  I think I need to get started on deciding on what we are giving this year).  But even with all the holidays, menu planning goes on.  This week we have two new recipes that I found in one of my many cookbooks.  

One of the bonuses of moving is that being reminded of books (cookbooks included) you forgot you owned.  I purchased the Best Ever Three & Four Ingredient Cookbook at my local Borders Books about a year ago and then never got around to making any of the many tasty looking recipes.  It is written by two British chefs and I like that it has a more European flair.  Just one more way I am trying to expand my palate. 

With that, here is our week's menu. 

Sunday:  Herbed roast in the crockpot with skillet potatoes, carrots, Caesar salad and rolls.
Monday:  Teriyaki salmon (a new recipe for us so look for a post on this recipe coming soon)
Tuesday:  Chilli-spiced chicken (another new recipe)
Wednesday:  FITF
Thursday:  Turkey Day at my aunt and uncle's house
Friday:  FITF
Saturday:  Breakfast for Dinner (since I am on my own with Mr. Gooch out of town)

Don't forget to check out http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to see what others are planning for their menus this week.

Menu Plan for the Week of November 15

I missed my usual Sunday night posting of our menu plan for the week. But I have a good reason, I promise.  We were celebrating my birthday.  I turned 39 (again).  DH made me a few of my favorite recipes (check them out below) and we decided to have a quiet evening without technology. 

Now that I have had some time to actually spend on the week's plan, here it is.

Sunday:  My birthday dinner.  Bacon-wrapped filet mignon using this recipe, dilled carrots, caesar salad
Monday:  Mac and Cheese with spicy chicken sausage
Tuesday:   Pesto Cheese Ravioli with chicken
Wednesday:  Roast Chicken in the Crockpot
Thursday:   FITF
Friday:  Homemade BBQ Pizza using the leftover chicken from Tuesday
Saturday:  FITF

Check out http://www.orgjunkie.com/ to see what others are planning on eating this week.