December 2011 Weekly Dinner Menus

[Speck333]

Each week I pick out 6 things to make for dinner (one night is what we call FFY, or fend for yourself, night). This weekly menu becomes the base for the shopping list. Shopping is usually on Sundays, so Monday starts my "menu week".
I start these menu threads every week and month so I have a record of what I fixed and to share to help others perform this sometimes tedious task. Whenever possible, I link to the recipes I use if they are posted online. A lot of the time, the recipes I use are not low carb on their own, so let it be known that any recipe I use is adapted to the LC and SF style.
Please share your weekly menus here, too, and ask for recipes.

I have been hosting these threads since June 2010, and as far as I know all of them are still here if you just search for them. I only link back to this time last year, since our menus tend to change with the seasons, it might be helpful to see what we were eating last year at this time.

December Weekly Dinner Menus
~~~~~~~~~

Week of Nov. 28-Dec.4
MON: Grilled Chicken Breast/Salad
TUE: FFY
WED: Grilled Pork Chops/Salad
THU: Artichoke Baked Chicken with spinach
FRI: Peppery Roast Beef/Salad
SAT:Salsa Burgers with baked parmesan zucchini fries
SUN: Creamy White Chili (I'm using white kidney beans/cannellini because it will lower the carb count a great deal)

[kare30bear]

Mon. 11/28: Glazed Pork + Green Beans w/Sweet Butter Sauce
Tues. 11/29: Easy Chicken Paprika + Cauliflower Fritters
Wed. 11/30: Pizza Toppings Casserole + Zucchini w/Garlic Butter
Thurs. 12/1: Open Faced Steak Um Sandwiches (using Oopsie Rolls) w/Mushrooms & Onions + Creamed Spinach
Fri. 12/2: Baked Pork w/Dijon & Lime + Broccoli w/Sun Dried Tomato Cheese Sauce
Sat. 12/3: Chicken & Spinach Rollatini A La Parmigiana + Asparagus w/Dijon Vinaigrette
Sun. 12/4: Italian Meatballs in Tomato Alfredo Sauce + Oven Roasted Cauliflower

[pcaltman]

Love this

Week of 11/28- 12/4

M, 11/28 = Pot roast, diced potatoes w/apple, salad, leftover bread
T, 11/29 = Zesty chicken, au grautin potatoes, black eyed peas, salad
W,11/30 = Spaghetti, homemade bread, salad
T, 12/1 = Beef stroganoff, noodles, chocolate chip muffins, salad
F, 12/2 = Homemade pizza
S, 12/3 = Pork chops, dirty rice, canned fruit, salad
S, 12/4 = Turkey, rice, gravy, muffins, salad

(I know Turkey, but we had too many people at my house for Thanksgiving which left no leftovers, bummer. So I will cook another Turkey)

[Speck333]

Karen, how do you find the time to cook like that! You are superwoman!

Welcome pcaltman!

[pcaltman]

Speck thanks for the welcome

The rice, noodles and breads are for the kids. I stick to meats and salads mostly.

Karen - thanks for the pizza toppings casserole recipe. I make homemade pizza every Friday for the little ones, but my husband and I usually eat Linda's deep dish pizza. This week I think I will try your pizza casserole. Looks very yummy.......

[kare30bear]

Originally Posted by Speck333

Karen, how do you find the time to cook like that! You are superwoman!

I think the names of the recipes just sound like it takes awhile most of the time, but I am a SAHM so that helps with me being able to prepare my meals.

Sometimes I actually get so much done in a day that I call myself superwoman, but a lot of times I lack motivation AND energy and have my down days.

pcaltman! You're menu looks great!

Speck- are the artichokes you use for that recipe from a jar? I have bought them several times but they are always sour to me and I can't get past it, last time I tried rinsing them A LOT before using and didn't help. But I bought a jar recently that said "in water" so I am hoping that they taste different this time instead of the "marinated" ones bc I LOVE artichokes. I heard Costco sells them in a bag (frozen) but haven't found them yet.

Great idea with the white chili, it's getting pretty darn cold out and I want to try soups and stuff but my family looks at me like I am crazy when I tell them soup for dinner... so I may make a batch for mine & DH's lunches soon, once I find one that looks appealing.

[Luca]

Karen I just checked out your blog the other day, it looks awesome and so do you! You should be real proud of yourself...I am definitely inspired.

[kare30bear]

Thanks Luca!

[Speck333]

Originally Posted by kare30bear

I think the names of the recipes just sound like it takes awhile most of the time, but I am a SAHM so that helps with me being able to prepare my meals.

Sometimes I actually get so much done in a day that I call myself superwoman, but a lot of times I lack motivation AND energy and have my down days.

pcaltman! You're menu looks great!

Speck- are the artichokes you use for that recipe from a jar? I have bought them several times but they are always sour to me and I can't get past it, last time I tried rinsing them A LOT before using and didn't help. But I bought a jar recently that said "in water" so I am hoping that they taste different this time instead of the "marinated" ones bc I LOVE artichokes. I heard Costco sells them in a bag (frozen) but haven't found them yet.

Great idea with the white chili, it's getting pretty darn cold out and I want to try soups and stuff but my family looks at me like I am crazy when I tell them soup for dinner... so I may make a batch for mine & DH's lunches soon, once I find one that looks appealing.

Yes, they are canned, in water. Not the marinated ones. They don't taste all that much like fresh artichokes, but they're nice. I bet the frozen ones would be good, too. My kids aren't big on soups or stews either. But I gave up on cooking only things they liked/would eat a long time ago. My kids are so stubborn they would rather not eat dinner at all instead of eat something they don't like!

[graciejean]

must have missed this place before,not any longer,lol

[Speck333]

Originally Posted by honeybuns

must have missed this place before,not any longer,lol

Glad you found us!

[Speck333]

MON: Grilled Chicken and green salad
TUE: FFY
WED: Hamsteak and green salad
THU: Pizza
FRI: Grilled steak and green salad
SAT: Salisbury Steak with mushroom gravy and pureed cauliflower
SUN: Crock pot stewed chicken (whole) with broccoli bacon bake

Have a tasty week everyone out there who might be reading! Please feel free to post your own menus!

[pcaltman]

Morning all

Week of December 5-11

Mon = Tacos & taco salads
Tues = Artichoke baked chicken, salad, rice, maple oatmeal bread
Wed = Beef gravy over rice, Italian bread, black eyed peas (mom's night out)
Thur = Kung Poa chicken, leftover rice, salad
Frid = Homemade pizzas, pizza casserole
Sat = Spinache lasagna, Italian bread, salad
Sun = Creamy white turkey chili, chocolate chip pumpkin muffins

[kare30bear]

Mon. 12/5: Italian Meatballs in Tomato Alfredo Sauce (didn't get to make this last week so made it today) + Asparagus w/soy sauce & sesame seeds
Tues. 12/6: Teriyaki Chicken + Spinach Pie
Wed. 12/7: Pork Adobo + Squash Bake
Thurs. 12/8: Spicy Beef & Black Bean Tacos + Bacony Broccoli Salad
Fri. 12/9: Steak Quesadillas + Spanish "Rice"
Sat. 12/10: Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana (also something that was on the menu last week and I didn't get to make it) + Turnips Au Gratin
Sun. 12/11: Pork Stir Fry over Cauli "Rice"

[cookwithme65]

Great menus ladies! Such great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[Speck333]

So uninspired this week...

MON: Grilled Chicken and salad
TUE: FFY
WED: Baked Pork Chops and Salad
THU: Indian Chicken (I'm going to use cauliflower instead of potatoes)
FRI: Grilled Steak and Salad
SAT: Tacos
SUN: Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions

[cookwithme65]

Originally Posted by Speck333

So uninspired this week...

MON: Grilled Chicken and salad
TUE: FFY
WED: Baked Pork Chops and Salad
THU: Indian Chicken (I'm going to use cauliflower instead of potatoes)
FRI: Grilled Steak and Salad
SAT: Tacos
SUN: Italian Sausage, Peppers and Onions

Speck, that indian chicken sounds inspiring. It's a busy time of the year. You can't be wonderwoman. Plus some of your old standbys are good. Keeping things simple at times is practical. You know what works for your plan and what you and your family enjoy eating. It also is usually more economical. This thread motivates me to plan better to succ;/ped. BTW, I noticed you are know doing JUDDD . Do you like it. I thought about trying it as I have a lot of food that is not LC friendly, and since I am on a tight budget it would help me save money over the neck couple of weeks.

[pcaltman]

Morning all,

This is what I had planned for the week. My oven broke last night as I was trying to cook dinner so things will have to change a bit until it gets fixed.

Week of December 12-18

Mon = Spinach lasgna, French bread, salad (didn't make this last week)
Tues = Pork stir fry, Rice, Salad
Wed = Roaster chicken, Rice, gravy, salad
Thur = White castle cheeseburger pie, salad, pasta salad
Frid = Homemade pizzas, deep dish pizza
Sat = Chicken Alfrado, Brocolli, pasta, Italian bread
Sun = Chili, chocolate chip muffins

[kare30bear]

Mon. 12/12: Pork & Snap Peas Stir Fry + Cheesy Squash Casserole
Tues. 12/13: 8 Layer Casserole (using Dreamsfield pasta)
Wed. 12/14: Asian Chicken + Green Bean Bundles
Thurs. 12/15: Cajun Steak Sandwiches on Oopsie Rolls + Cheddar Brocooli Salad
Fri. 12/16: Tuna Casserole + Spinach & Bacon Side Salad
Sat. 12/17: Chicken Topped w/Spinach, Mozzarella & Red Peppers + Asparagus w/Dijon Vinaigrette
Sun. 12/18: Cleo's LC Beef & Broccoli + Cauli "Rice"

[Speck333]

Originally Posted by cookwithme65

Speck, that indian chicken sounds inspiring. It's a busy time of the year. You can't be wonderwoman. Plus some of your old standbys are good. Keeping things simple at times is practical. You know what works for your plan and what you and your family enjoy eating. It also is usually more economical. This thread motivates me to plan better to succ;/ped. BTW, I noticed you are know doing JUDDD . Do you like it. I thought about trying it as I have a lot of food that is not LC friendly, and since I am on a tight budget it would help me save money over the neck couple of weeks.

Awww, thank you for the support It's extra busy for me, too, since I teach college and with all the term papers, finals and grades, it's hard to do the things I absolutely have to, much less the extras and things I *want* to do!

JUDDD is the main reason my menu is so repetitive. On what we call "down days" I have to eat very plainly. JUDDD (for anyone who doesn't know) is calorie cycling, and every other day you eat very little, then on what's called up days, you eat normally. Not all JUDDDers are low carb, but I stay low carb on down days, and still under 50 or 60 carbs on up days, except Saturdays, I tend to eat whatever I want. So far, it's working well. I broke my long stall, so However, the last month or so I haven't lost any more mainly because I haven't been controlling my eating as well as I should on the weekends and I've thrown in some holiday eating here and there. In that sense, it has been fantastic, because I've been able to enjoy the Season without guilt and without gaining! I will hit the plan better now that the semester is nearly over and really get to it after the holidays.



Great looking menus everyone!

[pcaltman]

Karen those green bean bundles look amazing. I think they will be on the menu for next week

How do you all link recipes?

[Speck333]

Originally Posted by pcaltman

Karen those green bean bundles look amazing. I think they will be on the menu for next week

How do you all link recipes?

Don't they ever! Wow!

As for posting links, here's how I do it. When you are in the reply or post new thread screen, if you look at the menu up top there with all the formatting buttons and such, you see one that looks like a little Earth with a little chain link under it. Copy and paste the URL you want to link to out of your browser, highlight the text in your post you want to connect to the link. Click the Earth button and paste the web link into it. Click OK. Tadda!

[pcaltman]

Thanks Speck I will try that. Can't promise I will do it right, but will try.....
Pam

[Speck333]

MON: Grilled Chicken over simple green salad
TUE: Italian sausage, peppers and onions (holdover from last week)
WED: Ham steak/green salad
THU: Chicken Diane/seasoned green beans
FRI: Grilled Steak/green salad
SAT:Cheeseburger Pitas (no rice, in low carb pitas)/pickles/raw veg and dip
SUN: Christmas Dinner at the in-laws

(no FFY day this week because I'm not cooking on Christmas)
---
I'll be making sugar free peanut butter fudge and sugar free candied pecans and walnuts this week, too. Not low carb, but, I'm also baking chocolate chip pumpkin bread.

[Speck333]

I just wanted to come back and recommend the Indian Baked Chicken recipe I had on last week's menu. I didn't end up having it until tonight. It was excellent... so flavorful and tender. Even my kids ate it, and they are super picky. I really enjoy the bold spices and flavors of Indian cuisine, and this was so mild it was more "reminiscent" of Indian food, but still very good. I did use cauliflower instead of potatoes in the recipe, next time I make it I will add more cauliflower. It completely absorbs the flavors of the sauce. And, it was so easy to make. I put the veggies in the baking dish, the chicken on top, and then poured over the sauce, and baked for 90 minutes. I actually made it yesterday because I didn't want the chicken to go bad and didn't know exactly when we would be eating it. It was just as good re-heated. I could have frozen it, too. It's a great make-ahead, one-pan meal. I'm putting this one in the regular rotation.

[pcaltman]

Hi all,

Speck that is so funny you talk about the Italian chicken recipe. I was looking back at some of the recipes you have used in the past and found that one last night. I will make it next week over vacation. Sounds yummy. Instead of the green been bundles I have decided to make a green been stir fry with bacon for Christmas. Same thing just mixed together. I am trying to feed a big crowd and it just seemed easier. I do plan on making the bundles just for the family next week as well.

Week of December 19-25

Mon = Zesty chicken, Rice, Salad, Peanut butter bread
Tues = Diced chicken parmesan, Noodles, Broccoli, Salad
Wed = Tacos & Taco salad's
Thur = Cheeseburger pie, Homemade dinner rolls, Fried potatoes, Salad
Frid = Homemade pizzas, Deep dish pizza
Sat = Christmas Eve Ham dinner
Sun = Christmas Beef tip dinner

Christmas Eve:
Ham
Potato casserole
Mock potato casserole
Ceaser salad
Diced carrots
Hawaiian bread

Christmas brunch:
Ham & cheese quiche
Cinnimon rolls
Bacon & sausage
Breakfast potatoes
Fruit
Juice and coffee

Christmas:
Beef roast or Prime rib
Gravy
Sauteed green beans with bacon
Blue cheese spinach salad w/toasted walnuts and dried cranberry in a vinaigrette
Sugar free cranberry or red jello mold
Au gratin potatos and Au gratin cauliflower
Cranberry bread

[cookwithme65]

Originally Posted by Speck333

I just wanted to come back and recommend the Indian Baked Chicken recipe I had on last week's menu. I didn't end up having it until tonight. It was excellent... so flavorful and tender. Even my kids ate it, and they are super picky. I really enjoy the bold spices and flavors of Indian cuisine, and this was so mild it was more "reminiscent" of Indian food, but still very good. I did use cauliflower instead of potatoes in the recipe, next time I make it I will add more cauliflower. It completely absorbs the flavors of the sauce. And, it was so easy to make. I put the veggies in the baking dish, the chicken on top, and then poured over the sauce, and baked for 90 minutes. I actually made it yesterday because I didn't want the chicken to go bad and didn't know exactly when we would be eating it. It was just as good re-heated. I could have frozen it, too. It's a great make-ahead, one-pan meal. I'm putting this one in the regular rotation.

Thanks for the Great review Speck. I will give this a try next week. Just had a four day unexpected hospital stay and left with not that much energy or appetite but that will pass. I also think I may give Judd a try. Maybe starting Christmas with an up day! We are having prime rib at my BF's parents's house. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and X-Mass break. - Kristan

[cookwithme65]

Originally Posted by pcaltman

Hi all,

Speck that is so funny you talk about the Italian chicken recipe. I was looking back at some of the recipes you have used in the past and found that one last night. I will make it next week over vacation. Sounds yummy. Instead of the green been bundles I have decided to make a green been stir fry with bacon for Christmas. Same thing just mixed together. I am trying to feed a big crowd and it just seemed easier. I do plan on making the bundles just for the family next week as well.

Week of December 19-25

Mon = Zesty chicken, Rice, Salad, Peanut butter bread
Tues = Diced chicken parmesan, Noodles, Broccoli, Salad
Wed = Tacos & Taco salad's
Thur = Cheeseburger pie, Homemade dinner rolls, Fried potatoes, Salad
Frid = Homemade pizzas, Deep dish pizza
Sat = Christmas Eve Ham dinner
Sun = Christmas Beef tip dinner

Christmas Eve:
Ham
Potato casserole
Mock potato casserole
Ceaser salad
Diced carrots
Hawaiian bread

Christmas brunch:
Ham & cheese quiche
Cinnimon rolls
Bacon & sausage
Breakfast potatoes
Fruit
Juice and coffee

Christmas:
Beef roast or Prime rib
Gravy
Sauteed green beans with bacon
Blue cheese spinach salad w/toasted walnuts and dried cranberry in a vinaigrette
Sugar free cranberry or red jello mold
Au gratin potatos and Au gratin cauliflower
Cranberry bread

Pam, Your menu looks devine. A week or so back I saw you made Artichoke Chicken. Can you share where you got the recipe when you get a chance. No rush. Have a wonderful holiday! - Kristan

[pcaltman]

Hi Cook,

I actually got the recipe from Speck She had it on her menu a few weeks back. It was good. I will make it again but next time I will diced the chicken and add cauliflower to make it into a casserole. Very yummy.

Artichoke Chicken Bake Recipe 4 Servings
Prep: 10 min. Bake: 30 min.

Ingredients
1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained and chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
Dash garlic powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

Directions
In a bowl, combine the artichokes, cheese, mayonnaise and garlic powder. Place chicken in a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Spread with artichoke mixture.
Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 436 calories, 38 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 43 mg cholesterol, 766 mg sodium, 7 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 14 g protein.

[Speck333]

I did dice my chicken and added a 10 oz package of spinach (defrosted, squeezed of excess water) and mixed it all up and baked it as a casserole. It was pretty good.