Week 13

We got to 6 of the 7 meals last week, so Veggie Enchiladas are back on the menu this week. Yum, sounds like a great chilly, Sunday night dinner.

Scott also 'meationed' that last week's meals were a little heavy on pasta, which is true. But Lincoln is so into noodles right now that I feel like I know he will eat it. So, I'm going to try to be better this week and have some better balance

Week 12

I'll just tell you now that some of those dishes from last week were a BIG hit. Both of the egg dishes went over very well with all of us. I highly recommend you try them if you can, sooo good.

We're expecting lots of rain this week (3 storms) so I'm getting us ready with lots of warm, easy dishes with tons of veggies! I found a lot of this weeks recipes from Martha Stewart's meatless dinner section. Check it out, there are TONS of yummy, healthy recipes on there.

-Chimichangas with Fresh Tomato Salsa

-Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomato Pasta

-Tofu Stir Fry

-Spinach Pasta with Walnut and Arugula Pesto (this is always popular in our house because it's a good way to get L to eat his greens)

-Roasted vegetable enchiladas (we make these a lot, it's a good way to get some veggies and beans covered in cheese and wrapped in tortillas!)

-Portobellos with Leeks and Spinach

3 small onions

garlic

soy ground

can of diced tomatoes

jalapeno

salsa

1 c. sundried tomatos (not oil packed)

5 oz goat cheese + 1 cup

firm tofu

mushrooms

red pepper

bok choy

snow peas

ginger

3 oz walnut pieces

4 oz arugula

1 lb spinach linguine

black beans

root veggies

fajita seasoning

enchilada sauce

1 leek

spinach

3 portobellos

whole wheat rolls

More Holiday Baking

My mom received The Grand Central Bakery cookbook as a white elephant gift this year. We decided to make the lemon tart featured in it for her New Year's Day party. The shortbread crust was easy to make and the homemade lemon curd was unbelievable!! I could have eaten the whole bowl!! The resulting tart was perfect; beautiful and tasty!!

Week 11

It doesn't get very cold here in SoCal, but that doesn't seems stop me from craving warm, comfort food to fit the season.

Italian eggs over spinach and polenta

Skillet-Poached Huevos Rancheros, yum!! Recipe from this month's Real Simple. I'm always on the quest for a great huevos rancheros recipe and I love trying new ones!!

Kale and White Bean Soup, again from January's Real Simple. These are the only two veg meals in the mag this month, but lucky for me they both sound great!

Homemade Pizza, I've got some frozen dough left from the last time, just add a few veggies and we'll have a good dinner.

Pasta with red sauce, a salad and warm french bread, easy, easy!

Salmon with sweet potato fries and sliced tomatoes, yum.

Week 10

We just got back from our holiday marathon trip yesterday and after having to eat cheese and crackers for dinner last night I really need to get my act together. On the menu for this week, homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese, stir-fry with veg. chicken and peppers and rice, grilled salmon with baked sweet potatoes, falafel with avocado spread served with pitas.

Shopping List

- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, Small dice
- 3 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes
- 2 Cups Veg Stock
- 1.5 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 Cup Basil Pesto

- Cheese

- Peppers

- Stirfry sauce

- Salmon

- Sweet potatoes

• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup finely crushed baked tortilla chips (about 3/4 ounce)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 large egg white
• 1/4 cup mashed peeled avocado
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped tomato
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Week 9

I'm looking so forward to our Christmas plans that I'm having a hard time getting these past few weeks planned out. I seem to have it in my head that we don't need to buy anything because we'll be leaving soon. Well, after having to seriously scrounge for food last week, I'm hoping this one goes better. My plan is to have each dinner completely thought out, along with our other meals so that I can go to the store once (always a good thing) and not have too much food left here on Friday that will have to be thrown out. Wish me luck!!


Monday
Veg Enchaladas. Mix chosen veggies (we are using sweet potatoes, gold potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms) with southwest seasoning and olive oil and roast for an hour or until done. Assemble enchaladas with veg and cheese and black beans in tortillas and place in ovenproof dish. Pour a can of veg. green chili sauce over the enchaladas and then top with more cheese. Bake for 20-30 more minutes and enjoy!

Tuesday
Pizza. This is honestly Lincoln's favorite dinner. He's always asking for it and I'm happy to oblige. I make an easy pizza dough and we load it up with veggies, soy pepperoni, and cheese. I'll serve it with a salad or a soup for Scott and I.

Wednesday
Pasta. Scott bought tortalinni at Costco the other day. That with a red sauce, a side salad, and a warm whole wheat baguette should be a perfect, easy dinner.

Thursday
Crispy Gnocchi with Brussel Sprouts, Mushrooms, and toasted walnuts. Trader Joes makes the best frozen gnocchi, it's a regular in our freezer and I love this idea of turning a side dish into a whole meal.
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/10843?section=

Shopping List
veggies for pizza
veg. pepperoni
tomato sauce
salad fixings
small baguette
tomato soup
frozen gnocchi
brussel sprouts
cremini mushrooms
southwest seasoning
sweet potatoe
yukon pototoe
carrots
green chili sauce
tortillas
jack cheese

Holiday Baking

Now that I'm not working full time, I have the joy of indulging in all of my holiday baking aspirations! Lucky for Scott and L but bad for our waistlines!!! Since I am also a sucker for the displays at Trader Joes and have been craving a warm, dense gingerbread, their gingerbread mix was the first thing I made in my December bake off.

It was prefect! Exactly what I was craving. Spicy, warm, dark and yummy. Just perfect. I suppose I really should find a recipe and make this from scratch, which I will, but not today!

Next on my to-do list a pistachio and cranberry biscotti. My mom and I used to make this at Christmas time when I was in high school. It's so delicious and colorful. I just need to find a good recipe because I can't remember where we got our old one from.