This Week's Dinner Menu

Sunday - Eggplant Parmesan, Grill Roasted Vegetables with Pinenut Pesto, Herb Garlic Bread, Salad, Keylime Tart
Monday - Amber's Turkey Enchiladas
Tuesday - Going out for Sister-in-Law's Brithday
Wednesday - Dinner at Mom's
Thursday - Thanksgiving Dinner at Aunt Terri's (We're taking homemade rolls and the pies!)
Friday - Chili with Pumpkin Cornbread
Saturday - leftovers

Butternut Squash Raviolis with Sage Pecan Brown Butter Sauce

We needed a quick dinner last night, and I happened to have picked up some Butternut Squash Raviolis at Costco. So, we whipped up this yummy sauce to go with it. I highly reccommend you try it. {Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Pecan Brown Butter Sauce}
adapted from Monterey Gourmet Foods
1 pack (approx. 17 oz) butternut squash raviolis
1 large handful pecans, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp dried sage
2 Tbsp cream

Prepare the pasta as dirrected on package. Toast the pecans in a large skillet. When toasted remove from skillet. Add butter to skillet and stir until melted. Let butter brown in pan. Return pecans to pan, add sugar and spices. Stir to combine and melt sugar. Add cream and stir. Drain pasta and add to sauce. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

This Week's Dinner Menu

Sunday - Butternut Squash Ravioli, broccolini
Monday - Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos with Jalapeno Ranch Dipping Sauce
Tuesday - "Meal Swap" night
Wednesday - Amber's Turkey Enchiladas, salad
Thursday - Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken served with chips for the "littles" and salad for the adults
Friday - Stuffed Pizza Rolls (some pepperoni, some hawaiian)
Saturday - leftovers, party, we'll see . . .

Chili & Cornbread

Oh, Fall, how I love this season. There is a wonderful shift in the food that we eat. Comfort food to warm the little bodies in my home, and share with friends. Aunt Sharon's Easy Chili
1 1/4 lb ground sirloin
1 onion, chopped
1 pkg Chili-O seasoning mix
8 oz. tomato sauce
15 oz. stewed tomatoes
15 oz. dark red kidney beans, undrained
15 oz. pinto beans, undrained
brown sugar, to taste

Brown beef and onions in a pot big enough to hold all ingredients. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 15 minutes. Serve with Fritos, sour cream and grated cheese.
Katie's Cake-like Cornbread
3 C light Bisquick
1 C sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 C cornmeal
3 eggs
1 1/2 C milk
1 stick of butter, melted

Combine dry ingredients. Beat eggs and milk with a fork. Add wet to dry; mix well with a spoon. Mix in half of the butter. Pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Pour the rest of the butter on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the center is done.

Couscous Chicken Salad

One of my highschool friends has a baby who recently turned 1! To celebrate his birthday she had a playdate/luchdate party - it was so fun. The kids played while mommies chatted, then, she threw out a large blanket for an indoor picnic. The menu included Chicken Couscous Salad and Fruit salad for the moms. The kiddies feasted on cut-up fruit, crackers, goldfish, string cheese and fruit snacks (for the older siblings). It was a great simple party idea that everyone really enjoyed!
{Couscous Chicken Salad}
adapted from Kim Smith
1 can chicken broth
1 1/4 C quick cooking couscous
1/2 C golden raisins
1 C coarsely chopped cucumber
craisins
1/2 C chopped celery
1 tsp orange zest
2 Tbsp chopped green onion
2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1/2 C chopped pecans, toasted

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Stir in couscous. Cover and remove from the heat. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Combine all salad ingredients and stir.

2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp orange juice
1 Tbsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of pepper
3 Tbsp vegetable oil

Shake to combine all ingredients. Pour over salad and stir to coat.

Ina's Pizza Crust

We were in a hurry tonight, so the regular pizza dough went out the window. But that was okay because I had just seen Ina Garten do a "Pizza Party" and it looked delicious. I didn't do her full pizza, but I did use her crust. It got rave reviews from the husband - thin, but still soft and chewy.

Ina Garten's Pizza Dough
1 1/4 C warm water
2 pkg dry yeast
1 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp olive oil
4 C flour
2 tsp kosher salt

Combine water, yeast, honey and olive oil in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook. When the yeast is dissolved add 3 C flour, then salt. With the mixer on med-low, add up to 1 C of additional floour just enough to make a soft dough. Remove from bowl and knead about 10 times to create a smooth ball. Place in a greased bowl, and let rise for 30 minutes. Remove from bowl and divide into 6 pieces for individual pizzas, or 3 pieces for family pizzas. Let the dough rest 10 minutes before rolling out.

Bake at 500 degrees for about 8 minutes, if you are using a pizza stone.

This Week's Dinner Menu

Sunday - Simply Lasagna, peas, salad, and rolls
Monday - Dad's Birthday Enchiladas, salad, zucchini
Tuesday - "Meal Swap" night
Wednesday - Homemade Pizza (pepperoni and bbq chicken) with My Basic Pizza Dough
Thursday - White Chicken Chili, tortilla strips
Friday - Aunt Sharon's Chili and Cake-like Cornbread for the Ward Potluck
Saturday - Creamy Baked Chicken Taguitos with Jalapeno Ranch Dipping sauce

This Week's Dinner Menu

Sunday - Shepherd's Pie
Monday - Four Cheese Stuffed Shells with Smoky Marinara, fresh baguette with smashed avocado
Tuesday - "Meal Swap Night"
Wednesday - Soccer Banquette (pizza, although, I am seriously craving pizza on the grill again)
Thursday - Diner Meatloaf Muffins, potato gratin, salad
Friday - Cilantro Lime Chicken Wraps
Saturday - "Kung Fu Panda Party" with authentic soup

Sunday Morning Breakfast - Pumpkin Spiced Cream Cheese Breakfast Rolls