This Week's Dinner Menu

Sunday - grilled chicken and steak, mashed potatoes, cesaer salad, Aunt Louise's rolls, Italian sodas and chocolate chip cookies (A celebration of my cousin's return from a mission for our church.)
Monday - Italian Pub Burgers, grilled asparagus, salad, "Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt"
Tuesday - Mom's Taco Soup
Wednesday - Taco Salad and Quesadillas
Thursday - Summer Work Family Picnic
Friday - (camping) Navajo Tacos
Saturday - (camping) Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Flying Farmer Chicken Salad

My cousin called recently in a panic. She was hosting a bridal shower and had planned on chicken salad croissants with Sonoma Chicken Salad from Costco. Only, Costco didn't have it beause it was being discontinued. We poked around on the interent for some good alternatives and, then, I remembered this recipe.
I got this recipe from my grandmother, the summer that I visited her in Hong Kong after graduating from high school. It was contributed by a friend to their Ward Cookbook. I ate it in Hong Kong and fell in love. Years later I still come back to it for a special occasion. It is so delicious! I love the citrusy flavor in the dressing. And, the rice helps you add bulk for a crowd without blowing your budget. The recipe makes A LOT, so be prepared to feed the neighborhood or cut it down.

{Flying Farmer Chicken Salad}
Cook, cool and diced chicken breasts. Cut into bite-sized pieces. Combine 5 C. diced chickien with:
2-3 T orange juice
1 t salt
3 T salad oil (vegetable)
2 T vinegar
Let stand overnight in the fridge. The next day add:
3 C cooked rice
1 1/2 C seedless grapes
1 1/2 C thinly sliced celery
1 can pineapple tidbits (12oz), drained
1 can mandarin oranges (11oz), drained
1 C slivered almonds, toasted
1 1/2 C mayo (start with less and see if you really need that much)
Toss together. Serve on a lettuce leaf. Garnish with a slice of orange and a fresh strawberry. Serve with a croissant (optional).

This Week's Dinner Menu

Sunday - Chicken Taco Soup
Monday - Grilled Pizza (Cheese, BBQ Chicken), Mini-Caprese Salad
Tuesday -Grilled Chicken, Zucchini and Rice with Cilantro Sauce
Wednesday - Taco Salad
Thursday - leftovers, or something else REALLY fast
Friday - on the road, again . . .
Saturday - "Lake Food"

Grilled Flatbread with Ricotta, Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic Oil

We had grilled pizza last night with our friends. I had seen this recipe before, but have never gotten around to trying it. Our friends have, and they liked it so much they made it again with us. I loved it! It is fresh, crispy and delicious - all the things a summer meal should be. {Grilled Flatbread with Ricotta, Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic Oil}
original recipe here
1/2 cup olive oil
1 head of roasted garlic
1 ball of pizza dough
1 (8-ounce) container ricotta cheese, drained
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 plum tomatoes, very thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chiffonade fresh basil

Roasted Garlic Oil:
Cut the top off of the garlice, drizzle with olive oil, bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Place oil and garlic cloves in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain.

Flatbread:
Flatten pizza dough, gently press into a large rectangle, brush liberally with olive oil, and throw on grill. Grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread 1 side with ricotta, sprinkle with salt and pepper, scatter tomatoes over, drizzle with Roasted Garlic Oil, and garnish with basil and more freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

*To really kick the flavor up, top off with a sprinkle of truffle salt. Thanks, Sheila!

This Week's Dinner Menu

We are back in the swing of real life, we have to be. And, I am needing to do some "real grocery shopping." Here is what we are looking at for this week.

Sunday - Breakfast for Dinner
Monday - "Meal Swap" night (Sour Cream Enchiladas)
Tuesday - Four Cheese Stuffed Shells, green salad, bread
Wednesday - Pad Thai, Potstickers (maybe spring rolls)
Thursday - Grilling something . . .
Friday - Family Pizza & Movie Night
Saturday - leftovers

For this week's Sunday Breakfast, I am debating between Baked Doughnuts and Muffins That Taste Like Doughnuts.

This Week's Dinner Menu

It is AUGUST, and we are almost done traveling for the summer. We were gone, literally, every weekend in July with only a few weekdays spent at home. But, it was a great time to be together as a family and see extended family as well. I will go back and add recipe for many of the summer dishes that we have been eating, so that you can sneak some in before it gets too late.

Here is how the meals are shaping up this week:
Sunday - Dinner at Mom's (pot roast, salad, vegetables, and raspberry-brownie sundaes)
Monday - Hotdogs, Ham and Carmelized Onion Tart, Peaches
Tuesday - Rootbeer Rocks, garden salad
Wednesday - Orrechiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs, Tomatoes, and Mozarella
Thursday - Family Taco Night
Friday - Grilled Pizza
Saturday - Grilled Chicken and Vegetables with Cilantro Sauce, Cilantro Rice, Tomato and Goat Cheese Salad and Fruit Salad