Meal Plan 16!

July 22nd - July 28th

This might be a little off since it's only Thursday and I haven't done a meal plan since early July {and I didn't follow it all that well?!} Anyway - this meal plan will be for an odd week {Fri - Thur} because I am hitting the grocery store tonight for the first time in a long time aaaand because we'll be leaving next Fri for Tonasket.

The first week of August we'll get back on track... promise. :)

Uno: Grilled Chicken with Rosemary & Bacon
Due: Panda Express Orange Chicken
Tre: Beef w/Snow Peas
Quattro: Pioneer Woman - My Favorite Meatloaf
Cinque: Pad Thai... I'm a little nervous about this?!?!

The Grocery List:
6 Boneless skinless chicken breast
Fresh rosemary
Bacon
Scallions
Oranges
Flank steak
Snow peas
Ground Beef
Rice noodles
Fish sauce
Bean sprouts
Lemon

Baja Chicken Taco Pizza

I think a recipe post is way overdue :) This was from a couple weeks ago but I'd been really been wanting to utilitze my bread maker and what better way than to make some pizza crust dough! I have to say, this turned out awesome! I've made it by hand many times but it's never been like this.

I found this recipe

CDKitchen.com but there are hundreds of similar recipes online.

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup and 2 tbsp warm water
• 2 tbsp oil
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp pizza seasoning {not in the original recipe} 

Directions

1. Place ingredients in pan in order listed or as directed per machine instructions. Select white dough cycle.
2. When machine is finished, remove and form into crusts. Top with desired toppings and bake at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until crust is light brown.

Now, on to our "desired toppings." :)

 

I like to experiment with my homemade pizzas so this week I found the

Baja Chicken Taco Pizza in my Simple & Delicious magazine. I also have to make a "regular" pizza for Adam just in case he doesn't like my creation :) His usually includes a garlic alfredo sauce, mozzarella cheese, chicken, grilled onions and mushrooms. Topped with a little cheddar cheese.

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup ranch salad dressing
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 1 prebaked 12-inch thin pizza crust {obviously, I used the homemade version above}
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 2 medium ripe avocados, peeled and thinly sliced
 

Directions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the salad dressing, salsa, lime juice and cilantro. Cover and process on high for 1-2 minutes or until smooth; set aside. In a small bowl, combine chicken and taco seasoning; set aside. 
2. Place crust on an ungreased 12-in. pizza pan. Spread salsa mixture over crust. Sprinkle with the chicken mixture, tomatoes, onion and cheese. Bake at 425° for 17-20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with lettuce; top with avocado slices.

Word to the wise... don't taste the sauce before it's cooked. It totally tastes weird and I thought I'd had a horrible recipe on my hands... it turned out SO good. Even Adam liked it and he doesn't usually care for recipes like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

Goodbye July?!

Where the heck did July go???
In one short week we'll be traveling over to Eastern Washington to watch two of our very best friends, Justin & Marah, get married and of course celebrate our own anniversary. And there went July!

We've been so busy though. It seems Adam is loving his new job over here {minus the drive of course - 80 miles per day?!}, he's taken up an old hobby of his - golfing! So he's been doing that once a week or so. Also, he's found a different sort of fishing love... I guess you can consider it fishing - for crabs?! :) So that's adding a little variety to our dinners!

As for me, I started my photography class early in the month and am enjoying that - I've learned a lot already! I've also been trying to have either lunch or drinks with my sister at least once a week. I've been horrible at planning meals this month but things should get back on track next week as we're headed out tonight for a "big" grocery trip. I've also found a new love - since my parents have a treadmill - running jogging :) I call it jogging because I can't seem to go any faster than 5mph lol. But I'm up to 3 miles - not consistently but I can reach that on most days. I haven't lost any weight but I'm feeling better and I guess that's all that matters right? {I just keep telling myself that.}

And then there's my little busy Landon... and by busy, I mean everywhere. Seriously. He's got his 15 month 16 month {oops} appt next week so we'll see just how much he's grown! And we get to meet his new pediatrician as well. He's got 6 teeth now - the last two popped in and we didn't even notice! I think they took literally like a couple of hours each, it's kind of crazy. He's still sleeping great. We desperately need to find a replacement "blankie" for his prescious green one that grandma got him. He threw it in the toilet the other day and about had a meltdown when I went to wash it - thank god it wasn't right before naptime! Which brought us to the toilet lock. What a PITA! for Adam and I... but, it's doing it's purpose for Landon's sake so we just have to deal. He's still only saying one word... Ball. And everything - I mean everything - is a ball. It's amazing though, he points at birds and planes and everything in the sky. He loves things that fly. He's still eating everything in sight too - and still hates oranges :)

Hopefully I've updated well enough - it seems to have been a while since I posted a real update on us. I'll do better {don't I always say that?}

I almost forgot! :) Here's a little love from our 4th of July! Hope everyone had a happy one!

Adam getting ready for the "big" show!

Our visitors for the weekend! Pepper & Chase :)

Pork Chops Stuffed with Bacon & Gouda

Yum.

That is all... really :)

This recipe came to my e-mail inbox from my daily recipe from Allrecipes.com and I included it in my meal plan this week cause the hubs loves gouda cheese. I use it whenever I get a chance. It turned out really good with a few variations that I've indicated below. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 (2 1/4 inch thick) center-cut, bone-in pork chops
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cheese, bacon, parsley, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
3. Lay the chop flat on cutting board, and with a sharp knife held parallel to the board, cut a pocket into the pork, going all the way to the bone, but leaving the sides intact.
4. Stuff cheese mixture into pocket, and close with a wooden toothpick. Brush meat with oil, and season with salt and more black pepper.
5. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, or until pork is done. Careful not to overcook!

**I noticed after a few minutes that the cheese started to melt and ooze out so I seared in the grill marks and then finished off in the oven for about 15-20 minutes on 350 degrees to keep all the cheese contained.**

Tonight we paired with Pyramid IPA beer :) YUM! But Allrecipes.com recommends a Resiling and they are usually spot on with what they suggest. I hope you enjoy!