Weekly Menu and Food Prep

Food Prep.  Yes, it is a great thing but man, it takes me hours the day after shopping to get it all done!  Garden season is coming on strong so there are tons of fresh veggies and fruits in the market.  It's great for eating but a lot of prep!

What is pictured:  Watermelon, Blueberries, Strawberries, Carrots, Celery and Cucumbers for dipping plus a bowl of cucumbers I will add vinegar/water/sugar too to make "pickles" for snacking, Corn on the cob, Chicken breasts - some for eating this week and some for next week and a pork loin, divided, some for this week and some for next week.  My fridge is FULL!

This past week was extremely hot but we had to eat at home as much as possible due to finally caving in and buying a second a/c window unit  (I wouldn't really say "cave" but more like having the discretionary funds to buy a small unit finally happened.) BUT we did eat out if the Heat Index hit 100 degrees or higher :-/  I'm still without my crock pot so our two options were the stove top or grilling . .. grilling was our best optoin (so thankful for the small gas grill that was given to us last year!!) and ate a lot of Chips and Salsa.  This time of year, I have a hard time planning a menu - my kitchen is so warm  . . .I really don't enjoy cooking.  I'm already looking forward to the first really cool day in the fall so I can make a great pan of lasagna :-)

Here is what we have planned for eating this week:

Friday - Tacos - this is supposed to be the lost 90+ degree day - I figure I can cook the meat early in the day and just reheat it.  We would grill but they are forecasting some big storms!

Saturday - I'm going Scrapbooking for the evening and eating dinner there; I'll leave it up to Darryl what to "serve" for dinner. 

Sunday - The Beach :-)  Even on days my husband works, we have found that we love going to the beach.  We got our favorite pizza last week so this week, we'll do a picnic and get ice cream.  I'm thinking about doing Sandwiches this week - "gourmet" for Darryl and I and PB and J for the kids along with some chips and salsa, fruit and pickles. 

Monday - Crispy Cheddar Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/gravy, corn and biscuits

Tuesday - Hot Dogs, Macaroni Salad and chips (supplied by my mom since I'm going scrapbooking during the day and my parents are coming over for the day)

Wednesday - Darryl has practice so the kids and I will get something out, assuming Darryl's car is fixed - I'll have some Mac and Cheese on hand just in case.

Thursday- Pan Fried Pork Chops, Mac and Cheese, green beans, and bread

As far as sweets . .. I still have a cake I would like to make if the weather is cooler as well as a couple of pies I'd like to try otherwise it will be store bought cookies and ice cream :-)