What's for Dinner?

I feel like I have been away from my blog for some time.  I need to get back to it and catch up!  What a better way then start with a menu plan for the week! I was trying to think of somewhere to write it but I also wanted to link the recipes from Pinterest so that I could easily get to them when I needed them.  So what better way to do that all in one place than here!  So I'm halfway through the week but I have already planned the rest of this week and next.  We are trying to cut out the eating out a little bit and trim down the budget.  As I'm sure most American's are feeling the squeeze on their wallets and my husband being a Service Member we're not sure what sequestration will do with our near future...BLAH!

Okay! On to more positive talk! FOOD!

Wednesday-

I'm cooking my own beans for this soup later this week, and making Banana Crumb Muffins for snacks and Breakfast.  I might make these cookies too since I got a big bag of banana's from the commissary that were a tad over ripe for $.70

DINNER- I'm going to make these Turkey Meatball's and have them on spaghetti with a salad.  We will have enough extra's that I will freeze for another meal.

Thursday- Possibly a school pizza fundraiser or Homemade Pizza

Friday- Slow-cooker Bean, Kale and Sausage Soup This will be perfect since it will be cold, with flurries/or freezing rain!

Saturday- Baked Salmon, Broccoli and sweet potato faux fries

Sunday- I'm going to try my hand at Homemade Tortilla's to have with Chicken Fajita's

Monday- Beef Stroganoff over egg noodles

Tuesday- AWANA?

Wednesday- Korean Beef (Ground Turkey) We don't eat a lot of beef so I will probably use the 93/7 Turkey since it's a little "beefier" tasting.  We'll have this with a side salad with Toasted Sesame dressing.

Thursday-  This is one of my favorite recipes from Skinny Taste, Sante Fe Chicken.  She has some great Weight Watcher inspired recipes on her site!

Friday- Leftovers and a Movie (Redbox or the Library)

Saturday- Grilled or Baked Chicken, Cowboy caviar, Quinoa

Sunday- Chili or Taco Soup

WHEW!! That was a lot harder than I thought! Now hopefully we can stick to it! I know I have everything to make these recipes already but sometimes I just don't want to cook...or clean.

Tortellini Soup!!

This is by far one of my favorite soups. It's very easy, filling and good for you! I took pictures throughout the process just so I could practice making my first tutorial but this soup is very easy to make, even if your not so big on cooking. I got this recipe from my mom, not sure where she found it but I have also changed a few things.

What you need:

2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 lb Pancetta (chopped) (or bacon)
1 Medium onion (chopped)
2 cloved of garlic (chopped)
6-8 cups of Chicken Broth (heated)
1 large (28 oz)can of Crushed tomatoes
1 can Kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can Great Northern Beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Dried Basil
1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
2 pks of refrigerated cheese tortellini
handful of shredded carrots (optional)
1 small bag of Fresh Spinach
grated Parmesan cheese

Saute Pancetta (I used bacon) in Olive oil until almost cooked, add chopped onion and cook until soft add garlic and saute, do not burn.



While Sauteing heat broth in the microwave or separate pan. once Pancetta, onions and garlic are cooked slowly add broth, crushed tomatoes, pepper, basil, oregano and beans. Bring soup to boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 20 min.


Add 2 pks of refrigerated cheese tortellini (I had one pack of tortellini and one pack of ravioli, still tasted great). You may also add a handful of shredded carrots here or at the end it they are not the thick cut shredded. I like to get my veggies in, great to sneak them to the kiddos too!! Continue to simmer until the raviolies are cooked usually 8 min or so.


Once the raviolies are cooked you can add as much of the fresh spinach as you like. It is ready to serve right away. I like to put the spinach in the bowl and pour the soup over it. I add a little less spinach for my son, he likes it just not as much as Momma. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!! It's great with some nice crusty bread or Some Tastefully Simple Beer Bread!!



Jessica Percifull