Do you like the making dinner each night? I kind of do. The challenge of coming up with food that most people in my family will like and the chance to try new recipes is a nice creative outlet. I've been using my Pinterest dinner board a lot lately for inspriation. Just this week I made three of our dinners based on ideas found on Pinterest. I've been planning meals on Monday and doing all of the shopping that day so we are set and ready with dinner each weeknight.
We made Lasagna with Spinach and Ricotta Roll-ups on Tuesday night. They were pretty good, but I would add garlic to give it more flavor next time. All of my kids missed the meat that is usually found in my lasagna, but one of the reasons that I made it was because it was meatless. I also added some sauteed bell peppers to a few of the roll ups just to add a few more veggies to the meal.
This was served with a side of one of my favorite salads. It's spinach, sliced strawberries, feta, craisins and candied almonds mixed together and served with a little balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Last night we made Skinny Chicken Broccoli Alfredo. My husband and I liked it, but it wasn't a hit with the kids. I think I'd add more cheese next time. Yes, that does take away part of the "skinny" mentioned in the recipe title, but I really love cheese.
We made this Crock Pot Refried Beans recipe on Wednesday night. I've made these before and really love this recipe. I didn't mash the beans and we just ate them whole in bean burritos. After wrapping our burritos, we browned up the tortillas on a skillet. Simple and delicious meal.
We whipped up some smoothies to have as a fruit side dish.
One of my favorite things to use when I'm cooking is olive oil from Queen Creek Olive Mill. This place is located about 45 minutes from my house, but we haven't been there yet. I plan to go soon. I have purchased their olive oil at a gift shop close to my house and love it.
They infuse their extra virgin olive oils with flavors like lemon, Mexican lime, garlic and even chocolate. It is really so good. I haven't tried the chocolate oil yet, but I hear you can try samples at their store, so I'll have to give that one a try.
Just a little olive oil adds a punch of flavor to sauteed vegetables or grilled meat. If you don't live in nearby, they can ship to you. I'm thinking these would make great hostess or birthday gifts.
On a non-food note, I came across this clever shirt yesterday and love it.
Now that summer is almost here, I am on the lookout for cute t-shirts don't need any layering to look complete.
Hope you have an enjoyable weekend ahead of you. We have a volleyball game, basketball game, choir retreat and will also be watching our church general conference. We have general conference twice a year and watch it at home. We'll be watching in our pajamas while eating a big homemade breakfast. Can't wait for the inspirational family time! Let's just hope we can get through the day without the kids fighting. :)
Thanks for the new ideas - I always run out of inspiration for tea time!
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE that shirt! And your recipes always looks so good. I wish my kids were a bit more adventurous in their food tasting! I used to love to cook, but now it has really become a chore to find things they will eat.
ReplyDeleteThose look YUMMY!! That is one thing I regret about working full time... I always don't have time to cook full meals :( I loveeeeeeeeee the shirt too!!! Toooooo cute!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the ideas! need to get me some of that olive oil!! And that shirt too--I've had that pinned for a LONG time--totally fits me! :)
ReplyDeletethat looks so yummy! and that t shirt is so fun: just what us mamarazzi need!!
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