So It's now been at least six weeks since Shana invited us to share what's for dinner. And I am finally getting around to it, in my fashion. When I initially thought that I'd record what we had for dinner, I didn't count on being SOOO busy (which translates to grilled cheese or hot dogs for dinner!yikes!) So I've decided to just choose five or six meals that we've enjoyed from the past month and a half and share them. This does not mean that these are fanciest meals, just the most successful meals (ie everyone enjoyed them!)

Meal #1 Mark's Famous Pancakes, eggs (scrambled or over easy), bacon and hashbrowns.

I got this recipe from Mark after I got back from my mission. And I LOVE these pancakes! Sour 2 C milk w/ ~2 tsp of vinegar (I rarely measure this, just do a glug from the jug.) After the milk and vinegar sit for a bit, beat 2 eggs and add to the milk, then add 1/4 C oil, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 2-2.5 C of flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 2 tsp baking soda. Mix well, then ladle onto a hot skillet. turn when the bubbles begin to pop and the edges begin to firm a bit.


Meal #2 Roast Beef, Rolls, salad, broccoli, canned peaches and corn. This was family dinner...I made the roast and the rolls, SPH-1 made the green salad and steamed the broccoli in the microwave. I cooked the frozen corn in the microwave too. The peaches were ones that I canned two years ago.

The roast was fairly simple: Preheat oven to 450. Season roast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme (crushed), and sage (crushed). Sear each side of the roast for the lovely color. Once the oven is up to temp, place roast in a pan and and then in the oven for 20 minutes at 450. Here's the trick: TURN OFF the oven but don't open it! Let the roast remain in the oven for 20 minutes per pound for a nice medium roast (e.g. our roast was 2.5 pounds and I left it in for 50 minutes after turning off the oven.) If you like yours more well done, leave it in a bit longer per pound, and if you like it more rare, leave it in for only 15 minutes per pound!

And the rolls were the easiest..I just used Rhodes rolls!

Meal #3 Orange Chicken, rice, pears and broccoli.

This is one I feel like I "cheated" on because the orange chicken came from a box from Costco. But it's really good! Just follow the instructions on the box! The nice thing about this meal is that we leave some of the chicken out of the sauce and the kids have "chicken nuggets" with rice and broccoli, while the adults enjoy a slightly more sophisticated dinner of orange chicken and rice!

Pears:open large can of store bought pears

Rice: 1.5 C rice in pan, sprinkle with salt and cover with 3 C water. Put the lid on and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and keep covered on the heat for 20 minutes.

For broccoli, I prefer to use fresh...I can usually get it on sale for 59cents/pound. So I cut it up into good sized pieces --not too big for little mouths, and not too small for getting them on a fork!) Put broccoli pieces into a microwave safe bowl, add about 2 Tbsp of water and cook on high for 4 minutes, or until the broccoli is a bright green, but not mushy! DO NOT OVER COOK! Add a little salt and pepper to taste or a sprinkle of grated cheddar, if desired.

Meal #4 Cheesy hamburger Stroganoff, green beans or green salad, and apple sauce

The last time I made it I felt so good, because Sweetsa actually tried it and asked for seconds! (Now if we can only get Buddy to do the same!)

"Stroganoff": Brown 1 lb hamburger with chopped onion. Drain the grease, leaving meat in pan. Add 2C. water and bring to boil. Add 3 C egg noodles (uncooked). Cover and simmer for 8 minutes, add more water as necessary to prevent sticking. Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 6 oz velveeta or similar cheese product. Or substitute 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Turn heat to low and mix until cheese has melted. Add pepper to taste.

Green Beans are either frozen or canned and heated in the microwave.

Our green salad is simply lettuce (I usually use red or green leaf), carrots, celery, and cucumbers. And Tomatoes if I keep them separated (tomato haters in the family) and when they aren't contaminated by salmonella!

The apple sauce is home canned from last season! YUMMY!

Meal #5 This last meal wasn't really for our family, but for our Mommies' Group (pot luck lunch/playdate) Egg salad and Chicken salad on rolls sliced veggies and cold cranberry apple juice.

For the egg salad, I did the usual preparation (boil eggs, chop etc) and then added miracle whip, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

For the chicken salad, I used my George Foreman grill to cook the chicken breasts I had seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic. Cool and cube the chicken. For three chicken breasts I used 3 ribs of chopped celery; ~1 cup red grapes, halved; ~1C mayo and a few squirts of kraft coleslaw dressing. Mix everything well and serve on sliced rolls. I loved the different taste the grilled chicken gave to the salad!