Friday, March 12, 2010

MMC 30-Minute Menus for March 14, 2010

I sure hope your March weather is better than it is right now in Atlanta! We are having a major thunder storm which brings me to this week's menus - they are hearty but with a hint of Spring. I have chosen a traditional Irish menu for St. Paddy's day this Wednesday so we can all have fun with the special day.

I have helped the budget with the Sunday Roast Beef and Vegetables and then used the leftover beef in the Thursday menu of Beef and Brie Paninis! If your family is not a fan of brie then cheddar, Swiss or your favorite cheese can certainly be substituted.

To celebrate the arrival of Spring, I will host a party this Saturday night. I am serving vegetarian Cheese Stuffed Jumbo Shells; a meat sauce can be used if your family prefers a more traditional sauce. In keeping with the vegetarian menu, I will serve the MMC Party in a Bag 'Quiche Extravaganza' consisting of: chevre logs with red pepper jelly; a quiche variety with roasted garlic onion jam; a fruit tray of strawberries, kiwi, and star fruit with bittersweet chocolate sauce; breadsticks and sesame water crackers.

Do you have a party in your plans? If so, check out the latest feature on my website - 'Party in a Bag'! The Bags are designed to help you pull your party together in 30 minutes - flat! I love to entertain but don't often have the time required to pull off a big, fancy 'do', so, over the years, I have learned a few short-cuts; I will share them with you.

If you are planning a dinner party or family gathering, take a look at the Holiday and Special '30-Minute Complete Menu Plans' on my website. You will find menu ideas to help with your celebration or 'do'.

The Family Meals '30-Minute Complete Menu Plans' are developed to help with both weeknight and special dinner prep. I create Complete Menu Plans using the 30-minute menus from this blog:

  • The Complete Menu Plans give you recipes and step-by-step instructions for preparing the complete meal (not just the entree as most meal plans do) in 30 minutes - flat! I even include a grocery list to save unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
  • These are eComplete Menu Plans so you can purchase the menu plan now and use it for dinner tonight!
  • You won't have to spend your precious time thinking of menu ideas and then looking up the recipes - I will send it all directly to you!
  • You can purchase a Complete Menu Plan for the introductory price of .25 each.
  • You can purchase a Complete Menu Plan for the introductory price of .25 each. If you have found my 30-minute menus helpful, then you must check out the 30-Minute Complete Menu Plans!

You will find that I use several cooking methods, mix and match, to get dinner on the table quickly! (The ingredients in parenthesis show some of my quick-prep steps.) You can always substitute your favorite made-from-scratch recipes when you have more time.

I hope you have a great week!

Sunday:
Roast Beef and Vegetables (crock pot; save leftover beef for Thursday)
Tossed Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing (bagged salad greens, bottled salad dressing)
Ginger Shortcakes with Caramelized Pears (baking mix, canned pears)

Monday:
Chicken Ragout with Penne Pasta (boneless, skinless chicken breasts, boxed pasta, canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, grated Parmesan cheese)
Spinach and Pine Nut Salad (bagged baby spinach, cherry tomatoes)
Southern Fried Apples and Cream (purchased whipped cream)

Tuesday:
Not-Your-Mamma's Tuna Salad with Tomato Salsa (bagged mixed spring greens, canned tomatoes with peppers and onions)
Rolls
Lemon Phyllo Cups (phyllo cups, lemon pudding mix)

Wednesday: (St. Patrick's Day)
Lamb Stew (crock pot)
Peach Mango Salad
Irish Soda Bread (purchased bread)
Crispy Caramel Marshmallow Balls (mini-marshmallows, jarred caramel ice cream topping, rice cereal)

Thursday:
Roast Beef & Brie Panini (beef from Sunday)
Bread and Condiments (prepared horseradish sauce and Dijon-style mustard)
Tex-Mex Salad (canned black beans, corn, tomatoes, pimento, and ripe olives)
Tapioca Apples over Ice Cream (purchased ice cream)

Friday:
Grilled Fish Packets (foil wrapped fish with butter and wine)
Potato Stacks (bagged julienned white and yellow potatoes)
Slaw Wedges (prepared slaw dressing)
Pound Cake with Grilled Pear Topper (purchased pound cake)

Saturday:
Cheese Stuffed Jumbo Shells (vegetarian: jarred marinara sauce, shredded cheeses)
Mixed Greens and Pear Salad (bagged salad greens, canned pears)
Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes (boxed cake mix, canned crushed pineapple)

Get inspired for your weekly menus at OrgJunkie!

I sincerely hope you have fun with your meal planning and preparation,
Elizabeth Randall and Family

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