MMC 30-Minute Menus for July 18, 2010

Summer is in full swing here in Atlanta. I love the fresh vegetables and fruits this season offers! The menus this week are just full of all of nature's bounty that we can get locally. I hope you enjoy your local produce, too.

The Dilled Tilapia Bundles with Asian Stir-Fry (Friday) and Fire Cracker Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa (Saturday) both make wonderful company dinners. They have a nice flair and speedy dinner prep; a great combination when company is coming. All you need is a special beverage and an appetizer course. I have some appetizer suggestions at 'Party in a Bag'! For instance, the 'Italian Buffet' with: Parmesan Wedge and Tuscan Olive Cheese Ball; Prosciutto; Figs, Apricots, Melon, and Asparagus Spears; Red Pepper & Romano Bruschetta Topping and Artichoke Pesto; Asiago Cheese Crackers and Baguette; Stuffed Gourmet Olives. This appetizer course will go great with both menus plus it offers local produce on the veggie tray.

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.
• 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:
Chicken Parmesan (boneless, skinless chicken breasts, jarred pasta sauce, sliced cheeses)
Pasta of Choice (boxed pasta)
Zucchini (purchase extra squash for Thursday)
Stacked Caprese Salad (sliced mozzarella)
Fresh Peach Tarts (prepared tart shells, raspberry jam; purchase extra peaches for Thursday)

Monday:
Summer Time Baby Bleu Salad (vegetarian; bagged salad greens, bottled vinaigrette)
Crusty Bread of Choice
Chocolate Kissed Coconut Macaroons (shredded coconut, chocolate morsels; save some chocolate morsels for Saturday)

Tuesday:
Thai Pad Shrimp (cleaned and deveined shrimp, Thai peanut sauce mix)
Angel Hair Pasta (boxed pasta)
Cuke and Honeydew Salad
Strawberry Shortcakes (sponge cake shells, frozen or canned whipped topping; save some whipped topping for Thursday)

Wednesday:
Fiesta Chicken (boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Ro*Tel canned tomatoes)
Yellow Rice (boxed rice mix)
Corn on the Cob
Fresh Fruit Salad (vanilla yogurt for dressing)
Banana Pudding (purchased vanilla wafers, instant pudding mix)

Thursday:
Pork Cutletts with Mushroom Sauce (sliced mushrooms)
Pasta of Choice
Steamed Squash Medley
Peaches and Cream (frozen or canned whipped topping)

Friday:
Weeknight Dilled Tilapia Bundles (puff pastry)
Asian Stir-Fry (frozen stir-fry veggie mix)
Tossed Salad (bagged salad greens, cherry tomatoes, jarred salad dressing)
Tuilles with Ice Cream (tortillas, purchased ice cream)

Saturday:
Fire Cracker Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa (canned pineapple and chilies; fresh pineapple and chilies are also good if they are available)
Sauteed Pierogies (frozen pierogies)
Green Beans
Fresh Baked Jumbo Cookies

Get inspired for your weekly menus at OrgJunkie!

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