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Monday, March 19, 2012

Menu Monday - Dear Working Mom

this is not me but it could be!
Dear Working Mom,
I don't know you or your situation, I only know mine, but I feel incredibly bonded to you today. No one really, I mean really, gets all that we go through to take care of our family... except us.

Or maybe you have it all under control and I'm the only one drowning this week. And by drowning I mean head-under-water-gasping-for-air-drowning. I'm not able to keep anything a float. I've dropped the ball so many times with the important things that I've completely lost my ability to keep a handle on the little things.

And with that truth I struggle. I struggle because I never wanted to be that mom that had too many kids to keep an effective eye on each of them, to not know where my kids were, or where they needed to be ...

My humongous calender on the wall is of no use if I can't even find the time to write our commitments on it.

Nonetheless, despite all the times I've blown it this week, we still had to eat. My tribe began their daily ritual of pestering me at 4 o'clock waiting for the food to appear on their plates. I had to feed my family.
 So here's what we had this week. It's short and sweet and to the point. The only thing quicker than this week's menu would have been to order pizza or hit a drive-thru but since our budget can't accommodate that here's how we got by. It's Menu Monday on To Write a Better Story. I wish you quick healthy meals that despite however you busy you are, you find the time to gather your team around the table for an imperative time of connectivity!

SUNDAY Brunch Apple French Toast

MONDAY Chicken 'Sketti
(recipe doubles easily and freezes well!)

TUESDAY Popcorn Chicken Wraps

WEDNESDAY YoYo
(Your On Your Own)

THURSDAY Ruebens & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Pioneer Woman's Perfect French Fries (ok! fine! the fries aren't super quick but I made them the night before and lemme tell you ... it beats frozen fries ... hands down!)


FRIDAY Tacos


SATURDAY Super Nachos
(use leftover taco meat)

We also had Sugar Cookies decorated like Shamrocks for St. Patty's Day and when cleaning out the pantry I found 2 neglected boxes of Rice Krispies and marshmallow fluff....viola! Rice Krispie Treates!

If you love recipe hunting online like I do check out the Organized Junkie's website. She has a wonderful Menu Plan Monday link-up!





Baked Apple French Toast

I've saved this recipe for over 20 years. It was served to me at a women's brunch when I was newly married and still finding my way around the kitchen!

image from mykitchenquest.blogspot.com
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 c butter
2 Tablespoon corn syrup
2 large Granny Smith apples peeled & sliced
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
9 slices of French Bread

In a small saucepan cook brown sugar, butter & syrup till thick - about 5 - 7 minutes. Pour into an ungreased 13x9 pan and arrange apples on top. In mixing bowl beat eggs, milk & vanilla. Dip bread into egg mixture for 1 minute. Place over apples. Cover and refrigerate over night. Remove 30 minutes before baking. Bake uncovered at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

yum!


Chicken Spaghetti





Bake a Chicken and de bone it. Or buy a Rotisserie Chicken and de bone it. Or buy any chicken and put it in a pot, cover it with water and boil it. Then de bone it. Either way I think you have the idea.

Then cut celery, onion, green pepper, red pepper and a clove or 2 or 3 of garlic. (all the veggies and how much of them you want is optional, of course) in a sauce pan with 1 stick of butter.

Cook 2 large boxes of spaghetti (use a huge pan) and rinse with cold water.
Mix noodles, sauteed veggies, chicken and
6 cups chicken broth
4 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cans of tomato soup
Worcestershire sauce and salt & pepper.
Divide the creation in half I used two 9x13 pans
Freeze if you wish.
Bake defrosted 350 for an hour or so.