Menu Plan Monday October 19, 2009

I was out of town last week on vacation (pictures and stories will come soon), so I missed the deadline to post my menu plan. I did have a success the week before: White Bean and Sausage Rigatoni from my Better Homes and Garden's cookbook. I wasn't sure about this. It looked yummy, but was different from what I normally make. Ben and I both agreed that this was a very delicious dish for a nice change of pace from my usual chicken or ground beef, but not something we'd prefer all the time. I'll add it to my 6 month rotation!

White Bean and Sausage Rigatoni from Better Homes and Garden's New Cookbook (2002)

Ingredients:

8oz dried rigatoni (2 Cups)
1 15 oz can white kidney, Great Northern, or navy beans, rinsed and drained.
1 14 1/2 oz can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
6 ounces cooked smoked turkey sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/3 c snipped fresh basil
1/4 cup finely shredded Asiago or Parmesan cheese.

Make: Cook pasta, drain, return to saucepan. Meanwhile, in a large sauce pan combine beans, undrained tomatoes, and sausage. Cook and stir until heated through. Add bean mixture and basil to pasta; stir gently to combine. To serve, sprinkle each serving with cheese.

Notes: I didn't have fresh basil, so I used dried. It still tasted great, but I know the fresh basil would've been even better. Next time, I'll cut back on the pasta...maybe to 6 oz. It overwhelmed the rest of the ingredients.

On to this week's menu.

Sunday: Hot dogs (prepared by my hubby!) and applesauce. I had time to bake some Peasant Bread from the Grocery Cart Challenge. This was a new recipe for me. It was delicious! Ben likened it to the tasty bread they serve at our local Italian restaurant. I cannot wait to add this to our cookbook.

After dinner to do: put ground beef in fridge to thaw.

Monday: Roast Chicken with stove top scalloped potatoes (a new recipe) and applesauce or pears.

After dinner to do: form porcupines.

Tuesday: Porcupines (another new recipe for me) from Finding Joy in my Kitchen. I'll serve this with pears or applesauce and glazed carrots and glazed parsnips. I've never had parsnips before, so I thought I'd give it a try. I only bought one just in case we don't like them!

after dinner to do: cook ground beef and cut up chicken for the Chimichangas. Thaw chicken broth for refried beans. Thaw meat for beef stew.

Wednesday: Oven Fried Chimichangas. I'm really looking forward to this new recipe from The Grocery Cart Challenge. It could be a nice change of pace from usual tacos. I may use both beef and chicken. I'll likely serve it with corn, a fruit salad, and possibly homemade refried beans if I get a chance to prep them in the morning.

Thursday: Crockpot Beef Stew with pears and applesauce and some more peasant bread (if there is any left : ))

Friday: Leftovers!

Saturday: Eating Out

For more menus and recipe ideas, visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie.