Unexpected suprises at Kroger!

On Saturday I drug my whole family to Kroger (if I have to go to the grocery store on the weekend EVERYONE has to go!) I love going to the Marketplace Kroger because I always seem to find something new, unfortunately there is not a Marketplace Kroger in our county, but three within about 10-15 miles of us. Well I was walking up the aisles and for some reason I decided to look at the ingredients in the McCormick Beer Battered Seafood Batter Mix- I was convinced this must have ingredients we could not have in our house, but after looking at the ingredients the only major allergen I found was wheat, so I was pumped. I decided to try my luck and look at the box next to it, which was the Hush Puppy mix, it only contained wheat as well. Plus on both mixes you don't need to add anything that we are allergic to in our house- major bonus!! I also spotted the Private Selection Japanese Style Panko bread crumbs- all the bread crumbs that I have looked at contain milk, eggs and soy (or all three), well these only contained wheat so now I have a bread crumb option instead of making my own. I am planning on incorporating all three of these into my meal plan for next week.

Menu for week of September 25th

Here is the menu for the week (last week we did not have everything as I had planned- we made a trip to City BBQ and that was two meals for us and cereal on our busy soccer practice night so we did not have a couple of the meals)

Sunday- Spaghetti
Monday-Hamburgers and fries
Tuesday-Chimichangas
Wednesday- Stew (I am planning to use some of the carrots from my garden- yum!)
Thursday- my birthday we will be over at my parents
Friday- Chicken and Bacon Florentine
Saturday- Sesame Chicken with Bok Choy (this is a new recipe for me- hopefully we like it)

Sesame Chicken with Bok Choy
Robin to the Rescue by Robin Miller, Page 108

1 tbsp olive oil
4 cups chopped bok choy (stems and leaves)
1 medium red bell pepper (seeded and sliced into thin strips)
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup sake (rice wine)
1 tbsp toasted seasme oil
1 tsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 tsp red curry paste
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the bok choy and bell pepper and cook stirring for 2 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the hot pan. Cook until golden brown about 2 minutes per sides.
In a small bowl wisk together the broth, sake, seasme oil, ginger and curry paste, pour over chicken and bring to a simmer. Return the vegetables to the pan, partially cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat top with cilantro and serve.

My Fisher Price House Party

My House Party was a success! We had four other moms (and two dads!) and eleven kids (all the kids were seven months to four years old) so it was a crazy and loud party! I held the party at 4:00, so I provided snacks (all allergy friendly) the menu was cut up fruit (apples, bananas and cantelope), sugar cookies (milk, egg and nut free- recipe is on my recipe page) and Food Allergy Mama's Spiced Apple Bundt cake (http://www.foodallergymama.com/2010/09/10/dairy-and-egg-and-nut-free-spiced-apple-bundt-cake/). Fisher Price sent me five toys to keep which included Laugh and Learn Learing Kitchern, Lil' Zoomers Spinnin' Sounds Speedway, Laugh and Learn Learn to Move Music Station, Go Baby Go Stride to Ride Dino and Stack 'n Supruse Blocks Musical Croc Block Wagon. The toys that we were given for the party were geared towards ages 6-18 months, but my two older children (2 1/2 and 4) loved them all and still play with them, especially the Lil' Zoomers Spinnin' Sounds Speedway. I think that this toy was the biggest hit. It is a race track that you can race two little cars on. This entertained every kid at the party and even my 7 month old can operate it! we all had a great time. Thanks Fisher Price!

Menu for week of September 20th

Monday- Spanish rice with ground venison

Tuesday- Grilled Chicken and brocolli

Wednesday- Rachael Ray Pasta (this is actually called Shrimp & Shells with Pancetta & Peas and I substitute bacon for the Pancetta) http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/shrimp-shells-with-pancetta-peas/

Thursday- leftovers??? we have soccer practice and a very busy day

Friday- Kabobs with sirloin, mushrooms, onions and peppers

Saturday- Taco salad for the adults, tacos for the kids

Sunday- Spaghetti with homemade sauce

Apple Crisp

I love fall and one of my favorite things about fall is fresh apples. I have been making applesauce, apple pies and apple crisps for years, but I just discovered this recipe about a month ago and I have to say it is one of my favorite apple recipes!

Classic Apple Crisp

From Better Homes and Gardens http:///www.bhg.com/recipes/desserts/other-desserts/american-classics-apple-crisp/

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp kosher salt

2/3 cup soy-free margarine (the recipe calls for butter) cut in pieces

8 cups peeled apples, sliced 1/2 inch thickness

1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tsbp flour

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg


Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 tsp salt. With your fingers work the butter into the mixture until it just begins to cling together.

In a 4 qt bowl toss together apples and lemon juice. In a small bowl combine the 1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar, tbsp flour, salt and nutmeg.

Sprinkle apples with sugar-nutmeg mixture, then with your hands mix together. Heap into a lightly greased 2 qt baking dish. Cover the top of the apples with the crumb topping.

Cover the crisp with parchment, then foil. Bake in the oven 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and paper and return to oven, bake 30 to 40 minutes longer, or until top is golden and apples are just tender. Let cool 15 to 30 minutes before serving.

Menu for week of September 13th

Well I have been MIA for about the last two weeks. Things have been totally crazy with preschool starting, doctors appointments (I think that there have only been a couple of weeks since the baby was born that we have not had at least one doctors appointment per week), soccer, dance class and making tons of hairbows for an upcoming craft fair in November. Anyway, I decided that I should probably should do a menu for this week:

Monday-Country Ribs and beans (I have been planning on making these for a couple weeks, but it just never happened)
Tuesday- Chicken and Bacon Florentine Pasta (this a new recipe for me I found on $5 Dinners)
Wednesday- This will probably be cereal for dinner night (I have my endoscopy)
Thursday- parents
Friday- Grilled Pork Chops
Saturday- Pizza