On This Week's Menu

And dinner doesn't have to be fancy to be delicious.  I do have to have a plan to make it happen, however.  So here it is...this week's plan: 

Balsamic Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Oven Fries, Chimichurri Corn and Cole Slaw. 

I mix 5 cloves of minced garlic, 2 T. balsamic vinegar, 2 1/2 t. sea salt, 1/2 t. pepper and 2 T. EVOO and coat a 3-4 pound pork tenderloin preferably the night before you grill it.  I made Bobby Flay's cole slaw, which is basically a head of shredded cabbage, 2 grated carrots, some grated onion, 3/4 c. mayo, 2 T. sour cream, 2 T. vinegar, 2 t. sugar, 1 t. mustard, 2 t. celery salt and pepper.  Easy and so much better than store bought.  The oven fries are russet potatoes peeled, sliced to your liking and then soaked in water for at least an hour.  Then dried well or else the won't be crispy, seasoned and baked at 450.  My sil made them last weekend and they were so good and much healthier than store bought.  The corn is from Its All Good.

Chicken Caprese, Cauliflower with Chick Peas and Quinoa.

Stuff chicken breasts with fresh mozzarella and basil leaves and cook in a baking dish with tomato sauce of choice at 350 for 30 minutes.  The cauliflower dish is another from Its All Good.  I make the quinoa in homemade chicken stock and top it with some chopped herbs.

Pasta Two Ways and salad. 

Carbonara for the kids and with sautéed kale and topped with a poached egg for the adults.  Not homemade this week, but maybe fresh if I get to the Italian market.

Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas, beans and fruit.

This is a super simple, make ahead meal that we all like.  Mix enchilada sauce and buffalo sauce.  Mix shredded chicken with green onion and Monterey Jack cheese.  Pour some of sauce in chicken.  Fill tortillas with chicken mixture and place seam side down in baking dish.  Pour reaming sauce over enchiladas and top with more Jack cheese.  Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes.  Garnish with gorgonzola and cilantro. 

Thursday is always leftover night and Friday is pizza night.  Saturday we keep open for entertaining or dining out.