Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Dec 1

December Monthly Dinner Menu

The year is wrapping up fast, and I’ve got one more menu for you. I can’t wait to get next year’s calendar and start menu planning all over again, but first thing’s first… Here is my monthly dinner menu for December.

  • 12/1/09: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, Cheese Dip, and Salsa
  • 12/2/09: Chicken Nuggets, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 12/3/09: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried beans, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 12/4/09: Biscuit Sandwiches and Monkey Bread
  • 12/5/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 12/6/09: BBQ Chicken, Corn, Biscuits, and Vanilla Cake
  • 12/7/09: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 12/8/09: Popcorn Shrimp, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 12/9/09: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice, and Chow Mien Noodles
  • 12/10/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 12/11/09: Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Toast, and Stacey’s Bubble Bread
  • 12/12/09: Grilled Chicken, Rice, and Green Beans
  • 12/13/09: Chicken Noodles and Mashed Potatoes
  • 12/14/09: Angus Burgers, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and Fries
  • 12/15/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 12/16/09: Popcorn Shrimp, Macaroni & Cheese, and Fries
  • 12/17/09: Sloppy Joe’s, Potato Chips, and Brownies
  • 12/18/09: Pancakes and Bacon
  • 12/19/09: Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, and Corn
  • 12/20/09: Pot Roast with Potatoes and Vanilla Cake
  • 12/21/09:  Nacho Bar
  • 12/22/09: BBQ Sandwiches and Potato Chips
  • 12/23/09: Bean and Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 12/24/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 12/25/09: Chili, Potato Soup, Cru de te, Crackers, Homemade Bread. Pies and Chocolate Bundt Cake
  • 12/26/09: Lasagna and Garlic Bread
  • 12/27/09: Grilled Chicken, Rice, and Corn
  • 12/28/09: Angus Burgers, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and Fries
  • 12/29/09: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice, and Chow Mien Noodles
  • 12/30/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 12/31/09: Chili, Saltines, and Brownies

December also brings a lot of cookies to bake, and celebrating with family too. Time to get in the kitchen and get to cooking.

Nov 24

Holiday Baking

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Today I’m getting a jump start on my Thanksgiving baking. I’m baking a pumpkin pie for a friend of the family. I’ll also be baking one for us too,  I might try and hold off on ours till a little closer to Thanksgiving. The kitchen is smelling good though!

Nov 15

Christmas Cookie List

I’ve got a preliminary list for this holiday season’s cookies, and the count is now up to around 81 dozen. Here is what I’ll be baking and candy making over the next few weeks…

The cookie list:

  • Blackberry Thumbprints
  • Strawberry Thumbprints
  • Peach Thumbprints
  • Snickerdoodles
  • James Favorite Oatmeal Cookies
  • No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
  • Candy Bar Cookies
  • Sugar Cookies
  • Wedding Cake Cookies
  • Thade’s Super-Awesome Double Chocolate Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Cookies

I’m also making candies this year…

  • Peanut Clusters
  • Brownie Bites
  • Chocolate Leaves (these might become mint chocolate leaves)
  • White Chocolate Peppermint Bites

I would love to attempt to make Peanut  Butter Bon Bons too, and I just might add a few more cookies to the list too. I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen and get to cookie making.

Nov 1

November’s Dinner Menu

This month I’m making a slow return to cooking. I planned my menu a few months ahead, and planned for plenty of easy meals. My hubby has also volunteered to pick-up dinner a few nights here and there too, while I’m recovering from surgery. I hope to get back to full swing soon. Here is my monthly dinner menu for the month of November.

  • 11/1/09: Chicken Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, and Fries
  • 11/2/09: Nacho Bar
  • 11/3/09: Pizza Night (frozen, not homemade)
  • 11/4/09: Sloppy Joe’s and Fries
  • 11/5/09: Popcorn Shrimp, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 11/6/09: Dinner Out
  • 11/7/09: Lasagna and Garlic Bread
  • 11/8/09: Pot Roast and Potatoes
  • 11/9/09: Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/10/09: BBQ Beef Sandwiches and Chips
  • 11/11/09: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice, and Chow Mien Noodles
  • 11/12/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 11/13/09: Waffles, Bacon, and Apple Juice
  • 11/14/09: Chicken Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, and Fries
  • 11/15/09: Grilled Chicken, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, and Chocolate Bundt Cake
  • 11/16/09: Angus Burgers, Grilled Cheese, and Fries
  • 11/17/09: Chicken Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, and Fries
  • 11/18/09: Sloppy Joe’s, Chips, and Brownies
  • 11/19/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 11/20/09: Sausage, Eggs, Bacon, Biscuits, and Apple Juice
  • 11/21/09: Appetizer Buffet
  • 11/22/09: Chili, Saltines, and Brownies
  • 11/23/09: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/24/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 11/25/09: Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 11/26/09: Happy Thanksgiving- Turkey and all the Trimmings, including a Pumpkin Pie
  • 11/27/09: Pancakes, Bacon, and Apple Juice
  • 11/28/09: Turkey Leftovers and Sides
  • 11/29/09: Turkey Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Apricot Bundt Cake
  • 11/30/09: Angus Burgers, Grilled Cheese, and Fries

The menu might change here and there depending on what I have on hand, and also if I feel like cooking. November is going to be an interesting month in the kitchen.

Oct 10

Dude Food

Although desserts are my very favorite thing to make, occasionally I have to make a meal that is just for the guy’s.

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Since I have 3 of them in the house, I though I would share a few of their favorite Dude Food meals.

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Grilled Hot Dogs are one of their favorites. I grill mine indoors on a grill pan, mostly because I shouldn’t be trusted with a outdoor grill and fire. They taste just as good, and clean up is really easy too.

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Homemade Pizza is always a favorite of the boy’s.

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I make the dough fresh by using the bread-maker, and I like to see what is in the pantry for toppings. Dylan loves cheese, Thade loves pepperoni, James likes Chicken and Black Olives. I can’t eat any of it though, cause the little girl isn’t a fan. BBQ beef is also really tasty on homemade pizza.

I also love to serve meals “buffet style”. I set out a few platters, and everyone can make their own plate of their favorite foods.

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When I’ve got the coupons, I make an appetizer buffet. Take a look at the freezer section of your favorite store, and look for some good deals. I usually pick up 3-4 items, and call it good. The appetizer buffet is always different, but a big hit with the family. It is also super fast too.

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The Nacho Bar is one thing that you will see on my monthly dinner menu at least once or twice a month. It is super simple, and guy’s love it. Everyone makes their own Nachos, and no complaints even out of my pickiest eater.

Lastly our newest family favorite… Breakfast for dinner.

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Usually Breakfast for dinner night falls on a Friday, and every week it is something different. Bacon and pancakes are some of their favorites. I like biscuit sandwiches, and cinnamon rolls too.

Dude food nights are definitely fun, I wonder if I can convince the guy’s to have a vegetarian Nico’s favorite meal night…