Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Mar 24

What’s For Lunch 3/23-3/28

It is week #4 of the Not Going Out in March challenge, and that means it is time again for another lunch menu. Here is what I’ve got planned for this week’s yummy lunches:

  • 3/23/09:Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, and Stuffing
  • 3/24/09: Chili and Crackers, the kiddos are having Hot Pockets (Thade’s Request)
  • 3/25/09: BBQ Beef Sandwiches and Fries
  • 3/26/09: Lasagna and Garlic Bread
  • 3/27/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 3/28/09: Popcorn Shrimp and Fries

When it comes to breakfast this week I’ve restocked the pantry with cereal for the boys. I am also planning on making a few batches of Homemade Cinnamon Rolls one for home and one for James to take to work. I think I will also make double batch of Banana Muffins too, James and Dylan really like them.

Mar 24

Breakfast for Dinner

I thought it would be nice to mix up the menu a bit, and on Friday the 13th I decided to make breakfast for dinner. Now it sounds pretty simple, but somehow I managed to dirty up just about every pot and pan in the house making all of the options, but the boys loved it.

I didn’t get any pictures, because the meal was gone in a flash! Dylan was thrilled to have Bacon for dinner, and Thade couldn’t resist the pancakes. James loved the Sausage and Eggs, and my favorite was the Homemade Hash-browns.

It was a fun change-up to a routine dinner-time, and I think Breakfast for dinner will find its way onto the Monthly Dinner Menu again.

Mar 19

Take That Pizza Hut

Saturday night has become homemade Pizza night at our house. I like to make the task easier by using my bread-maker to make the perfect dough for two tasty pizzas.

I usually make one large pepperoni pizza and one medium cheese pizza. This week I decided to try my hand at a Pepperoni lovers pizza. I managed to pile on 60 pepperonis, the boys were thrilled. I also decided to make a Chicken and Black Olive Pizza, which has always been a favorite take-out pizza of ours.

Making the chicken and black olive pizza at home was so tasty, and super simple too. These faux take-out pizzas were delicious, and I didn’t hear one complaint about the pizzas not being from Pizza Hut.

I also sweetened the homemade pizza  appeal by making a Chocolate Bundt Cake while the pizza dough was rising. The boys were pretty happy about that too.

I’m already planning out next Saturday’s pizzas. I’m thinking BBQ Beef Pizza is on the menu along with Canadian Bacon and Black Olives. Well Maybe I had better make 1/2 BBQ and 1/2 Pepperoni, so Thade will be happy.

Mar 17

What’s For Lunch: 3/16-3/22

We’ve made it to week #3 in the “Not Going Out in March Challenge”, and it is time to plan another lunch menu for the week. I’m trying out a new recipe and taking some much needed help from the freezer too. Here is what I have planned for this week’s lunch menu:

  • 3/16/09: Beef Burritos, Tortilla Chips, and Cheese Dip
  • 3/17/09: Chicken Rings, Fries, and Macaroni & Cheese
  • 3/18/09: Angus Burgers with Potato Chips and Dip
  • 3/19/09: Sloppy Joe’s and Potato Chips and Dip (on hand in the freezer)
  • 3/20/09: Breaded Fish and Macaroni & Cheese (MOPS is on Friday, and I need a super easy lunch)
  • 3/21/09: Beef Stew and Homemade Bread (on hand in the freezer)
  • 3/22/09: Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry with Rice

I hope that the boys like the Beef Burritos, and I’ve been really missing my favorite Chinese take-out restaurant, so I am looking forward to the Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry.

Breakfasts this week are going to be simple, simple, simple. I’ve got Pop Tarts, Cereal, and Waffles on hand for the little guys. I still have Eggs and Sausage for my hubby. I’m also helping out with MOPS Breakfast this Friday so I will be making a whole bunch of muffins. I might double the batches and have extra on hand for us too.

Mar 15

Not Going Out Week 2 In Review

It looks like we made it through another week, just barely. On Thursday I was tempted to go out and get a Large Cheese Tater Tots and a Route 44 Cherry Coke from Sonic, but I resisted. James keeps saying just how much he misses Wendy’s and Pizza Hut, but he is holding strong too. The little guys are doing well too, but Thade has been asking for McDonald’s and Burger King, even though we don’t have a Burger King locally.

I’m really happy that we have made it a solid two weeks without fast food, and honestly that is a lot longer than I thought we could. My kitchen is still a mess though, and I’ve already used an entire bottle of Ajax dish soap this week.

The good though, I was shocked to see just how little trash there was to go out this week. We only had three kitchen sized bags for pick-up. Usually we have 2-3 trash cans full, and I would bet that the normal pick-up is at least 12 bags. In just two weeks we have decreased our trash by 9 bags, that is huge!

I am also saving a lot in the gas tank. Before the challenge started I put $10.00 in my car, and that gave me 1/2 tank of gas. Two weeks later into the challenge, and I’ve still got 1/4 tank of gas. Not making extra trips out to sit idle in a drive-thru has really saved a lot of gas.

Next week we will start week #3 in the “Not Going Out In March Challenge”, and we’ll see how it goes. I hope we can make it!