Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Mar 5

At Home Arby’s

Since we are missing take-out, I’ve got a few faux take-out meals to keep the drive thru temptations away. Last night I made at Home Arby’s, and it was so darn good, it might just be tough to go back to real Arby’s.

I made fresh homemade butter rolls for the sandwiches, and I piled them high with Roast Beef that had been warmed in Beef Broth. I picked up the Roast Beef at the Deli counter for about $5.00 a pound. One pound of Roast Beef made 6 very generous sandwiches.

When we made the Aldi run I spotted a bag of curly fries for just $1.55! I thought this little addition would help the look of this faux fast food meal even more. The best part, we only used 1/2 of the bag for dinner, so we still have a 1/2 bag left for a future meal. This was also a big savings too, for about the cost of a single Arby’s curly fries, I got about 8 servings of delicious curly fries!

I even kept a few Arby’s sauce packets from out last trip to Arby’s, so the boy’s were not without their beloved sauce.

The verdict….. Thade loved it and gave it a thumbs up! Dylan only liked the Curly Fries (same way with Arby’s), and then just wanted a sugar cookie instead. James said that it was “absolutely delicious” and also gave the meal an double thumbs up. I loved it too, it was so tasty, and super fast and easy to make too.

Making the meal at home saved a bundle. The closest Arby’s is 30 minutes away, and that costs a bit in the old gas tank. We also had plenty of big sandwiches left-over for those late night cravings. I will definitely move the faux Arby’s sandwiches into the menu rotation for a fast lunch or a delicious dinner.

Mar 4

Getting Stocked Up To Stay In

Call it March Madness, but I am really looking forward to the “Not Going Out In March Challenge”, but I don’t think my boys are. When I proposed the idea to my family, there were replies of “you are crazy”, “we’ll never make it”, and “I’ll never have a Happy Meal again!” . I’m going to be optimistic though, and say that we can do it, or come pretty close.

Getting ready for the month has been fun too. I worked out a menu plan for Dinner, and then I’ve got the first week’s lunches planned too. I think I’ll even get up extra early and make breakfast for my hubby to take to work, if the boy’s sleep good at night.

I also broke the month down into weekly shopping lists. I went through the list, and took out all of the items that I could find at a better price at Aldi. My best friend Shaunna and I made a big run to Aldi and stocked up for the month. I’ll fill in here and there with more grocery items as needed.

So the pantry is stocked, and I’m ready to go, now if I can just get the boys on my side. Hmmm maybe I can persuade them with homemade brownies.

Mar 3

Lunch Menu 3/1-3/8

Menu planning is one of my favorite things to do, and since we are staying home in March, I’m menu planning for lunch to. My dear friend Marva asked me to share my lunch menu too. I’m planning the dinner menu by the month, but when it comes to lunch I’m planning weekly.

Here is what is on the menu this week:

  • 3/1/09: Sandwiches and Chips.: I stocked up at the Deli on Sandwich meat for the boys… They are already missing Subway.
  • 3/2/09: James and I had leftovers and the kiddos had Ham and Cheese Tortilla Roll-Ups with Macaroni and Cheese. Thade loved the roll-ups, but Dylan wasn’t a fan.
  • 3/3/09: Chili is on the menu today. I made a big crock pot full of Chili on Sunday, we’ll have some for lunch, and then the rest will go into the freezer for future lunches.
  • 3/4/09: Angus Burgers, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and Chips. I made extra Angus Burgers on Monday so I would have plenty for lunch on Wednesday.
  • 3/5/09: BBQ Beef Sandwiches and Chips. Last week I made a Pot Roast for dinner, and I turned that into BBQ beef for this week’s lunches. I kept it in the freezer, so it is ready to go for a fast lunch.
  • 3/6/09: Fish Sticks, Fries, and Macaroni and Cheese. Friday I have a MOPS meeting in the morning, and that is usually when I want to pick up lunch. I have an easy and filling lunch planned, so that way maybe it will keep away the temptation to swing through the drive thru.
  • 3/7/09: Sloppy Joe’s and Fries. I’ve got to take lunch to James at work today, so I’m packing an easy meal that travels well. I’m also using the leftovers from dinner earlier in the week.
  • 3/8/09: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread. This is a great Sunday Lunch, fast and filling.

When it comes to breakfast, I’m winging it! I’ve stocked up the freezer with Waffles for the boys. I’ve also got a pretty decent stash of Pop Tarts and Cereal for busy school mornings. I’ll make toast and eggs for James for breakfast, and if the kiddos would ever let me sleep through the night, I would get up early and send Breakfast Burritos with James too. I’m not much of a breakfast fan, so I’ll grab a coffee or green tea in the morning, and maybe some oatmeal.

I’ll work on next week’s menu this weekend. So far the not going out is going well, but then again we are only on day three…

Mar 2

Homebaked Goodies for Rob

I like to bake my Brother a pie or cake for his birthday, and this year I decided to bake an Apricot Pie.

I made Apricot filling from scratch, and rolled out some homemade pie crust. I like to decorate my pies, so I gathered up a few cookie cutters to make the top crust.

I love how this pie turned out, and James has even requested a “James Pie” too. Now I just hope the birthday boy likes it.

Mar 1

March Monthly Menu

I hate to admit this, but I’ve been bad… Bad about keeping up with my planned menu, that is. I’ve given up and given in all too often to boys begging for take-out, but this month I am going to do better. Spring is on the way, and I’ve got a tasty menu planned, lets see if the boys like it better than take-out too.

So here we go, my Monthly Dinner Menu for March:

  • 3/1/09: Chili and Brownies
  • 3/2/09: Angus Burgers, Fries, and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
  • 3/3/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 3/4/09: French Dip Sandwiches, and Chips
  • 3/5/09: Sloppy Joe’s and Fries
  • 3/6/09: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Tortilla Chips and Cheese Dip
  • 3/7/09: Homemade Pizzas
  • 3/8/09: BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Biscuits
  • 3/9/09: Nacho Night
  • 3/10/09: Beef Stew and Homemade Bread
  • 3/11/09: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, and Cheese Dip
  • 3/12/09: Grilled Chicken, Green Bean Casserole, and Rice
  • 3/13/09: Pancakes, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs, and Toast
  • 3/14/09: Homemade Pizzas
  • 3/15/09: Pot Roast and Potatoes
  • 3/16/09:Angus Burgers, Fries, and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
  • 3/17/09: Steak and Steak Fries
  • 3/18/09: BBQ Beef Sandwiches and Fries
  • 3/19/09: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Tortilla Chips and Cheese Dip
  • 3/20/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 3/21/09: Homemade Pizzas
  • 3/22/09: Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole
  • 3/23/09: Nacho Night
  • 3/24/09: Lasagna and Garlic Bread
  • 3/25/09: Turkey leftovers and tasty sides
  • 3/26/09: Grilled Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Casserole, Corn, and Birthday Cake
  • 3/27/09: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, and Cheese Dip
  • 3/28/09: Homemade Pizzas
  • 3/29/09: Turkey Noodles and Mashed Potatoes
  • 3/30/09:Angus Burgers, Fries, and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
  • 3/31/09: Sloppy Joe’s and Fries

This March is also my “Not Going Out in March” challenge, so I’m pretty sure you’ll see some grumpy posts from my boys.