Another menu--

This week, Burke is out of town almost the entire week. So again, I'm going for simple, simple, simple dinners. With three little rugrats following me around in the kitchen, I need quick/easy ideas to keep everyone happy. Here they are:

*Monday: Baked Potatoes (we didn't have these last week...and they're a favorite, so repeat it is!)

*Tuesday: Black Bean Pie

*Wednesday: "Pig-in-a-Blankets" and green salad. These were one of our favorites growing up. I'll admit, I'm not too excited about this dinner, but it will make the kids happy. :) Simply wrap any kind of "dog" (smokey links, sausages, hot dogs...) in a biscuit with a little ketchup and shredded cheese. Roll in bread crumbs. With the seam side down, place on a baking sheet and bake for 350* for about 10 minutes, or until browned on top and cooked through the biscuit. Kids LOVE making these. I'm pretty sure my almost 5 year old could do them all by himself.

*Thursday: Split Pea Soup with homemade whole wheat croutons (I know it is probably against split pea soup rules to not use a ham bone...but I'm going to experiment...)

*Friday: Out with Burke! He'll finally be home...so we'll probably celebrate and try a new restaurant.

*Saturday: Church Christmas Party (dinner is included--YES!)

*Sunday: Crock Pot Lasagna-The first time I tried this recipe (from THIS book), I was quite skeptical. But both the lasagna addict (Burke) and myself LOVE it! It is SO simple to make, and really tastes delicious. Who doesn't love a good crock pot meal? See recipe below.


Slow Cooker Lasagna

-12 lasagna noodles, uncooked
-1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey), browned and drained
-1 tsp. Italian seasoning
-1 jar (28 oz) spaghetti sauce
-1/4 c. water
-1 carton (16 oz.) cottage cheese
-2 c. mozzarella cheese, grated

Break noodles in half. Place half of the noodles in bottom of greased 4-quart slow cooker. Stir Italian seasoning into meat and spread half over the noodles already in slow cooker. Then layer half of the sauce and water, half of cottage cheese, and half of mozzarella cheese over beef. Repeat layers. cover and cook on low heat 4-5 hours. Do not cook more than 5 hours.