Baby Shower time.

Tomorrow I am helping with a baby shower for a cute friend. My mind has been buzzing for the last couple weeks with ideas, and I'm so excited for it to finally be here! Check out what I'll be making for that--oh, and for my family for the rest of the week. ;)

*Monday: Ultimate Nachos

*Tuesday: Cobb Salad with Parmesan Crisps, Cream Puffs (don't be intimidated-these are the easiest things anyone could every make--see recipe below), Asparagus Tart & Fruit Parfait cups (for these I'm just getting a variety of fresh berries, placing them in cute cups and topping with a dollop of freshly whipped cream) Seriously AMAZING cupcakes are being made by my baker friend Annie.

*Wednesday: Baked Ziti with bread & salad

*Thursday: Hamburgers on the grill & Sauteed Zucchini, Peppers & Tomato Salad

*Friday: Pizza for the kids--date night for Burke & me!

*Saturday: Leftovers

*Sunday: Homemade Hummus & Pita Chips

CREAM PUFFS

-1 c. water
-1/2 c. butter
-1 c. flour
-4 eggs

Heat oven to 400*. Bring water and butter to a rolling boil on the stove. Stir in flour. Stir vigorously over low heat about 1 minute or until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs all at one time; continue beating until smooth. Drop dough by scant 1/4 cupfuls about 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until puffed and golden. Cool and fill with desired filling. Dust with powdered sugar. Refrigerate until serving.

Easter Week!

*made these for a friend who we took dinner to. I needed the fastest, easiest cookie recipe(Burke actually made these!). So I resorted to the "cake box cookie". Go HERE for the delicious, yet super un-healthy recipe. We rolled them in granulated sugar (rather than powdered), dipped in melted chocolate, then coconut, and placed baby eggs on top for the nest effect.

I am super excited about Easter. I've been waiting for weeks to have a reason to make a Carrot Cake. But don't start thinking this blog is all about sweets...I have some other yummies up my sleeve that are much happier for the waistline. Check it out:

*Monday: Leftover Chili. This stuff is incredibly delicious. And healthy. I don't think I'll be able to make Chili with meat for a long time now...

*Tuesday: Roasted Pepper/Onion Hummus (mix Garbanzo beans, Tahini, roasted veggies+garlic, olive oil, salt & pepper in a food processor) & Parmesan Crisps with Corn on the Cob

*Wednesday: Chicken Quesadilla Pie

*Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs...it's been WAY too long since we've had this. I always make my own meatballs with ground turkey, garlic, bread crumbs, eggs, parsley, worcestershire sauce, shredded parmesan cheese and anything else I feel like adding. I form them into balls, brown them in a pan on the stove, and then bake for about 20-30 mins in a casserole dish with the spaghetti sauce. We'll have a green salad to round out our meal.

*Friday: Homemade Panko-Crusted Fish Sticks with dipping sauce and Sweet Potato Fries

*Saturday: Leftovers

*Sunday: Happy Easter Day! Because we don't get home from church until 4pm, I'm making this meal as simple as possible. We'll have a Glazed Ham, Asparagus Tart, Scalloped Potatoes with Leeks, Arugula Salad with Strawberries and Carrot Cake for dessert. Anybody want to come join us for Easter Dinner???

a menu

This week, we are eating:

*Monday: Leftovers from our Father's Day feast!

*Tuesday: Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables (Burke's request)

*Wednesday: BBQ chicken (I will just grill up some chicken breasts with our favorite--"Sweet Baby Ray's" sauce--this was Ryder's request) with sweet potato fries & Corn and Radish Salad

*Thursday: Bean Burritos with Avocado (or if I'm feeling extra generous, I'll make guacamole :)

*Friday: Pizza Night!--getting ready for our big Bizarre/Fair/Fundraiser to support Haiti tomorrow! I'll be baking all day (I'll post pics/recipes next week) and definitely won't have time to make dinner...thank goodness we have coupons for Giordano's.....yum...

*Saturday: Leftovers

*Sunday: Grilled Salmon with Spicy Honey-Basil Sauce & Garlicky Roasted Asparagus