fall, finally!

Sorry, but I am just one of those people who can't get enough of fall. I LOVE when the air begins to chill, and I can break out the sweaters/boots. And I even get a little excited for winter. Go ahead, hate me. But I like that I don't have to feel depressed half of the year because I'm cold. :) One reason the cooler weather is so amazing to me is all of the baking/cooking opportunities I can take advantage of now that it isn't so hot out! So get ready for some home-cookin' casseroles and lots of warm soups!!! I'm SO excited!!!

*Monday: Never got around to our Salmon & Roasted Root Vegetables yesterday for dinner (we were too busy eating cinnamon rolls!). So we'll try it tonight!

*Tuesday: Sweet Potato Soup with Blue Corn Tortillas

*Wednesday: Spinach & Prosciutto Lasagna

*Thursday: Leftovers

*Friday: Tamale Pies

*Saturday: Steak with Roasted Carrots & Onions

*Sunday: Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo (Ryder is begging for me to make this again!) with a green salad

this week--

Here is our menu for the week!

*Monday: Cafe Rio (yes, I'm serious! My Mom is on a plane RIGHT NOW coming from Utah, with a lovely gift for me in her suitcase. I can't wait!!!)

*Tuesday: Grilled Chicken with Corn and Slaw--I sort of feel like Paula Deen putting this on my menu :) I guess I did get it from Southern Living...

*Wednesday: Mediterranean Melt with Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips

*Thursday: Shrimp Pad Thai

*Friday: Date Night!

*Saturday:Leftovers

*Sunday: Grilled Steak with Tomatoes and Scallions, Green beans and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

this week...

...we are eating:

*Monday: Thai Steak salad & challah bread (from Whole Foods)

*Tuesday: Eggplant Parmesan

*Wednesday: Herb-Crusted Salmon with Spinach Salad

*Thursday: Chili (HAVE to try this recipe...click on the link and I think you'll see why ;) & cornbread muffins (from Whole Foods...again. We tried one last week and they are TOO good. So good that I had to think of a main course to go with them for this week. :)

*Friday: Leftovers

*Saturday: Leftovers

*Sunday: Best Enchiladas (see recipe below) with mucho avocado


BEST ENCHILADAS

-2 cooked, shredded chicken breasts
-1 c. corn
-1 c. black beans
-chopped cilantro
-1/2 chopped red bell pepper
-small chopped onion
-shredded cheese (2 c.)
-enchilada sauce (either your favorite recipe or 2 packets of the storebought mix)
-2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce (if using storebought mix packet)
-water
-whole wheat tortillas (t pkg.)

Mix first 6 ingredients, plus 1 c. cheese and 1 c. enchilada sauce in large mixing bowl.
Fill each tortilla with mixture, roll and place in greased 9x13 dish.
Pour remaining sauce over prepared enchiladas and sprinkle remaining cheese on top
Bake at 350* uncovered for 20-40 mins (or until heated through)
*May be prepared ahead of time and chilled in fridge.
*Serve with sour cream and avocados/guacomole.

Good Eats...

I hope everyone had a FABULOUS Valentine's Day! We sure did. Our heart pizzas were fantastic (we had a bbq chicken pizza with shredded chicken, cilantro, red onions, bacon and cheese, as well as a fresh mozzarella--key ingredient--pepperoni, tomato pizza). It was fun to have the Noorda's over as cooking partners-again. :) And now, here's another week of yummy dinners that we'll be having here in Chicago...

*Monday: White Chili (see recipe below) with cornbread (I've tried many recipes, but one of my favorites is the $0.39 Jiffy cornbread. It is so quick and easy...and CHEAP! And for some reason, it tastes SOOOOO good! You can find it in the baking isle by the cake mixes)

*Tuesday: Black beans and Rice (with all the yummies to go with!)

*Wednesday: Pasta with Proscuitto & Peas (Ryder has a fascination lately with Prosciutto...so we'll give this recipe a try...) & toasted baguette

*Thursday: Leftovers

*Friday: Steak & Onion Sandwiches (these are AMAZING!!!) with Iceberg Wedges (see recipe below)

*Saturday: Leftovers OR possibly date night/out to eat?!

*Sunday: Chicken Curry (we didn't end up making this last week, and I really want to try this recipe...so here's take II) with rice


WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

- white beans (approx. 45 oz/3 cans of your favorites--Great Northern's, Chickpeas, Cannellini's, etc.)
- 2 cans (15 or 16 oz.) chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 TBLSP olive oil
- 2 cans (4 oz. each) chopped green chilies
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 4 c. cooked chicken, boned and diced/shredded
- 3 c. Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- corn (I just like to throw some in...it's not in the recipe, but I think it makes it extra tasty)

Saute' onions in oil until tender. Add chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper and mix thoroughly. Place in large pot or crock pot and add beans, broth and chicken. Mix thoroughly. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Stir in cheese just before serving.


ICEBERG WEDGES WITH THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING

- 1 c. reduced fat mayonnaise
- 1/4 c. tomato-based chili sauce
- 1/4 c. milk
- 2 TBLSP red-wine vinegar
- 2 TBLSP sweet pickle relish
- 1 TBLSP chopped fresh parsley
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- coarse salt
- fresh ground pepper
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, cored and cut into 8 wedges

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, chili sauce, milk, vinegar, relish, parsley, scallion, and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper.
Place the iceberg wedges on a platter or divide among 4 plates; drizzle with the dressing, as desired. Serve immediately.