26 May 2014

This Week in the Charming South Kitchen: May 26

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What's Eatin?

Changing up things for the menu planning!  Just to keep you on your toes!

When we lived in Little Rock, I called my kitchen the Rainwood Kitchen because we lived on Rainwood Road and it sounded like a cool restaurant name.  But, I don’t like the sound of our street here in Marietta in line of a kitchen name.  But, I thought through this name for a little while and really like The Charming South Kitchen.  I am from the south, born and raised in central Florida, moved to North Florida, then made my way to North Carolina for over a decade, with just a few years in Louisville, then to Little Rock, now back to Georgia.  Although I love to travel and love seeing the world – I don’t know if I will ever live outside the south.  I love everything about the south: the beach, the weather, the people, the slow pace of life, the friendliness of strangers.

So, I wanted to bring that out in my food and what I cook for our family and those who eat at our table.  Therefore – the Charming South Kitchen.  I cook a lot of non-southern foods – but the south is now a melting pot – and so it my kitchen!

And this week, I’ll be writing a post about how I menu plan.  Stay tuned!

Monday: Strawberry Spinach Quinoa Salad with those fresh strawberries I picked this weekend at Southern Belle Farms.  Also to celebrate Memorial Day, I am making The Pioneer Woman’s Peanut Butter Pie and we are having watermelon.

Tuesday: This delish dip with some flat out bread I picked up on sale with some peanut chicken

Wednesday: Brinner night with potato pancakes, eggs, and sausage.

Thursday: Date night!!!!!

Friday: Slow Cooker beef for some sandwiches w pea salad (I’m still planning on sharing the recipe soon)

Saturday: Spring risotto from Big Sur Bakery cookbook

Sunday: leftovers

 

 

20 May 2014

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?

We definitely have a busy week with nights where one of us is out of the house.  And I’m learning I just feed the kids when E is at work – me, just snacking as I go – feeding two takes both hands.  And its cool outside while I’m planning this menu, so all I want is comfort food – so you may see that as a result of the weather!  Enjoy.  Please tell me what you are cooking this week too!

Monday: I have a women’s gathering to go down in Midtown so I want something easy I can throw in the crockpot.  Found this chicken and broccoli over rice (which my mister loves) so I’ll have that for me for dinner when he gets home and the boys go to bed.

Tuesday.  One day a week (at least) I love to go purposefully vegetarian.  This week is will be these corn and red pepper enchiladas.

Wednesday: Taco chopped salads (loving this trend of chopped salads and it is colorful and healthy too.

Thursday: Brinner night. Thinking of keeping it simple with eggs, breakfast muffins, and fruit

Friday: Slow-cooker Chicken Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches with a side of apple slaw and some of these mascarpone brownies.  Hey, why not, its Friday.

Saturday: These french bread pizzas will be inexpensive and easy

Sunday: leftovers probably

 

 

12 May 2014

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?

This week is totally not going like it was planned.  I was supposed to be going to Charlotte after I dropped mister at the airport, but then we looked at the budget.  I will so miss time with friends and babies and in a cool place like Charlotte.

But, here’s to cooking at home:

Monday: When I saw this on my feed and realized I had everything and how perfect are pancakes when you are by yourself (and your kiddos) – they freeze well and I have everything for the recipe.  Thanks Kevin for being creative with your pancakes!

Tuesday: Tomato Avocado sandwiches will be for dinner. Simple and fresh with some local french country bread I got at the farmers market last week

Wednesday: Coconut lime ice box pie. Roasted potatoes from the farmers market and some vegetables will be on tap for tonight for a simple vegetarian meal.  For lunch, I’m trying out the Roswell Tea House with a sweet friend.  I think I could eat their whole menu…I want to try everything.

Thursday: Pound cake cupcakes with a lavender buttercream. Can’t wait. These are for ARWB Foodie Friday post. Can’t wait to see how they turn out! For dinner I’m thinking Jiffy Corn waffles are in store. Maybe with some chicken tenders on top for some semi-homemade chicken and waffles.

Friday: That pizza that I still haven’t made yet – yeah, the white truffle one – I’m going to make that.

Saturday: Roasted Swai salad for a late dinner with the mister when he gets off work – don’t know how much my littles will go for it.

Sunday: I think Sunday’s are made for a good brunch meal. Let’s go with a bacon quiche…what’s not to love.

 

5 May 2014

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?

Thanks for giving me a few weeks off from menu planning. I’ve barely got the kitchen unpacked into The Trace Kitchen – and I’m looking forward to trying these new recipes this week.

What are you cooking?

Monday: in honor of Cinco de Mayo – I’m making Willow Bird’s Taco Crescent Rolls and for dinner, chicken fajitas. Mister’s day off was switched this week so I’m trying to get some meal prep done today for the rest of the week. How do you go about meal prep?  Especially if you have small children?

Tuesday: I got some red potatoes at the Marietta Farmer’s Maret over the wknd to make this roasted bake. Looked healthy and delicious!

Wednesday: This is a serious chicken pot pie – and I can’t wait to show you guys some photos of it.

Thursday: To use up the rest of the cream cheese from last night’s meal – I’ll be making some cream cheese mac and cheese. Two days in a row of comfort food!

Friday: Most Fridays I will not be doing much cooking since it is my mister’s only day off every week. I’m thinking of going to a pizza night on Friday nights – fun for everyone and a simple hands-off whole wheat crust and some homemade pizza sauce in the slow-cooker.  I’ll be tweaking the pizza each week.  This week I’m doing a white mushroom truffle oil pizza.

Baking of the week: some homemade granola bars for all of us to snack on during the week!

Maybe I’ll throw in a lime ice box pie this week too!

31 Mar 2014

What’s Eatin?

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What's Eatin?

I am finally learning to be creative in what I cook. So, while I still love recipes – I am having fun playing with them and learning to add my own touches here and there. This week is full of those. Can’t wait to have people around our table this week.

Monday: Brinner. Eggs, grits, bacon, and lemon poppy seed cake with blueberry glaze (recipe to come).
Tuesday: Pulled out a cookbook by one of my favorite chefs – Tyler Florence – and am cooking from his Dinner at My Place book this week. Penne with Spicy Italian Sausage is going down.
Wednesday: A sweet pepper quiche with those lovely little peppers that were on sale this week at Kroger.
Thursday: We are having a date night with a gift card and to see a movie! Yay!!!!!
Friday: Stir fry chicken with some great delicious rice. Rice is cheap and easy!
Saturday: We are cooking together with a family who are friends of ours. We are doing taco night on a Saturday. I’m making Tyler’s Mexican beef tacos. And you know there will be guacamole if I have anything to do with it!
Sunday: Leftovers. I love not having to cook for Sunday lunch. And I am going to be making some brown sugar sandwich cookies with spiced cream cheese filling. So yummily!

27 Mar 2014

What’s Eatin?

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What's Eatin?

Sorry this is really late – but we were out of town, so I really didn’t have to start cooking till mid week.  Here you go – simple things.  Still trying to clean out my pantry and experiment!  What do you like about experimenting with food?  Do you like to be creative?

Wednesday: Mustard and Pinapple Chicken with Lemon Quinoa and broccoli

Thursday: Bolognese Bread Bowls and salad (recipe forth coming)

Friday: Leftover chicken sandwiches and Annie’s Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Saturday: Black beans, corn pancakes, and eggs

Sunday: Caramel bars for our small group and leftovers.

What are you eating this week?

24 Feb 2014

What’s Eatin’?

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What's Eatin?

Eating on a budget.  Yes, it needs to happen.

My husband and I are definitely foodies.  We spend quite a bit for a family our size on groceries each month.  So, I’m going to try to scale it back by 1/3.  Yikes.  But, this cut in budget isn’t so we can do more – but so that we can get out of down quicker so that we can GIVE more.  So, I’ll be looking for yummy, foodie, but cheap recipes.  I need to also use my coupons and use up what is in our pantry, too.

So, here we go.

Monday: since I’ll be making potato soup for a crowd this coming weekend, I’m trying another recipe – this time one of Tidy Mom’s to see if I want to use this one.  Poor husband, we are going to be eating potato soup for a while!  This soup will be being made for our leftovers and lunches this week.  Because on Monday night we are going the soft grand opening of the Main Cheese here in West Little Rock.  This is another opportunity through the Arksansas Women Bloggers – excited.  How wonderful can great grilled cheese be on a cold night!

Tuesday: Salad with leftover Lemon Chicken by Shutterbean.

Wednesday: Sausage Ragu with Spaghetti Squash

Thursday: Cheap, Mexican breakfast food – brinner we call it in America.  I have most of the ingredients of this already!

Friday: Missions dinner at church

Saturday: I will have just spent all day in the kitchen, so I’m hoping for eating out with a coupon!

Sunday: these pancakes and scrambled eggs.  I’m really not an earl gray fan, but I figure there is no harm in trying these – and there isn’t much that syrup and butter can’t fix!

Breakfast will be oats because I have them already.

What are you cooking this week?

9 Feb 2014

What’s Eatin’ #6

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What's Eatin?

This week will be different because of a Grain-Free 4-Day Detox (stay tuned for more on that) and a holiday and some ministry opportunities coming for the weekend. I really do love using my love of cooking for ministry opps – everyone loves food, right?

Monday: Making something similar to this pork roast and serving it with sweet potatoes and sautéed apples. Think cracker barrel.

Tuesday: Sautéed seafood with taco seasoning – think Taco Tuesday – with a salad (my husband will more than likely have it with a tortilla and cabbage).

Wednesday: Cabbage and Kielbasa.  I’m trying to win my husband over with this meal.  It is something I loved when growing up and now I’m just making it because I had the kielbasa on hand and needed a cheap meal.

Thursday: DATE DAY!  Since our marriage retreat got cancelled a few wknds back, my hubs took the day off and we are doing us-stuff.  That includes conversation, coffee shops, and lunch date!

Friday: Chocolate-covered strawberry pop tarts for Valentine’s Day breakfast, Crack Cookies to take to some widows for VDay – more on that later as well, stay tuned – and then my hubs cooks me a rather awesome steak each year on VDay and with it we are having roasted fingerling potatoes and asparagus.  Don’t know about dessert yet.  We shall see.

Saturday: Having some friends over for a brunch on Saturday morning.  These rolls will grace the table.  This sparkly beverage.  And a delicious quiche.  Keeping it simple.  But, delicious.  And about friends and conversation and a pretty tablescape.

3 Feb 2014

What’s Eatin’? #5

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What's Eatin?

Here we have a new month.  That means a new grocery budget.  But, I need to work hard this month still not to go over!  So, here is what I am cooking this week at Rainwood

Monday: Tonight we are having friends over – a triple date here at the house with kids.  Looking forward to it.  Stuffed Shells and Chocolate Dump Cake.  (Salad and bread are being supplied)  I’m making a double batch of the shells and will have leftovers I can freeze for us later.

Tuesday: I’ve got an AWB event to go to but I’m making Chicken Street Tacos in honor of Taco Tuesday.

Wednesday is soup day around here.  Since it is still going to be cold this week, I’m making Creamy Chicken and Kale Soup – a great way to get in those healthy greens full of vitamins.

Thursday: We are doing leftovers.

Friday: If all goes well we are spending Friday and Saturday with friends, but I have salted caramel sauce and smores pop tarts on the menu

What are you eating this week?

27 Jan 2014

What’s Eatin’? #4

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What's Eatin?

Well, here we are – the end of the month. I’m trying to stay within my grocery budget for the first time – well, ever… My husband will thank me later!
So, we’ve got about 20$ left and I have to buy some things for the older boy.
Monday: Cilantro Lime Quinoa with Black Beans
Tuesday: Breakfast Tacos (because neither of us were hungry for them last week).
Wednesday: Chicken Salads. We love these – probably have them once a week. Healthy, quick, lighter dinner.
Thursday-Saturday – we are out and have date money! Yay!
Two things I’m baking:
Snickerdoodles for dessert on Tuesday night – part of my ELR14 cooking. And I’ll package some up for the friends who are watching our littles this weekend.
Cinnamon Toast Muffins: for Wednesday morning reading session and then for the Mister and I to take on our getaway.
What are you cooking this week? How do you stay on a budget when it comes to the end of the month?