Menu Planning

With all the time I'm NOT blogging, I've been menu planning. I work a pretty hectic schedule, so menu planning is the only way I can make sure the hubby and I aren't eating sandwiches every night (not that there is anything wrong with that, but I like variety!). I usually cook Sunday and Monday nights dinner at the same time. Just this past Sunday, I bought a pork tenderloin at the market. In the package, there is actually 2 loins.

For Sunday's dinner, I prepared one of the loins in a marinade comprised of lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. I marinated it for about 4 hours. This was served with roasted green beans and carrots plus some rosemary foccacia bread.

For Monday's dinner, I cut the pork into kebab size pieces. I marinated it in a marinade comprised of lemon juice, orange juice, salt, pepper, chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes. Pork is delish when marinated overnight! I also cut red peppers and onions to be skewered on with the pork. FYI If you have it, mango chutney is a great accompaniment to the skewers when serving. I also prepared a roasted cauliflower, chickpeas, and grape tomato salad in a red wine vinegar dressing. This salad tasted much better the next day, so it is a natural choice for advance meal preparation.

Monday night dinners are usually later than normal in my home. I take a Zumba class until 7:30pm. My husband is actually pretty good in the kitchen, so I trust him to finish executing the rest of our dinner. He was responsible for building the skewers and cooking the couscous to go with our meal.

Like another Food network personality, I don't mind taking a little help when I can. While I enjoy making my own marinara and cream based sauces, I have not been as successful with making my own indian curries. So one of my weekly staples has been Indian curry sauces in a jar. My Super Target carries Patak's curry sauces and they are pretty darn delicious! Throw in some chicken, potatoes, carrots and whatever else you have--delicious Indian food in a hurry. For tonight, we had the Tikka Masala sauce with chicken and potatoes, served with garlic naan from Whole Foods.

So for the rest of the week, Wednesday is a night out with our friends. Thursday - I have a work dinner. So I don't have to worry about cooking again until Friday. I am planning to buy some shrimp and prepare Ina Garten's Roasted Shrimp with Orzo for dinner.

Last week, we dined on Ancho Chile Chicken Tacos, Another Indian Curry (a yellow curry this time around), Steak in a Red wine shallot sauce and fingerling potatoes, Chicken Pesto sandwiches, and a Homemade Pizza with Pesto, proscuitto, mozz cheese and artichokes.

Better stop now--my stomach is growling!

TV, DVD and me (Thanks Kimba!)

I've been in a blogging funk lately. I'm still keeping up with my faves via Google Reader (Hi Andie and Diana!), but I haven't been all that inspired. However while reading one of my favorite blogs All About Kimba, her tv post was light and fun and just the thing to ease me back into blogging.

What I'm watching (and DVR'ing)

Sunday:
The Amazing Race
Kings (giving this a shot!)

Monday:
The Big Bang Theory
How I Met Your Mother
Gossip Girl (DVR'd and watched usually on Wednesdays)

Tuesday:
Biggest Loser

Wednesday:
I used to watch Dirty Sexy Money but that has left us :(

Thursday:
The Office
30 Rock
Millionaire Matchmaker ::hangs head in shame::

Friday (Yes I'm lame like that)
Dollhouse

Honorable Mentions:
Jon and Kate Plus 8
House Hunters
My First Place
What Not to Wear
No Reservations
Iron Chef



DVR'd - recording is set in case we have time to catch up
Barefoot Contessa
Everyday Italian
Throwdown
Basically--I'm all about the Food Network!