Menu Plan For Week of August 1

August is here!!!! This means fair time and also the start of a new school year. It is hard to believe in just a couple of weeks, I will have a third grader. UGH!! Where did all the time go? So, for summer fun to subside and fall to begin here is the menu for the week. This second to last week of summer is a busy one for us. I am finishing up another semester of school, and trying to get the kids ready for the start of their's. So here is my time saver menu for the week.

Monday--Leftovers(We are smoking ribs and chicken on Sunday)

Tuesday--Caprese Pizza Watch for recipe later this week

Wednesday--Tater Tot Casserole

Thursday--Leftovers

Friday--Gyro Sandwiches

Peach Cobbler Muffins

I was in need of using up some peaches. Here is a great recipe that tastes like peach cobbler in a muffin. This would be great for a breakfast get together. I think cinnamon butter is the best spread for this muffin.

2 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chopped peaches
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Beat eggs, and sugar. Add oil and stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together and slowly mix into wet ingredients. Place into greased muffin pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins. Makes 12 standard size muffins.

August 3 in 30 challenge

Okay, I decided today I am going to take a 3 in 30 challenge in August. My home and blog have kind of fallen apart over the summer, and with my children going back to school, I need to get my life in order again. 

Here are my goals:

Join me as I post at least 3 new to me recipes a week in August. 

I want to be able to find time for my family amongst the chaos in my life

I want to connect with at least 30 new followers for my blog. 

If you want to join me on this adventure check out 3 in 30 and add a comment with your goals.

Homemade Hamburger Helpers/Tuna Helpers

I have been on a "movement" over the last few months.  I have been making all my own mixes etc. to become more healthy.  Many of these recipes taste better than what you are able to buy in the store.  I take usually a day and mix up a batch of these mixes and then use them as I would the storebought counterparts.
These recipes are wonderful additions to family meals.  I needed to find recipes last school year that would allow me to make meals that would keep, since my daughter had afterschool activities most nights of the week.  I made usually one of these meals weekly and added different spices etc. to the recipe to change it a bit each week. 


Italian



8 oz uncooked broad noodles ¼ tsp oregano

1 tbl dried onion flakes ½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp basil ½ tsp salt



Brown 1 lb ground beef. Add 3 ½ cups water, bring to boil. Add 1 pkg mix and 1 cup tomato sauce. Let simmer, stirring often, for about 20 minutes or until needles are just done. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serves 4.



Stroganoff Style



8 oz uncooked medium noodles ½ tsp paprika

1 cup dry skim milk 1 tsp salt

1 tbl onion flakes 1/8 tsp pepper



Brown 1 lb ground beef, 1 cup sliced mushrooms or 1 can mushrooms. Add 4 cups water, 1 tbl vinegar. Bring to boil and add 1 pkg mix. Let simmer, stirring often for about 20 minutes or until noodles are just done. Serves 4



Macaroni and Cheese


8 oz uncooked macaroni 1 tsp paprika

1 cup instant dry skim milk 1 tsp salt

¼ tsp thyme 1/8 tsp pepper

½ tsp dry mustard



To cook: lightly brown 1 lb ground beef



Add: 4 cups water, bring to boil and add



1 pkg mix



Simmer, stirring often for about 20 minutes or until noodles are just done.



Add: 1 cup grated cheddar



Simmer gently, stirring often, until cheese is evenly melted through….serves 4





Tuna and Noodles

8 oz uncooked egg noodles 2 tsp dried celery leaves

1 cup instant dry skim milk ½ tsp dry mustard

1 tbl flour 1 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika 1/8 tsp pepper



To cook: boil 4 cups water, add 1 pkg mix, simmer 15 minutes. Add 1 can tuna. Let simmer, stirring for 5 minutes or until noodles are just done. Serves 4



Tuna-Cheese Supper



8 ox uncooked macaroni 1 tsp salt

1 cup instant dry skim milk 1/8 tsp pepper

½ tsp thyme ½ tsp dillweed



To cook: Boil 4 cups water. Add 1 pkg mix. Let simmer, stirring for 15 minutes. Add 1 can tuna and 1 cup grated cheddar. Simmer 5 minutes or until noodles are just done. ….serves 4



Variation: use grated Italian, Parmesan or Romano cheese instead of cheddar

Beef Kabobs

Last night, I chose to make Kabobs.  I had harvested around 15 cherry tomatoes out of my wonderful little garden.  I had never grown cherry tomatoes before, and was surprised at the quantity of fruit.  I originally planted the cherry tomatoes because I like to have them in my salad.  I was thrilled when I actually had enough to make something out of them. 

Making the kabobs, I used the following marinade and round steak.  I buy my own beef from a local farmer in the spring.  This cuts down on price of the meat.  I used for the first time meat tenderizer on the beef also.  This made a big difference with the tenderness of round steak.  In making the kabobs, I used mushrooms, green pepper, onion, and cherry tomato.  This was a great meal for temps above 90 degrees.  Light and filling. 

Beef Kabobs

Ingredients


1 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup prepared mustard

1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely cracked black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon meat tenderizer (optional)

Directions

1.In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, ground black pepper, garlic, and meat tenderizer. Mix well, and add your favorite meat. Seal the bag, and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours.