Shen's Kitchen http://shenskitchen.com Family food, healthy lifestyles Mon, 07 May 2012 16:40:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Menu – Week of May 7 http://shenskitchen.com/2012/05/menu-week-of-may-7/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/05/menu-week-of-may-7/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 16:40:00 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=324 As we slide deep into spring, the rain (what little we had this year) is becoming a memory, the temperatures are rising and the farmer’s markets are bursting with goodies.  The busy schedule is starting to slow down and I don’t have quite so many things I have to plan around.  Meals will more often [...]]]> As we slide deep into spring, the rain (what little we had this year) is becoming a memory, the temperatures are rising and the farmer’s markets are bursting with goodies.  The busy schedule is starting to slow down and I don’t have quite so many things I have to plan around.  Meals will more often be cooked outside – which tends to make them more simple, and salads and fresh raw veggies start showing up more frequently. Especially as my Tower Garden takes hold and I start getting abundant back yard veggies!

 

Monday African Chicken in Peanut Sauce (This was moved from last night. We wound up eating at the hockey rink)
Tuesday Brisket and coleslaw
Wednesday Herb and Garlic Tri-tip
Thursday Garlic Chicken
Friday School Carnival
Saturday Turkey Burgers
Sunday Rotisserie Pork Roast

 

]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/05/menu-week-of-may-7/feed/ 0 Menu week of April 30th http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/menu-week-of-april-30th/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/menu-week-of-april-30th/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 00:27:06 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=321 MAY DAY! CINCO DE MAYO!   Actually, other than it being my Dad’s birthday, I have no clue if there is a special celebration traditionally observed.  Cinco de Mayo will involve Mexican food. We’re not of Mexican heritage, but any excuse to cook up good food and party right?!

Spring has definitely taken hold and the rainy [...]]]> MAY DAY! CINCO DE MAYO!   Actually, other than it being my Dad’s birthday, I have no clue if there is a special celebration traditionally observed.  Cinco de Mayo will involve Mexican food. We’re not of Mexican heritage, but any excuse to cook up good food and party right?!

Spring has definitely taken hold and the rainy days are coming to a close here. That means lots of opportunity to grill food.  I need to start moving my menu’s in that direction. Oddly, everything this week is cooked inside. It’s ok, plenty of summer to come!

Mangoes were on sale this week. This will come in handy!  Now to hit the farmers market on down the road and get lots of local avocados. Cinco de Mayo requires guacamole. (Well, my son considers it a staple, but definitely for the carnitas! )

 

Monday Chicken with Artichokes
Tuesday Slow cooked lam with garlic, lemon and rosemary
Wednesday Salisbury Steak
Thursday Mangolicious Tilapia
Friday Steak with balsamic mushroom sauce
Saturday Carnitas
Sunday African chicken with Peanut Sauce
]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/menu-week-of-april-30th/feed/ 0 Weekly Menu – April 16 http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/weekly-menu-april-16/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/weekly-menu-april-16/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:01:24 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=318 Taxes are due to day. Really I think that should be cause for a big celebration meal(because the task is DONE) – but we’re going to playoff hockey instead!  Hockey nights mean portable food to take to my man so he can have a healthy dinner too.  No use planning to live to 120 if [...]]]> Taxes are due to day. Really I think that should be cause for a big celebration meal(because the task is DONE) – but we’re going to playoff hockey instead!  Hockey nights mean portable food to take to my man so he can have a healthy dinner too.  No use planning to live to 120 if he kicks off in his 70s or 80′s right?!  So healthy food for my guy.

 

Monday Chicken and black bean chili (sans corn for GAPS)
Tuesday Burgers, broccoli salad
Wednesday Island Kielbasa
Thursday Coconut Lentil Soup
Friday Chicken pecan wraps
Saturday Grilled Steaks
Sunday Apple thyme chicken

 

 

 

]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/weekly-menu-april-16/feed/ 0 Menu for April 9! http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/menu-for-april-9/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/menu-for-april-9/#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:27:51 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=314 Ah, the post Easter week ham fest.  Actually, I didn’t plan too many ham menus, because my son is dancing about excited for all the ham sandwiches he gets to make for breakfast and lunch while he’s on break.  I’m also going to be gone one night, and the kids said not to plan anything, [...]]]> Ah, the post Easter week ham fest.  Actually, I didn’t plan too many ham menus, because my son is dancing about excited for all the ham sandwiches he gets to make for breakfast and lunch while he’s on break.  I’m also going to be gone one night, and the kids said not to plan anything, they’ll just wing it.   My son can cook, and he’s actually very good at it, but apparently he doesn’t like me to plan it for him.  I imagine one day he’ll learn the value of meal planning! (like when he moves out)

Sunday is Tax Day. I considered making the meal a ration of bread and water, but that whole “allergic to wheat ” thing stopped me.  oooo, Does that mean we actually have until midnight on the 16th to file taxes?  Interesting…..

Some people have asked about GAPS – everything, if not already GAPS legal, easy super easily modified to be GAPS legal.  I’m still primarily GAPS, with random potatoes from time to time, and less picky about which veggies to pick up. I still don’t eat grains or dairy.

 

Monday Cumin rubbed ribeyes
Tuesday Southwest ham soup
Wednesday Chicken with mushrooms, spinach and ginger
Thursday Split pea and ham soup
Friday Winging it!
Saturday  Redheaded Chicken (I made this up, If it’s any good, I’ll talk about it!)
Sunday Poached halibut with bacon vinaigrette

 

]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/menu-for-april-9/feed/ 0 Weekly Menu April 2nd http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/weekly-menu-april-2nd/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/weekly-menu-april-2nd/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:36:48 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=309 I have a short menu this week. My daughter is on a school trip, we have the final regular season game of the year for hockey and then EASTER, which will deserve its own post.  I’ll have lots of GAPS legal yummy things on my Easter Menu.  Well, maybe not LOTS, one thing I’m trying [...]]]> I have a short menu this week. My daughter is on a school trip, we have the final regular season game of the year for hockey and then EASTER, which will deserve its own post.  I’ll have lots of GAPS legal yummy things on my Easter Menu.  Well, maybe not LOTS, one thing I’m trying to do is pare down my menus. I tend to go hog wild cooking for holidays and at best there will be 6 of us.  Who am I kidding? There will be lots of food. YAY!

 

But for this week, enjoy these ideas for the dinner table. I think we found the magic recipe for mayo – so chicken salad tonight. :)

Monday Mendocino Chicken Salad
Tuesday Steak with Apple-Horseradish relish
Wednesday Coconut Chicken
Thursday Pasta with Peas and Sausage
Friday Chicken Fajitas
Saturday Out to dinner
Sunday Easter!!

 

 

 

]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/04/weekly-menu-april-2nd/feed/ 0 The Hunger Games! http://shenskitchen.com/2012/03/the_hunger_games/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/03/the_hunger_games/#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 23:37:28 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=304 I never posted last week, but yesterday we did a “Food of the Hunger Games” party.  My local paper had a recipe contest for foods featured in, or inspired by the book and movie The Hunger Games.   My daughter is a raging fan of the series and we took her to the moving opening weekend. [...]]]> I never posted last week, but yesterday we did a “Food of the Hunger Games” party.  My local paper had a recipe contest for foods featured in, or inspired by the book and movie The Hunger Games.   My daughter is a raging fan of the series and we took her to the moving opening weekend. So the party with some friends was a blast.  Any reason to get me cooking!

We made Lamb Stew (sorry, forgot to take a picture!).  It was good, but we all agreed the plums didn’t really stand out.

Effie's Emitic We did, however, make Effie’s Emitic . It is essentially a Shirley Temple with a cotton candy garnish.  Can we say “OMG SUGAR BOMB!”  Yes, yes we can.

 

The Adult version had  a shot of Whipped Cream vodka in it.  Yes, an Emitic is a syrup designed to make you vomit, and this was certainly sweet enough to succeed. In fact, I didn’t actually try it – I’m not a fan of sweets to begin with and this sounded over the top.

 

The Kids liked their version though. :)

 

We also had rolls, goat cheese wrapped in basil and blackberries for an appetizer

Goat cheese and berries

 

 

For dessert we had the goat cheese and apple tarts. Those went before I could get the camera out!   I made them with real goat cheese and real wheat crust, so I only had one small bite – everyone said they were amazingly tasty though!  Based on the one small bite I dared, yes, quite tasty!

It was a fun little reason to try making new foods – and our family and friends had a blast!

That’s what I really hope for , all in all – good food, good friends and lots of fun!

]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/03/the_hunger_games/feed/ 0 Weekly Menu March 12 http://shenskitchen.com/2012/03/weekly-menu-march-12/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/03/weekly-menu-march-12/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:00:22 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=300 March! My husband has some Irish in his background, so we take the Shamrock by the stem this week and celebrate! Really, it started out as an excuse by my husband to convince me to make corned beef.  He loves it. (So does my son) I hated it for most of my life, but after [...]]]> March! My husband has some Irish in his background, so we take the Shamrock by the stem this week and celebrate! Really, it started out as an excuse by my husband to convince me to make corned beef.  He loves it. (So does my son) I hated it for most of my life, but after developing a technique for making it, I actually enjoy it myself now.  It doesn’t hurt that Whole Foods came into my life and now I can get a pretty darn good quality corned brisket! That really does make a difference.

This week is pretty screwy however. We have 2 birthdays, one on either side of the celebration of a nut-job saint.  My grandfather, turning 91 and still driving my grandmother crazy. My Mother-In-Law also has a birthday this week, and so do friends of my son. So! While I have my Irish meals planned out, I’m not sure how elaborate we’ll get this week. DH may elect for the Irish Food Fest to take place next weekend when we can properly prepare.

Ready for dinner?

Monday Beef Burgundy
Tuesday Chicken Cacciatore
Wednesday Brazilian Fish stew
Thursday Moroccan Chicken
Friday Corned Beef
Saturday Irish Lamb Stew
Sunday Chicken Fajitas

 

 

]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/03/weekly-menu-march-12/feed/ 0 Weekly Menu – Feb 13th! http://shenskitchen.com/2012/02/weekly-menu-feb-13th/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/02/weekly-menu-feb-13th/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:00:53 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=297 Ah, the life of a hockey mom. We have a tournament this weekend, and in typical fashion, I make my menu Sunday night/Monday early morning – and the hockey tournament schedule is not posted yet.  So I have to plan easy meals that can be ditched or put together quickly those days.  Otherwise we have [...]]]> Ah, the life of a hockey mom. We have a tournament this weekend, and in typical fashion, I make my menu Sunday night/Monday early morning – and the hockey tournament schedule is not posted yet.  So I have to plan easy meals that can be ditched or put together quickly those days.  Otherwise we have a nice mellow week.
It’s Valentine’s Day!  Given the kids schedule, I’ll probably go out to lunch with my honey, and make a nice meal at home for the family. I probably won’t make the actual prime rib listed in the menu (sorry honey!) cause that would take more work than I can manage with the afternoon schedule, but I like the reduction sauce. I’ll probably make a basic roast to go with it.   The Halibut recipe is easily adaptable to chicken, which is what I’ll do for the kids since they don’t like white fish (or any fish in DS’s case).  Yes, the cheesecake is GAPS legal and dairy free. Just swap honey for agave and off you go. It is AMAZING. I’ve made it in the past – and even my real-cheesecake-loving DH said it was amazing.  Make it, you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Valentines Day!

Monday Almond Crusted Tilapia
Tuesday Roast Beef, GAPS legal cherry chocolate cheesecake
Wednesday Florentine crepe cups
Thursday Serbian beef potato bake
Friday Turkey Burgers
Saturday Burgundy Beef
Sunday Carnitas
]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/02/weekly-menu-feb-13th/feed/ 0 Weekly Menu January 30th http://shenskitchen.com/2012/01/weekly-menu-january-30th/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/01/weekly-menu-january-30th/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:25:20 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=293 Also known as “The end of GAPS Intro!”   Last week the menu planning was nearly pointless. Both kids came down with the  stomach flu going around. The boy was out for the entire week on bread and broth. The girl fell on Thursday and was only sick for 3 days.   Husband and I basically did [...]]]> Also known as “The end of GAPS Intro!”   Last week the menu planning was nearly pointless. Both kids came down with the  stomach flu going around. The boy was out for the entire week on bread and broth. The girl fell on Thursday and was only sick for 3 days.   Husband and I basically did meals for us and a lot of soup with the kids.  It was kinda like going back to week one of Intro!

Both kids are healthy again this week (and back in school – YAY!),  the hockey team is at home this week, the girl starts Archery lessons and the boy has a hockey tournament this weekend.   What’s not to love?

Monday Bratwurst and Kale
Tuesday Chicken and Lentils
Wednesday Tacos with coconut flour tortillas
Thursday Hungarian Goulash (Sans flour and honey instead of brown sugar)
Friday Manhattan Clam Chowder (I haven’t introduced dairy yet. We’ll stick with red chowder)
Saturday Chicken in Wine
Sunday Pork roast with sweet potatoes
]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/01/weekly-menu-january-30th/feed/ 0 Weekly Menu – January 23 http://shenskitchen.com/2012/01/weekly-menu-january-23/ http://shenskitchen.com/2012/01/weekly-menu-january-23/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:25:30 +0000 shendoah http://shenskitchen.com/?p=290 I’m coming along on the GAPS intro reboot.   I’ve introduced a few things early, done things a bit differently because, well, it gets boring.   You can read about it over on my health journal if you like.

But this post is about FOOD!   Winter decided to show up here, finally.  It’s been cold and [...]]]> I’m coming along on the GAPS intro reboot.   I’ve introduced a few things early, done things a bit differently because, well, it gets boring. :)   You can read about it over on my health journal if you like.

But this post is about FOOD!   Winter decided to show up here, finally.  It’s been cold and wet and windy, perfect weather for soups, stews and savory dishes set on a table near the fireplace.

Unfortunately, daughter and I are already starting to feel the shift to spring. We’re wanting lighter foods, not so much the heavy ones. It’s not yet salad season, but we’re starting to feel the shift.  As one season fades into another, it always makes for interesting menu planning!  On the fortunate side, it is a mellow week for us, so we’ll enjoy the fire place as a back drop to our meals.

All of these are easily adaptable for GAPS.

Monday Meatloaf, lima beans, mashed potatoes (for the non GAPSters)
Tuesday Chicken Diane with mushrooms
Wednesday Hungarian Goulash
Thursday Grilled chicken with spicy spaghetti squash
Friday Pork chops with butternut squash and cranberries
Saturday Baked Salmon with kale
Sunday Thai Chicken Curry

 

]]> http://shenskitchen.com/2012/01/weekly-menu-january-23/feed/ 0