Oct 3, 2011

Menu Planning Monday - 10/3 - 10/9/11

I am so delighted with the every-other-week organic fruits and veggie bins I'm getting from GreenBeanOhio! The lettuce greens, carrots and squash are still left from the bin two weeks ago, and even the lettuce greens are still fresh and crisp!! The difference in freshness of these fruits and veggies vs what I've been buying at my local grocery is remarkable. One bin every two weeks is just perfect for Jeff and I, with some of the fruit going for after school snacks for Mr. B.

My bin this week (arriving Tuesday) includes:
2 apples, 2 oranges, 3 plums
1 Avacado
1 lb. of mixed variety beans (green bean variety)
1 head of brocolli
1 lb. brussel sprouts
1 head bibb lettuce
2 green peppers
1 lb. sweet potatoes
1 lb. heirloom tomatoes

With that in mind, my menu for this week is:

MONDAY
Steak with garlic butter
Moroccan-Spiced Carrots*
(recipe below) (also, see NOTE at end of post)
Steamed squash

TUESDAY
Italian Sausage Subs
with onions, green peppers, diced tomatoes, cheese

WEDNESDAY
Homemade Pizza
made from Tuesday leftovers
Green salad

THURSDAY
Roast Pork Loin
Fresh steamed beans

FRIDAY
Tomato Soup, grilled cheese

SATURDAY
Out to eat!
We're headed out to a community event
to eat food from India
and enjoy a Bollywood Show!

SUNDAY
Leftover Pork Roast
Mashed sweet potatoes
Steamed Brocolli

*This is a new recipe I found when looking for something to do with the carrots I received in my vegetable bin last week. I love the flavors and spices of Indian food, so this is on my list to try this week.

MOROCCAN-SPICED CARROTS
1 lb. peeled carrots
1 tbsp canola oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp curry powder

Cut carrots into "coins" and simmer in water until tender, drain and remove. In same pot, heat canola oil, add ginger, cumin and curry powder. Stir in carrots and season with salt and pepper to taste.

STEAMING VEGETABLES FOR TWO


I prefer steamed fresh vegetables over anything else (frozen, canned), so recently when Amazon asked me to review the Aladdin 32-Ounce Collapsible Steamer Set, I jumped at the chance. Although this little steamer is sold as being perfect to pack to steam veggies at work, I found it the perfect size for steaming veggies for two!

Using this little steamer couldn't be easier. You put 3 tbsp water in the bottom, add the little steamer tray, then your veggies and any spices/herbs you want, pop on the top, pop off the ventilation cover, and microwave your vegetables for 3 minutes. Presto! The veggies are done to perfection. The cooking time needs to be adjusted to the vegetables, of course.

What I also liked about this product is that it collapses down to about 1.5 inches tall - perfect for storage! It's dishwasher and (obviously) microwave proof.

A little pricey right now -- probably because it's a new product -- at $17 and some change on Amazon. But if you ever see one of these for sale, pick it up. It's also perfect for popping a few veggies in for your little ones at lunch time and, as the product is intended, for being able to take fresh vegetables to work for steaming in the microwave.





I post my weekly menus here:




Added later:

Well, I tried to Moroccan Carrots recipe and I must say -- don't bother. Ugh. I hate wasting those carrots! It may be that I'm just not a fan of the spice blend used in the recipe. I do love curry and cumin and ginger separately, so I was surprised how much I DISliked the blend. It seems to me there needs to be some kind of liquid added. After I tried the recipe as written and didn't like the gritty texture of the spices, I did add some orange juice and a tiny bit of lemon, just to brighten up the flavors. That helped to at least make the carrots edible. It's not a recipe I'll try again, unfortunately.

2 comments:

Barbara Arcement said...

I really like to read your blog. I need to me more organized and plan meals for the week.
I also read your Teaching my Daughter to cook blog.
I posted how to make an okra gumbo on my blog. Check it out. I don't usually post receips but I thought I would give it a try!
hugs from Louisiana
beebee

Cooking with Cristin said...

your menu sounds amazing. i love plenty of fresh veggies incorporated into meals. i may look into that steamer as i love steamed carrots!
Here is a link to my Menu Plan/Question of the week
I'd love if you stopped by and checked it out
Have a great week:)