The 2021 week 4 menu plan is complete and as usual there are carryovers from week 3. Costco had wild salmon! Adjustments were made.
Breakfast
I decided to ask the ‘Ole Buckeye for his breakfast preferences…not only for the week ahead, but in general. His answer…bacon, eggs and grits and pancakes and bacon. Since I dared to ask, I will incorporate his preferences this week following the THM guidelines. (He can combine bacon with pancakes and grits with eggs, while I stay on plan.)
Since I continue to have membership on the Trim Healthy Mama website until the end of February, I have decided to investigate more of the recipes available only through the membership site and incorporate some of them over then next few weeks. I will make the THM pancakes, a favorite and try Aleah’s pancakes which have great reviews. I am also attempting to whittle down some of the untried recipes on my pinterest boards. The Greek Omelet recipe is taken from the Menu Plan Board. I will make a batch of breakfast cookies for snacking and freezing.
(Almond milk in place of milk)
Lunch
In keeping with my plan for having at least one E meal each day, I have planned E lunches over the course of 2021 week 4. The recipes are taken from the membership site, but some were attainable elsewhere on the internet.
Creamy Lemon, Chicken, and Quinoa Soup
(Page 147 Trim Healthy Table and on the Membership site.)
Dinner
Once again the Ham, Beans and Dumplings got transitioned to this week. We enjoyed the wild caught salmon that took its’ place. Aside from several “eat again” meals, I will do an attempt with the Instant Pot when making the Sausage Parmesan Cream Cheese Soup. By request I have added the Greek Meatloaf, an ‘Ole Buckeye favorite.
Sausage, Parmesan, Cream Cheese Soup
Greek Meatloaf
Benington Family Cookbook
Hits and Misses
Breakfasts
The blintz breakfast bake was quite tasty. Initially we ate it plain. The second morning we spooned some Polaner’s all fruit over top which took it to another level.
The key to making the upside down apple cake is prepping the apples the day prior to putting this recipe together for breakfast. The flavor of this breakfast cake is delicious but the ‘Ole Buckeye prefers the texture of the apple/oatmeal preparations, although he did admit that the flavor of this cake was very well incorporated in each bite.
THM Membership Site.
I would be remiss if I didn’t relay my favorite “Beginner’s” Sourdough bread recipe. I have been making bread and after several months (and several pounds) I have gotten it down to a science, although each and every loaf is slightly different.
This week I made a focaccia from the discard. The ‘Ole Buckeye loved it! It was gone before I could get a picture.
Lunches
Wow what a pleasant surprise this cottage cheese salad was. Actually I don’t even know why I choose the recipe because I am not a celery lover in salads, but this was really good. I topped it with candied pecans since I had them on hand from the kale salad I made over the holidays. Even the ‘Ole Buckeye liked it! This will be an E staple lunch and will be particularly good in the summer. Yum!
Dinner
All I can say is that this chicken recipe has been on my radar forever because of so many THMers’ calling it a family favorite. In fact it has been on my menu plan several times, but was bumped because of change of plans. 2021 week 3 it finally made it to the table. Why did I wait so long. The spiced breading on this chicken…delish and the chicken remained moist and delicious. We will have enough for several meals.
I have numerous chicken recipes and many are family favorites, so it takes a very special one to make it into our top 10. This one will be a great addition. Easy to prepare, moist, tender and utterly delicious. Excellent!
Some of my best new recipes are not preplanned. Often I look for new ways to make sides and salads with what I have on hand. This week I had a mix of arugula and spinach I needed to use. I happened to have canned beets and all the other ingredients. What a great salad!
Recap
Once again we have eaten well and enjoyed some new and unique meals. 2021 week 4 looks promising as well with a mix of tried and true as well as some new offerings to try. Healthy eating continues. Bon Appetit.
