The menu plan for week 24 is complete. It will be a very “social” week and many of my evening meals are dependent on what is being served at those functions. We also have a variety of commitments during the day. I plan to do a lot of my cooking in advance so meals are ready to heat and serve. By prepping ahead I can actually rearrange what is being served on a daily basis depending on ever changing schedules.
A face book post lead me to a blog last week listing her favorite recipes from the original Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook. Top 10 Recipe Picks Several of the recipes I have already tried and they are among our favorites as well. I am interested in several others, among those several beverages. I have decided to incorporate several of these over week 24 and 25…Frosted Cinnamon Muffin Page 276, Shake Gone Nuts page 411, Wonder Wraps page 204, Slow Fajitas page 53, Chocolate Fat Stripping Frappa page 418, Trimmy Rich page 430, Chocolate Waffles page 265, Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook.
Breakfast
The breakfasts planned during week 24 include several meals from the freezer as well as more servings of the Sausage and Ricotta Breakfast Casserole. It has become our number one S breakfast. I am also incorporating some of the “top 10’s” I have yet to try.
Lunch
The lunches for week 24 revolve around my huge pot of Zuppa Toscana, eat again quiche and a new taco chicken casserole.
Taco Chicken Casserole THM S
Dinner
The dinners planned for week 24 include only 3 meals prepared by me. Every other evening is a night out or a celebration of some sort. Be aware that even though I have a “night off” from cooking, the dinners out are the most difficult for adhering to the THM eating plan, but they are the most fun.
I did make one change to last week’s menu. I added ribs to Tuesday (since they were on sale and very meaty), which moved the sloppy Joe casserole to Thursday. It is yet to be determined if I meet up with the sailors in Cape Charles on Saturday (our actual anniversary). Depending on how the ‘Ole Buckeye feels after his weekend of racing will determine scheduling our anniversary celebration.
Recap Breakfast
This is our current favorite breakfast casserole. In the past I used regular pork sausage since that is what I had on hand. This time I used Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage. The casserole was the best!
Sausage and Ricotta Breakfast Casserole
Recap Lunch
Always a lunch favorite that feeds us many times over and we do not tire of the flavor. This time I used the drippings from the pulled pork (full of collagen) as well as the chicken broth. Still delicious and very healthy!
Zuppa Toscana
Recap Dinner
I have tried a lot of preparations for pork loin, but this continues to be my favorite. The recipe is based on a recipe from Paula Deen. It always smokes up the house!
I think I have mentioned in the past that I am on the constant lookout for cauliflower rice recipes. This recipe for a roasted cauliflower rice caught my eye, but I was slightly skeptical so made a partial recipe. I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, this may be my favorite, although the ‘Old Buckeye just says “Please don’t call this rice.” He is not a fan of this method of disguising cauliflower. He is a rice lover and aside from tortilla chips and bread, rice may be one of the things he misses most on the Trim Healthy Mama eating plan.
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Rice
Ahi is on the menu when it is BOGO! I made it a new way! It was good but I prefer the peppered version.
Seared Ahi Tuna
Be still my heart! Not only is this salad beautiful and company worthy, but it is absolutely delicious. As long as the tomatoes are in season I will plan to showcase this treat.
Stacked Tomato and Buratta Salad
Whenever baby back ribs are on sale at Fresh Market I add them to the menu. Often that happens over the weekend as a Saturday/Sunday special. This recipe is great on a busy day. Once it is in the crock pot it can be forgotten until dinner.
Another family favorite side has been born. Ina’s fennel gratin is a winner! I didn’t have the white wine and did not use the bread crumbs…only Parmesan. This will definitely appear on the meal rotation. The fennel would be good with nearly every protein.
Dinner in the Park
Our Friday dinner was shared with East Beach neighbors in the park. My entire family ordered gyros from Pittsburg’s Best and while not on plan, they were delicious.
Friday Concert in the Park
We are looking forward to the Friday ahead.
This week the concert in the park series will continue on Aug 9 with the band Exploding Sun .Exploding Sun is a guitar driven Alternative Rock trio that employs a number of styles, from hard edged pop and blues rock to melodic indie and even folk. The food truck line up includes A Bite of Maine, The Smoked Biscuit, and Joysicles Gourmet Pops.As a side note, from our neighbor Jenny Jenny Bozman Henderson…”We will be saying Arrivederci to neighbors and social committee chair, Sherrie and Brian Coyle, as they will depart for Italy in a few weeks. Please feel free to bring an Italian themed dessert item to share. Look for red tablecloth covered tables for the desserts. “
Recap Desserts
Believe it or not I still have frozen cranberries. When I spotted this recipe I decided to give it a whirl. Success. I have served these as dessert on two separate occasions and they were a hit. They are the most “cake like” recipe that I have tried and I love the pop of tart flavor offered by the cranberries. These will be great during the holidays.
The other dessert I tried was the frozen yogurt. It appealed to me because as a fuel pull, I could use it at the completion of any meal or as a snack. I must have over churned it, because it is hard a a rock and takes forever to soften, but I do like the flavor. I will definitely give it another go.
Something New
I put my avocados on the countertop to ripen. When they are ripe I put them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They do not ripen any further and remain ready to eat as long as 2-3 weeks. It is amazing. Sometimes they look past prime, but they remain fresh and delicious inside.
Last week was definitely a week of great eating, especially with the addition of some incredible sides. Week 24 will be filled with celebration. We will eat, drink, and enjoy special moments. Here’s to healthy eating and enjoying life. Cheers!
