Week #32 was a relative “No Brainer“.  It began with a family meal with our son, daughter in law and grand girls.  It included some of their favorites.  In fact the 10 year old was almost gleeful as she peeked in the oven to see what was to come.  As she filled her plate she said excitedly, “I love this dinner.”  (Music to my ears!)

The menu consisted of Emeril’s Pork Chops, Parmesan Sweet Potatoes, Glorified Cabbage, Spinach Salad, and Pumpkin Cobbler for dessert.  Let me begin by saying that this particular menu aside from the dessert is a true keeper, the entire menu.

I have prepared pork chops all kinds of different ways in the past, but I don’t bother anymore.  Emeril’s recipe is such a hit each time I make it.  The chops are juicy and flavorful and so very simple to prepare.

Pan Roasted Pork Chops : Emeril Lagasse : Food Network

Total Time: 18 min Prep: 2 min Cook: 16 min Yield: 4 servings Level: Easy Total Time: 18 min Prep: 2 min Cook: 16 min Yield: 4 servings Level: Easy Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 double cut pork chops Salt and freshly ground black pepper Essence, recipe follows Sauteed Cabbage, recipe follows Directions Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F.

As for the sweet potatoes, yet another tried and true.  Again I hesitate to make them any other way.  The grand girls eat sweet potatoes frequently at home.  They are a healthy fundamental  at their house.  I have tried numerous recipes, some sweet, some complicated, some simple, but these savory roasted parmesan potatoes have become another staple.

Baked Parmesan Sweet Potatoes

I have a new found love for Sweet Potatoes. Growing up I thought they were so gross. Now, I can’t get enough of them!! 😀 I think my husband was the one who converted me. I remember when we were dating and we went to Texas Roadhouse.

Another fan favorite…my famous glorified cabbage.  I will need to post this recipe.  It is always a hit.  I am often asked for the recipe, but seldom give it.  Why?  I am surrounded by healthy foodies in this area who tend to turn up their noses at anything with Velveeta on the ingredient list.  This cabbage is bathed in that golden goodness.

The spinach salad is a real wow.  It gets rave reviews and compliments this meal incredibly well.

The Ultimate Fall Spinach Salad

I am so excited to share this fall spinach salad recipe with you! It is amazing. In fact, I am not ashamed to say that I ate two huge bowls of this heavenly stuff after I shot these pictures. I wou…

The dessert was new.  I planned it because there was just enough time after homework for the 10 year old to do some kitchen time.  She loves to cook, especially desserts!  This pumpkin creation proved to be easy and fairly tasty.  I was a little worried about the directions (the addition of water at the end) but not to worry, it turned our great.  The kiddos had seconds and finished it off the next night.

Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

I think I’ve found pumpkin dessert mecca. I love me a good chocolate lava cake, but no other dessert has really ever come close to that pinnacle of delicious. If you don’t like chocolate as much as you like pumpkin, then we are close to something that will blow your mind.

The remaining week #32 menus proved to be a “no brainer” for me.  The ‘Ole Buckeye was assigned his first weekly meal.  We have agreed that Thursday nights will be his responsibility.  More about his first meal on a future post.  The rest of the week was filled with Cook Once/Eat Twice meals, literally a cooking vacation for me!

Friday was a repeat of the delicious Mushroom Leek Chicken, Saturday was a repeat of Broccoli Beef, Sunday Sausage and Peppers, and Monday Rachael’s Sausage and Grapes.  Tuesday ended up being a dinner meeting for the ‘Ole Buckeye and an easy dinner salad for me.  How easy was that!  The exciting part of all of these meals…we thoroughly enjoyed them the second time.  Obviously I prepared a fresh salad each evening and we had a loaf of crusty bread to accompany the Sausage meals to sop up the delicious sauce.

I literally had a week of minimal effort preparation wise and exceptional eating.  Great for the budget and time management!  How much better can it be?