MomDot Blog Party Day 4- What is your favorite Holiday recipe?

What is your favorite Holiday Christmas recipe?

Probably Hands down Peppermint Dreams.  Don’t be fooled by the name though.  There is a hint of peppermint, but it’s balanced perfectly so as not to be too minty.  I wish I had a picture!

4 egg whites
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 c. sugar
1 12oz package of chocolate chips
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Wip egg whites to foam.
Add salt and cream of tartar.
Beat till stiff but not dry.
Add sugar 2T at a time
Fold in chips and extract
Drop by tsp. on heavy paper. (brown paper bags work best)
bake 25 minutes at 300 degrees.
remove while still slightly warm.

This recipe is very temperamental. Do not cook on a moist day or when you have run the dishwasher!

Menu Plan Monday- September 22,2008

This week is low budget week.  I’m really trying to cook more at home but also make a few cheap meals to save money.  I know hamburger helper is not so glamorous, but the husband loves it… so what can I say?  I’m also trying to clip more coupons and stock up when things are buy one get one free.  This post by Brandi really had an effect on me so I’m on a search to learn more about saving money.  This is an area that is practically a foreign language to me.  It’s about time I learn it.  So add this as habit #3 I’m adding to my life (#1 being diet, #2 being cooking at home more).  

Anyway here you go, a mix of nice meals and low budget meals.

Monday- Spaghetti and Broccoli

Tuesday- Pizza and some green veggie.  (soccer practice and bible study this night)

Wednesday- Hamburger helper and Edemame

Thursday- (Parents come to town) Orange chicken (recipe below), Jasmine rice, and Edemame

Friday- Flank Steak, Roasted red potatoes, Edemame (we eat edemame a lot because it is pretty much the only green the boys like!), and Salad 

Saturday- EAT OUT!

Orange Ginger Grilled Chicken

1/3 c. OJ
3T Rice wine vinegar
3T Soy sauce
1T Minced garlic
1T Minced ginger
1T Sesame oil
6 Chicken Breast

Combine OJ and next 5 ingredients in a large freezer bag, add chicken and chill for at least one hour.
Remove chicken from marinade
Grill covered with grill lid over medium-high heat.

Menu Plan Monday- September 15, 2008

Okay, I haven’t done this one in awhile.  At Organizing Junkie they have a think called Menu Plan Monday.  It’s really more for my planning and accountability than thinking that you really care what I make for dinner each day.  

So here goes:

Monday- Our neighbor gave us some of their left-over Gumbo.

Tuesday- Something we call Wonderful Pasta that was a party staple when I lived in Ohio.  I’ll put the recipe below.  It’s yummy, easy, and great for making bulk… so try it! 

Wednesday- Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli from Real Simple

Thursday- Orange Ginger Grilled Chicken Thighs and Rice with Edamame

Friday- LEFTOVERS

Saturday- Eat out. 

————-

Wonderful Pasta (for 10 people)
1 box penne pasta
4.5 oz basil pesto
3 oz sun-dried tomatos (if soaking in oil let drain 10 min. or so and maybe soak up some with paper towel)
1/2 c. pine nuts
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Parmesan

Boil Pasta
While boiling chop up sundried tomatoes and toast pinenuts. 
Drain pasta and put back in pot.
Mix in pseto thoroughly and add sun dried tomatos and pinenuts.  
Add heavy cream.
*If pesto and tomatos too oily may need less cram.
Add salt and pepper and garnish with parmesan on top.