Kosher Menu Plan Monday #4

Trying to plan ahead these days, so here is the fourth installation of {Kosher} Menu Plan Monday.

Kosher Menu Plan Monday #4

Mark-A-Roni & Cheese recipe

I have recently been digging out some of my favorite recipes to make up our family's menu for the next few weeks. There are some great ones in my box-some from my grandparents that are over 40 years old. The one below is newer. In fact, it is my brother, Mark's, creation. It was such a hit, it was adopted {and printed so cutely} at his school, Penland, to share with visitors and students. It is one of the favorites at our house as well.



In case you cannot read the above recipe, here it is in plain text:

INGREDIENTS:
~1 lb macaroni pasta
~16 oz container of sour cream
~16 oz container of cottage cheese
~2 cups grated sharp cheddar
~1 1/2 cups grated parmesan
~1 tube Ritz crackers
~3/4 stick of melted butter

Other Options:
**I'm skipping the nonkosher meat ideas** diced tomatoes or spinach

INSTRUCTIONS:
~Preheat the oven to 350.
~Boil water and salt to taste.
~Cook pasta until al dente (slightly firm).
~Combine with cheeses, sour cream and cottage cheese, saving 1/2 cup of parmesan for topping. ~Add salt and pepper to taste.
~If dry, add more sour cream.
~Pour into a casserole dish, and flatten with a spatula.
~Crush the tube of Ritz crackers and combine with parmesan and butter.
~Spread over the top.
~Bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

ENJOY! And let me know if you make it how it turns out.

I will leave you with a picture of my brother and me. Hopefully it makes you smile.

Kosher Menu Plan (pre)Monday #3

YOM RISHON (Sunday)
BREAKFAST: fruit smoothies (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, coconut, blueberries-- the options are endless ;)
DINNER: chicken squash bake
SUPPER: stuffed & topped baked potato (w/ sour cream, cheese, turkey bits), corn on the cob, garden salad

YOM SHENI (Monday)
BREAKFAST: blueberry muffins
DINNER: personal homemade pizzas
SUPPER: veggie burgers, french fries, fruit salad

YOM SH’LISHI (Tuesday)
BREAKFAST: eggs, apples and peanut butter
DINNER: bbq chicken sandwiches
SUPPER: beef stew, chef salad

YOM REVI'I (Wednesday)
BREAKFAST: breakfast tortillas (tortilla w/ turkey sausage, onions, potatoes, eggs, cheese, peppers)
SUPPER: grilled philly cheese steak sandwiches
DINNER: lasagna, garlic bread, salad

YOM CHAMISHI (Thursday)
BREAKFAST: cereal & fruit
DINNER: homemade mac & cheese
SUPPER: orange or sweet 'n sour chicken, green bean casserole

YOM SHISHI (Friday)
BREAKFAST: yogurt with homemade granola
DINNER: turkey& cheese melts, veggie sticks w/ homemade ranch

EREV SHABBAT MEAL:
salmon potato casserole

mozzarella stuffed mushrooms (or peppers)
challah

caesar salad

Christian's chocolate mousse
YOM SHABBAT
BREAKFAST: challah french toast (*prepared ahead of time)
SUPPER: leftovers :)
DINNER: **fellowship dinner potluck**

YOM SHABBAT
BREAKFAST: challah french toast (*prepared ahead of time)
SUPPER: leftovers :)
DINNER: **fellowship dinner potluck**

My Favorite Chicken Salad (with grapes!)

There is a lovely little French restaurant near my parents' house. On occasion, when I felt like splurging, I would purchase a 1/4 pound of their fabulous chicken salad for about $6. That chicken salad spoiled me-- I haven't been able to find anything better, and until recently I never tried to recreate it.
But, there is hope. For my wedding I received How to Cook Everything, which is in my humble opinion the BEST covers-all-the-basics cookbook ever. And I've been attempting recipes I was too intimidated to try before. One evening (yes, I admit to being a late night cooker ;) I decided I WOULD make a good chicken salad.

And, I think I did. Let me know whatcha think.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cooked chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  
• 1 or 2 stalks celery, chopped- about 3/4 cup
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 1/2 c seedless grapes, cut up
• pecans (if you want nuts)
  
• 3/4 c mayonnaise
• 3 T cole slaw dressing (click the link to see my favorite homemade recipe)
  
• 1 teaspoon each- paprika and seasoning salt
• pinch ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Mix. (Not too hard, huh?) Serve on lettuce, in avocado slices, on toasted bread, french bread, pita, crackers, croissants, whatever :)

So there ya have it, simple simple simple. And even yummier. Shalom~

Kosher Menu Plan Monday #1

We are a Scripturally Kosher family. Our diet is guided by the food laws in Leviticus & Deuteronomy. I do my best to make both healthy and well-rounded food choices for my family, but this is a new process, and I am not infallible. Our family continues to grow in our faith and learning.

You may not notice any change in most of our meals, as the changes are slight, however, there are some things to be noted. I use kosher salt or sea salt. We do not eat pork (or products containing anything made from a pig), and shrimp, lobster or any other bottom-feeding sea creature. All of these things we had grown accustomed to eating, some were certain family member’s favorites, but we are adjusting, and I especially (as the main grocery shopper and cook) enjoy learning creative, healthy ways to cook.

YOM RISHON (Sunday)
BREAKFAST: challah french toast
LUNCH: meatball subs
DINNER: beef hotdogs w/ chili, breadsticks

YOM SHENI (Monday)
BREAKFAST: baking powder biscuits with pb, honey or jam
LUNCH: “Mark-aroni & cheese” (my brother's yummy recipe)
DINNER: lasagna, garlic bread

YOM SH’LISHI (Tuesday)
BREAKFAST: apples and cinnamon oatmeal
LUNCH: homemade corn dogs, tater tots
DINNER: bbq chicken, baked potato, green bean casserole

YOM REVI'I (Wednesday)
BREAKFAST: Homemade cinnamon rolls
LUNCH: quiche
We do not use ham. Instead try veggies, turkey or beef, potatoes, cheese- I will put my recipe up soon but I use turkey sausage, onions, mozzarella, and mushrooms.
carrots with homemade ranch dressing
DINNER: roast beef & cheese melts, tomato soup

YOM CHAMISHI (Thursday)
BREAKFAST: homemade granola and yogurt
LUNCH: chicken fingers and fries
DINNER: tacos

YOM SHISHI (Friday)
BREAKFAST: blueberry pancakes & eggs
LUNCH: chicken salad w/ grapes (**my favorite- let me know if you are interested in the recipe & I'll post it)
SHABBAT DINNER:
-Chicken spaghetti
I sometimes substitute fresh diced tomatoes, green peppers & onions for the cans of tomatoes & green chilis called for in the recipe. The chilis create a spicier dish. I like the taste of both equally, but prefer using fresh veggies.
-challah
-salad
-apple pie with this crust
Learn how to make a lattice top.

YOM SHABBAT
BREAKFAST: challah french toast (*prepared ahead of time)
LUNCH: tuna noodle casserole (*prepared ahead of time)
DINNER: leftovers :)