Friday
Short version: Birthday barbecue meatballs, garlic bread, leftover peas, brownie ice cream sundaes
Long version: I always make my own birthday dinner, because I like my own food best. But I also always find a way to make it with as little actual cooking as possible. This year, I used some meatballs I had formed and frozen some time ago, which I just broiled until brown, and then baked in (homemade) barbecue sauce.
The garlic bread was one I had baked a few days before when I was making bread. The peas were leftover from Christmas dinner.
Eldest son made the brownies for me, so we could have brownie sundaes with vanilla ice cream and a choice of chocolate syrup or salted caramel sauce. Or both! Celebrate good times!
Saturday
Short version: Different-birthday pizza and cake
Long version: This was the day I took the children to Poppy's friend's birthday party at a pool. There was pizza there. I think this is the first time my children have experienced pineapple on pizza. They were not enthused.
There were also a couple of store-bought birthday cakes. I tasted a bit of Poppy's after she informed me she didn't like the frosting. Yuck. I didn't, either. It tasted bitter. Maybe it was all the food dye. It was a very bright-pink frosting. I can't imagine you can add that much coloring to anything without affecting the taste.
Sunday
Short version: Fried ham and potatoes, leftover carrots
Long version: I just microwaved the potatoes until they were soft, then diced them and the leftover ham before frying them in some rendered beef fat I had saved from . . . something.
I also added some cheese to the fried ham and potatoes. We currently have some extra-sharp Great Value (Walmart's store brand) cheddar that is actually extra-sharp. This means it's also extra crumbly which is handy when I don't want to grate cheese. If I slice it thinly, it just falls apart and I can throw it right into the skillet to melt. And then I don't have to wash the cheese grater. Yay.
Monday
Short version: Meatloaf, baked potatoes, still-frozen green beans, fresh bread and butter
Long version: I love ham, but it does get to be a bit monotonous when dealing with the leftovers. Meatloaf was a nice break.
Tuesday
Short version: Lamb steaks, rice, frozen peas
Long version: I made a sauce for the lamb steaks with red wine and cream, but this was otherwise a very un-fancy meal.
Yes, I realize that most people would not consider lamb to be an un-fancy meal. That's because most people don't have a sheep flock.
Wednesday
Short version: New Year's Day health, wealth, happiness, peace, and joy
Long version: Pork (big pork butt), black-eyed peas, greens (beet greens from this year's garden, cooked with some of the liquid from the black-eyed peas), rice, and pecan pie. The children have assigned peace to rice and joy to the pecan pie.
Short version: Restaurant food for me, tacos and leftover pie for the family
Long version: I was not at home this night.
Record scratch.
I try to go every year for one night at a hotel in a nearby (well, 100 miles away) small city for some time to myself after the craziness that is December in my house. This was my night. So I had a smash burger, french fries, and a vodka and soda for dinner.
6 comments:
Fri- after a week of constant cooking, I was tired. So everyone made do with grilled cheese and miscellaneous.
Sat- daughter and son-in-law came for visit, so I have to get back in the kitchen. Luckily, the roast beef from Christmas was big and I had more than half left. So warmed that up, made gravy, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, rainbow cauliflower, applesauce, pineapple, and homemade oatmeal bread.
Extra pound cake from freezer, and assorted candy and cookies.
Sun- baked chicken, roasted potatoes, string beans, broccoli, and applesauce, corn, buttermilk rolls, brownies, lemon shortbread cookies ( this time with the lemon glaze - extra nice!) Cheesecake.
Mon- chicken fried rice to use up leftovers, plain rice, chicken , broccoli.
Tues- we went to evening Mass for the holy day, so I had prepped bread and Italian sausage. College girl made spaghetti before we got hone. Best bread I've made in a while.
Wed- leftover chicken in stew, carrots, more bread (overproved but tasty) , corn, mashed potatoes,
leftover rice and broccoli.
Thurs- once again hitting my cooking wall, we had grilled cheese, bacon, tator tots, apple slices. Husband had BLT. Cinnamon coffee cake left from breakfast.
I feel like the last 2 weeks I've been in the kitchen constantly. Not too stressed, but there was always something to prep, bake, or clean up.
Your burger and fries look enticing- a very worthy meal for a solo celebration! I think it's funny that Poppy didn't like the frosting - usually kids dive into the bright colored treats and don't notice the actual taste. And I agree- most of the store cakes have not very tasty frosting. I think it must be the shortening they use instead of butter.
Enjoy the weekend!
Yes, this is the time of year for constant kitchen work. Which is one reason I try to run away from home for one night. :-)
I love your tradition of going away for a night for yourself! (And I, too, like my own food best.)
I heartily agree on being tired of the kitchen this time of year.
Friday-enchiladas, coleslaw
Saturday-a friend was given a spiral sliced ham by her employer, but she's vegan. So we were the lucky recipients. Ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli
Sunday-leftovers
Monday-chicken fried steak, baked potatoes, green beans
Tuesday-shepherd's pie, peas
Wednesday-I took the easy way out. Ham is pork. And I cooked Polish cabbage (fry it in bacon grease and add a dollop of sour cream), and mashed potatoes. I usually make a time consuming dinner involving kielbasa, sauerkraut, and beer, but I just wasn't up to it this year.
Thursday-ham again, scalloped potatoes, frozen mixed vegetables
Many, many Christmas cookies.
Today I had a Reuben at my mom's for lunch. Cheers. Happy Birthday!
Happy belated birthday and happy new year!
Here's what we ate, holiday leftovers edition!
Sunday: butter chicken leftover from my sister in law with rice and salad
Monday: pasta gratin with swiss chard
Tuesday: BBQ meatballs, rice and celery root remoulade. A bit like your birthday meal Kristin
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: stuffing and sage ravioli
Friday: I went food shopping to the big tow so I had fresh fish: oysters as a starter then bony red scorpion fish (that's how google translates rascasse!) fillet with mash and beurre blanc with capers
Today feijoada stew to use up leftover chorizo, with leftover mash.
I need to cook more veggies soon, holiday food is a bit lacking in fiber
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