Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Menu Planning

I'm trying what my friend Cathy suggested - menu planning for the week. I used to do it and I know it goes much easier just to have the plan and the ingredients on hand. Here is my menu for the rest of the week:

Chicken Parmesan
Mashed Potatoes
Steamed Veggies

Turkey Burgers
Fresh Fruit

Crock Pot Mac 'n Chicken with Mushrooms
Salad

Thai Basil Chicken
Brown rice
Cucumber Salad

Do you do a menu plan or just wing it for dinners? What's on your list this week?

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Blackberry Muffins

I'm not sure if it's me just cutting back a bit on sugar here in this household, but the oldest boy, who's 6, said these were "the best muffins you ever made, mom." ((swoons))

OK, so this is my super easy and trusty (and not too sweet) muffin recipe that will accept any form of fruit, nut or chocolate. Or all of those things. In one batch. I usually just use what fruit is on sale that week - berries, bananas, plums, apples & nectarines are a few of my faves. I've also used half whole wheat flour and half white flour and it comes out just fine! You can substitute apple sauce for the oil too. And if you want to be even more stealthy, sneak in some ground flax or wheat germ. Shhhh, I won't tell.

Anything Muffins

Ingredients:
2 c. flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
dash of salt
3/4 fruit or whatever
1 egg
4 Tbsp. oil
1 c. milk
topping: 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon mixed together

Preheat oven to 400. Mix dry ingredients together and then add fruit to it, so the pieces are coated in the flour mixture. In a small bowl mix the egg ,oil and milk together. Add the wet stuff to the dry and mix only until the mixture becomes all one consistency. Let set about 5 minutes and then fill muffin cups about 2/3 full. Top each with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon sugar topping. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

I hope you will give it a try and let me know how they came out!