Meal Planning Monday : This week is a again a busy week. I have work all week the kids are heading to choir and after school activities. I have an event at whole food and a trip to NYC planed. So I need to be smart and plan better.
Monday: Beef Stew
Tuesday : Spaghetti with meat sauce
Wednesday: Slow cooker chicken and dumbplings
Thursday: Easy fish with couscous and asparagus
Friday: Taco Night
Saturday:Pizza
I am linking up to Organizing Junkies Menu Plan Monday
This week is a busy week. We are going alot of places and I am release into the field for my new job .. Hopefully. The kids are in and out. My 13 year old son will only at meat or yogart. So is a fun week.
Monday: Rotisserie chicken soup
Tuesday: Perogies and Kielbasa
Wednesday: Ham and egg quechie
Thursday: Ravioli bake
Friday: Fried rice
I am linking up to Organizing Junkies Menu Plan Monday
4th of July is almost here so let the barbeques rule. Many people assume that if a hamburger is brown in the middle, it is done. However, looking at the color and texture of food is not enough— you have to use a food thermometer to be sure! According to USDA research, 1 out of every 4 hamburgers turns brown before it reaches a safe internal temperature.
Meat and poultry should be cooked to a safe temperature to destroy harmful bacteria that may be present. Color of meat and poultry is not a good indicator of safety. Use a food thermometer to make sure meats have reached a safe minimum internal temperature.
When a hamburger is cooked to 160 F, it is both safe and delicious! Check out Safe Cooking Temperature Chart: “Is It Done Yet?” Brochure:
Visit FoodSafety.gov to learn about best food safety practices, utilize “Ask Karen,” an online database with nearly 1,500 answers to specific questions related to preventing foodborne illnesses, in both English and Spanish, or to call the USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline.
Happy 4th of July
The best venison marinade : I grew up in a family where venison(deer meat) was a regular staple. My father was a amazing hunter and cook. So venison in all forms had a regular place a our table. From Roast to chilli to steaks. In college my roommates and I lived on a steady stream of deer meat that my father would provide us, it was meat we could always afford because it was well free. My son actually gets excited when Pa provides Venison
For my entire life I never understood why people tell me they don’t like the taste of deer meat. It is a lean cut of meat deer do not have the fat of a cow. From what I have been told that deer can be tough if not cooks properly. After watching my father for years I have learned his trick for making the best venison marinade you will ever make and eat. This simple venison steak recipes and time will make the most tender venison steaks you will every bite amazing.
Printable version of The best venison marinade
My Meal Planning for this week:
Monday Venison Stew
Tuesday : Ham Quiche
Wednesday: Spaghetti with vegetables
Thursday: Baked chicken, potatoes, and asparagus
Friday: Tacos with rice
I am linking up to Organizing Junkies Menu Plan Monday
Potato Sausage Soup no milk. I love making soup I make it all the time. it is my go to meal if there is the slights but of rain or cold on the horizon pair it with some homemade bread, check out my favorite recipes here. I finds soups to stretch the budget when pay check are lean and they can make any meal go far. This week I had Polana Polish fresh sausage left so I decided to make a lets see what we have in the fridge soups.
Prep Cook Time 1 hour Serves 12
Printable version of the recipe here Potato_Sausage_Broccoli_soup_001
Monday: Potato sausage soup Leftovers with fresh bread
Tuesday: Chicken Enchladas
Wednesday: Blue Ribbon Chilli
Thursday: Fried Rices (via my husband)
Friday: BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Apples
What to learn to freeze you Mirepoix so it speeds up your cooking time check out my post Freezing Mirepoix
Check out my review of The New Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day recipe cookbook
Liking up with Organizing junkie Menu Plan Monday
So when Polana asked me to review there products I was intrigued. When the package arrived I received blood sausage int h package. I know really it does not sounds well appetizing. Let me tell you I was really surprised how much we loved it. My family came to visit, my father was 1/2 polish so I grew up with a very polish last name. and Kielbasi was a large part of family meals always served as an pre-meal meat for most holidays.
My family enjoys many of the polish food. Blood sausage is not something I remember having as a child, so I was not sure what to expect while trying.
After Goggling I found out : Blood Sausage is a generic name for cooking blood or dried blood with a filler until it is thick enough to congeal when cooled. Then they add filters to the meat to such as grains: wheat rice, barley ect are added to the meat.
The Polana web sites recommends you cook the blood sausage (Kaszanka) slow allowing the casings to stay in tact. Ok so I forgot to read the web site, l when I cooked the Blood sausage I cut the link in to pieces and and place in the frying pan, The casing pulled away the the sausage meat fell in the pan. I cooked slowly allowing the meat to get a a crispy edge.
The result: My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed it- Yummy-O we both had a hard time stepping away from the plate. The grains in that was in the Polana Blood Sausage was savory and flavorful. The Barley gave the sausage a mild corn beef hash consistence with out the heavy salt. Both of us said we actually enjoyed it more than corn beef hash. So I would say defiantly try out the Poland Blood sausage. Their claim to be the best Kasanka is true. I had it the next day, with eggs on top and I was truly happy.
When food makes you happy that is a good thing.
Other products we were able to try:
The Polana Kielbasa: The Kielbasa was fantastic full of meat not fatty. Also not salty, with a nice mild smoke pepper balance. It was a kielbasa I would be proud to share in my home any time of year. My husband, father and son were all large fans of the Polana Kielbasa. I have cooked more since the 1st trial day with my parents and everyone asked for seconds. I really felt the quality of the meet was far superior than the Kielbasa you find in your local market and woth the extra cost. 
My Memories of homemade Potato and Cheese Pierogi are from when I was in college a had a roommate’s Polish Mother who made us fresh pierogi when every they visited our apartment. She would bring us bags of these special doughy treats which we would ration out until the next time they visited us again. The Polana Potato and Cheese Pierogi brought thos memories back, yummy goodness. They cost $8.99 for 12 in a package and they come frozen Very east to prepare, thaw and place in skillet with some butter. I loaded them up with onions, because what is a pierogi with out an onion. 
Polana: Peach cheese cake : according to the Polana This truly authentic Polish cheesecake is made with a fresh cheese called Quark (or twaróg). Quark is a fresh Eastern European cheese that is much lower in fat content (similar to yogurt) than cream cheese. In addition, Quark cheese has no added salt. The result: The cheese cake was a different texture from the traditional NY style cheesecake, it had a coconut texture to the cake but I found it was flavorful and called me back for more over the course of the evening.
How did the Polana Package arrive? I was impressed it came in a large Styrofoam cooler packing with materials not allowing for sliding during delivery All the food was frozen solid with dry ice and ready to be placed int he fridge. Check it out here:
The also offer a Stuffed Cabbage and other prepared foods.. I have to say I cant wait to try the Hunters Stew next week it take 2-3 days of cooking time to make it.
So I can highly recommend Polanas Meats they are worth ordering for you family with high quality food your entire family will enjoy.
Disclosure: I received Polanas product in exchange for this post. All the opinions in this post are honest and my own.
Every night I am always looking for a new Fresh Take on dinner that is healthy and a crowd pleaser for my family. When #CollectiveBias asked me to try Kraft Fresh Take Meal Kit and create a family meal that we would enjoy. I was excited create a Chicken Taco Salad with creamy Avocado Dressing using Kraft Fresh Take Southwest Three Cheese. This meal was a favorite with my whole tribe, great tasting chicken with veggies and homemade baked tortilla chips. I was pleased dinner took a 1/2 hour from start to finish to make. Another plus is the kids could build the salad themselves, so were little chefs also. All left satisfied and happy.
To make the avocado dressingBlend in a food processor until smooth .. or mush the avocado into the other ingredients.
The Result: The chicken is a little spicy, the dressing added a cooling and dipping factor. My children loved the build your own aspect of this dinner. My daughter version on the chicken taco salad .. a taco man .. then he had a brother, she ate 2 helpings. I consider that a winning meal, thanks Kraft Fresh Takes Meal kit. 
Kraft Fresh takes was very easy to use and all the instruction were located right on the package. You can also use the #FreshTake with other proteins like pork or fish. The Kraft Fresh Take was so easy to find at my local Walmart it was located in with the shredded cheese in the dairy area. 
Want a Deal ? Also Kraft and Walmart are offering a coupon so you could save and try $1 off the purchase of fresh chicken and Fresh Take at Walmart
Have a great week.
So Last the week of PSSA the Pennsylvanian standard testing for the kids the school stress the importance of a great breakfast meal for the kids. So I have been making a more elaborate meal than normal for my kids. So at 6:15 am while my husband was prying my 13 year old out of bed. I was looking at Pinterest. I cam across the Egg in muffin tins recipes, so at 6:30 I got up to make these great breakfast treats.
What is also great about egg muffins is they are great on the go. You can Individually package in a plastic bag or wax paper. Remove from Fridge or Freeze and a quick affordable breakfast for you family.
I find paying upwards of $6.00 for 4 frozen sandwiches is crazy when I can make them at home for pennies. Eggs cost as low as $1.00, bacon on sale is $3.89- and you can get 12 muffins for under $5 in 30 minutes.
I am linking up to #Pinspiration this week at All things Chic .
Follow me Sherry Aikens on Pinterest for other great Pins I find.
Visit Sherry’s profile on Pinterest.
Roasted Cauliflower : as my family eats healthier do to our change in diet. For my husbands healthy I have been trying new ways to prepare many of our favorites foods with more flavor. Since my Husband Jeff is Gluten, Dairy, Red meat, Night shade vegetable free. I can’t use many of our standard seasoning to flavor our meals and I have to find new ways to create depth.
Also I recommend while roasting also roast garlic bulb at the same time- Just cut off the the top drizzle with oil wrap in tin foil.. If you have the oven on might as well do a garlic. They keep well in he fridge for future use. 
Monday: Polenta and shrimp
Tuesday : spaghetti squash Alfredo
Wednesday: stirfry and rice
Thursday: pork tenderloin with spinach
Friday: Tacos bake, homemade re-fried beans, corn tortillas
Linking up to Menu plan Monday at Organizing Junkie
Here are some great other Posts to check out:
All Meatloafs should be served as a muffin
This Pea Salad will make you crave it .. (Bacon)
Easy Beginner Chicken in 3 Steps that will make you MIL ask for the recipe
How to Fix Fitted sheets to stay in place DIY
Ninja Cooker Recipe: Ham an easy recipe that fits my family’s dietary restrictions and a summary of how is it going with my family changing our diet. Our changed include making family friendly Gluten, red meat, dairy, and night shade vegetable free. Our Food Progress: I am doing better at making meals that please all of us in cluding my husband with his restricted diet. Last week it was better, I am asking my husband to help with cooking more because of my schedule and his dietary need.
My Ninja Cooker a Year Later: It has been a year since I 1st review my Ninja Cooker. I really must say this in one appliance that has never left my counter. I use it at least once a week, it make life easy and is a great size for my family of 4 (note one is a teenage boy, and both my kids are competitive swimmers.) I really do recommend it often to friends and family. So if you are looking for a new crock pot but want more function them just a crock pot. Look in to a Ninja cooker.
Sunday night was a case in point where I need an easy meal, my daughter had a concert at church at 4pm. I quickly came home after dropping her off at 2 for rehersals and put dinner in the Ninja cooker and used the timer on the stove for my sides. I made a smoked ham that was not not overly salty. My husband did eat ham so I was happy, because I wanted him to enjoy the Sunday night meal as well. Why did I choose the Ninja instead of putting the ham in the oven. Was because I want the ham to cook longer and not dry out. So with the side cooking an hour the oven would shut off and the Ninja would cook the ham for the full 3-4 hours until we returned.
This weeks meal plan:
Monday: Split Pea soup (soup bone from ham)
Tuesday:Chicken: Chicken Pot Pie- Making a gluten Free crust with rice flour
Wednesday : Ash Wednesday I am make Easy Seafood chowder at church and Fresh Bread in a Bag 10 loaves
Thursday: Veg Pizza for my husband and Pizza for the kids
Friday: Tacos corn tortillas, rice and homemade re-fried beans
Linking up to
Linking up to Menu plan monday at Organizing Junkie
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