I always find the first week of school to be the bridge from summer. Most extra-curricular activities haven’t started yet, homework isn’t handed out and our afternoons are free for backyard play and talking about all the new things.
Once we get into the second and third week I find that I need make ahead and quick dinners, because mom is a glorified Uber driver.
This week I like to plan meals for outside play, conversations around the table and board games over a quick bite! I also like to make certified winners. Adjusting to back to school is difficult enough, I don’t want to fight at the table too!
Here is what I’m cooking. I made the meal plan and ‘recipe’ in photo form so you can easily take a screen shot on your phone for most recipes.
Grilled burgers are a hit all the way around at our house. They are great for me, because most of the cooking is outside on the grill, which means less mess. My whole crew loves grilled cheeseburgers. They are also a win, because my kids get bonus outside time while I am cooking. As the weather begins to cool off around here we will start eating supper on the deck as well.
I love to serve a couple of fresh items like cut watermelon and strawberries with a salad kit. This takes a heavier meal a little lighter. Again low clean up as well.
For those that don't know, I grew up in New Mexico...so I tend to cook a lot of mexican inspired meals. When I think of easy and quick meals, my mind immediately goes to mexican food. I have made these crunchy oven baked rolled tacos (taquitos) for years. I make then with all different meat, cheese and bean combos. For the first week of school, using a rotisserie chicken seemed like a great idea.
This sauce is great over whatever kind of pasta you like. Don't do gluten, this would be great over some lightly salted butternut squash noodles. I try and buy the high protein pasta when I can. If I am really watching carbs, I will make a bit of vegetable noodles for myself. Luckily most of the grocery stores in my town offer this option pre-made in the salad case.
Pan seared chicken and a strawberry salad is one of my favorites. This salad is a hit with my whole family. I put the feta on the side, as my middle love doesn't care for it. You can make your own dressing or find a strawberry or poppyseed dressing at the store that you like.
Homemade dressing
equal parts mild vinegar & olive oil (1/4 cup)
~ I like a white wine, champagne or cider
small squirt of dijon mustard
2 heaping tablespoons of jam or preserve (strawberry or your favorite)
salt & pepper to taste
Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar, seal up and shake until mixed well. Taste the dressing before you add it to the salad. Add more salt etc if needed.
This chicken recipe is a little more labor intensive, but totally worth it. The chicken is crispy and flavorful. If there was ever a salad your kids will love it is this one. There are tons of variations to this salad. I love to throw on a combo of blueberries and strawberries and even some extra crispy bacon. If the chicken is too much for your cooking skill set at this time or even too much time commitment....throw some of the leftover rotisserie chicken you used earlier in the week from the baked rolled tacos.
I am always sharing quick and easy recipes on my IG. So make sure and follow me there!
Once we get into the second and third week I find that I need make ahead and quick dinners, because mom is a glorified Uber driver.
This week I like to plan meals for outside play, conversations around the table and board games over a quick bite! I also like to make certified winners. Adjusting to back to school is difficult enough, I don’t want to fight at the table too!
Grilled burgers are a hit all the way around at our house. They are great for me, because most of the cooking is outside on the grill, which means less mess. My whole crew loves grilled cheeseburgers. They are also a win, because my kids get bonus outside time while I am cooking. As the weather begins to cool off around here we will start eating supper on the deck as well.
For those that don't know, I grew up in New Mexico...so I tend to cook a lot of mexican inspired meals. When I think of easy and quick meals, my mind immediately goes to mexican food. I have made these crunchy oven baked rolled tacos (taquitos) for years. I make then with all different meat, cheese and bean combos. For the first week of school, using a rotisserie chicken seemed like a great idea.
Making spanish rice in the instant pot or out of a packet is a great side as well as a simple house style salad. These are a winner with my kids. I often make extra and send the leftovers in their lunch the next day.
Egg Roll Bowl. I did an entire blog post about it. So I am going to link that here and save myself some typing. Let me just tell you, it is good. My kids who DO NOT like cabbage or coleslaw mix love this dish and ask for it. It is great made with ground chicken, turkey, pork or beef.
My family loves spaghetti! My oldest asks me to make it all the time. This is my tried and true favorite. I sometimes brown and season twice the meat and put half in a freezer bag, just to have it at the ready for use on a particularly busy week.
This sauce is great over whatever kind of pasta you like. Don't do gluten, this would be great over some lightly salted butternut squash noodles. I try and buy the high protein pasta when I can. If I am really watching carbs, I will make a bit of vegetable noodles for myself. Luckily most of the grocery stores in my town offer this option pre-made in the salad case.
Pan seared chicken and a strawberry salad is one of my favorites. This salad is a hit with my whole family. I put the feta on the side, as my middle love doesn't care for it. You can make your own dressing or find a strawberry or poppyseed dressing at the store that you like.
Homemade dressing
equal parts mild vinegar & olive oil (1/4 cup)
~ I like a white wine, champagne or cider
small squirt of dijon mustard
2 heaping tablespoons of jam or preserve (strawberry or your favorite)
salt & pepper to taste
Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar, seal up and shake until mixed well. Taste the dressing before you add it to the salad. Add more salt etc if needed.
This chicken recipe is a little more labor intensive, but totally worth it. The chicken is crispy and flavorful. If there was ever a salad your kids will love it is this one. There are tons of variations to this salad. I love to throw on a combo of blueberries and strawberries and even some extra crispy bacon. If the chicken is too much for your cooking skill set at this time or even too much time commitment....throw some of the leftover rotisserie chicken you used earlier in the week from the baked rolled tacos.
I am always sharing quick and easy recipes on my IG. So make sure and follow me there!
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