Monthly Menu Recipes

Way back in the fall I was reading one of my favorite blogs to go to for resources for Kyle. Not only does this mom provide a large variety of resources for teaching kids but she also wrote about and created a monthly menu for her very busy family of six. Hers has breakfast, lunch, and dinner on it but, for me, dinner was the only meal I felt needed pre-planning. Using her format I began creating monthly menus as well. It has been a money and time saver for 10 months now. However, for many of the recipes I still had to search through my recipe box when wanting to make grocery lists or use the recipe to prepare the meal. So, I am finally taking the time to type out all my go to monthly recipes here (for the most part) to share with those of you who have expressed interest in my monthly menu and to have all in one place for myself.

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll Up (not healthy at all)
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/bacon-cheeseburger-roll-up-94445.aspx

Basil Chicken (Chicken with Basil & Cream Sauce)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
3 teaspoons snipped fresh basil or 3/4 teaspoon dried basil, crushed, divided
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
4 (about 1 1/4 pounds total) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2/3 cup (5 fluid once can) evaporated fat free milk
2 teaspoons all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon chicken flavor instant bouillon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine bread crumbs, 2 teaspoons fresh basil or 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, pepper, and paprika in a small bowl. Add butter; toss to coat. Arrange chicken in 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Sprinkle chicken with crumb mixture, pressing onto chicken to coat.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Meanwhile, combine evaporated milk, flour, and bouillon in small saucepan; stir well. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in remaining basil. Serve over chicken.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Ingredients:
Previously baked, grilled, or rotisserie chicken cut up into small pieces
1/2 cup honey mustard BBQ sace (we usually just use our favorite BBQ sace)
1 12-inch prepared pizza crust
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
red onion, chopped up
1 1/2 cups shredded Jack cheese (fancy style) (or any kind you like for pizza)
salt and ground pepper

Pour BBQ sauce over pizza crust and spread. Add chicken, onions, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste, and cheese. Bake in oven according to pizza crust directions.

Beef and Noodle Bake
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
4 cups spaghetti sauce
2 cups uncooled elbow macaroni
3-4 slices cheese (we prefere provolone or mozarella)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Brown the beef, set aside. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, layer the macaroni, beef, tomato sauce, and cheese, repeating 2 times.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 mintes or until top layer of cheese is bubbly.

Bisquick Chicken Nuggets
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/ultimate-chicken-fingers/423c3b75-4f0b-4236-9d70-13213f645d05 (we cut ours into bite sized nuggests instead of strips)

Bistro Chicken
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-bistro-chicken-91432.aspx We don't use the stewed tomatoes or tomato paste but just throw in some jarred spahetti sauce instead.

Chicken Crunch

http://www.campbellkitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=24332&ref=%2fSearchRecipesResult.aspx%3ffilter%3dFamily%2520Favorites%26fbid%3dYeiHbl_rLE1&fbid=EPy_c3NkHvf

Chicken Fajitas (Makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 small red or green bell peppers, cut into strips
1 small onion, sliced
3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped (we use about a teaspoon of jarred garlic)
1 pound extra-lean beef sirloin steak or boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 2-inch strips
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder (we omit this)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup bottled chunky salsa (we omit this in the recipe but have it as a side)
4 fajita-size reduced fat flour tortillas, warmed
light sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, etc. to garnish

Heat oil in large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring occassionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until onion is slightly golden and peppers are tender.
Stir in in beef or chicken, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook, stirring occassionally for 7 to 8 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Stir in salsa, heat through.
Serve in tortillas. Top with sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Chicken Marsala
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1639,140179-253193,00.html

Deep Dish Pizza
http://www.southernplate.com/2009/01/deep-dish-pizza.html

Dripping Roast Beef Sandwich
http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=60570&ref=%2fSearchRecipesResult.aspx%3ffilter%3d%26q%3ddripping%2broast%2bbeef%26fbid%3douZ7FV6iXuT&fbid=ouZ7FV6iXuT

Easy Beef Enchiladas
http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=26152&ref=%2fSearchRecipesResult.aspx%3ffilter%3d%26q%3deasy%2bbeef%2benchilada%26fbid%3douZ7FV6iXuT&fbid=ouZ7FV6iXuT

Easy Teriyaki Chicken and Brown Rice

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-teriyaki-chicken-brown-54025.aspx

Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken
Marinate chicken breasts in Tequila Lime marinade. (We use the Target brand). Grill and serve on top of yellow rice and black beans. Squeeze lime juice over all of it. We sometimes add the Texas Toast tequila lime tortilla strips (found with croutons) for a little crunch.

Pork Tenderloin
Buy a pork tenderloin and follow cooking directions on package.

(Country) Salisbury Steak
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/country-salisbury-steak-94488.aspx

Sizzlin' Chicken Skewers
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/sizzlin-chicken-skewers-75144.aspx

Skillet Herb Roasted Chicken

http://www.campbellkitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=24404&fbid=EPy_c3NkHvf&page=4

Stove Top Chicken Casserole
Ingredients:
boneless, skinless chicken (we usually cut ours into bite sized pieces)
8 oz. swiss cheese (we sometimes use provolone)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
2 cups Stove Top stuffingmix
1/3 cup melter butter

Spray a 9x13 pan. Place chicken in pan. Top with swiss cheese. Combine soup andmilk. Pour over cheese. Sprinkle stuffing mix over top of casserole. Drizzle melted butter over stuffing mix. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Taco Dip
Fix ground beef according to directions on a taco seasoning pack. Add chopped onions. Layer in a baking dish ground beef/onion taco mixture, refried beans, shredded cheese and bake for app. 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Add anything else you'd like and serve with tostitos chips.

Tender Babyback Ribs in the Oven
http://www.southernplate.com/2011/04/tender-babyback-ribs-in-the-oven.html

Twenty Minute Herbed Chicken
http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=50364&ref=%2fSearchRecipesResult.aspx%3ffilter%3d%26q%3d20%2bminute%2bherbed%2bchicken%26fbid%3douZ7FV6iXuT&fbid=ouZ7FV6iXuT

Unfried Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pount boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 can (14 1/2 ounce) chicken broth
4 teaspoons soy sauce
3 cups frozen stir-fry vegetables
2 cups Minute White Rice, uncooked (we prefer the brown)

Heat oil in skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 minutes or until cooked through.
Add broth and soy sauce. Bring to boil.
Stir in vegetables and rice; cover. Reduce heat to low; cook 5 minutes. Stir before serving. Sprinkle with 1 green onion, sliced, if desired.

Ziti Chicken Casserole
http://busycooks.about.com/od/pastacasserolerecipes/r/zitichicken.htm