Monday, May 11, 2009

Miss Sweet Tea's Menu

What's on the Menu this Week??!
(source)

So many of you are asking what I've got planned for the menu this week - I figured I would share with you because 1) you asked and I'm nice like that, and 2) it will help keep me accountable to my menu this week!

This is the first time in a LONG time that I have actually been excited about cooking...when I first moved to California, I absolutely loved cooking dinner for the bf and our friends and baking goodies for everyone at work. It was my thing and I really enjoyed it. Then I started grad school, all my close friends moved away, and I got tired of bringing in treats for unappreciative co-workers.

But now I feel like I'm back on track for real - with Weight Watchers and with my weekly menu. The two go hand in hand really. How can I expect to eat out almost every night while remaining faithful to WW? While it can be done, the temptation is too much for me and I often find myself making the wrong decisions when it comes to restaurant food!

Here's my menu this week:

Sunday - Last night I made lemon-herb grilled chicken from a recipe book I have at home. I marinated the chicken cutlets in a mixture of oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, rosemary, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. The bf grilled the cutlets and they turned out juicy and very spring-tasting! Lemon is so light and delicious! I served it with rice and a green salad. The bf has been begging for peach cobbler so I surprised him last night with Paula Deen's version. Perfect warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top!

Monday - Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Tomatillo Salsa. I have the pork tenderloin marinating away and it should be really tasty by the time I make it tonight. I have not worked with tomatillos before, but RR (you know - Rachael Ray) makes it look super easy...I'll serve this with warm tortillas and black beans.

Tuesday - Salmon with Dill, Fennel and Lemon Rub. I don't normally make a lot of RR recipes, but I happened to pick up her latest magazine last week, and this recipe stood out. Looks healthy, quick and easy! I'll serve salad and brown rice alongside the salmon.

Wednesday - I picked up a new crock pot at Target yesterday. I'm excited to use it because it has a programmable touch pad with 4 time settings, plus it automatically switches to "warm" once the set time has elapsed. Wow - I just realized how dorky that sounded!! Anyway, I'm making Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbeque. I've made this recipe once before for friends and it turned out great!

Thursday - The bf is a country boy at heart, but he grew up on the West Coast! He loves all things southern and chicken and dumplings is high on his list of favorite comfort foods. I'm turning to my crock pot again to make Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings. This may seem weird, but it actually is pretty good. I've adjusted it based on reader's reviews and was quite pleased the last time I made it.

Friday - I have to cook on Friday?! No way Jose! We'll probably go out for happy hour and appetizers at BJ's Brewhouse after work.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

So hungry after reading this and I have to try these! YUM!! Thanks for sharing! :)

Rob and Amy said...

YUMMMMMYYYY!!!!!!! I'm definitely going to try some of those! And I loveeee BJ's!!!

Piper Jacquelyn said...

Yum! All your ideas and recipe choices sound great. And I really like Friday's choice - bar food, my fave, haha!

Megan said...

Wow all of those things sound SO good..I'm not even a fan of Chicken and Dumplings but it does sound so YUMMY! Hope it all turns out well!

DSS said...

Thanks for making me hungry in the middle of the afternoon :) This all sounds delicious. I just printed the pork tenderloin recipe. Yummmmy!

Dollface said...

Wow that seems amazing!! Do you have any suggestions for wine places in Santa Barbara?? xxoo

Prissy Southern Prep said...

I am back on the WW wagon as well. Bathing suit time is almost here, so I am determined to work hard and lose these extra pounds. Do you have any tips for weight watchers that you find extra helpful!?

Jules said...

I'm drooling over here! These recipes all sound great and I like that you're changing it up each night with a different protein. That way, it doesn't get boring. I am going to snag some of these recipes. Last night's chicken and cobbler sounds delicious!

Tina said...

Wow sounds great! I too am doing WW and I have found its so much easier to eat at home then to go out. I always over do it when we eat out. Good Luck with WW sounds like you have a great start.

Lola Cupcake said...

I love cooking at home and I think it's so much easier to eat healthy flavorful food when you cook them yourself! Menu looks good!

Belle on Heels said...

glad you are hopping (back on) the cooking train too!! i am going to have to try some of those slow cooker recipes...the bbq sounds fab :)

Belle on Heels said...

glad you are hopping (back on) the cooking train too!! i am going to have to try some of those slow cooker recipes...the bbq sounds fab :)

~ Donna ~ said...

Yum yum yummy!!!

c said...

there is absolutely nothing wrong with being excited about a crock pot :)

The Watermelon Tree said...

ohh I have a crock pot like that and I LOVE it!!!

Anonymous said...

Ooh, that chicken and dumplings idea sounds amazingggg!!

Annie said...

OK! Now I am inspired to plan dinners for the week! Time to dig out the crock pot...those recipies sound amazing!!

Susan said...

I just LOVE my crock pot! So wonderful to come home to an already cooked meal - and pretty easy to make it healthy. Good for you for getting back on track!

Anonymous said...

I L-O-V-E crock pot recipes! BTW, got the card and it was SO sweet!

 
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