Back in the Groove

Oh, my goodness how time flies!! Here it is the first for September, school has started, and life is busy!! I don’t know about all of you, but this summer just flew by, and I’m not quite back in the swing of things yet. It’s so hard to get back on a schedule and remember all the things, school, homework, practices, catechism, book studies, laundry, meals, and remembering when you showered last. At least that is how I feel at my house!

I know that after about a month life gets back to that familiar rhythm. First, the dreaded homework and the fighting to do the homework. I think after 8 years we might have finally figured out the winning formula, but we are only 4 weeks in. Fingers crossed it will continue to go well and mom won’t have to go crazy. The second concern is getting everyone where they are supposed to go and getting them fed! I don’t know about other households, but this can sometimes be a huge issue to contend with, so I am going to try to help you find ways to get it all done, at least with the meals part.  

On Fridays, I typically look at what the next week looks like and figure out what days I need easy, crockpot/instant pot, grill, or good old regular meals. I might even be a little crazy and look at the weather to help decide some of these things. I will also make requests from the family to see if I can fit them in.

In a typical week… 

Luckily my life is not as hairy as most people’s. Mondays are always a day that I will put something in the crockpot/instant pot because I know that by the time we get home at 6:15 the boys are going to be ready to eat. Tuesday I will usually take a bigger meal request, like chicken fried steak, that will take me longer to prepare. Wednesdays are the toughest because we only have a short window in which to eat before the next activity. These nights typically are another crockpot/instant pot meal unless I can get something prepared so that when my husband gets home, he can put it in or start it. Thursdays are another chance to make another meal that might take a little longer to prepare.  Fridays are my favorite nights because I usually don’t cook, and we go out. Saturdays and Sundays just depend on our schedule, and I always try to make a nicer meal on Sunday evening to help get us ready for the next week. I know this might not work for everyone, but it has helped me out tremendously. Plus, my kids know exactly what we are having and can mentally prepare themselves, lol. I think that even if you do not have a busy schedule, planning your meals out can take a lot of stress out of cooking. After I have made my menu, I will make my grocery list or order them on-line so that I don’t over buy or buy things we don’t need. I know this can be a lot of work, but I have found that it really works well for our family.  

Ok, enough of me rambling on about my method to our madness and onto the recipes! I will share a few of our regulars, some of which are the easy prep/easy cook, to some that may take a little longer to prepare.  I hope that these tips come in handy and can help you all transition into the fall.  

Crockpot Recipe 

Crockpot Tex Mex 

1-2 lbs. ground beef (cooked) 

1 onion chopped 

Salt/Pepper 

Onion Powder 

1 can Rotel 

1 4oz can green chilies 

1 can corn 

1 bag frozen tater tots 

Shredded Colby cheese 

Place the tater tots in the crockpot. Cook ground beef, onion, salt and pepper, and a little onion powder in skillet. When done, drain and add the rotel, green chilies, corn to skillet and mix well. Place that on top on the tater tots and cook for about 3-4 hours. When you are almost ready to eat cheese until melted and enjoy! 

Instant Pot Recipe 

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta 

1 lb. Chicken breast 

1 bottle of Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan sauce 

Milk 

1 box pasta of choice 

1 block of cream cheese 

Parmesan cheese 

Salt and Pepper 

Place the chicken and sauce in the instant pot, then add milk to the empty sauce bottle and add to instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 8 min. While that is cooking boil noodles. When chicken is done shred and add the block of cream cheese. Add noodles and still till coated and enjoy.  

Easy prep Meal 

Chicken Dorito Casserole 

1 lb Chicken (cooked and shredded/diced) 

1 can cream of chicken soup 

1 can rotel 

1 small container sour cream 

1 packet taco seasoning 

1 bag/block of cheddar cheese 

1 bag of Doritos 

Mix all the ingredients together except for the Doritos. Crush up the Doritos and place half of them in a 9x13 pan. Then place the chicken mixture on top and then the rest of Doritos. Bake covered for about 30-40 minutes.  

When you have more time meal 

Chicken Fried Steak 

1-4 tenderized sirloin steak or cube steak 

1 can of Panko breadcrumbs 

Eggs 

Flour 

Seasonings of choice 

Oil of choice 

The first thing that I do is take 2-3 eggs for 4 steaks and whisk them in a bowl. Then I put about a half a cup of flour, a cup or so of breadcrumbs and the seasoning of choice in another bowl and stir it together. Then I place a ¼ cup oil into a pan and get it heating. Take steaks one by one and dip in the flour/breadcrumb mixture, then eggs, then back to flour mixture and place in hot skillet. I usually like to get a nice crust on each side and then turn down the heat until cooked thoroughly.  We usually eat this with mashed potatoes and peas.