Menu Monday - Here and There

One more day of work for John after today and then he's off for a few days more than usual.  We've made plans to  lend a holiday feel to our time off this go round.  That means planning picnic worthy meals as well as meals that can be served at home or quick meals after we've been gone all day.  No rhyme or reason to the way the days are laid out, so I'll not label them, just jotting down a week or so worth of menus.



Red beans and Rice, Waldorf Salad, Cornbread Muffins, Oatmeal Cookies
I actually made this meal for today.  I've had Red Beans on my menu list for the past two months. I haven't felt well over the weekend and didn't really want a meat heavy meal, so this seemed the perfect solution.  I had a couple of leftover apple halves that I used to make the salad.

Grilled Ribeye Steaks, Corn on Cob, 7 Layer Salad, Crusty bread
7 layer salad:  Mushrooms, frozen peas, turkey bacon, halved grape tomatoes top lettuce and then a creamy dressing is poured over the top.  Shredded cheddar cheese is sprinkled over the top of the dressing and the whole thing is covered to wait in the fridge for up to 24 hours after making.  

Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chips, Sliced Apples, Ice Cream Sandwiches
If we're away from home, this meal will go on the road with us.  If we are just out late, it can wait upon us...The only variant is ice cream sandwiches.  I have homemade chocolate chip cookie/vanilla ice cream sandwiches in the freezer.   If we're on the road we'll pick up at a convenience store.

Chef's Steak Salad with homemade Crispy croutons and Feta, Chilled Grapes,  Brownies
I'm pretty sure there will be leftover steak.  These things are good sized.  I might even just set aside a portion of each before we ever sit down to eat...I'll caramelize onions and mushrooms while I'm toasting the croutons (leftover crusty bread from our steak dinner) for added richness to the salad.    Brownies from the freezer for dessert.

Deli Roasted Chicken, Asparagus, Micro Baked Potatoes, Strawberries with Sour Cream and Brown Sugar
I can make this in a matter of minutes if I steam the asparagus in the microwave.  The simple dessert could be enhanced with sugar wafers if you'd like.

Chicken, Spinach and Strawberry Wraps, Honey Roasted Nuts, Baby Carrots, Red Bell Pepper Strips,  Key Lime Pie
Another here or there meal plan.  Leftover chicken and strawberries, most of a bag of spinach, some feta cheese get wrapped in flat breads or tortillas (or stuffed in pitas) with a honey mustard dressing.  I'll set aside some spinach, chicken and red bell pepper for our pizza.

Spinach and Chicken Pizza, Fruit Salad, Sugar Wafers  

A package of flat breads or pitas will net me pizza crusts and sandwich breads.  Pizza will be made using olive oil and garlic base with a bit of caramelized onion and mushrooms (saved from earlier in the week) spinach, halved tomatoes and the last of the chicken.  I'll combine apple, strawberries and grapes for the salad with sourcream and mayo for a dressing.