Menu Monday: Holiday Week

It's hot I tell ya: 106F temperature this past weekend and we won't even discuss the 'feels like' temperatures which were scary.  There's no doubt however, that July 4th in the U.S.A. brings up thoughts of cookouts and picnics and fireworks and all those sorts of things.  I confess I've had my share of all three complete with homemade ice cream churned the old fashioned way.  I've seen July 4ths so hot that your sandals melted on pavement and on the opposite end there was a misty evening of fireworks where we all wrapped up in the quilt we'd taken to sit upon!  It got COLD that evening.  Brrr!

I never did get to make my meatloaf last week.  I cranked up the oven to make a peach cobbler yesterday but it might be a while before I do that again.  Good as that cobbler was (notice the past tense...It's gone now but boy was it delicious), I don't believe it's worthwhile to heat up the entire house, especially when the outdoor temps are so high.  I'll have to wait for cooler weather, you know, when the thermometer dips into the low 90's, lol.

Herb Rubbed Roast, Creamed Peas and New Potatoes, Lettuce and Tomato Salad
Crock pot cooked roast will do just fine.  I'd never had creamed peas until my friend served them to us at her big family dinners.  Recently came across a recipe that included steamed new potatoes. I'm thinking a bit of lemon zest will nicely season the sauce.

Philly Cheese Steak Pizza, Green Salad
My inspiration was sandwich based.  I thought the leftover roast would make a terrific pizza.  Provolone cheese is on hand just for this meal and I'll caramelize onions and peppers to go on the pizza crust (homemade of course). I'll go light on the beef, the majority of it will be reserved for sandwiches for supper.

Basil and Peach Chicken Breasts, Rice Pilaf, Green Beans
If the basil can just hang on for another day or two I might be able to enjoy this recipe.  The heat is hitting it pretty hard.  A new to me recipe.  I'll cook extra rice for later in the week

Southern Tomato Pie, Butter Beans, Corn on Cob, Blueberry Citrus Cake
I've never had a Southern Tomato Pie and I've lived in the South all my life!  I must think this is a Wow! recipe because  I found it four times in my recipe files this past week.  It's a meat free meal but I'm hoping my husband doesn't notice.  The cake recipe starts with a lemon mix, has fresh blueberries and is frosted with a light lemon icing.

Asian Beef Rolls, Rice, Peach and Raspberry Pots
I've not made these in years but they are light and tasty.  I'll split a pound of ground beef between this recipe and one later in this week.  Garlic, ginger, green onions are the main seasonings in the beef.  Formed into small oblongs and broiled (or grilled) then the beef patty and rice, cucumber and radish are all wrapped together in Boston lettuce leaves and dipped in a wonderful soy dipping sauce.  Yummy!  And filling with all the raw vegetables.  The dessert: just peaches, raspberries and yogurt.

Greek Chicken with Red Wine and Garlic, Greek Pasta Salad, Crusty Bread
The chicken will cook in the crock pot.  The salad is a mix of pasta, tomato, cucumber and feta.

Brazilian Burger, Roasted Vegetables, Parmesan Oven Fries
This burger recipe is great for a traditional burger or for a 'fancy' ground sirloin.  The meat is seasoned with garlic, green onions, and Parmesan cheese.  The temperature is supposed to 'dip' lower and I think I can swing a broiler meal without generating too much heat in the house.