I didn't make a meal plan last week because I knew Brian would be working late nearly every night. Although this kept me from needing to cook each night, I, in turn, ate horribly...and so did Brian. The next 5 weeks will mean later work nights for him, but unless I want to buy new pants and feel just plain yuck I need to continue to cook...or at least prepare a well balanced dinner each night. This also helps in having leftovers for lunch.
Here's the run down for this week:
Monday--Lemon Marinated Grilled Chicken, Green Salad with Sorrell (bought at Farmer's Market), carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, red cabbage with homemade Green Goddess dressing (recipe coming soon), Roasted New Potatoes
Tuesday--White Bean and Swiss Chard Soup, Roasted Tomato Bruschetta
Wednesday--BBQ Short Ribs in Slow Cooker, Mashed Potatoes, Cabbage Salad with Tri Colored Bell Peppers
Thursday--Mom's Homemade Mac and Cheese, Steamed Broccoli
Friday--Leftovers or Carryout
Saturday--(lunch) Chicken Salad on Croissants, Fresh Mozzarella Salad with Avacado, Roasted Corn, and Grape Tomatoes, Roasted Beets in Orange Vinaigrette, Orzo Salad (dinner) Leftovers
Sunday--(lunch) Leftovers (dinner) Grilled Something
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On Saturday morning, Karsten and I went to the Bayou City Farmer's Market. Seriously, there is no other way I would rather start my Saturday. I LOVE farmer's markets. I think it goes back to the days of going to Fournie Farms as a child. My Mom went to one or another farmers market every week, sometimes twice a week and only used the grocery store to fill in where needed. Pike Place Market in Seattle is my mecca...I couldn't get enough of it and have decided that the next time we visit Seattle I am renting a house or condo where I have a kitchen. I nearly cried at the thought that I couldn't fully enjoy the bounty that this market had to offer.
The beauty of the Bayou City Farmer's Market is that everything is grown locally and much of it is organic. I'm currently reading a book (which I will blog about very soon) where the author spends a lot of time discussing how important it is to support our local businesses; as in local farmers, local artisans, mom and pop shops, local restaurants....not huge stores like Target (gasp...sigh...sniff). No, it's not possible to shop entirely local, but it got me thinking about how I could support locally owned business.
When going to the Farmer's Market I also try to pick up one thing I've never had before. I think this is such a fantastic way to get kids interested in eating well. Karsten will surely be a frequent visitor of farmer's markets.
I hope to go back in a few weekends and write an entire post about what they offer...but for now this is what I bought on Saturday
2 bouquets of fresh flowers and herbs for $5 each...they are happily sitting in mason jars on my kitchen counter now.
Orange and Red Beets, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Cucumbers, Cabbage
Purple and Orange Baby Carrots, Fresh Peas
Carrots...fresh from the ground!
Beets---love, love, love them
Sorrel--so this is my try something new item--it reminds me a bit of arugula with a lemony hint. I'll be using it in salad tonight.
My challenge to you...google about farmer's markets in your area...and then go to support your local businesses.
