Menu and Independence
Friday, January 16th, 2009After a nasty bout of gastroenteritis over the holidays I sort of fell off the wagon on the menus and Independence Days. But I really need the menus and the challenge of Independence Days to motivate me so I am back on the wagon. Our planned menu for the next two weeks is
Friday
Saturday
- Veggie and Chevre Calzone
Sunday
- Black Bean Burgers
- Sweet Corn
- Roasted Potatoes
Monday
- Takeout/Out to Eat Night
Tuesday
- Black Bean Torta (a slow cooker meal)
Wednesday
Thursday
- Broccoli and Shallot Risotto
Friday
- Chana Masala
- Mango Lassi
Saturday
- Butternut squash ravioli with Gorgonzola cream sauce
- I haven’t had ravioli (all the dough contains egg) since Thomas was diagnosed with his egg allergy over a year ago and I miss it so much. I am going to try and make my own egg-free dough and recreate one of my favorite dishes.
Sunday
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Tomato soup
Monday
- Takeout/Out to Eat Night
Tuesday
- Penne w/ Red Bell Pepper, Fausage (tofu sausage), and Creamy-Spicy Marinara
Wednesday
- Veggie Stir-Fry
- Rice
And now for the independence days update:
1. Plant Something or Take Care of Something You’ve Planted:
- Planted more bareroot strawberry crowns (about 50).
- Carrots. I want to try and plant carrots about every 6 weeks so we have a continuous supply
- Spread homemade compost around the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, peas, and broccoli. The compost is beautiful – like crumbled chocolate cake. I should take a picture; it is that pretty.
2. Harvest something:
- Broccoli!
- Parsley
- A few strawberries
3. Preserve something:
- Vegetable Stock (12 cups, frozen)
4. Prep something:
- Set up a third compost bin.
- Cut up some small downed oak and elm branches for kindling and tinder.
- Ordered a water purifier along with extra purifying elements.
- Picked up a double stroller and bunk beds (we’re planning ahead) used on craigslist.
5. Cook something new:
- Egg-free blueberry muffins. Verdict: Just ok; they didn’t have any oil/fat in them and stuck to the paper muffin liners like crazy. This recipe needs work.
- Peanut-butter oatmeal bars. Also just ok; too dry and crumbly.
6. Manage your reserves:
- Purchased another case of canned black beans and canned pinto beans. I try to use dried rather than canned, but it is good to have cans on hand for quick dinners and emergencies as there is no cooking required.
7. Work on local food systems:
- Does going out to eat 3 times at the local family owned Mexican place count? (Their salsa is so good and doesn’t contain garlic!).
