meal planning monday 2016: no. 6

It's a new week!

Last week meal planning didn't happen. Our schedules were just too crazy. The week before that some of our meals didn't happen as planned so I am including them this week so we can test them out!

Here's our line up:

monday// leftover chili
- recipe: PW's simple chili

tuesday// bacon and leek pasta
-PW's recipe using bacon instead of pancetta

wednesday// pesto chicken pasta
*Homemade pesto is always best but I will most likely be using store bought for the sake of convenience. All I do is cook the chicken in a skillet, add pesto at the end of cooking, and toss with cooked pasta with additional pesto.

thursday// italian sausage soup
mrs. anita granier's recipe

friday// pork burgers, oven fries, sautéed greens

saturday// meatloaf, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables
-PW's meatloaf recipe

sunday// slow cooker honey garlic chicken with potatoes and green beans
-recipe via tasty

What are you cooking this week?

7 on the 7th: kitchen tool favorites

This month's favorites come from my favorite place in our home: the kitchen!

 Here are a few of my kitchen must-haves that I put to use everyday.

1. garlic press: Fresh garlic is a game changer in recipes. I used to attempt slicing or mincing garlic with a knife. Now I use this handy little tool for super fine, crushed garlic.

2. mini food processor: I wish I was a super quick hand chopper. I'm not. Also, have a husband who prefers for any tomato product to be pulverized to a puree, so the chopper is my go-to for turning crushed or diced tomatoes into smooth tomatoes.

3. silicone mitt (& festive ones!): I won the silicone mitts in a dirty santa game this year. I love that they are multipurpose. I use them for removing hot items from the oven and also to open difficult jars! Also, seasonal kitchen linens are my love language.

4. microplane: My friend shared this tool with me and it is definitely a favorite. It is perfect for zesting citrus, grating garlic, grating parmesan, or fresh ginger.

5. ramekins: Small bowls may be my love language too. I love using them for serving Charlotte's food, my snacks (hello portion control), or for meal prep to hold ingredients.

6. salt and pepper grinders: There is nothing better than freshly ground pepper or salt. I used to buy the cheap filled plastic ones from aldi or kroger but then decided to buy refillable grinders at Walmart. I love them!

7. spoon rest: I use this little piggy my grandmother gave me as a spoon rest. I love having it out on my counter for decoration and functionality.

What are your most used, go-to kitchen gadgets?

meal planning monday 2012: no. 5

Believe it or not, last week I had a 6/7 record! I'm going for progress, not perfection.

This week here's our line up:

monday// leftover beef + hashbrown casserole
recipe via last week's meal plan

tuesday// chicken pot pie
recipe via mrs. brenda lichtenburg

wednesday// italian sausage soup
recipe via mrs. anita granier

thursday// slow cooker honey garlic chicken with potatoes + green beans
recipe via tasty

friday + saturday// plans with friends

sunday// super bowl snacks
TBA {all suggestions welcome}

What's on your week's menu?