Menu Board

So, one of my New Year's resolutions was to be more organized in our new house. I went out and bought a big dry erase board and hung it in my kitchen. I use it to keep track of the week's menu and other lists of items we need for the week or month. So far it's working great! Here is this week's menu.

On Monday I had a very busy day. Whole Foods has their roast chickens on sale for $6.99 on Mondays, so I picked one up. WF uses minimal ingredients in their chickens, salt, pepper and olive oil,  so it is something that the whole family can have. The other varieties have ingredients we can't eat. Always read labels and check ingredients! I threw some broccoli and buckwheat into the rice cooker and 20 minutes later dinner was done! The rice cooker is my new favorite gadget.

We wont eat a whole chicken in one sitting so on Tuesday I picked the rest of the meat off the chicken and made soup. I sauteed onions, garlic, carrots, celery and pancetta in a 3 quart pan. Added chicken broth (Kitchen Basics All Natural Chicken Stock is the brand my family can use,) a bag of frozen veggies I had on hand and the chicken. I also added a little salt and thyme for taste. The girls like it with crackers or over noodles.

Wednesday is my favorite this week. Avocado Salmon with Pan Roasted Zucchini, Squash & Onion served with Mexican Quinoa (not shown)

On a small sheet pan, I lightly dusted the salmon filets with salt, garlic powder, onion powder & chili powder. I sliced zucchini and squash with onion, tossed them with garlic powder, salt and olive oil. I put them in a separate pan and put them both in the oven at 375° for 20 minutes.

In the rice cooker I put uncooked quinoa (two cooker scoops,) about 1/2 tsp. of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup salsa (mild for the girls) and chicken broth to the liquid line per the cooker's instructions, pushed the go button and walked away. Did I mention I love this thing? While those items were cooking I diced up two avocados, one tomato, gently mixed them together so the avocado didn't mush too much. I added a little salt and garlic powder to taste. I served the salmon with a heaping spoonful of avocado on top.

Everyone in the family loved this dinner. I hope you try it. It was easy and healthy.