Meals for the Week

I have tried to get into a good habit of planning out the week's menu (and it's an ideal - it doesn't always happen like we plan it) to insure I don't walk around the grocery store aimlessly or buy food impulsively. I think there is a direct correlation between adding family members to the adventure and how much we spend (it's exponential). I also think that depending on where we shop there are added temptations (i.e. expensive gelato ice cream and baked goods at Holiday Market and an array of yummy cheeses and wines at Trader Joe's).

This is the planned menu for the week's dinners. I know going in that my son will probably turn his nose up and eat some cereal some nights and that's going to be okay.

Chicken Sate Chicken with Peanut Sauce and green beans
Baked Spaghetti
Fettucine Alfredo with Bacon
Beef and  Cheese Crostada

There is one night I'm working late (all night basically) so my husband is on duty. I think he will make his famous "Tomato Soup and Noodles". Basic fare but the kids love it. He adds some velveeta to the soup in addition to milk and pours it over macaroni or egg noodles. 4 out of 4 Hendrens will eat it so that's high praise.

Tonight will be considered like Saturday around here - no cooking tonight - because of tomorrow's holiday. Still deciding if it's carry out or dine out today.

We did have a lovely meal with friends in Shelby Township last night. We placed a massive order for carry out from Da Francesco's nearby. Because there were so many of us, lots of choices. I highly recommend the calamari with lemon sauce and the marinated seafood platter for appetizers. The veal dish we chose - Vitello Cotrones - had a brandy cream cheese sauce which was a nice change, topped with some wild mushrooms. Gnocchi in a creamy palomino sauce was also quite good.