Wednesday's Words: Meal Plan

For all you new chefs out there, I have found the best way to organize your week is to meal plan. If you plan for each evening's entree and side (and don't forget about the occasional dessert!), then you can craft your grocery list and pickup all the ingredients you need in one fell swoop. Once I plan my menu, I do my shopping for the week on Sundays. But, on those nights I plan for fish I have the man of the house make a pit stop at the grocery store on his way home from work. Nothing beats fresh seafood. Even if it has been sitting in the Fishmonger's case for a couple days. Better his case than my refrigerator...it lets me believe it is "fresh."

The bottom line here? Planning your meals ensures you the freshest ingredients, oh and also ensures you have them on hand! There is nothing worse than missing that one key ingredient to making your dish absolutely divine! So tell me, how do you meal plan?

Editor's note: The only obstacle with planning is sometimes unforeseen circumstances may get in your way. If that is the case, hopefully you can use your fresh ingredients the next day. It might even allow you to eat in on that Friday night you thought you had to eat out!


You know the drill...don't forget to check back on Friday!

This Week's Menu

Monday

Stuffed Green Peppers

Tuesday

Family Dinner Night
(This means I have the night off!!)

Wednesday

Chopped Salad with Sautéed Shrimp 

Thursday

Grilled Chicken
Served with Mixed Vegetables

This week's Wednesday's Words is all about a meal plan!

Week in Review

It has proved to be another..er kind of..successful week in Schell's Kitchen. I was pleasantly surprised when the preparation of two meals was less labor intensive than I expected! This week's review should have your mouth watering!

Meatloaf Minis with Mashed New Potatoes and Green Beans

I have to tell you meatloaf is not one of my all time favs. Well, this my friends had me at hello. The idea of a mini meatloaf is genius. It gives everyone just enough and you don't a leftover loaf of meat sitting in your fridge (and you know how I feel about leftovers!). This recipe called for a twist...diced white cheddar cheese.

Homemade Pizza

I came across a recipe titled "Sunny-side-up Egg and Pesto Pizza." I am not one for expanding my pallet all too much, but I thought I would try something new. I am sorry to say folks, but this might not be one I would try again.

Pesto-stuffed Chicken with Rice Pilaf

I didn't intentionally plan two meals calling for pesto on purpose, but I'm glad I did. I can rest comfortably knowing that $6.99 jar (don't tell my husband!) wasn't going to waste after just one use. I decided to add sautéed spinach to the meal. Fresh spinach is a favorite in this household. This meal was a nice way to end the week. 

Until next time friends, Bon Appétit!

Wednesday's Words: Preparation Part II

I find it best to prepare as much as I can the night before I cook the actual meal. It cuts down on the amount of time until dinner is served. And when you have a hungry husband at home, trust me you will want to cut down on your prep time as much as possible! It also makes it easy for him to make dinner before you get home on those nights he gets a wild hair! I also ensure I always have ingredients on hand for a quick salad. It makes for a nice (and easy) starter. 

Prepping the night before does, however, make for a long day. When my days consist of a full day's work and a quick hour-long workout, coupled with long commutes to and from work, some nights I don't find myself sitting down until 11 o'clock when I finally get into bed. But, the rewarding outcome of a week filled with several homemade meals? An appreciative, well-fed husband! What more could a lady ask for? That's what June Cleaver got anyway. Now my kitchen does not always reflect that of Mrs. Cleaver's, but that's what cleanup time is for once you've indulged in the gorgeous offering you have prepared. And don't be shy to ask that husband of yours for a little help with the dishes!


Check back again on Friday for another week in review!

This Week's Menu

Monday

Meatloaf Minis

Served with Mashed New Potatoes and Green Beans

Tuesday

Homemade Pizza 

Wednesday

Leftover Pizza 

Thursday

Pesto-stuffed Chicken

Served with Rice Pilaf

Look for Preparation Part II in this week's Wednesday's Words!

Week in Review

I am still trying to master the time it takes to prep my meal all the way until the meal is plated. As a result, sometimes it feels like just as we are sitting down to indulge, the rest of you are getting ready for bed! But, since practice makes perfect I must be on the road to perfection! This week proved to a successful week in Schell's Kitchen, so without further ado here is my week in review: 

Fish Tacos with Spanish Rice

I marinated tilapia in a pineapple ginger marinade. For quick and easy garnishes, I used black beans, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and cheese (I did not have the traditional Cotija typically used as a taco garnishing, so I substituted with Feta).

Bacon-wrapped Filets with Sautéed Mushrooms and Spinach

So, I was feeling adventurous and decided to add some surf to our turf. I also sautéed onions with the mushrooms and spinach (and some fresh minced garlic too!).

Chicken Parmesan with Parmesan Pull-Aparts

This was the meal of the week that consumed a tad more time than expected. Let's hope for better luck next time!

Wednesday's Words: Preparation Part I

I usually prepare three meals a week, not including Sunday. Fridays and Saturdays are left to the chefs behind the swinging kitchen doors, and Sundays, well that depends what sort of mood I am in. Three meals during the week allows for at least one day of leftovers. Fortunately, most of the meals I prepare do not allow for leftovers. This prevents me from wondering what the heck to do with all of the food. While leftovers save time and money, they can be a bore. And there's something about more than a day old food that gives me the willies.


Don't forget to check back on Friday for my week in review!

This Week's Menu

Monday

Fish Tacos 

Served with Spanish Rice

Tuesday

Bacon-wrapped Filets 

Served with Sautéed Mushrooms and Fresh Spinach

Wednesday

Chicken Parmesan 

Served over Pasta with Parmesan Pull-Aparts

Thursday

Leftover Chicken Parmesan

Don't forget to check back on Wednesday for my Wednesday's Words segment!

Introduction

I am not a self-proclaimed blogger and I am definitely not a self-proclaimed chef (even though my darling husband tells me otherwise). But here it is, my cooking blog. I wanted a place to document all of my meals. Okay, maybe not all of my meals, but at least the ones deserving of an accolade. I am kind if new at this and I figured a little documentary never hurt anyone. I also wanted a place where all of you experimental chefs out there could see you are not alone. I did not grow up in the kitchen. I was never eager to assist my mother with preparing dinner for our family. But they say marriage changes everything, and with my marriage not only did I become a wife, I became a cook in the kitchen!

I've named myself "Schell's Kitchen," sort of like Hell's Kitchen; the reality television cooking competition. It sounded appropriate as I compete against myself every time I make a new meal. And who doesn't want to be the star of their own reality TV show? 

I get my inspiration from several different sources. If any of the pictures look enticing, just ask! I will post each week's menu on Sunday. I will post tips and tools of the novice trade weekly in the "Wednesday's Words" segment. And those portraits I take before I let that husband of mine dig in? Well, I will do a week in review on Fridays to show you just how good (or bad!) the week ended while you enjoy your cup o' joe, thanking your lucky stars it's the weekend!

Don't forget to check back on Sunday!