Last week got away from me. Or, I should say that I got distracted. First there was my new copy of Michelle Stern’s The Whole Family Cookbook. I read Michelle’s blog, What’s Cooking with Kids, for ideas when planning my summer kids’ cooking classes. Michelle even includes a recipe in her book from one of my favorite gluten-free bloggers, Lauren of Celiac Teen. I had to try her Turkey Toes recipe and I paired it with Parmesan Crusted Sweet Potato Fries and Green Beans and Red Peppers from Amy Green’s Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free cookbook. This meal was given all thumbs up by the family. So it was Monday and I was already straying from the menu plan. Two nights I had volunteers for the cooking and so we had burgers and hash browns from the men in the family and a variation on PF Chang’s Spicy Chicken done with peach juice instead of pineapple.
I liked the youngest’s version of this recipe even better than the original and she promises to guest post with her Sweet and Spicy Chicken recipe soon. I also like the way the rest of the family stepped up to cook dinners this week. The slow cooker beef stew was waiting for me when I got home from a busy day in the big city, courtsey of the man of the house, who peeled and chopped all the veggies and added them to the meat and seasonings I had thrown in the slow cooker before I dashed out the door. Team work around here has made this mom proud.
Then Shirley shared a gluten-free chowder recipe and the cod I planned went into a quick Thai Chowder. I have this crazy reflex that every time I open a can of coconut milk to try a dairy-free soup, I reach for the Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste. This chowder was a great way to use up shredded carrots, a handful of French green beans, a cup of leftover hash browns, half a carton of veggie broth and the last bit of frozen corn in the bag. I think I just shared a recipe.
It was week of great dinners even if I did fall off the menu planning wagon. At least I had a well-stocked pantry and lots of fresh produce for the family to play with while we were all straying from the plan. For the rest of the gluten-free menu swappers visit Angela’s Kitchen where they are celebrating 10 years on the gluten-free path. Laura at Organizing Junkie has a great menu roundup each week.
This week’s plan of quick family favorites at our house (unless we get distracted):
- Today I am making Cheryl’s Kale Pesto with quinoa for Adopt a Gluten-Free Blogger
- Beef Stir Fry with asparagus, broccoli and peppers
- Salmon Cakes with slaw
- Pizza night- We can’t get enough of the socca crust and Scrumptious does a great job of explaining the recipe. Kale and sun-dried tomato with feta on top.
- Taco night with beef and black bean filling and spicy slaw on top.
- Minestrone with flatbread, salad
For more Gluten-Free Menu Planning Ideas browse my archives and visit my new Mother Earth News gluten-free blog for breakfast ideas from my cookbook author and blogging buddies.
Just a note: Michelle’s book is not a gluten-free cookbook, but is easy to adapt. I subbed GF bread crumbs and sweet rice flour in the Turkey Toes recipe. Lauren’s recipe in the book is, however, naturally gluten free.
"
I just ate part 2 of my breakfast (part 1 was my green smoothie), but these photos still have my stomach rumbling. All of your meals look and sound great as usual, Wendy.
Woohoo on family stepping in, especially on making a recipe better than its original! Thanks for the link love, dear. I do love your spur of the moment Thai Chowder. That is cooking and look how easy it is! I say that for all who think that cooking is hard. So not true and it’s fun! Off to check out all your links … have a great week!
Shirley
Now if I could just get them to takeout the trash. Thanks for the dinner inspiration last night my friend.
Pingback: Menu Plan Monday – Gluten Free Celebrations!! | Angela's Kitchen
Me? A distraction? Hmmm – that’s a label I can live with, especially if it helps to feed your family
Thank you for the shout out, Wendy!
There were a lot of distractions in your book, actually. I just love it and I’m happy to do some shouting.
Your pics are delicious! Wow! I love that your family pitched in with cooking last week – yay, team work!
Your menu sounds great, as usual. Hope you have a great week!
Suddenly hubby and I seem to be living with two other grownups. Don’t know when or how that happened.
Your pictures are just wonderful!! That food in the very top picture just look fantastic! YUM! And I REALLY must try a socca crust!!
Thanks Carrie. What’s even better is I didn’t have to make all of it either. Hubby cut up the fries and cooked the Turkey Toes and Shelby made the chicken.
love the new layout! And love to hear your thoughts on the pesto. Thai chowder sounds phenomenal.
Thanks Cheryl. I’m teaching myself all this WordPress stuff and playing around. You will definitely hear about the pesto.