Grocery Bag

I am ready to savor this week.  It is my last week of before returning to work and the last week for most of the Minneapolis farmers markets.  *Sigh*.  Whoa, I stand corrected, (by an early morning comment from the Minneapolis Farmers Market itself!) the mighty Mpls Farmers Market remains open 7 days a week, even as others phase out.  I'll be shopping there until the last stall closes.  So, while I'll have to adjust to life back at the hospital next week, I won't have to head back to the grocery store produce section just yet.  

Thank goodness for the beautiful weather and all of our autumn family fun.  Here are my meal ideas to get us through this week.  Thanks for reading today.

Day One

Corn Chowder from Food & Wine Magazine

with grilled cheese squares

Everyone should have a favorite corn chowder recipe.  This is mine.

It's a delicious, hearty soup that we love.  I add bacon and top with fresh parsley.  

We cut our grilled cheese into mini squares: perfect for little fingers and for dipping.

Corn Chowder photo at MyRecipes.com

Day Two

Beef & Cheesy Noodle Bake from Cooking Light

This is a great baked pasta that hides veggies from picky eaters.  

It is another favorite dish in our house.

Beef & Cheesy Noodle Bake photo from MyRecipes.com

Now, at some point in the week you are going to want to buy a rotisserie chicken or cook a whole chicken like me, so that you will have plenty of cooked, shredded chicken at the ready for the next two meals.  But before you throw out your leftover chicken, DO YOURSELF a FAVOR and SAVE SOME MONEY and use your bones and chicken leftovers to make chicken stock.  It's so easy!  Just cover the carcass with water, some salt & your favorite herbs in a crock pot and cook on low overnight (after dinner!) or for 10-12 hours.  Strain the broth off the solids & either use it right away for your next dinner or freeze in containers for future use.  As T has proclaimed, "this is the REAL stuff.  It just tastes better."

Day Three
Salsa Verde Chicken & Herbed Cornmeal Dumplings

from Pam Anderson's Perfect One-Dish Dinners

Use some of  you cooked chicken in this delish dinner.

My aunt is a fabulous cook and recommends this with rave reviews.  

I can't wait to make it myself.

Day Four
Lazy Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Stew 

with homemade wheat bread

Yum.  Great for study nights with friends...they always ask for the recipe.  

Great way to use your new homemade broth and cooked chicken.

Creamy Chicken Soup photo at Food.com

Day Five

Black Bean Burrito Bake  from Cooking Light 
with Cilantro-lime rice from Everyday Food Magazine

Black Bean Burrito Bake photo at MyRecipes.com

Cilantro-lime rice photo at Everyday Food online

Thanks for meal planning with us this week!  A great place to find other menus is at Menu Planning Monday, hosted by Organizing Junkie.  

Blessings on your kitchen.