Grocery Bag

After a weekend of enjoying Thanksgiving and it's leftovers, it is time to return to the weekly meal plan. I have lots of favorites in store for us this week.  For us, it's the first week of Advent and my last week of work for the year, so there is lot's to celebrate!  

Day One

Curry Chicken Salad from Cooking Light Magazine

 with wheat crackers

Photo and recipe from MyRecipes.com

Even my southern-boy husband loves this curried version of chicken salad.  It's one of my favorites: full of fruit, and I add 1/2 cup minced celery to add extra crunch.  If you have left over turkey this week, try using it in place of chicken in this recipe.  You'll never know you are eating turkey!

Day Two

Nana's Shrimp Creole with brown rice

Another Johnson favorite, Nana's Shrimp Creole.

Time to share yet another Johnson Family favorite.  This recipe is from my mother-in-law, the quintessential southern hostess.  This recipe is hearty yet healthy, tangy with a hint of sweetness, and a true one pot wonder.  To entice the kids the eat the creole, I chop up the shrimp and mince the onion, green pepper and celery.  They usually ask for seconds.

Nana Johnson's Shrimp Creole

½ cup finely chopped onion

½ cup finely chopped celery

1 garlic clove

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 16oz can tomatoes (or 2 cups)

1 8oz can seasoned tomato sauce

1 ½ tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp chili powder

1 Tbsp Worchestershire sauce

1 tsp cornstarch

12 oz raw cleaned shrimp (chopped if desired)

½ cup finely chopped green pepper

Cook onion, celery and garlic in oil until tender but not brown.  Add tomatoes, sauce, and  seasonings.  Simmer uncovered for 35-45 minutes.  Mix cornstarch with 2 tsp water and stir into sauce.  Cook until mixture thickens, a few minutes more.  Add shrimp and green pepper.  Cover and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes more.  Serve with rice.

Yum!

Day Three

Shepherd's Pie from Southern Living Magazine

with green beans and homemade bread

Photo and recipe from MyRecipes.com

I am excited to try this recipe this week for several reasons.  First, what better way to use left-over mashed potatoes then shepherd's pie?  Second, this version is packed with veggies.  I will probably add some chopped celery to the beef base.  Delish!

Day Four 

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Lasagna from Bon Appetit Magazine

with romaine salad 

Photo and recipe at Epicurious.com

This recipe was gifted to me in honor of our first Thanksgiving after getting married.  

It is one of my go-to meals when we are entertaining friends, but it is easy enough to make ahead for a family weeknight meal.  Perfect paired with a salad and warm bread.

Day Five
Boeuf Bourguignon Soup from Martha Stewart Living Magazine
with cornbread
This recipe is in the December 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living.  It gets rave reviews.  I will post a link as soon as the recipe is posted online.  It takes 3 hours to simmer on the stove, so I am saving this recipe for Friday when I have a half-day for my last day of work!

Blessings on your kitchen this week!