The start of the 2014-15 school year is off to a good start. Transition to 4th grade and Kindergarten has been pretty smooth, and after-school activities are starting to pick up. Plus things here and here have definitely been picking up. So I'm relying on weekly meal plans to keep me on track to cook as many family dinners as possible.

So what's on the menu this week?

Monday: Pasta with Cauliflower, Bacon & Breadcrumbs - we love cauliflower, especially browned on a cast iron skillet. We love bacon even more. 

Tuesday: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Potato and Carrot Hash - From Dinner: The Playbook. this looks to be a good mid-week meal - hearty, warm-your-bones good.  

Wednesday: Prince Spaghetti Day - to kick off National Pasta Month, we're going old school with spaghetti and meatballs. What's not to love? 

Thursday: Asian Chicken Slaw - From Dinner: A Love Story, this one is a winner in our house. Lots of kid-friendly flavors, plus it comes together quickly. And it's healthy to boot.  

Friday: Loaded Fried Rice - end of week, fridge clearing recipe. Plus I have some delicious Chinese sausage from DePasquale's of Newton  I'll toss in for good measure. 

Have a great week!

It's a new year, which usually means recycling the same New Year's Resolutions for me. And as always, one of my resolutions is to be a better cook. And like all resolutions, I have good intentions to make them, but often end up ignoring them. Oops - there goes my "Don't Procrastinate" resolution.

Until I saw that Jenny from Dinner: A Love Story had threw the gauntlet. She was challenging herself and her readers to make seven new meals in seven days. And to make it a little easier, she suggested doing this challenge over 14 days. Seven new meals in two weeks?  Not only would it challenge me to be a better cook, but get my kids to try new things and be adventurous. Actually, that goes for all of us.  Yeah, I'm game.

So how is it going so far?

Monday, January 7th:

DALS Tuscan Minestrone

Wednesday, January 9th:

DALS Greek-Style Shrimp with Feta

Friday, January 11th:

Bon Appetit Orange Beef w/Broccoli & Mushrooms

Sunday, January 13th:

Jamie Oliver's One-Tray Bake

Tuesday, January 15th:

DALS Weeknight Bolognese

We made a Wild-Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash for dinner tonight (but forgot to snap a picture). So that leaves one more new recipe before Sunday. What to make, what to make...