Lentils, Mushrooms and Salad for dinner

We had lentils with garlic, sea salt and Mrs. Dash orig.; sautéed mushrooms in olive oil with a little red onion and a large salad (Arugala, Mixed greens and tomato with oil, vinegar and basil.

I used this recipe to make the lentils http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-dried-lentils-116321

Parsley Wild Rice

I made wild rice and parsley yesterday. I sautéed mushrooms (1lb.) for 14 minutes. In another pot I had a cup of wild rice simmering in 6 cups of water for 45 minutes. When the mushrooms were golden I mixed the wild rice with the mushrooms and sprinkled 4 tbsp. of fresh parsley and 2 tbsp. of fresh squeezed lemon on top. You can add salt and pepper if you wish. I found this recipe on Martha Stewart website.  http://www.marthastewart.com/314462/wild-rice-with-mushrooms-and-parsley

Yesterday I Switched it Up

Yesterday I switched it up. Instead of using the Womans Day November Menu

We had kale, broccoli and Black bean chili.
I cut up celery, onion, pepper, browned it, browned 1 lb. of grass fed beef, added 1 28 oz. of tomato sauce, salt, pepper and 3-4 tbsp. of chili powder and cooked for 45 minutes. Served over rice.
oops, I forgot while I was preparing the above, I had a banana squash in the oven....I drizzled molasses and sugar on it (I am out of honey) when it came out of the oven.  You can add some butter it you like.

By the way, banana squash should be the number one prep food to grow in your garden....It is huge, although a little difficult to peal and cut up.  I really needed a hack saw :)  My friend gave me some out of her garden and she said she did not give me the larger ones!  She also told me they make great pumpkin pie...most cans of pumpkin are just some kind of squash.  

How to make a pumpkin pie from squash

Dinner Menus

This week and next we are using this blog free October Menu Plan:
http://www.soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.com/2013/10/01/october-2013-free-whole-food-monthly-meal-plan/
Today we had the Taco Casserole. It was very good.

There are so many blogs with recipes and menus. I like the fact that this one has breakfast and lunch as well as dinner.  Takes the "what-should-I-have-for-breakfast?" out of a rushed morning, or a leisurely one.  So, I'll let you know how this goes.

For more dinner menus check out:
http://www.pinterest.com/caroline_shaw2/dinner-menus/

Today we are having:

We are having Zinfully Delicious Short Ribs.  Can't wait to eat it. Yum.
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/zinfully-delicious-short-ribs/video/index.html

Food Before Bonaroo

The kids are leaving for Bonaroo tomorrow...
so I have had to make some dinners for them...

I bought four Cellone Pizza Shells,
2 cans of Italian Sauce (Dei Fratelli) 28oz.
2 cans of Italian/Herb (Contadina) Paste 6oz.
2pkg. of four cheese Italian shredded 8oz.
1 block of mozarella cheese .72lb.
1 pkg. of sliced mushrooms 8oz.
1 pkg. of sliced baby bella mushrooms 8oz.
1 red pepper sliced thin
jar of parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning
Mrs. Dash Table Blend
salt

Grab large mixing bowl. Mix the tomato sauce and
paste in a large bowl. Add some salt, Italian Seasoning
about a tsp., a little of Mrs. Dash and mix very well.

Grate the mozarella chunk into a bowl.

Spread 1 tsp. oil over surface of pizza shell.
Place about two large ladles of sauce on pizza and spread out.
Sprinkle as much cheese as you like...use both kinds.
Fan mushrooms out around pizza cover with a little more sauce.
Place peppers concentrically around and pop in oven for 6 minutes
(450 degrees)
Keep making until you have made four pizzas.....we made one plain..
with just cheese and sauce.

What We Had for Supper

Beef Stew

1 lb. of stewing beef (good quality)
1 pkg. of baby carrots (about a pound)
4 potatoes
1 onion
1 tbsp. oil
2tbsp. flour
salt and pepper to taste

Slice onions in big chunks, brown in oil.
Add beef and brown.
Throw in baby carrots and potatoes you have
cut into chunks...you may not even have to
peel (I didn't)
Sprinkle a couple of tbsp. flour over stew.
Add a cup of water and stir.
Cover tightly and simmer about an hour.