menu board and dick clark's corn fritters

the other morning when i made the message board and dry erase board i had one piece left over. i've been the world's worst at making dinner lately, so i thought making a menu board might help me get my act together.

i just took smaller pieces of the dry erase sheet from Michael's that i used for the other board and made 7 little areas.

so far so good. i went to the grocery store today and stocked up. i'm hoping i can keep this up!

for part of tonight's dinner we had "Dick Clark's Corn Fritters." I think i initially gathered the recipe from a Rachael Ray magazine. i have plenty of fritters to munch on during the week at school...yes...i go back tomorrow...so sad. here is the recipe in case you're interested:

Dick Clark's Corn Fritters

1 15oz can creamed corn
4 large eggs
1 c frozen corn
2 T sugar
salt and pepper
1/2 c flour
cooking spray

In a medium bowl, combine creamed corn, eggs, frozen corn and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour gradually, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

Spray a skillet with cooking spray. Drop tablespoonfuls of mixture into the pan to form small pancakes. Cook until browned on both sides.

dark chocolate banana protein shake

I need to get more protein...esp considering i'm a vegetarian AND pregnant.

In an effort to do so, I came up with this recipe.

I am really not a fan of protein powder, and believe me, thanks to my bodybuilding hubby, I've tried plenty of varieties. I needed a way to mask the flavor. Since I'm a chocolate lover, cocoa powder is my new best friend!

Ingredients:

8oz skim milk
1 scoop protein powder (you choose the brand...I think ours provides 24g of protein per scoop)
1/3 of a frozen banana cut into slices (I would suggest cutting the banana BEFORE you freeze it)
1 heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder (or less if you don't like bittersweet chocolate flavor)

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth

I hope this helps any of the rest of you who are protein-shy.

soup for a snowy day

i made this soup the other day and will probably make it again during this storm. it was good and fairly easy compared to other potato recipes i have tried. we had to add more seasonings as an fyi.

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2008/11/cheesy-potato-soup.html

dinner...3 days in a row?

with all said in my "struggle" post, here is a sampling of dinners this week.
monday--veggie lasagna and cheese bread


i found this delicious recipe from Parents Magazine, September 2009 issue. it was very easy to make, in fact, i think i will make it even easier the next time by assembling it ahead so that all i have to do when i get home from school is pop it in the oven.

ingredients:

1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 c shredded carrot
3 c baby spinach
1 jar pasta sauce (be sure to get a tasty one...it makes a big difference)
6 regular lasagna noodles (uncooked)
1/2 carton (15 oz) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 c shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1. Prep the veggies. Cut them all and then place them in a bowl with 2 Tbs water. cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes; drain. Stir in spinach.
2. heat pasta sauce, covered on high for 2 minutes.
3. Layer 1/2 c sauce, 4 noodles, half the veggies, half the ricotta, 1 cup sauce, and 1/3 cup mozzarella. Stack on 4 more noodles, remaining veggies and ricotta, 1/3 c mozzarella, 4 noodles, and rest of sauce.
4. Preheat oven to 350.
5. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 1 hour. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing. Makes 8 pieces.

The best part: Each piece is stuffed with 3 kid-sized portions of veggies!

again, i cannot take credit for this dish..check out Parents Magazine, September 2009 issue if my directions aren't clear.

Tuesday--Breakfast for Dinner!

fried eggs for shaun
scrambled for me and landon
homemade waffles with fresh blueberries

i just love breakfast for dinner...we did this once a week at least growing up!

Wednesday--potato soup

with it being ridiculously cold outside, this hit the spot!

Thursday--Fabios!!!

after cooking for three days (yes, for all you die hard cooks out there 3 days is stretching it for me!), we were ready for a change.

Fabios hit the spot...if you're a local and haven't checked this out, you've got it...it is fantastic and delivered! nothing better than that on a work night!

maybe next week i can continue the goal of cooking 3 nights a week and add something else to my nightly schedule that would make me feel a little more normal.

considering i've been trying to post this exact post all week, it might be a nice goal to post a little something each day on this blog or Landon's Love.

i'll need a lot of cheering on!