Menu For The Week

My friend Michelle has a blog that is devoted to the kitchen. On Monday's she is posting her menu for the week to inspire new recipes and money/time management skills as well! I'm very proud of her. Since joining Weight Watchers making a menu is almost imperative. I need to know what I'm having for dinner so I can plan the rest of my day carefully. As you can see by my last blog...it works for weight loss too!

So I'm joining her and including my "Monday's Menu". Don't get all hung up on the fact that today is Tuesday...I will be on the ball next week! Or maybe not...and that is where all of my blog friends extend some grace!

Just a couple of disclaimers:

1. I am on Weight Watchers but when my husband has class two nights a week there are weeks I just don't feel like feeding the birds (children and grandfather) in my home...making a whole meal for each of them to eat a spoonful! So there are those weeks (like this one) that I make something for them and I eat something "point worthy"! So bear that in mind!! What I eat (except for Saturday, that is my splurge day), is very heart healthy and Weight Watcher friendly. I hope this blesses anyone wanting to eat healthy!!

2. My husband is unemployed so other than our little tiny unemployment check...we don't have an income at this time. SO, my menu has to reflect our budget. Thus you will notice...a recurring word: leftovers! All I have to say is....get to love them ok!!


Monday: Garlic Roasted Chicken with red potatoes, carrots and garlic (it is one dish that goes in the oven and I use skinless split chicken breasts) I serve it with broccoli (my kids favorite veggie). It is a family winner (we don't always have winners in this house) :) 4 points for 4 oz of chicken and for 3/4 cup of potatoes and carrots with roasted garlic 3 points --- 7 point meal!

Tuesday: (Husband has school) Famous Homemade Baked Macaroni and Cheese (NOT Weight Watcher friendly...9 points per 1/2 cup) (I ate leftover from yesterday....children and Pop ate this and LOVED it!) Another family winner!!

Wednesday: Spinach, Rice & Black Bean Burritos 8 points for a whole burrito!! BIG SERVING-- you could totally eat half a burrito with some salad and have it be less points!

Thursday: (Husband has school) Leftover Baked Macaroni & Cheese for family (left over burrito for me)

Friday: Pork Chop & Potatoes with Creamy Gravy - 6 points (recipe to follow) - This is a new recipe, I will let you know how it is next week. It sounded good!


Pork Chops & Potatoes In Creamy Gravy
Found in: American Heart Association One-Dish Meals
6 WW points
Serves 4 (1 pork chop & 1 1/4 cups veggie mixture)

4 lean pork chops with bone in (about 5 oz. each)
Paprika to taste
Pepper to taste
Veggie oil spray
2 cups fat-free, low sodium chicken broth
1 lb. red potatoes cut into wedges
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. dried tarragon, crumbled
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. salt
4 oz jar sliced pimientos

Sprinkle one side of the pork chops with paprika and pepper.

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Remove the skillet from the heat and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray. Cook the pork chops with the seasoned side down for 1 minute. Remove from the skillet.

In the same skillet, stir together the broth, potatoes, onions, carrots, and tarragon. Bring to boil. Top with the pork chops with the seasoned side up. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 12 minutes, or until the pork is no longer pink in the center and the potatoes are tender.

Using a large slotted spoon, transfer the veggies to a serving platter with a rim or to a large shallow bowl. Top with the pork. Cover with aluminium foil to keep warm. Set aside.

Increase the heat to high. Bring the broth to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, or until reduced to 1 cup.

Reduce the heat to medium. Whisk in the evaporated milk and flour until well blended. Stir in the salt. (You can scrape the skillet with a flat spatula...you know to get the yumminess on the bottom) Cook for 2 minutes.

Stir in the pimientos (You could totally leave this out if you were not a pimiento fan)! Pour over the vegetables on the serving platter and voila! Sounds like comfort food to me!!

This was fun!!