Alicia's Meals For A Week-Long Family Party

Budget Monday

Taco Salad

Brown 1 pound lean beef, drain. Add taco seasoning and water per directions on packet of taco season. Serve over tossed salad with olives, corn, tomatoes, green peeper, cucumber, Fritos, and Catalina dressing.

Fruit Salad

Fast Fixin Tuesday

Sandwich Ring

Bake Pillsbury french dough according to directions. Let cool before removing the top half. Spread Italian dressing over bread and let sit for a few minutes. Layer deli meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomato, and green pepper on bottom half of sandwich ring. Replace top half. Slice.

Veggie Tray

Chips

Ethnic Wednesday

Sesame Chicken (compliments of asiancooking!made easy on youtube and my mother's alterations)

3 pounds chicken breasts cut into 1.5” slices marinade in:

2 T sherry

2 t sesame oil

1/8 t chicken broth base (such as Minor's)

1/8 t white pepper

1.5 t sugar

Marinade for 1 hour.

Sauce:

1/4 c sugar

1/3 c honey

1/4 c ketchup

1 T soy sauce

Coat chicken with:

1 c flour

2 eggs

1 c cornstarch

Heat oil. Cook chicken in batches. Cook sauce, add chicken. Top with 2 T sesame seeds and 2 T green onions.

Fried Rice

Make white or brown rice early in the day. Rice should be cold or at room temperature. Heat olive oil in cast iron skillet to coat bottom. Add rice to the skillet, breaking up chunks with a wooden spoon. Make a well in the center and scramble 1-2 beaten eggs. Stir into rice. Add peas, carrots, corn, and beans. Sprinkle with ginger. Heat through. Serve with soy sauce.

Fruit

Thanksgiving Comfort Food Thursday

Several years ago our family came down with the flu the day after Thanksgiving...needless to say not many of us are willing to have a traditional “turkey dinner.” So here is what we have planned!

Steak - grilled to order

Mashed Potatoes

4 c water

1 c milk

6 T butter

1.5 t salt

bring these ingredients to a boil. Add,

4 c instant mashed potatoes

8 oz. Cream cheese

1/2 c sour cream

Spread in a greased casserole dish. Dot with butter and paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for at least 45 minutes.

Tossed Salad

Fudge Pie

1 9” unbaked pie crust

1 stick butter

3 squares unsweetened baking chocolate (OR 9 T cocoa powder and 3 T oil)

4 eggs

3 T light corn syrup (like Karo)

1.5 c sugar

1/4 t salt

1 t vanilla

Melt butter and chocolate in a pan over low heat. Beat eggs in a mixing bowl until light and foamy. Add karo, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Add slightly cooled chocolate mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. The top should be crusty, filling set, but still soft inside. Let cool. Then refrigerate.

Meatless Friday

Mexican Layered Pie

Cook 3 cups rice and season with cilantro.

Mix a can of refried beans with enough salsa to make it spreadable.

Layer in a springform pan:

Soft tortilla shell

refried beans

seasoned rice

canned corn

shredded cheese

Repeat layers. I usually do about 3 layers. Finish by spreading the last bit of refried beans over a tortilla shell and then cover with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Serve with salsa.

Fruit 

Family Favorite Saturday

Steak or Chicken Fajitas

Marinade steak or chicken for 3-4 hours.

½ c melted butter

¼ c soy sauce

¼ c worchestershire sauce

6 T lemon juice

Grill meat. Cut into strips and serve with tortilla shells, pico de gallo, cheese, and sour cream.

Fruit

Crockpot Sunday

Bean Burritos

The night before, rinse beans. Place in a dish and cover with water. In the morning drain beans and re-rinse. Add beans to crockpot and cover with water. Add salsa to taste. Cook on low for several hours. Serve with tortialla shells, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream.

Fruit