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Monday, December 31, 2012

Tofu Parmesan Recipe!

This is my absolute favorite way to cook tofu!  It brings the tofu close enough to the texture of chicken that most people wouldn't realize that they aren't eating chicken right away.

Extra Firm Tofu
1 jar Pasta sauce
Whole wheat spaghetti, cooked
Ricotta
Mozzarella, shredded
Bread crumbs
Eggs

Slice your tofu into about 1/3 inch thick slices, starting at the short end.  Arrange them on a cutting board, freeze for 20 mins.
Whisk a couple of eggs in one bowl, and about 1c of seasoned bread crumbs in another.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
Dip the tofu in the egg, then coat with the bread crumbs.  Lay onto a baking sheet.
Bake at 375F til golden brown and crisping up a little.
Spread a small amount of pasta sauce into a baking dish , then layer Tofu, ricotta, pasta sauce, shredded mozzarella, tofu, ricotta, pasta sauce, mozzarella.
Bake at 375F till the cheese is melted and browning around the edges.
Serve with the pasta tossed in leftover pasta sauce.
Enjoy!


{ Weekly Meal Plan }

* Grilled chicken bleu cheese avocado salads with sweet potato fries. *
Fry recipe here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Perfect-Oven-Sweet-Potato-Fries/

* Tofu fajitas with black beans and corn. *
Tofu fajita recipe here:
http://mexican.food.com/recipe/tofu-fajitas-61406
And how to cook your tofu first:  cut it into half inch by 2 inch strips, lay all pieces side by side on your cutting board.  Place in the freezer for about 20 min.  Remove and toss in enchilada sauce.  Let sit 5 min.  Move to baking sheet, bake at 375F for 15 mins, turn, and bake another 15 min.

* Grilled tilapia with chimol , herbed quinoa and steamed spinach. *
Chimol recipe here:
http://diaryofaglammommy.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-not-pico-de-galo-its-chimol.html

* Sun dried tomato chicken sausages (Trader Joe's) with herbed quinoa and brussel sprouts. *

*Breaded, baked Tilapia nuggets with mashed cauliflower and steamed veggies. *
Mashed cauliflower recipe , here:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-stella/mock-garlic-mashed-potatoes-recipe/index.html

*Quinoa and kale patties with leftover steamed veggies and sliced farmers cheese from the coop. *
Quinoa and kale Patties recipe here: 
http://yummysupper.blogspot.com/2012/09/quinoa-kale-patties.html

And some pictures from last week...





Monday, December 24, 2012

*Weekly Meal Plan*

I can't help but feel a little fickle.  I never seem to keep up with my blog.   But I'm going to give it another shot ;-)

We've been making an effort to eat healthier and incorporate more all natural and organic foods into our menus.

Finding all natural and organic foods that fit a budget can be difficult, and I'm so thankful that a Trader Joe's has opened up near us.

This weeks meals are as follows , though in no particular order ...

Homemade Pizza with Avocado Bacon Bleu Cheese Salad.  Using this dough recipe.  
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/pizza-dough-recipe/index.html

Tofu Parmesan with spaghetti and salad.

Tilapia with brussel sprouts and herbed quinoa.    I cook the quinoa according to instructions, then saute onion, garlic, fresh Italian parsley and dried thyme in EVOO, add some lemon juice, and fluff it into the quinoa.   I do this for any recipe that uses quinoa.

Chicken burgers (ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, seasonings, shaped and grilled) on homemade buns with steamed spinach.  I use this bun recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hamburger-buns/detail.aspx

Sweet potato and black bean chili over whole grain rice with salad. Chili recipe here:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Sweet-Potato---Black-Bean-Chili

Quinoa and kale patties with mixed veggies and farmers cheese.

We bake white whole wheat bread to use for pbj sandwiches , and the kids alternate between cereal, oatmeal with raisins and bananas, pancakes, etc for breakfast.

Below was my grocery list with an estimate of cost, I ended up spending about $80.  We already had some things on hand, like frozen tilapia, and staples like oatmeal, quinoa, flour, butter, rice, etc.

I bought most of our food at Trader Joe's, then follow up with Krogers for items that I know will be substantially cheaper or that aren't available at Trader Joe's.

Cereal , organic 2.50
Milk 3.30
Juice 2.00
Sugar 2.50
Eggs , organic 2.79
Marinara sauce, organic 1.99
Cheese 2.00
Mushrooms, organic 2.00
Salad  2.00
ground chicken  3.50
Tomatoes 2.00
Pickles, organic 2.00
Organic frozen spinach 1.70
Organic frozen Mixed veggies 1.70
Salad 2.00
Tofu , organic 2.00
Spaghetti , whole wheat, organic 1.40
Cheese 1.88
Organic pasta sauce 2.50
Ricotta  2.50
2 Onions 1.60
Bag of sweet potatoes 1.89
2 cans organic black beans 2.40
Can of fire roasted tomato 1.00
Cheese 1.88
Coffee, organic fair trade 8.00
Salad 2.00
Pears, bananas, apples 4.00
Natural peanut butter 2.50
Garlic .50
parsley 1.00

Please comment with your menu!!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

BOB Stroller giveaway at Ascending Butterfly!

Ascending Butterfly is giving away a BOB stroller to one lucky winner!  
Check it out here:  http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2012/12/bob-stroller-from-britax-holiday.html