I Love July

Ahhhhhhhh... Hot summer days! My favorite things in the whole world. We are having a pretty simple week - hopefully filled with long evenings in the pool. :)

Monday - I need some beef! I'm going with my favorite easiest Slow Cooker Pot Roast. I use red wine for the water and thicken with corn starch at the end because I like thicker gravies. YUM!

Tuesday - As you might be able to tell from my blog, I love trying new recipes. I like making things I never have - sometimes I like it, sometimes not so much. Food blogs are just wonderful places to let my culinary imagination run amok! LOL Today we are going into uncharted territory.... Indian food. Chicken Tiki Masala from My Big Red Kitchen caught my eye last week.

Wednesday - Weigh-in is coming up...... that means shrimp. I found this on the Weight Watchers recipe board and thought it sounded interesting:

Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes

Serves: 4 servings, serving size: 2 cups
Nut: 285 cal., 10 fat, 5 fiber

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)

1 1/4 pounds large shrimp (about 20), peeled and deveined
1 (11-ounce) package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, or 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained, and quartered
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic and shallots and cook, stirring until softened but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add shrimp, artichoke hearts, wine, and lemon juice and cook until the shrimp are cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in the parsley, salt and pepper.
Divide among 4 plates, garnish with additional parsley, and serve.

Thursday - Weigh in day! I saw a new little Thai place opened up in the town we go for meetings........ I think we will give it a try. (pppsssttt.... Did I tell you, last week I went into what diet pros call "onederland". I have been there for a couple of years, and I'm really excited to keep going to get to places I haven't been for 15 years and then on to places I've NEVER been!).

Friday - Since the mini-chicks are going to be off at Camp Zanika next week, I thought I'd throw them a bone - maybe even literally and make the all-time fave of shake 'n bake pork chops. ;)

Saturday - I've admitted that I like Throwdown with Bobby Flay. I saw the chicken cacciatore show a long time ago and made Keith Young's Chicken Cacciatore and never have looked for another recipe. That doesn't happen very often with me! I think I'll use skinless thighs and lots less oil for frying.

Sunday - I'm taking the girls to camp. We have to be there by 2:00 pm - we'll leave, go have lunch and then I'll be all alone until next Saturday.

Don't hold your breathe for a meal plan! LOL I bet I eat Smart Ones and baked potatoes. :)