By Popular Demand

So, a couple of people have asked lately if I would continue to post up my weekly meal plans.  So to that end, we are going to jump back in!  If you are new to Hick Chick - then you'll soon realize that my meal plans are full of what is going on in my life, because that has a direct effect on how "culinary" I am feeling.

MONDAY
September payroll is finished at work. YEA!  I finished last Thursday so I could spend Friday at the hospital with KK.  She had a cyst in her right sinus that had to be drained and removed (GROSS, right? LOL) She is doing very well and she be back to 100% in a week or so.  This week at work I should get to leave at normal time and cooking dinner can be a priority instead of an "here eat these cup o' noodles" or "here eat this sandwich".  Since cooking has been a little weak around here lately, I hadn't been keeping up with The Pioneer Woman very much, but a quick tour of the cooking section found these Fried Round Steaks which I thought would go so good with my friend Cookin' Mama's Grilled Potato Casserole.  I won't grill them, but do them in the oven.  I found some great yellow peppers at my local fruit stand that I will use instead of the green peppers.

TUESDAY
KK is playing volleyball again this year and she has an away game Tuesday night, it will be just SS & I.  And what better way to make SS happy than some Easy-Peasy Chicken Legs! She will tell me I'm the best momma in the whole world!

WEDNESDAY
We are doing piano lessons again this year.  SS loves it so much!  Her teacher says she practices more than any of her other students.  I love to hear how much she has improved the past two years.  AND this year, the teacher has decided to do some later evening lessons - so that the older kids who have sports can continue, or in our case, start lessons.  Yep, that's right KK is taking lessons now too.  Our lessons are from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm - so that means we have to leave the house at 6:45 and that means there is plenty of time to make a good dinner before we have to leave.  That makes the momma happy too. :)  I think there will be plenty of time to make Lasagna Roll Ups. Isn't that the prettiest picture that is on Allrecipes?

THURSDAY
More volleyball - but here tonight.   So, we will have a yummy quick dinner of my potato soup (no recipe, just the simple version my momma always made) and grilled cheese.  If we have any fresh tomatoes left, you can bet that I'll be having a slice on mine sandwich!

FRIDAY
One of my cooking friends shared this Chicken Curry awhile back.  It was so delicious with this homemade Mango Chutney. I scaled it to 1 cup and used it all - it was sooooooooo good.  If you aren't on Facebook (you should be so that you can "like" Hick Chick!! LOL) here is the recipe for the curry:

Chicken Curry Madras
Serves 4
1lb boneless chicken meat, cut into 1/4" strips
2T peanut oil
2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
2T madras curry powder (or favorite curry powder - I used about 1 1/2 T of what was in my cupboard - careful depending what kind you use it can be pretty spicy)
1c half-&-half (I used 2% milk with 2 teaspoons of corn starch - it was still rich and wonderful)
1/2c mango chutney
finely chopped red chili peppers, to taste - (I used a healthy pinch of red chili flakes)
salt, to taste

1) Heat peanut oil in large skillet. When oil is very hot, sauté chicken strips and garlic until golden brown on all sides.
2) Add curry powder and chili peppers and stir quickly.
3) Add half-&-half and chutney. Simmer for a few minutes.
4) Serve over steamed jasmine rice.

Note: Condiments such as crushed peanuts, raisins, grated coconut, chilies, chutneys may be served on the side, depending on individual taste.

SATURDAY
All last fall, winter, and spring I spent making Caramelized Red Onion-Feta Burgers in preparation to go to the Pillsbury Bake-off Contest in April.  I made it on average of at least once a week from September to March.  Even though they are tasty little burgers and I want everybody else in the world to make them, they haven't exactly been high on my priority list of things to make.  Really, there are only about 3 things (sloppy joes, spaghetti sauce, and beef stroganoff) that I make the same why every time.  Everything else - I'm always on a quest for something new and better.  So - it is has been awhile since I've made "my burgers" - but SS actually begged me to make them as in "please, momma.... please, please, please".  How could I resist!

SUNDAY
One of the things I've been questing to find the perfect recipe for is meatloaf.  Here is the next on my list of ones to try:

Meat Loaf
Serves 6 to 8

2 pounds ground sirloin
¾ cup finely chopped onion
½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups dry bread crumbs
3 eggs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup marinara sauce (use your favorite brand)
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons A-1 Steak Sauce
2 splashes of Tabasco
Glaze: 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl, combine all except glaze ingredients and mix, preferably with your hands, until very well blended.

Pack meat mixture either into two 9 by 5 by 3 inch loaf pans or mold it into one freeform loaf on large baking sheet. It is important to press and smooth the meat loaf so it keeps shape.

Make the glaze by mixing together ketchup, brown sugar, and vinegar. Using pastry brush, brush top of each meat loaf evenly.

Bake the meat loaves or single large loaf for 55-60 minutes, or until nicely browned outside and cooked through.

Have a great week and be sure and leave me a comment.  I'd love to know that you actually like to ready about my hick life and meal plans!