BLT Creamy Mac-N-Cheese

BLT Creamy Mac-n-Cheese via Rachael Ray

My daughter has declared at the dinner table on many occasions (while practically drinking ketchup or salsa through a straw) her pure and total hatred of tomatoes.  Those geniuses at PBS came up with a Daniel Tiger episode last year that contains the song lyrics, "You've gotta try new foods 'cause they might taste good."  This helped a little in other food categories, but never with her tomato hatred.

I continued to serve foods with tomatoes in/on them that my daughter could choose to eat or pass up.  I did not make a "thing" out of her having to try them again, nor did I leave them out of the recipe because I knew she wouldn't eat them.  

To be completely honest, *I* don't love tomatoes...by themselves.  But I like them in or with other foods.  I finally fessed up to this one day when my daughter saw me eating around the whole cherry tomatoes in my salad.  Instead of this bolstering her hatred of the food, I think it helped her view them as a "sometimes" food instead of a "never" food.  Our great compromise was BLT's.  The girl loves her bacon.  Sheepish delight spread over her face one day as she admitted, "I like tomatoes in BLT's."  (This has become a great reminder for other foods she continues to insist on hating.  But really, she's three and a half...so in reality, she asks what's for dinner every afternoon, and after hearing my answer immediately says, "I don't like ___."  Then she asks for seconds that evening.)

So this meal is for my daughter, myself, and all the sometimes-tomato-haters out there.  May we all find a dish with a dreaded food that will compel us to ask for seconds.

Real Life Dinner

What do your family meals look like--large & elaborate?  Small & simple?  If you're like me, your alternate universe is filled with daily elaborate family dinners, complete with a large roast beast & three delectable side dishes.  With homemade rolls.  And dessert.  But if that's your idea of weeknight family dinners, I have a feeling that you feel defeated before you even start.

Since when did dinner have to kick our tails?

While I love side-dishes as much as the next foodie, I rarely bother with them unless it's a special occasion.  In my mind, they're what tip the scales between whether dinner is worth the trouble tonight or too overwhelming-and-can-you-just-pick-up-a-pizza-on-the-way-home-please-dear?

So what do meals look like at the Frugal Foodie's house?

{Well, let's just keep it REEEEALLY real: I have a Costco-sized stash of boxed mac-n-cheese in my closet.  It comes out once every other week or so when I need a pinch-hitter.  If my family is extra lucky, I serve baby carrots on the side.  Hey, it's cheaper than takeout, it's quick to make, & everyone likes it.}

On my better nights, I usually serve my main dish (for me, those are the menu items in the Planners), with a side salad, & sometimes some bread.  That's it.  On weeks when I have extra time to plan, I may write in some quick veggie sides (sauteed green beans & the like) on my grocery list, but I prefer to leave those for a larger family dinner on a weekend.  The truth is, we don't need tons of food for dinner.  Your food-loving perfectionistic alter-ego may have this expectation that you need to fill the table with 5 different serving dishes.  But it's the real life YOU that has to prepare dinner...and pay for it, for that matter!

If you're making Apple Chicken this week, you already have protein & fruit in your main dish.  Add a side salad (and I'm talking cut up romaine w/ a light vinaigrette--eeeeeeasy stuff) & some type of grain (bread, rice, quinoa, etc), and call it a meal.

If you're making Ravioli w/ Brown Butter & Sage, you've got your grain/carb & dairy in your main dish. Serve with a side salad, & some apple or pear slices.

If you're making Spicy Tomato Soup, you have fruit & veggies (tomatoes & onion/garlic) and a little bit of protein/dairy (cheese).  Add a side salad & some bread.

If you're making Garlic Flank Steak, there's your protein.  Add a side salad (or maybe some roasted or grilled veggies if you want to get fancy) & some type of grain...you're done.

Pizza is my favorite well-balanced meal (if you play it right). This week, you have roasted veggies on top of your crust (grain), topped with melted mozzarella (protein/dairy). Add a side salad if you want some extra veggies.

I hope this takes some of the pressure off of your weeknight dinners.  They are perfect without all the bells & whistles!  And even on days when they aren't perfect, they're enough.  ;) 

Week of Sunday, July 1, 2012

Welcome to July, foodies!  Not only is this the month of my birth AND America's birth, but July showcases some of my absolute favorite fruits and veggies.

The beginning of the month means that subscriptions are now OPEN.  (FYI, subscriptions are my fancy way of letting you order & pay in advance...you can always order as many means as you want on a week-by-week basis.  The advantage to subscriptions?  The salad & dressing and super-awesome homemade bread, of course!)

If you're interested in "subscribing" to the month of July, just let me know which weeks you're interested in, you can pay the total in advance, and you'll be set for the month.  No hot kitchen to contend with, no sweaty trips from the car to the house with groceries...just good food and lots of extra time & money!  :)

Good news for my Frugal Foodie fanatics: I am now offering a referral incentive that is pretty sweet!  For every new client that mentions you recommended me, they get one free meal with the purchase of a meal...AND...YOU get a quart of my husband's amazing can't-eat-it-in-one-sitting-even-though-I've-tried homemade ice cream.  It doesn't get any sweeter than that, my friend!

The menu for this first week of July will either make you wish you weren't going out of town or rejoice that your Memphian tastebuds can celebrate the taste of summer and and good ole' American comfort food.  Every one of these dishes could be the star at a 4th of July potluck!

Orders due by Friday, June 29th at noon.

Subscription Homemade Dressing of the Week: Ranch
Subscription Homemade Bread of the Week: Artisan Loaf

1. Southern Fried Chicken

• Chicken tenderloins fried up golden and crispy.  I'll do the prep and you do the fryin' to ensure juicy, crisp awesomeness that will disappear like magic from the table.
• {Preparation: DO NOT be intimidated--frying chicken is super easy and I'll give you explicit instructions; It involves a big pot, a little canola oil, and 30 mins total.}

2. Martha Stewart's Creamy Mac N Cheese

• Yup, it just keeps getting better.  Because this recipe was adapted by Smitten Kitchen.  Foodies, rejoice!
• {Preparation: Bake for 30-40 mins total.}

3. Blue Cheese Bacon Burgers

• C'mon, you can't NOT grill burgers during Independence week.  :)  These will be juicy with a slice of blue cheese and some thick-cut bacon.  And don't worry--I'm not scrimping on the buns!
• {Preparation: Grill, assemble, 20 mins total.}

4. Peach Gazpacho

• A nice, refreshing break from the heavy stuff.  Serve chilled, which means...
• {Preparation: As quick as you can pour it, 0 mins total.}

5. Soft Pretzels with Dipping Sauce

• Another Smitten Kitchen/Martha Stewart combo, and a good stand-in for pizza night!
• {Preparation: These will be frozen; Pop 'em in the oven for 5-10 mins total.}