Well, this week includes Halloween! My parents will be coming in town for the weekend and will get to spend it with our kids for the first time. We'll be keeping it simple that night making some fancy grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup - a classic. Something to fill their tummies before all of that candy. Gavin said that he wants to trick-or-treat at one hundred houses! We'll see how he feels after we get through the 20 on our street. Hopefully, that will be enough. :) We are so busy this week - traveling to the local aquarium and battleship for their Halloween bashes after school. The kids are super excited and it is so much fun to watch them!

Oh my, we loved everything from the October 19th - 25th 2009 menu plan. If you missed it, do check it out. Everything was awesome - we will be making it all again. That doesn't happen every week!

I reference everything on the menu with a link to the recipe, unless it's something that doesn't require one. If the link directs you to another website, it means that I have not tried the recipe, and therefore have no idea whether it is good or not. :) If the link leads to a posted recipe here on my blog, it means that it is a tried & true family recipe that we love. I will also revisit some of the recipes I link to and leave comments about how they turned out for us the following week.

Dinner Menu :: October 26th - November 1st 2009

Monday
Chicken Cacciatore
Texas Toast (store bought)

Tuesday
Leftovers from Monday.

Wednesday
Aunt Jan's Marinated Flank Steak
Calico Squash Casserole
Jasmine Rice

Thursday
Leftovers from Wednesday.

Friday
Homemade Pizza
Fresh Apple & Orange Slices, Red Grapes

Saturday
Halloween!
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese
Tomato Soup (the canned kind)

Sunday
Out to dinner.

If you try anything listed here, I'd love to know how it turns out for you! For more menu ideas, or to submit your own plan, visit orgjunkie.com.

My aunt Jan passed along this recipe to me many years ago, and it is fabulous. I have tried other versions made with orange juice which are also good - but I always come back to this one and have made it time and time again. So full of flavor, you'll love it.

Aunt Jan's Marinated Flank Steak

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:
1 (3 lb.) flank steak
3/4 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. pepper

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic. Place the flank steak in a large re-sealable bag, pour the liquid mixture in. Seal and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning occasionally. Sit at room temperature for 1 hour before cooking. Drain and discard marinade.

Grill steak, covered, over medium heat for 12-15 minutes on each side or until desired doneness (meat thermometer should read 160º for medium).

You can also broil in the oven on high for 5-8 minutes on each side.

Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Cut at a clockwise slant and serve.

Lots of new recipes I've been wanting to try on the menu this week. I went through my huge pile of recipe clippings and threw out a lot of stuff that didn't look good anymore. I also threw out the recipes I was able to find online and add to my virtual recipe box. So, I do feel a lot more organized. The pile is smaller... but it still looks like something I'll never be able to make through in my lifetime. Next look through will definitely have to include some sort of prioritization method.

There wasn't anything tremendously noteworthy from the September 14th - 20th 2009 menu except the Salsa Rice - which was super easy and really good. It's my new go-to recipe when I need a Mexican side dish. I'm not really a fan of instant rice, but being able to throw this together as quickly as I did can't be beat. Two other things that I would make again are the Slow Cooker London Broil and the Black-Eyed Peas and Tortillas. We enjoyed both.

I reference everything on the menu with a link to the recipe, unless it's something that doesn't require one. If the link directs you to another website, it usually means that I have not tried the recipe, and therefore have no idea whether it is good or not. :) If the link leads to a posted recipe here on my blog, it means that it is a tried & true family recipe that we love. I will also revisit some of the recipes I link to and leave comments about how they turned out for us the following week.

Dinner Menu :: October 19th - 25th 2009

Monday
Mandarin Chicken
Jasmine Rice
Green Beans (The canned kind, simmered in bacon for about an hour on the stove.)

Tuesday
Calico Beans
Buttermilk Cornbread

Wednesday
Leftovers from Tuesday.
Chocolate Eclair Cake

Thursday
Rustic Baked Pasta with Roasted Veggies and Italian Sausage
Sour dough rolls with butter & jam. (store bought)

Friday
Leftovers from Thursday.

Saturday
Grape, Avocado, Walnut, Lima Bean Salad Sandwich
Cream of Mushroom Soup

Sunday
Out to dinner at Surfs! (BOGO coupon, $2 Bloody Marys and kids eat free. Yay!)

If you try anything listed here, I'd love to know how it turns out for you! For more menu ideas, or to submit your own plan, visit orgjunkie.com.