Menu Plan Monday 9/6-9/12

Last week’s menus went pretty well! I had to do some switching around due to having “gravy” based meals several days in row but I managed to make everything that I had planned to make for the week!

This week’s shopping trip was just getting a few deals and items I needed for our vacation. Hubby is all set on his morning pop “fix” for the month too thanks to the sales for the holiday weekend!

This is a short week in the menu planning department as we are heading out on Wednesday for a fall family vacation. We are not doing anything too spectacular this year; we are just heading down to hubby’s mom’s house for several days. We are planning to meet up with one of hubby’s friends (he was the best man in our wedding) and his family for some catch-up time and fellowship. We are also attending hubby’s 20^th high school reunion. They are planning some family events along with just a couple’s type dinner. So we should be able to have some relaxing fun times and be refreshed for next week for hubby to return to work and the rest of us return to some kind of routine and start our school year!!

A special thanks to Laura-Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Need help with your menus; go check the over 300 other delicious meal plans that have been linked at Laura-Organizing Junkie’s site or look down in my right sidebar for my menu suggestion lists!

Sunday (9-6)

Breakfast: eggs, sausage or steak, hash browns, and chocolate donuts

Lunch: Clean Out Fridge

Dinner: Arby’s (after church)

Snack: snack basket

Monday (9-7)

Breakfast: cereal and toaster strudel

Lunch: leftovers

Dinner: grilled bacon burgers served with French fries and fresh veggie tray

Snack: snack basket

Tuesday (9-8)

Breakfast: waffles and sausage

Lunch: Clean Out Fridge

Dinner: chicken nuggets and fish served with mac & cheese and green beans

Snack: snack basket

Wednesday(9/9) thru Saturday(9/12) = VACATION!!!!

Grilled Spicy Chicken

Here in the Midwest the summer months are basically over! It has been more like fall lately, but that doesn't keep me from grilling!! I love fixing grilled chicken and as long as the weather stays nice I will use my grill!

When I make chicken on the grill, I love to spice it up rather than just having plain ol' chicken. I mix up some kind of spice with some olive oil and then brush it on both sides of the chicken as it is on the grill. My kids call the results "grilled spicy chicken".

The other day I made some grilled chicken and brushed it with two different spices and left a few plain for those that don't like the spicy chicken. I made up one bowl of lemon pepper seasoning and olive oil and another bowl with Pampered Chef southwestern seasoning and olive oil. The results were scrumptious. I forgot to actually measure how much spice to olive oil I use to make the brush on mixture. If you are one that likes exact measurements I would say to use a ratio of 1/4 cup olive oil to about 3-4 TBSP. spice. The mixture should be a little runny but thick enough that when you go to put on the chicken that is on the grill it doesn't run all off the chicken.

Other spices that I have done mixed with olive oil are:

• Cajun seasoning
• Garlic Powder or Minced Garlic and Parmesan
• Italian seasoning

These are the ones that I have done because these are the spices that I have on hand consistently. I am sure that there is other spices that would make a yummy combination on the chicken.

The sides are endless that you could serve with this chicken. My favorite sides are rice with a dollop of butter and a nice green leafy salad!

This chicken works great for a leftover as well. I love to thinly slice it and put it on top of a green leafy salad for lunch the next day.

This post is linked at:

• Food On Fridays at Ann Kroeker’s!
• Family Recipe Fridays at Vanderbilt Wife!
• Recipe Swap at The Grocery Cart Challenge!
• Friday Feasts at Mom Trends!
• Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum!