Menu Plan Monday 8/10/09

It's back to school week for many of us here in Georgia. I can't believe how quickly the summer flew by. No matter how long we've been here, it still doesn't feel right to return to school the first week of August. In my mind, summer goes until after Labor Day. Sigh.

With the return of school comes the return of after school activities, homework and earlier bed times. Dinner has to be quick, easy and ready to eat because my kidlets come home from school starving. I've become interested in once a month cooking again. And while I haven't done a full session yet, I've started collecting some recipes and making double batches of others for quick week night meals. One of my new favorite sites is Once a Month Mom. If you haven't seen her site, you really need to check it out. She posts full menus complete with shopping lists and directions for cooking with a buddy. One of this weeks meals is coming from her site.

Also new for me this week is My Girl Paula. This site is dedicated to trying out Paula Deen recipes. I am so excited to be following this wonderful blog. I truly believe that everything is better with butter :) This week, we will be making Black Bean Dip from The Lady and Sons, Too. I planned on making it yesterday to have pictures up for today's posting, but I got side tracked. I promise I will make it tomorrow and post the pictures for you.

Now, on to this week's meal plan:

Monday: Orange Chicken (from BJ's)
Tuesday: Tamales, Spanish rice, Black Bean Dip
Wednesday: Baked Ziti, Green Salad, Garlic Bread
Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie, Green Salad
Friday: Chilaquile Casserole
Saturday: Left over night
Sunday: Blasted Chicken, corn on the cob, biscuits

For more great menus, check out I'm an Organizing Junkie

Update 8/11/09- I made the Black Bean Dip. Oh. Yum. The only change I made to the recipe was to mash the beans with a potato masher (my kidlets don't like whole beans). Other than that, they were fighting over who could lick the bowl clean. The recipe is fast and easy. It will now be my go to dish for potluck appetizers!

Melting the cheeses into the black beans

The finished product. Yummmy!

For more wonderful Paula Deen recipes, you need to check out My Girl Paula. I promise you will come away satisfied!