Menu Monday

Monday:  Deep Dish Pizza

Matt invented this dish.  Well, I'm sure he didn't invent deep dish pizza, but it was something he made regularly before I was around.  My mom always made homemade thin crust pizza so this was all new to me.  I think it's really good, but I think I still prefer my mom's way.  I feel like I get more pizza when I get to eat 6 slices instead of 2 even though it's the same amount of food.

We used Walmart brand pizza crust.  You just add water to the packet, mix it up, let it sit for 5 minutes...and you're good to go.  We're an all sausage/half pineapple kind of family (fruit on pizza is a sin in my opinion) so that's what I used.  Top it with some mozz, pop it in the oven for 25 minutes at 425 degrees and you're good to go!

Recipe specifics for entire pizza:
8 oz. of sausage
1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese

WW points:  22 points/serving
2 servings


Tuesday:  Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

I got this recipe from DAR, one of my very favorite bloggers who has since left the blogging world.  Insert tear here.  She actually got it from one of my other bloggy besties, Jenn.  For some reason I can't link to your blog, Jenn, so here's your official shout out!  Hey Jenn!  Thanks for the yummy recipe!

I changed it up a little bit so I'll post exactly what I did here:

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts (2 lbs. 8 oz.)
1 bottle of wing sauce (I used Frank's Sweet BBQ)
1 packet ranch dressing mix
3 Tbsp. butter
Hamburger buns

Put the chicken, wing sauce, and ranch packet into the crock pot.  Cook on low for 5-6 hours.  Shred chicken with a fork.  Add back to the crock pot, add the butter and stir.  Let the flavors meld for an hour or two and then serve it up on hamburger buns.

These were so yummy!  I do prefer the pulled BBQ chicken, but if you're in the mood for something a little spicy...this is definitely for you.  I really don't see the point of the added butter, so next time I would skip that for sure.

WW points:  8 points/serving
6 servings
2 hamburger buns used = 8 points
Total meal: 16 points


Wednesday:  Leftovers


Thursday:  Bow Tie Lasagna

This meal came together very quickly which is perfect for us during the week.  The sour cream in the sauce made it super creamy which was a nice treat, especially coming from two people who despise sour cream.  I cut the serving size down a little so I could have more and the amount was perfect.

WW points:  11 points/serving
5 servings
Texas Toast:  5 points
Total Meal:  16 points


Friday:  Leftovers


Saturday:  Cookout!

We had a few of our friends over for a cookout and had such a lovely time.  I really don't know why we don't do this more often.  We're totally the couple (I mean family of three!) that goes to their friends' houses way more than we have people over.  But I had such a lovely time being in my own home!  Especially with Natalie.  She had all of her toys right here, not to mention her crib when bedtime rolled around!

Here was the menu:

Appetizer:  Mexican Cheese Ball with Tortilla Chips

When I say this dip was awesome, I am SO not joking.  One of our friends lovingly referred to it as a mushed up taco.  In a good way.  If you can take it as that.  It went perfectly with the tortilla chips...and the toasted pecans on the outside...to die for.  I will say that the recipe said to form the cheese into a ball, roll it in the pecans, and put it in the fridge.  Um, the cheese was definitely not rollable.  At all.  It was not firm and was very much more of a dip than a cheese ball.  So I just sprinkled the pecans on top.  Worked out just fine!


Main Dish:  Smoked BBQ Ribs

Matt did the smoking so all I can say is oh.my.goodness.was.this.ever.outstanding.  Enough said.

Side Dishes:  Potato Casserole, Watermelon, Corn on the Cob

I didn't make the potato casserole but it was one of those casseroles that was creamy, potatoey goodness with corn flakes on top.  Oh yeah.


Dessert:  Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

I had such high hopes for these cupcakes...but they were just okay.  They were extremely tart and just super sweet.  I usually don't have a problem with this but even for me it was a little too much.  Plus, the cake was pretty dense and dry.  They looked super pretty though!

Notice I didn't include points for this day.  Yeah.  So did my ass.


Sunday:  Leftovers