Menu Planning

This week's menu planning session is a little different than I'm used to.  I've decided to take my newest Eating Well Magazine and cook one thing out of each category (at least eight recipes).  I've been getting Eating Well magazine since it started (and then again when it restarted), but I find that I go to my Eating Well Cookbooks more often than my magazines for recipes.  I'm going to challenge myself to break out of my regular EW menus with this practice, and see if I can't find some new family favorites.  I'll compile a binder throughout the year of our favorites, too, so we have a place to go when the ever-looming question of What's For Dinner stumps me.

This month's magazine has these recipes in store for my family:

Honey and Goat Cheese-Filled Fig Muffins

Onion Rings

Cheddar Cauliflower Soup

Inside-Out Lasagna

Rack of Lamb with Warm Apple and Lentil Salad

Eating Well Fish Sticks
Broccoli-Potato Mash

Peanut Butter and Pretzel Truffles

Making the Truffles first (because, obviously.  And also I have all the ingredients on hand.  And also our awesome neighbors sold their house yesterday and I want to take some over to them).  Fish sticks and Mash later this week.  I might make the Muffins, too, but I also have a ridiculous amount of bananas in my freezer, so banana bread might bump the muffins to another week.  Some old favorites are also on the menu: Roast chicken (and subsequent stock for the freezer), and steak followed by steak salad later in the week.  I've got a pork roast with teeny tiny potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts for today's menu.  I'll take pictures as I go, and check in later.  We'll see if and how I stick to the plan, and what whims and surprises come along as we eat through the week.  Can't forget to make Valentines Cookies with the kids!