Dinner in a hurry!

I just recieved this info and thought others could use it to get through the busy days of spring! Slow cooker sandwiches. All you need is rolls, wraps and a salad and dinner is ready when you come home from a game or are rushing out to whatever. Share what you make and like with us!

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/slow-cooker/soup-chili/slow-cooker-sandwich-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.375768&esrc=nwdr042709&email=1753946067

What's for dinner this week?

I am looking at our schedule for the week, and like many of you, I will be spending a lot of time driving to various activities, practices, games, etc. Added to that, this week, my husband (who almost never has to travel) will be traveling some. So, I am trying to plan my menu for the week to accommodate the days we may need to eat on the run, eat early or eat late. Here's hoping advance planning will help my week run a bit more smoothly.

I always love to hear what others are doing for inspiration -- what are you making for dinner this week?

Mom and Dad visit - health concerns

I need to plan a menu for Mom and Dad's visit. I want to be very low sodium diet. I usually like to do one big meal. I was thinking turkey on the grill one night. But I need other ideas.  Also what do they do for lunch, I know they should not have cold cuts. Thanks for any help.

Chicken Salad Contessa

We have one of those days today, where we are in the car and driving kids around all afternoon to different activities. We'll all be walking in the house together around 6:45-7 PM and I know they will all be hungry. I wasn't sure what I was going to do about feeding everyone, but when I was at the store this AM, I spied the newly baked Rotisserie Chickens. I grabbed one and came home and put together Ina Garten's Chicken Salad Contessa. Picked up some rolls to go with it. We'll have regular salad and veggies with it. Who knows what, if anything, else...

I made this last year for my daughter's 1st Communion party (that time I did actually bake the chicken myself, but some days, that just isn't possible). It was easy to double or more and it is one of my favorites!

Chicken Salad Contessa

2 split (1 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on (1 1/2 pounds)
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup pecan halves (3 C)
1/2 cup walnuts halves (3 C)
1/2 cup good mayonnaise (3 C)
1/2 cup sour cream (3 C)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves, divided (6 Tbsp)
1 cup green grapes, cut in 1/2 (6 C)
Lettuce leaves, for serving
Small dinner rolls, tops split

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts, skin side up, on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside until cool.

When the chicken is cool, remove meat from the bones and discard the skin and bones. Cut the chicken into a 3/4-inch dice.

Meanwhile, place the pecans and walnuts on a separate sheet pan and toast in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes until golden. Set aside to cool.

For the dressing, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Fold in half the chopped tarragon leaves.

Place the diced chicken in a bowl, add the pecans, walnuts and grapes. Pour the dressing over the chicken and toss well. Sprinkle the remaining chopped tarragon leaves on top, and serve on a bed of lettuce leaves.

Ham Leftovers

What are you planning to do with your Easter Ham leftovers? I have sandwiches (grilled ham, cheese and tomato) planned, and Pasta Carbonara with ham and peas. I usually throwthe bone in the crockpot with some white beans, onion and garlic; but my hubby is on a limited diet these days, and beans are not included:( I welcome your suggestions and recipes!

As a life~long ham hater, I usually try to come up with an alternative main course at Easter. This year I am going to buy a couple turkey breasts, have the butcher de~bone them, and stuff, roll and roast them. I've never done it before, but recentlyhad it at a friend's house. The skin stays on, so the rolled roasts are very moist. I think we will do a traditional stuffing in one, and maybe a spinach/feta blend in the other. Maybe a first course of a simple pasta alfredo with peas to begin......roasted asparagus and always ricotta pie on Easater!

Thin Mint Dessert

I have book club here on Monday night.  I was looking for a quick easy desert. I also have access to extra Girl Scout Cookies so I thought I might try using some. Here is one I found that looks good and easy.  Anyone else have any suggestions?
Mint Delight or List of many dessert with Girl Scout cookies.

April fools' meals

Any fun April fools meals to fool your family? Here is what I tried.
fake chicken pot pie

It looked great. I made a big one not individual ones.  It did take time especially because I burnt the pudding the first time, and hadn't planned ahead and had to make a pie crust from scratch. But they were fooled until it was cut. The problem was after all that work, I had to make a real dinner and hide it until needed. It was fun.