This week’s “Ways to Get MORE from this Menu” take these meal planning ideas all the way to next level useful! Dirty Rice Stuffed Peppers and Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Thighs won’t let you down. Factor in versatile side dishes, breakfast, dessert and snack recipes and you have a happy week positively full of yum!
This Week’s Secret To Success
- This week’s meal planning ideas relies on some of the top popular Southern Discourse recipes, a little leftovers and the ease of a crock pot main dish.
- Make my #1 Louisiana Dirty Rice recipe (for Mardi Gras or whatever day suits you), then use the leftovers to make some of the most amazing stuffed bell peppers around!
- Crockpot BBQ boneless chicken thighs is the ultimate in short cut, hands off cooking (while still being really delicious!). This recipe uses your favorite BBQ sauce with a few additions for juicy, tender chicken every. single. time.
Ways to Get MORE From the Menu:
- Make an extra chicken thigh or two and pack them for lunch with any leftover asparagus salad. It’s a tasty way to use these recipes to brighten up lunchtime too!
- Use your air fryer to heat up leftover roasted broccoli so that it’s never soggy- even the second time around!
- Want to use the hummingbird bread to make a full brunch or breakfast this weekend? Pair it with Bourbon Maple Candied Bacon, a Classic Fruit Salad with Old Fashioned Cream Sauce and Homemade Cinnamon Roll Coffee Creamer.
How I’m Setting My Table
Tasty & convenient recipes are only half of any dinner equation! So, don’t forget to make a plan for your family table with your meal plan!
Having a few things at the ready you really love is THE KEY to making every meal time enjoyable and inviting others over stress free. Here are my suggestions with links you can shop!
- corn husk placemats
- glossy white porcelain dinnerware set
- hand-block printed table runner
- mixed faux fern with twig & moss basket
- black & white napkin rings
- hand-block printed cotton cloth napkins
- classic stemless drinking glasses
- 2 pcs. rechargeable table lamps
- bamboo flatware set
- bark edge olive wood serving board
Menu 1- Classic Chicken Fried Steak Fingers
Crispy, melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk breading, tender well-seasoned steak… It’s real deal, down home comfort food. Serve it with an old-school 7 layer Pea Salad and Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Wedges for a one-of-a-kind twist on a steak and fries meal!
The recipe for the dipping sauce is linked in the sweet potato post!
Menu 2- Easy Blonde Gumbo
You’re going to love my family’s authentic Louisiana gumbo recipe with a simple, nutty blonde roux, shrimp, sausage, okra and yes, even a few Creole tomatoes. Loaded with layers of deep flavor and served over a spoon or two of extra tasty green chile rice, this is one pot comfort food is the perfect partner for crispy Southern Hushpuppies! Pour up a little Strawberry Iced Tea for something extra special.
Dessert This Week
These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth, shortbread-style Rosemary Butter Cookies are lightly sweet, with a hint of warm Rosemary and bright lemon! Finished with sparkling sugared edges, this easy cookie recipe is one you’ll go to for those special moments like parties and showers, but also one you’ll want to keep on hand for afternoon tea or coffee. They’re perfect for sharing with a friend!
Breakfast Made Easy
What good southerner can resist anything named hummingbird? Moist and tender Hummingbird Banana Bread is loaded with sunny pineapples, ripe bananas, sweet coconut and buttery pecans. Just like the classic southern Hummingbird Cake, this dense quick bread will be your new favorite for a little taste of the tropics!
Snack of the Week
Y’all. This is the recipe you didn’t know you needed! Warm, sugared pecans, luscious cream cheese… It’s not a sweet dip, but it’s not completely savory either. It’s uniquely French Quarter, but at the same time a southern Junior League, retro goodness kind of experience. Break out the magnolias and your best southern accent, French Quarter Cheese Spread is the complete package- dreamy, creamy, a bit of toasted pecan crunch, sweet + salty.
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