Menu Plan - 31st January

Well, today's the last day to enter my blog birthday giveaway - I can't wait to draw the winner in the morning and see who it is!  If you haven't entered yet, you still have a few hours... just leave a comment on my birthday post.  And check back tomorrow to see who's won!  Thank you everyone for your lovely comments - and especially Pamela for your very clever poem you added today - I was very touched. :)  I don't think I've ever had a poem written for me before - I've just got to share it with you all!  Here it is...

Here’s Cheers to the Blog that’s just turned 2
And to Jo and her passion for our daily chew

Huge thanks to you Jo and your Quirky Cooking
WE feel so much healthier and dare I say.. better-looking?

You make it all so easy to follow
Dairy free has never been so easy to swallow

And who would have ever thought that the word “yummy”
Could apply to Gluten Free food in our tummy

You’ve helped me to make the most of my Thermomix
With your caring and sharing of your tips and your tricks

So my mate “Thermie” and I send you huge bunches of gratitude
And let me assure you that is no mere platitude

You help so many people in so many ways
To so easily navigate the “natural health” maze

Your inventiveness and culinary daring 
Are matched only by a nature that is sharing and caring

So Happy Birthday Quirky Jo 
And may your Blog prosper and grow!!!

We love you and thank you and this is the end
Of my Thank you poem to our Quirky friend.

- Pamela Walton.

Isn't that sweet??? :)

So what wonderful things are you hoping to cook this week?  Our meals may look a bit back to front this week - they always are when my dh is on late shift...  And you may notice I use leftovers a fair bit - it saves time to make double batches of things so there's enough for another day. :)

I keep trying to find time to make some chocolate filled steamed buns with cherry sauce, but still didn't manage today (much to the kid's disgust), so I'm going to make them for breakfast tomorrow - they're kind of healthy! (I know, a bit of a strange breakfast, but we're into strange breakfasts here - early mornings are my favourite time to cook, so you never know what you'll get!)  Anyone want to pop over for breakfast? :D

Chocolate Filled Steamed Buns with Cherry Sauce

It's a good thing I can make my own chocolate - there's a cyclone heading this way, and I couldn't bear to run out! (lol)  Although if the power goes out, like it usually does, Thermie won't be much help :(  I hope all you guys on the North Queensland coast will be okay - stay safe!  Hopefully it will fizzle out a bit before it gets to us up here.  So here's my menu plan, although this could change if we have no power... if that happens it will probably be baked beans and scrambled eggs on the menu (if the neighbour's chickens don't all blow away)...  Hope you all have a safe week!

[tmx = prepared and/or cooked in my Thermomix]

Monday:
(lunch) Out
(dinner) Leftover roast meat pie (tmx - made with leftover roast turkey)

Tuesday:
(lunch) Leftover leftover roast meat pie! (lol)
(dinner) Salmon & rice casserole (tmx - didn't need it last week) for family
No cooking class tonight - cancelled due to Cyclone Yasi!


(For the next couple of days, I've planned meals I can make on the gas cooker if I have to, in case the cyclone takes our power...)


Wednesday:
(lunch) Steak, baked potatoes & salad
(dinner) Vege frittata

Thursday:
(lunch) Black eyed pea stew (tmx - double batch) with cornbread (tmx)
(dinner) Hamburgers on spelt buns (tmx)

Friday:
(lunch) Grilled fish & potato salad (tmx)
(dinner) Salad & gluten free pizza bread (tmx)

Saturday:
(lunch) Leftover black eyed pea stew & pizza bread
(dinner) Spaghetti & meat balls (tmx)

Sunday:
(lunch) Roast something - haven't been to the butcher's yet to see what's on special!
(dinner) Roast something sandwiches :D

So that's about it - nothing too exciting planned, but that doesn't mean I won't make anything exciting - I just haven't thought of it yet... so watch this space!  Actually, you should really keep an eye on my facebook page, because that's where I post updates of what I'm cooking and experimenting with each day, as well as mini recipes... When I don't have time to blog, that's my 'mini blog'!  Come on over and have a chat :)

See ya!