Here I am again!  Another Sunday, another Meals of the Week Post.  This is the day that I like to share with you all of the delicious meals that I have enjoyed at home or out and about over the past week! It seems to be something which you also enjoy seeing and if I can inspire even one of you to cook something delicious then its worth it to me!

All of my life I have been cooking for families.  My mother went to work when I was 11 years old and it wasn't long before I was cooking for my parent's, sister and brother. At first it was just reheating things which my mother had already prepared, but eventually as I grew more confident I branched out and began actually cooking things myself.

From there I graduated to cooking for a family of my own.  I raised five children and managed to put a delicious and nutritious meal on the table for them every night.  I also loved to entertain and we often had guests for supper as well, so I had plenty of training when it came to cooking for crowds!

I had worked as a pastry chef in my younger years and once my nest emptied I went back to college and trained as a proper chef. I then spend a number of years as a personal chef cooking for a family once more.  Oh how I enjoyed those years Cooking at the Manor. Living in a beautiful spot in the southwest corner of England, and stretching my cooking capacity to levels I had never thought I would. 

I never thought that I would one day be living all on my own, but here I am. I am determined that I will not eat out of cans and boxes.  As long as I am capable I want to cook delicious meals for myself My mother lived on her own for many years prior to the last years of her life, and she cooked meals for herself every single night. She is my muse and inspiration.

If I can inspire you who find yourselves as empty nesters or as one who is living on their own, then I am happy to do so. Here are my meals from the past week.

SUNDAY, August 13th - Birthday at Cindy's

Usually on Sundays I have a family dinner with my sister, her husband and my father. Sunday was my birthday so my sister cooked me a slap up meal of Oven BBQ'd Ribs and Roasted vegetables (brussels sprouts, potatoes, sweet potatoes) along with fresh beans from her garden.  

My sister makes the best Oven BBQ'd Ribs.  I have made them for you on here before and you can find the recipe for them here. They are tender and juicy and succulent.

For my Birthday Cake she made me the most amazing Lemon Cake. It was  a  triple layer beautifully flavored lemon caked, filled with homemade lemon curd and frosted with a fabulously delicious lemon butter cream frosting. She had decorated it with cute lemon marshmallows.  You can find the recipe for this wonderful cake here.  It was one of the nicest lemon cakes I have ever eaten!  I felt very loved. Thank you sis!

MONDAY, August 14th - Chicken & Bacon Caesar Melt

I had some leftover chicken which needed using up. I felt like having a sandwich for my supper, and had not made one of these in a very long time.  This is a simple and yet delicious sandwich that everyone loves.  It is very easy to make, as is surprisingly hearty. You can make one or you can make a dozen. 

A garlic butter toasted hoagie bun is loaded up with Caesar dressing,  thinly sliced red onion and shredded lettuce, hot shredded chicken which has had plenty of cheese melted on top. Onto this goes crisp rashers of smoky streaked bacon and slices of ripe fresh tomato.

Now that is what I call a very tasty sandwich. I enjoyed it all on its own, but you could add some potato chips on the side for the very hearty eater, or a cup of soup.

TUESDAY, August 15th - Cold Plate 

I had some cold cuts which needed using up in the refrigerator and so I made myself up a cold plate. Cold plates are something which I love in the summer months. They can be as fancy or as simple as you want to make them. On this day I chose simply to have some sliced ham and yes, cold leftover chicken (to use it all up) with some sliced tomatoes, cucumber, a sliced boiled egg, some tossed salad and some sliced cheese.  I  also had a baked biscuit with the plate.  

Have you ever made 7-Up Biscuits? They are really easy to make. Light and fluffy on the insides and golden brown and crisp on the outsides. I love them with things like salads, cold plates and soups, and I have been known to enjoy a cheeky one or two for my breakfast with jam and butter!

WEDNESDAY, August 16th - Dinner Out with Dad

On Wednesday nights I always go out to dinner with my father and his friend Hazel.  We go to a place called the Big Scoop. The food is not the greatest but its not the worse either. Dad wasn't feeling very good this week. He had Haddie Bits and Chips, but could not finish it. Hazel had Fish and Chips. I had a BLT.  It was not too bad.  Not quite as good as my World's Best BLT, but quite passable. 

Its hard to measure up to my World's Best BLT. Seriously.  With a Basil Pesto Mayonnaise, crisp bacon, fresh ripe tomatoes, house dressing and lots of lively fresh rocket leaves . .  . and a crusty baguette base . . . this is a simple sandwich that is anything but simple. This is bound to become a firm favorite and much requested sandwich.

THURSDAY, August 17th - Honey Mustard Pork Chops

On Thursday I felt like having a hot dinner and so I made myself a quick and easy Honey Mustard Pork Chop which I enjoyed along with a baked potato and some green beans.  The pork chop for this is rubbed with some spices and then flash fried on top of the stove, ready to finish off in the oven with a delicious honey mustard glaze.

Perfectly cooked, tender and juicy with beautiful flavors, this really went down a real treat.  I only baked one, but the recipe is for two people. You can also easily double it to feed more.

FRIDAY, August 18th - Cheesy Rigatoni with Tuna & Broccoli

I fancied some fish on Friday and so I baked a small batch of my Cheesy Rigatoni with Tuna & Broccoli.  The basic recipe is for a Baked Rigatoni with four cheeses. It is rich and indulgent. Tender pieces of rigatoni pasta in a delicious cheese sauce composed of four different cheeses.  A recipe from James McNair.  

I added some flaked albacore tuna and tender pieces of broccoli.  More cheese is scattered over top prior to baking to golden perfection. I froze half to have another time and enjoyed this days portion with a tossed salad and a crusty roll. 

I have small foil containers that I freeze things like this in. They have foil lids as well. Easy to take out and just pop into the oven when and as I want a quick and easy meal. Just pop into the oven frozen and covered (350*F/180*C) for about 35 to 40 minutes, until heated through and bubbling. I take the lid of for the last 10 minutes or so of bake time.

SATURDAY, August 19th - Cabbage Rolls

I took some cabbage rolls out of my freezer and enjoyed two for supper along with some rice and a vegetable on the side. Everyone always loves my cabbage rolls.  Even me. In the old days I was often asked to bring them to Pot Lucks. They have a beautiful sauce, which has a sweet and sour quality to it.

Now when I make them, I make the full recipe and then freeze them in small containers, each one holding 2 to 3 cabbage rolls.  Just pop into a 375*F/190*C oven for about 45 minutes, covered and dinner is served.  

I tend to buy my rice these days, already cooked.  You can get pouches of ready cooked rice in a variety of flavors. Tilda makes it as does Uncle Ben's. They are the perfect size for two people, or one with leftovers.

And there you have it. My meals of the week for the past week. I think you will agree, it was, once again, a most delicious week!  Hopefully you will be inspired to want to cook one or two of the recipes for yourself of your family!

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan@aol.com 

Here I am with another Meals of the Week post, this one for this the second week of August, 2023. I really enjoy doing this posts and they seem to be something you, my readers, enjoy also.  This is the post where I share with you everything I have eaten over the past week for my main meals, either at home, or out and about, along with recipes so that you can also make them for yourself.

I am determined that I will feed myself properly, even though I now live on my own. I don't want to get lazy and just eat out of cans, jars and frozen dinner packages.  Most of what I cook is pretty simple, admittedly, but its all from scratch.

I do eat at my sister's once a week, but I have provided a "like" recipe for what we had there that you might also enjoy. I eat out once a week with my father as well. A "like" recipe is also provided for that day!

I try to keep my meals balanced and healthy, and economical wherever possible as well. Like many people, I am feeling the pinch in my food budget.  But feeling the pinch doesn't mean that I can't still eat delicious meals or healthy meals.

This is a great time of year when we can take advantage of local fresh produce and I am doing just that!  We are getting great beans and corn from the local farm markets, lovely fresh tomatoes, carrots, peas, beets, etc. and of course loads of fresh local berries!

So without further adieu come with me on the delicious journey that was my meals of the week for the past 7 days!

SUNDAY, August 6th - Dinner at Cindy's

Most Sunday's I have dinner with the family at my sister's.  Occasionally they will come here.  Last Sunday she cooked a lovely Roast Chicken dinner.   This recipe I am showing is for Grandmother's Roast Chicken and Gravy.    You just can't beat a delicious roast chicken dinner with stuffing and the works.

We love to have it with roasted potatoes and vegetables and some weeks my sister will make Newfoundland Stuffing, which we all love. (Also called dressing.)  Mom always made her stuffing with potatoes, but we love this Newfie style stuffing even more than mom's!   I could eat a whole plate of that and nothing else!

For dessert we had sugar free jello and squirty cream. Everyone was happy!

MONDAY, August 7th - Meatza Pie

This was really lovely. I took some over to a neighbor and shared some with my daughter.  You make a simple base of ground meat, cooked rice and an egg. This gets patted into a pie dish and baked for about 20 minutes.

At the end of that time you take it out, spread the top with pizza sauce, cheese and your favorite pizza toppings.  Its meatloaf, but not as you know it!  This is really delicious and freezes well. I enjoyed it with a nice side salad.

TUESDAY, August 8th - Spaghetti Frittata

Spaghetti Frittata is a simple meal which uses up leftover pasta and some pasta sauce in the most delicious way. Very easy to make you start it on top of the stove and then finish it up briefly in the oven. I added some black and green olives to mine and two kinds of cheese.  This is good hot and equally as delicious at room temperature. It also freezes well.

I enjoyed this, once again, with a side salad, and a bit of crusty bread.  Delicious!

WEDNESDAY, August 9th - Dinner with Dad at the Big Scoop

On Wednesday nights I always meet with my father and his friend Hazel for dinner at a local diner. Sometimes my sister will join us. This week my friend Jacquie joined us.  The special was a Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry.  

I can't give you a recipe for that, but I can give you a recipe for this delicious Garlic Butter Pineapple Chicken, which is super delicious! If you are looking for a chicken dish which is bursting with flavor and a tasty way to cook chicken breasts which will keep them moist and flavorful and full on delicious, then this is the recipe for you!  Its fabulous with some steamed rice and broccoli on the side.

THURSDAY, August 10th - Garlic Steak Bites & Potatoes

Can you ever have too much garlic?  I think not, especially when you are using fresh local garlic. Its so good this time of year.  This tasty skillet meal is the perfect way to showcase it. The steak is sliced and marinated in a soy/srirachi marinade while you cook the potatoes.  Once the potatoes are done, you quickly flash fry the steak and then throw the two together.

The end result is tender juicy pieces of beautifully flavored steak and crispy potatoes.  With a salad or a vegetable on the side, dinner is served!  Delicious!

FRIDAY, August 11th - Tuna Patties for Two

On Friday I cooked myself some delicious Tuna Patties. These are quick and easy and made from ingredients I always have in my house. Some good Albacore tuna, chopped spring onion, lemon juice, bread crumbs, mustard, herbs, egg and a bit of hot sauce. 

One of my favorite things to have with them is Macaroni and Cheese. On this day I cooked my Ultimate Macaroni & Cheese for one.  Still eating up my salad.

SATURDAY, August 12th - Air Fryer Reuben Sandwich

I spent most of the day out shopping with my sister and I picked up a really nice loaf of Winnipeg Rye Bread. I also got some pastrami.  I had a hankering for a Reuben Sandwich!  I love a good Reuben Sandwich every now and then. It is a real treat for me.  I just had this with a pickle on the side because I had a delicious dessert to finish off from the other day.

Easy Lime Refrigerator Dessert.  There was no way I was letting any of that go to waste!  So delicious and creamy.  With fresh berries, this was more than an ample supper altogether.

I find that I cannot eat as much as I used to when I was much younger. I have my oats with some fruit for breakfast. Generally speaking I eat my main meal at noon and then I will have something picky for my supper.  A handful of nuts and some fruit, other days maybe a piece of cheese and some crackers, and sometimes I just feel downright lazy and have a bowl of cheerios!

And those were my meals of the week for the past week. I think you will agree, it was, once again, a most delicious week! 

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan@aol.com 

 

Family Dinner Day and this week it was a meal with a bit of an Oriental slant to it, Crock Pot Mongolian Beef.  I love Crock Pot Meals on a Sunday.  Everything just gets popped into the slow cooker early in the day and it cooks all by itself until supper time.  The smell of this is amazing.  Ginger, soy, garlic and brown sugar, with a bit of heat from crushed red chilies.

You can totally adapt the heat to your taste.  This is delicious served with steamed rice and some vegetables on the side. The leftovers make a fabulous  Fried Rice.

MONDAY, July 24th - Curried Beef Fried Rice

I used the leftovers from the roast to make myself some curried beef fried rice. It actually worked out very well.  I love fried rice. You can make it from just about anything. Some cooked vegetables, or raw carrots, frozen corn, peas, onions, cabbage, cauliflower. You name it, it goes!   

A bit of scrambled egg, a bit of meat and Bob's Your Uncle!  Dinner is done!  I like a bit of sauce on mine sometimes.  Usually I like to pour a bit of Ketjap Manis on mine, which is a thickened sweet soy sauce. I make my own from scratch.

TUESDAY, July 25th - Cold Ham and Sweet & Crunchy Corn Chip Salad

We have had a hot and sticky week weatherwise.  I wasn't feeling overly hungry on Tuesday so I had myself some cold sliced ham and enjoyed it along with a salad.  Sweet & Crunchy Corn Chip Salad.  I love this salad which is the perfect mix of crunchy, sweet, creamy, smoky. Bacon, Cheese, lettuce, dried cranberries, corn ships and a poppyseed dressing. What's not to love!

WEDNESDAY, July 26th - Dinner out with Dad, Hazel and Eileen

On Wednesday nights I go out to dinner with my dad and his friend Hazel. Eileen (my oldest daughter) was with us this week.  I had the special, which was a club sandwich panini. It was not near as tasty as my own homemade Ultimate Turkey Club Sandwich, but someone else was cooking it so it made a nice change!

Dad and Hazel had Fish and Chips.  Eileen had Spaghetti with meat Sauce.  We were all happy. I had a slice of raisin pie for dessert (very naughty), Eileen and Dad had Coconut Cream Pie and Hazel had a slice of carrot cake!

THURSDAY, July 27th - Grilled Chicken with a  Summer Berry Salsa

Still hot so we enjoyed some grilled chicken with a delicious berry salsa. This salsa is filled with plenty of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, a bit of zip from a red chili, some chopped coriander leaf, red onion, ripe avocado, and lime juice. Nice and zesty and goes beautifully with the mild flavor of the chicken!   The chicken is just seasoned with some salt and black pepper and brushed with some oil prior to grilling. 

This is a simple supper with lovely fresh tastes. If you wanted a heartier supper you could add some cooked rice or even a baked potato.

FRIDAY, July 28th - Crispy Chicken with Creamy Garlic Pasta

I know, chicken two days in a row, but my daughter and I both like chicken and this was a completely different way of cooking it than the day before.  Plus we were out and about and wanted something really quick and easy.  This is all that and more.  Frozen crispy coated chicken breasts are cooked and while they are cooking you make a delicious creamy garlic sauce to toss with freshly cooked penne.

The two together are really delicious.  Tender and juicy pieces of chicken and that creamy pasta. So good, and done in less than half an hour. You can't beat it for a quick meal. We enjoyed a salad on the side.

SATURDAY, July 29th - Quick Naan Bread Pizzas

We both love these Quick Naan Bread Pizzas.  They use a simple Naan Bread base. You can use a garlic one, or a plain one.  They are brushed with some of the oil from a jar of marinated artichoke halves and then topped with a variety of cheeses and the artichokes and plenty of green olives, and some fresh thyme leaves.  

These are really delicious.  You could go the traditional route and use pizza sauce and regular pizza toppings, but these make a tasty change from the regular.

Again we had some salad on the side.  We didn't want to eat too much because we were going to have a movie night with some crisp vegetable dippers and homemade Garden Herb dip and some hummus.  We also had some grapes and cheese.  Yummy!

And that was the week that was!  My daughter and I ate very well and enjoyed a nice fresh variety of things.  Today we are going to my sister's for supper and we have a whole new week of things to enjoy together coming up! She goes home on Saturday.