I need to confess. I have a love-hate relationship with menu planning. There have been weeks where I find myself all put-together: completely balanced meals planned for the entire week in advance, a grocery list filled with healthy food choices and snacks, and my grocery budget in check. Then there are weeks in between where I endlessly stare at my open fridge and pantry slowly shaking my head at the lack of options to throw down a good dinner, Baby Dear wailing and tugging at my pants for attention, and a frantic call is made to Hubby Dear to pick up something, anything on his way home for dinner. And most often than not, it’s the dreaded tasteless fast food that walks in the door with him in tow.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to slowly get the HoH household on track. Since Baby Dear is now a regular at our dinner table, I’ve been forced to plan meals ahead that are not only nutritious, but also a delight to eat. Thank heavens, Baby Dear has been a trooper thus far - eating anything and everything we put in front of him. Except for bananas that is, the mere smell of us peeling one makes him gag. Can someone please enlighten me on how an 11-month old who can scarf down such gourmet creations as Chicken Marsala (which by the way, is delicious at Olive Garden!!), Lamb Biryani and Malaysian Chicken Curry feels like throwing up just looking at a banana? Well, I can’t really complain. I mean, how many 11-month olds do you know that happily eat such strong vibrant flavours anyway?
This is exactly why I’ve decided to give this weekly meal planning gig another whirl. A little more seriously this time around. My philosophy is simple: plan well balanced dinners, include a variety of flavours & textures, leftovers for lunch, and enjoy a night out on the weekend! Hubby Dear is away on business for most of this week; Monday to Friday, to be exact. So it’s just Baby Dear and me. But we gotta eat too, and there no reason why we can’t enjoy a good meal on our own now is there! So here’s what Mommy and Baby plan to gorge on while Daddy’s away…
MONDAY: Leftovers from Hubby’s surprise b’day party
There’s Tandoori Chicken Wings, Kebabs, Rosemary Roast Potatoes and Eggplant Parmesan to choose from. Not to mention, a Chocolate Mousse Cake and Pineapple Trifle too!TUESDAY: Soy Ginger Fish, Sauteed Bok Choy, Fried Rice (brown)
WEDNESDAY: Chicken Noodle Soup with Veggies
THURSDAY: Homemade Pizza
FRIDAY: Chana Dal Masala, Sauteed Peppers & Potatoes, Rce (Basmati)
Hubby Dear’s back, and there’s nothing like a big comforting bowl of Dal and rice after a week of restaurant meals!SATURDAY: OUT!!!
SUNDAY: Indian home-style Chicken Curry, Rice (Basmati), Salad
Menu Plan Mondays hosted by Orgjunkie.com
October 3rd, 2011
Wow. I wish, I could plan meals like that. I think for all the reasons you just mentioned, it makes a whole lot of sense. Esp the budget part. Taking cue from this post of yours, I am definitely going to do something about planning menus for the next week.
Bon Appetite to baby and you!
October 5th, 2011
I love your blog and am so happy to see new posts!
We are expecting a baby in February. I am American and my husband is Indian, and we both love spicy food. How do you handle the spice levels with your baby? Do you just feed him the same thing you eat?
February 27th, 2012
I love this new post you are adding. it helps me plan out my meals too
i have a 2 year old and a 6 month old so your meals are perfect. thanks for inspiring and organizing my weekly dinners. you are amazing!!!!
February 27th, 2012
please continue updating with your weekly menus!