I always get ask asked what I cook and feed my family on a daily basis. Truth be told, like most moms, I’m often at a loss come dinner time. I’ve found that having a meal plan ready helps me overcome the 5 o’clock stare-into-the-fridge-blankly symptom and also prevents us from getting unhealthy fast food.

I consider myself to be really lucky that Baby Dear can give any food connoisseur a run for his money. Truly, I shudder when I hear stories of how some kids won’t eat anything green; or even worse, how they will ONLY eat chicken nuggets and pasta. My 16-month old on the other hand, prefers spinach, artichoke & goat’s cheese on his pizza; will only eat a cheese quesadilla it it’s accompanied by tomatillo salsa on the side; and enjoys his grilled chicken marinated with exotic flavours. Nope, just “salt & pepper” on his food won’t work. Add in a dash of rosemary, some garlic and maybe even a splash fish sauce, and he’s a happy camper!

The little guy just started going to daycare part-time (every monday, wednesday and friday for the whole day), and this gives me plenty of time to prepare a heartier meal on those days. Here’s what we’re having this week:

MONDAY: Masala Dosas (with potatoes), Sambhar & Tomato Chutney

TUESDAY: I’ve planned a V-Day special surprise dinner for my boys. Hubby Dear reads my blog, so I will have to update this once we’re done!

WEDNESDAY: Quick Tandoori Chicken, Mushroom Pulao, Raita

THURSDAY: Peanut Noodles, Ginger-Chilli Shrimp, Pineapple Salad

FRIDAY: Hubby Dear has take the day off. So after we drop Baby Dear to his daycare, we’re off to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The plan is to hit the mall for some retail therapy, have a fancy lunch at on of our favourite places and maybe catch a movie. Then we pick up Baby Dear, surprise him with a treat and we all go out to dinner at Applebee’s, which is one of our favourite places to dine in as a family!

WEEKEND: It’s a long weekend with Monday being Family Day, so we’ve plans for doing lots of family-related fun stuff. Dinners this weekend are up in the air right now!

Menu Plan Mondays hosted by Orgjunkie.com

Happy Thanksgiving!! With this being the long Canadian Thanksgiving weekend here, we had a chance to put in some great family fun time. Although I didn’t go all out put together a big feast (we have been crazy busy with some commitments and had to really let a big dinner pass by this year, but I’m planning on doing a big family feast in the next few weeks - American Thanksgiving weekend maybe!), we did enjoy a lovely family meal of simply Indian Home-style Chicken Curry and Biryani.

This coming Friday, Baby Dear turns a milestone - he turns one people, ONE!!! I can’t even believe how quick this past year passed us by! It’s been a fun journey so far, and with the ‘lil dude just fresh on his feet, I’m looking forward to a gazillion fun experiences more! We also got a chance to unpack all our sweater and warm, comfy blankets, so Fall in on my mind. Which can only mean - soups, stews and curries!

MONDAY: Leftovers from Thanksgiving long weekend
There’s Biryani, Chicken Curry, some delicious Dal and bit of Baingan Bharta. And for dessert, some yummy leftover Cherry Pie from Whole Foods!

TUESDAY: Mixed Bean Soup & Crackers

WEDNESDAY: Honey-Garlic Chicken, Stir-fry Veggies, Rice

THURSDAY: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad

FRIDAY: Chicken Marsala with Sauteed Mushrooms, Roast Potatoes, Salad. And homemade Chocolate Cupcakes with rainbow icing for Baby Dear’s first b’day!! Yes, my ONE year LOVES Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms & Roast Potatoes on the side. I may have hit the jackpot! 

SATURDAY: OUT!!!

SUNDAY: Potato & Egg Curry, Rice, Raita, Salad

Menu Plan Mondays hosted by Orgjunkie.com

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