Dinner Menu….Week of June 14th

I decided I needed to start planning a weekly dinner menu. I figure it saves time and money, and taking only 20 to 30 minutes Sunday evening is not bad either. Then I do my grocery shopping on Monday and I am done for the week (besides the cooking part). I am not planning for Saturday's and Sunday's cause those are the days Tad does most of the cookin' or leftovers are in order. So here it is…my dinner menu for this past week.

Monday (picnic at the park)	Hot Chicken Salad w/Croissants Potato Chips Fresh Fruit
Tuesday	Sweet & Spicy Pork – Served Burrito Style w/Tortillas, Sour Cream, Onion and Cilantro Chips & Salsa
Wednesday	Chinese Hamburger Casserole Green Salad
Thursday	My Cajun Chicken Pasta Cesar Salad w/Homemade Cesar Dressing
Friday	Beef Enchiladas Beans

Of course…I am planning a Father's Day Dinner….just have not gotten that far yet. By the end of the day today, I will have it figured out.

My Cajun Chicken Pasta and Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Ok…this is my knock of recipe of Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta. It may not be as good, but it is still pretty darn good and a hit in my home. Not to mention…it is rather quick and easy (right up my ally)!!

1/2 pound penne pasta
1 jar alfredo sauce (or homemade sauce; recipe below)
5 chicken tenders
1 tomato
Cajun Seasoning

Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, sprinkle chicken tenders on both sides with seasoning and grill them. I grill mine on a simple stove top grill. Drain pasta and put it back into pot with the jar of alfredo sauce (reserve a little to go on very top) and I sprinkle a little of the Cajun seasoning to give it a little kick. After it is heated, place pasta on plate top with chicken cut into strips, a little more alfredo sauce, and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Homemade Alfredo Sauce – After making this you will never use the jar stuff again.

1 8oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 to 1-1/2 cups parmesan cheese
2 cups (give or take) milk
season with garlic powder as desired

Add cream cheese to a large skillet on medium heat until melted, stirring frequently to keep from burning. Add soup and cheese until well blended, and then add milk about ½ cup at a time to ensure perfect consistency.

I have also made this recipe with shrimp in place of chicken. Instead of grilling, I cook my shrimp in a small skillet with butter, garlic and Cajun seasoning. This is a very yummy fix also…and linguine or spaghetti is good, too in place of the penne pasta.J