Menu Monday

Here are our dinners from last week!

Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

This was a major fail. My grandma makes the best shredded chicken and I tried to make them like her but it didn't work out. I did end up calling her after I made them and I know what I did wrong. I'll try again in a few weeks and then give you the recipe!

Outback Steak Sandwiches 

J's sandwich

My sandwich--ailoi underneath

The real Outback sandwich--Mine were pretty darn close!

These were delicious!! The only thing I would do differently is to get one filet instead of the kind of steak I bought. The meat was okay but in the rare occurrence we actually eat steak (which is never) I might as well buy the best. The aioli and au jus was delicious!! {I eat most of my sandwiches open faced}

Along with the sandwiches I made homemade skillet focaccia bread. I know...call me Martha. It totally made the sandwich. I thought it was a little harder than normal focaccia bread but it was perfect to dunk in the au jus.

As for the au jus, you can find the recipe here, the same place as the sandwich recipe. However, I didn't have french onion soup. So I had to change the recipe a bit but it was still amazing:

1 can beef broth

1 can water

1 packet of dry onion soup

The third night we were supposed to have fancy grilled cheese but instead we had pizza. It just sounded amazing--and it was.

On Thursday Josh worked late and I had a left over steak sandwich...yummy!!

So my freezer meal of the week didn't start off too well. I had decided to make Pioneer Woman's lasagna. Yum. So I took all my stuff over to my parents to make it there. Why? Well 1) I needed cheese from the farmer's market which is right down the street and 2) I promised my mom I'd make her a tray of it. The fact that they have a huge kitchen is a bonus too. I ended up making 4 half trays of lasagna. YAY! That gives us four big servings which is plenty for J and I and it also gives us left overs.

I brought most of the stuff I needed for the lasagna including the cooking "tools". I needed a can opener to open the tomatoes so after searching I finally found one. Well, not all can openers are the same and I could not figure out the one she had. I kept making all these dents in the can but nothing would open it! Finally I gave up.

But I got it open!! 

Thankfully I found a normal can opener a short while later and the rest of the cans were good to go. 

I'm so excited to make some corn for dinner next week. LOVE corn season!

Menu Monday: Pickle Slaw

Last week we celebrated J's 30th birthday, which was May 31st. I decided to go with a pretty easy menu that was yummy for summer time. I actually let him pick out the main part of the meal (sandwiches) then I added the rest. Oh, he also request Stouffer's Mac & Cheese. I was excited to make homemade but I can't argue with the birthday boy!

I love a good coleslaw, especially with BBQ. A coworker gave me a delicious recipe for a pickle slaw. It's similar to regular slaw but much different at the same time. It's so good! But if you don't like pickles then you will not like this.

Looks similar, right?

One key ingredient in this recipe is the pickles. You must use Farmers Garden by Vlasic. They are delicious! With the mixture of red peppers. carrots, and onion in the jar it gives them a great flavor. I think they're a little crunchier too!

Here is how you make it:

1 bag of of slaw (you can make it homemade but the bag is easier)

1/2 cup mayo

fresh dill to taste (start with 1/4 c.)

Pickles to taste (I started with 4)

Pickle juice (1/2 cup but I added more)

salt and pepper

Basically this slaw is going to depend on your taste. If you want it to have a little more liquid, add more pickle juice. If you like the dill flavor, add more! I actually like to make it then let it sit overnight and let all the ingredients blend together. It's something a little different and was a big hit!

I gave J a couple of options for the main part of dinner. We talked about burgers and bbq but we get that at every picnic or summer party (although I can never turn down bbq). When he asked me for other options I went straight to my favorite blog--Pioneer Woman. We love everything she makes!

I found these Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches and knew that J would love them (he did). I also liked that I could change up the recipe with different meats, cheeses, and sauces.

I should have warmed it before I took the pic!

PW's look much better

These sandwiches were all made the morning of, then I just popped them into the oven about 20 minutes before it was time to eat and wallah! I made half roast beef and half ham. I did make two with Cheez-whiz, which J's brother enjoyed! They were huge sandwiches and we even had extra. I loved that they were hot (so I could eat them), gooie, and delicious!

Happy Menu Monday and don't forget to link up!