Meal Plan Monday: January 18th - 24th

Dang January has been cray cray crazy!  We celebrated hubby's birthday on Friday and a Patriots win on Saturday.  Too much fun over here.  It was over way to fast.  But this coming weekend promises to be just as fun unless it snows.  Or should that say because it's going to snow?  I guess that is like a glass half full/half empty thing.  Are you team Yay Snow or team Boo Snow or somewhere in between?

Monday: Chili
Recipe from Ortega

Tuesday: Baked Chicken Fajitas
Recipe from budgetbytes.com

Wednesday: Cheddar Baked Potato Soup with Broccoli and crusty bread
Recipe from From Forks to Fitness

Thursday: Ravioli with Sage Butter Sauce
Recipe from Food Network

Friday: Panera Bread
Competition season is beginning.  First dress rehearsal!

Saturday: State Dinner at Church
I am representing Virginia with Ham Biscuits and Brunswick Stew.  Hubby is representing Connecticut with his famous clam chowdah.

Sunday: Cheesy Party Burgers and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Burger Recipe from Kevin and Amanda.com
Cauliflower Bites from Fixate

American Antipasto

When planning our meals for Christmas Day I decided to keep lunch simple.  We are usually so stuffed from breakfast that we can't even think about eating again but I wanted to offer something to keep our blood sugar up.  During my planning I saw an episode of Barefoot Contessa where Ina Garten made a Ploughman's Lunch from London. 

Picture from Food Network

The Ploughman's lunch reminded me of an Italian Antipasto spread.  An Antipasto platter that usually has cured meats such as salami, olives, artichoke hearts, mozzarella, roasted red peppers and breadsticks. I love it but my kids would not eat most of it so I shy away from making it.  So I came up with the idea of turning our normal spread into one simple platter. (See how my brain worked there)  It was perfect for the five of us.

American Antipasto
1/2 small stick of Summer Sausage, sliced and cut slices in half
1/2 block of Cheddar, cubed
Crackers - Use your favorite.  I used Stone Ground wheat crackers and Whole Grain Saltines
1/2 log of goat cheese
Hummus (Less Antipasto and more Mediterranean Mezze, I know but we all love it)
Almonds
Grapes
Grape Tomatoes
Baby Carrots
(I had pita chips too but forgot about them.)

I placed items on the platter that would pair well but you could do it however you wanted.

Pairing Ideas:
Summer Sausage and Cheddar
Cheddar and Crackers
Veggies and Hummus
Goat Cheese and Grapes
Grapes and Almonds

It totally hit the spot and took the edge off before dinner.  This would be great as a light lunch, part of a brunch or as an appetizer.

Mangia!