Project Kitchen Organization: Recipe? What recipe?

I will be the first to admit that I went a little crazy with the nesting when I was pregnant with my last princess. I was like a mad woman with the crazy look in her eye and all. My family simply stepped to the side and let me do my thing. (Often stepping over piles of containers, bags and bins)

After the baby I found the organization very useful and effective and am thankful that I got it all done. I thought I would take the next couple of weeks to go through and share some of the things that worked really well. Happy Organizing!!


I had a recipe problem. I had one whole drawer of any recipe that I had run across in the last 5 years that looked halfway good. In this cabinet was whole magazines, inserts and chicken scratch notes that I could stuff in one place.

I won't even go into what would happen if one would open the door...ahem.

It took a good week but I went through each and every bit. I found that half the recipes were not practical now that we were a family of five. ( Poached pears? I don't think so...maybe when we retire :) ) I felt awesome with what was left because now I actually had things that I wanted, could and would make!


For my loose recipes, I found that I prefer the recipe books. They have handy pages that can be whole pages for bigger recipes and then index card sectioned pages for the cards and smaller recipes.

My favorite part about this cabinet, however is the recipes for the week area on the door.

I took a cheap file folder and cut it in half. I then taped it up on the cabinet that held the recipes and I place all the recipes for the week there.( I should have used double sided tape to make it look a little cleaner but I was in crazed nesting mode!)

Its so easy when I menu plan to pull them right then and there and that way I have them!!



((I am linking up this week to I'm an Organizing Junkie!!))

What do I do with all these garden veggies?!? (recipe)

So you put in the time to pick the perfect seeds or plants and painstakingly planned, dug, planted and kept critters and weeds out of the way. You get your first crop and are thrilled!!! Then.... you start to get so many tomatoes you are actually seeing red. (Don't even get me started on zucchini :) )

I found the perfect recipe that uses 5 (or more) different veggies and is delicious. An added side bonus is that the kids gobbled it up without realizing that it contained so many things that were actually good for you. I don't know about you but it tastes even better to me due to the fact that I know where it came from and it was as fresh as it gets!

I can't wait to try it with shrimp....yummy!

So here you go....enjoy!!

Garden veggie pasta

• 1 (16 ounce) package pasta (any type will do )
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 yellow squash, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 5 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped (or a can of diced tomatoes)
  
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese/ mozzarella
  
• 1 lb of chicken diced
  

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook diced chicken until cooked through. Add onion, garlic, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, bell pepper, and chopped tomatoes until tender. Season with basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Add pasta and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix well, and heat through. Sprinkle top with Parmesan or shredded mozzarella.

Menu Plan Monday - I'm back in the saddle !

Hello!!! After 2 months of looking at my newest little princess, I am ready to get back to saving, blogging and cooking! It wasn't until I stopped menu planning that I realized hoe much money and time it saved!

I had a bunch of garden veggies from my garden that I needed to use this week and came up with the yummiest pasta. My kids loved it and didn't even know they were eating 5 different kinds of veggies!! I will make sure to post it tomorrow! Happy Eating y'all!!!


Monday: Summer garden veggie pasta (see recipe tomorrow), garlic bread

Tuesday: Marinated chicken kabobs w/peppers, onions, mushrooms, salad, rosemary potatoes

Wednesday: Pork stir fry over brown rice

Thursday: Italian pot roast over egg noodles and spinach salad

Friday: Pizza Night!!!

Saturday: Roast beef sandwiches with Au jus, baked fries and green beans

Sunday: Leftover Sunday- If its not movin, you can have it but big mama is NOT cookin!!



For other great meal plans visit I'm an Organizing Junkie .