That's Sweet : Easy Red Berry Pie

For the record, this is a modification of Berry Smoothie Pie, but I didn't follow the recipe exactly and my blender is no more, so I couldn't make it a "smoothie" pie, mine was more of a chunky berry pie! And it is super good and super easy!

1/3 cup of cranberry juice cocktail
1 .3 oz. package strawberry jello
1 6 oz. container of raspberry yogurt
2-3 cups fresh strawberries, coarsely chopped
1 graham cracker crust

Place juice in a microwavable dish and sprinkle jello over the top. Wait 1 minute, then heat on high for 40 seconds in the microwave. Stir and let stand 1 more minute.

Combine jello mixture with yogurt and berries and pour into crust. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until set. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

May 18 - 24, 2010

18 T – Breakfast for Supper
19 W – Grilled Tomatillo Chicken , Broccoli, Carrots
20 R – Grilled Pork Chops, Corn on the Cob, Fabulous Green Beans
21 F – Mojo Chicken, Rice, Black Beans, Yellow Sauce
22 S – Tomato Basil Soup, Asiago Bread
23 U – Chicken Foil Packets
24 M – Shrimp Scampi, Pasta, Carrots

Our grill is out of service, so any "grilling" I will be doing will be compliments of the broiler. I used to use a "George Foreman" counter-top grill, but I think the broiler gives a much more "grill-like" result. This will be my first tomatillo cooking experience. A couple of these recipes are subscriber only on Taste of Home, so if you'd like the recipe, let me know.

Oh and is it obvious that Mojo Chicken with Black Beans and yellow sauce has become our new "spaghetti"? It is my go-to menu idea when I am stumped and it is cheap and easy - and once I learn to make my own Mojo marinade, it will be completely made from scratch.

And good news - I seem to be past a little slump for now and cooking doesn't sound so overwhelming this week. I know there are more fatigued days to come, but for the moment, hunger triumphs over exhaustion!

May 11 - 17. 2010

11 T – Taco Salad
12 W – Smoked Salmon Pizza, Salad
13 R – Curry Chicken Pot Pie
14 F – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Little Green Peas
15 S – Veggie Mac and Cheese
16 U – Seafood Angel Hair Pasta
17 M – Mojo Chicken, Black Beans, Rice, Yellow Sauce

All I want for Christmas is a private chef! Whew, these last few weeks are going to be interesting. Just making a meal plan was tiring. I ended up polling the kids to see what they'd like to have on the menu. Caleb voted Chicken pot pie, which he loves and it also is a meal that gets an unusually high amount of vegetables into his belly - not that he is really picky, but he loves Curry Chicken Pot Pie. Annalise's vote was pizza, I'm not sure Smoked Salmon Pizza is what she was envisioning, but I never know with her whether she'll eat nothing or everything. This last week, we had a real hit - on Sunday night, both kids asked for seconds...of salad!

May 4 - 10, 2010

4 T – Creamy Clam Chowder, Asiago Bread
5 W – Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad
6 R – Oven Fried Chicken, Spicy Sweet Potatoes, Green Peppers
7 F – Pizza, Salad
8 S – Curry Chicken Pot Pie
9 U – Tortellini Spinach Casserole, Salad
10 M – Deviled Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Peas & Carrots

Making meal plans is starting to be a chore, not because I'm not hungry! But I'm tired and especially the time of day when I cook dinner. Even thinking about cooking dinner makes me tired! And it is not always easy to find satisfying recipes that combine "easy", "economical", and "relatively healthy".