What's For Supper? part disappointing {link-up}

Again, I shall join in Simcha Fisher's link-up, even though our meal plan for the past week turned out very unexciting. When I proofread this post, I found an overuse of the words "easy" and "tasty," so I guess those were the themes of the week.

Saturday
Mr. Husband was working a 4-12 shift, so I took the night off. Sir Toddler and I ate hot dogs with frozen peas (as in, not defrosted), and Lady Infant feasted on steamed broccoli. If I give Sir Toddler cooked peas, he just mashes them, so "ice cold peas" work just fine for me. We had watermelon slices for dessert with a side of shame.

Sunday
I didn't actually cook. Mr. Husband's parents were given 12 lobsters from a family fisherman. FOR FREE. Sir Toddler ate a hamburger and veggie sticks dipped in hummus, and his parents and baby sister had lobster with baked potato wedges and corn on the cob. I offered Sir Toddler a bite, but he was too busy playing with his uncle's "car shoes," a.k.a. roller skates.

Monday
I didn't really cook this meal either, as I was frazzled from trying to purchase and install the bed rail. Mr. Husband grilled some chicken brushed with Sticky Fingers barbecue sauce and served it with pasta e olio and mixed veggies. Our grill is rusting and the frame is falling apart, so it might be the last grilled chicken we make for a while.

Tuesday
Chicken enchiladas, baby. I make these at least once every two weeks because they are just so easy to throw together and the ingredients are cheap. Again, I used the America's Test Kitchen recipe, except I always forget to buy the chiles and I never have fresh cilantro so I just leave them out. This time, however, I remembered to take a picture. I also cooked the chicken in the crockpot, instead of my usual boil-at-the-last-minute, because 95º weather makes for a miserable cooking environment. Even with central air conditioning.

Wednesday
Chicken and "dirty" rice with broccoli. This is a family recipe that is one of my favorites and a snap to throw together. Just sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, and salt on bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (we usually make drumsticks and thighs), and put them in a broiler pan. Or in a rimmed baking pan if you don't have a broiler pan. Cook at 350º until the meat is just about done, then broil the skin.

My skin always gets burned because our oven has one of those crappy amazing broiler drawers. Not being able to see it cook + two small, mobile children underfoot = oopsie.

While you're cooking the chicken, make some rice. I usually sautée some chopped onion, then add 1 part rice and two parts chicken broth. When rice and chicken are done, plate your chicken and throw the rice in the chicken pan. Scrape up all that yummy fond and drippings and mix it into the rice. The more chicken you make, the "dirtier" and tastier your rice will be.

Thursday
Homemade pizza. Again, we tend to have pizza at least once every two weeks because it is easy and inexpensive. It can also make use of any little leftover bits of meat and vegetables for toppings.

Friday (today)
Mr. Husband is working another late shift at his per diem job after his salaried job. He has the car and the fridge is mostly stocked with condiments. I'm not sure what we're having for dinner, but this blueberry cake (muffin recipe in a 9"x13"x2" pan) I made for our playdate this morning may play a starring role.

Happy weekending.