Marti Gras Week!

I am starting this blog to help me become more efficient at once a week grocery shopping and utilize all ingredients! Come follow me on this journey and try some of these meals for yourself!!

Monday - Lemon Shrimp Pasta
Tuesday - Crock Pot Jumbalaya
Wednesday - Shrimp Tacos
Thursday - Southern Livings Meatloaf
Friday - Relax and enjoy the leftovers


Lemon Shrimp Pasta

pasta of your choice for 2
1-2 Tbs butter
coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil
1-2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 c lemon juice
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp black pepper
shrimp
fresh chopped parsley (if you have it - I didn't have it this time)
1 tsp lemon zest

1. Cook pasta
2. melt the next 7 ingredients in a large skillet - cook shrimp (about 6 minutes)
3. Toss pasta, sauce, parsley, lemon zest

Note: I had some left over chopped spinach that I added to it too!!!


Jumbalaya

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes

1 pound smoked sausage, sliced

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 bag of frozen chopped onion, green bell pepper, celery

1 cup chicken broth

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons dried parsley

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or 1/2 for a less spicy version)

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1. In a slow cooker, mix the chicken, sausage, tomatoes with juice, onion, green bell pepper, celery, and broth. Season with oregano, parsley, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and thyme. 2. Cover, and cook 7 to 8 hours on Low, or 3 to 4 hours on High.

Shrimp Tacos

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 plum tomatoes, diced (or handful of grape tomatoes cut in half)
1 pound small shrimp, peeled, de-veined and tails removed
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro tortillas
small can of Salsa Verde

1. Combine first 9 ingredients in a pan and cook till shrimp is done (about 6 minutes)
2. Make tacos!! Don't forget to top with Salsa Verde, cilantro and any other goodies you have in your fridge!!

Meatloaf

1lb lean ground beef
1lb ground turkey (or 2lbs of beef)
1lb ground pork sausage (breakfast style)
18 ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp yellow mustard

Bold and Spicy bbq sauce - for the top

Heat oven to 350F. Combine all ingredients (except bbq sauce) in a bowl until just blended. Shape into 11x7 dish. Bake at 350F for 1 hour. Remove from oven and drain off drippings (I did this with a spoon). Lightly coat top of loaf with bbq sauce and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 20 min.