Just writing to let you know we are finally going to go on a family holiday!!! I am having a complete break from all technology which shall be interesting!!! When I am back I am looking at giving my blog a makeover as well. There are so many exciting things happening with Menu In A Box and I can slowly see my dreams and ideas getting legs!! We have a bit of a way to go, but I can’t wait to share everything that has been happening!!!!! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need to.

Take Care,
I can’t wait to show you my new blog!!
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Happy Meal Planning
Ruthie

The “New” Menu in A Box is starting to take shape. Please let me know if you have any meal planning tips to contribute or an absolutely favorite recipe that you will know will benefit other families

This week is a bit of entertaining. So we have decided to buy pizza and have some easy meals on Wednesday and make the most of the leftovers for Friday

MONDAY : 25 for Dinner - Pizza Night & Apple Strudel
TUESDAY : Fish and Salad
WEDNESDAY: Homemade Tomato Sauce & Pasta
THURSDAY : Roast Lamb and Roast Vegetables
FRIDAY: Left over lamb & Salad

Easy Vanilla Slice with a twist…

This was the EASIEST dessert ever and delicious. We had this on Friday night for a dinner with friends. I made it in the morning and that was it. Except I was inspired as I was creating and added passion fruit to the icing - a successful moment that added a little tang and color! Will definitely do this one again especially for a crowd.

MONDAY : Tarragon Chicken Meatballs with homemade tomato sauce and spaghetti
TUESDAY : Vegetable Stirfry
WEDNESDAY: Chicken Burgers (made and frozen on Monday)
THURSDAY : Dinner at Granny’s
FRIDAY: Dinner with friends all catered for

Well I am still so excited about the NEW Menu In A Box coming out! Thanks sooo much for showing me that you are interested. To date Menu In A Box has been all consuming and having your support makes the hours that go into it worth it! So a huge thank you

I have just got back from a wonderful time visiting my Gran to surprise her for her 80th. The freezer meals I left for the kids were a HUGE lifesaver to my hubby! (The Salmon & Pea Bake and Chicken Casserole)

Anyway, my menu this week will involve some recipes for the New Menu In A Box.

MONDAY : Big Breakfast - Oven roasted tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, maple bacon & eggs
TUESDAY : Roast Lamb & Vegetables served with mint sauce and gravy
WEDNESDAY: Lemon Chicken served with pesto potatoes and beans
Fruit Dessert - Baked Apples & Custard
THURSDAY : Veggie Packed Omellete & Banana Smoothies
FRIDAY: Granny May’s Easy Chicken Casserole & Easy Vanilla Slice (Dinner with Friends - all prepared in the morning)

EASY VANILLA SLICE
600mls cream
85g packet of instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 packet sao cracker plain biscuits

Line a tin with foil
place a layer of biscuits on the base of the slice tin
Whisk other ingredients
Pour over biscuit base
Cover with another layer of biscuits
Place in the fridge

Top with icing -
icing sugar, butter and water

Hope you have a super week.

If you are interested with keeping up to date of the New Menu In A Box don’t forget to go here…

I have some extremely exciting news! Menu In A Box is about to get a makeover of HUGE proportions! If you would like to be kept informed, have your say and know when everything debuts

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This week I am going away and have prepared some freezer meals to rotate over 6 days. This will be my first time away from all my family. I am really going to miss them, but know they will be well fed!

On the Menu this week:
Salmon & Pea Bake
Chicken & Corn Lasagna
Tomato Olive Penne Pasta
Blueberry Honey Pancakes
Banana Natural Yogurt Smoothies

IN A PREPARED BAKING DISH
MIX INGREDIENTS
1 cup salmon, drained
1 cup frozen peas and corn
1 1/2 cups can cream of celery soup
3 cups dry pasta, cooked and drained
TOP WITH
1/2 cup grated tasty cheese

180 C degrees / 356 F for 30 - 45 minutes or until cheese is golden brown

I did some freezer meals for this week as I will be going away. This meal was super easy to prepare. You could use tuna and corn and it would still be as easy and delicious.

Last week I made these pancakes for a toddler play date. I substituted the sugar for honey. Instead of milk you could also use buttermilk. These can be frozen when cooled and can be a great addition to any lunch time.

SIFT & MIX
1 cup self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 Tbs honey
1 egg
1 1/2 cups milk

FOLD THROUGH
1 punnet blueberries

SERVE WITH
Icing sugar, to dust
rest of the blueberries
cream

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day. I had a wonderfully relaxing day with my family! It was a real treat

This week I thought I would share a great recipe we had or lunch a few weeks ago. It was quick and super easy - and one that can be made for dinner ahead of time.

9 inch/24cm shortcrust pastry, just thawed
leek, white part sliced thinly
¾ cup shaved ham
4 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1Tbs Parmesan, grated finely

Preheat oven to 400˚F / 200ºC
Line a round 9inch/23cm tart tin with pastry - trim edges
Arrange the leek and ham over the base.
Whisk together the eggs, milk and Parmesan, then pour mix in tin
Bake on top shelf of preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

On the Menu this week:
Chargrilled Steak & Potato Mash
Chicken and Rosemary Fetta Pumpkin
Pea and bacon Spaghetti
Lemon Basil Baked Chicken
Salmon Cakes and Greens