January Month of Meals - Midmonth Review

Here is the first half of my month of meals in review. Recipes are linked where possible.

January 2:
Grandma Angel's Vegetable Soup with Crackers

January 3:
Leftovers (the soup was that good)

January 4:
My Semi-Homemade Sweet Spaghetti with Garlic Bread
This is one of Ben's favorites. I think he married me for it. He requests it every month.

Sauce Recipe:
1 lb ground beef
Hunt's Traditional Spaghetti Sauce (comes in a can)
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
One packet spaghetti seasoning mix (found with other packets mixes, like taco mix, gravy mix, etc.)
Onion Powder
Garlic Salt
I'd say about 1/3 cup brown sugar

Brown ground beef. Add remaining ingredients. Cook a while and serve over pasta. Easy peasy.

January 5:
Orange Balsamic Pork Chops with Rice Pilaf
This is our go-to meal. We always have the fixin's handy. Plus it's super easy and very yummy.

Recipe

1. Season porkchops with S&P. Fry up in a little bit of oil until done. 
2. Sprinkle with rosemary.
3. Deglaze the pan with some chicken broth.
4. Add about, oh I'd say maybe 1/4-1/3 cup balsamic vinegar.
5. Add approximately 2 heaping tablespoons of orange marmalade.
6. Let the porkchops simmer in the gravy mix while it reduces.
7. Serve when ready.

Helpful Tips:
I usually have to cook my porkchops in 2 batches. I will remove the first batch and cover with foil to keep them warm. I don't make the gravy until the second batch is cooked. Then I add the first batch back in so they can all hang out in the yummy balsamic goodness together.
You canNOT make too much gravy. When in doubt - make more. It is delicious.
I usually serve this with rice pilaf (recipe below) and steamed broccoli.

Rice Pilaf
Instant Rice cooked according to directions on package.
When cooked, stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, cranberries, almonds or pecans and parsley. I just do all of this to taste.

January 6:
Pizza Crescents This is about as easy at it gets, folks. And very kid friendly.

January 7:

Honey Garlic Chicken & Steamed Broccoli

A huge thank you to Amy B. for sharing this one! It is so yummy!

January 8:
Marzetti - This is probably my strangest recipe. If I were going thru a cookbook looking for something good, this would have been about the LAST thing in the world I would have picked. It's a strange combo of ingredients and it uses cream of mushroom soup. I always use cream of chicken when a recipe calls for cream of mushroom. I hate mushrooms. But a friend of mine, Katie G, brought this to us when Audrey was born and I loved it. She was kind enough the text me the recipe. I made it exactly like the recipes says to and love it.

January 9:
Crockpot Salsa Chicken Burritos

I used the leftovers from this to make quesadillas. I layered it with refried beans and topped with cheese.

January 10:
Brats & Fries
No picture, sorry. This one is pretty self explanatory.

January 11:
Pizzadillas - My wonderful husband was kind enough to cook dinner this night. And he even broke out the fancy china. That is the beauty of this one - even husbands can handle it. And they love it too. So does my 2 year old.

Make this one like you would any other quesadilla just fill it with pizza sauce, mozzerella, pepperoni, banana peppers, whatever pizza toppings you prefer.

January 12:
We had a fun filled day of birthday parties and topped it off with a family night at Donato's. Asher LOVES their pizza. So do his mama and dadda.

January 13:
Taco Pizza


I thought for sure I took a picture of mine but I can't locate it. I don't use olives and I garnish with fresh tomatoes and sour cream. You do whatever you like. Either way, it will be super yummy and reheats beautifully.

January 14:
Crockpot Potato Soup & Crescent Rolls
I have made many a potato soup recipe. This one is broth based so it's not quite as fattening or heavy as most. I love that about it. I usually make real bacon bits to put on top but I guess I forgot this time around. Trust me, the bacon a nice touch. It's still delicious without.

January 15:
Ghoulash 

I make my mom's recipe for ghoulash a lot. I tried this one just for kicks. It tasted quite a bit different and was really good. But I don't think it replaces my mom's recipe which is much easier and tastes better.



January 16:
Leftovers Nights

January 17:
Sweet & Sour Sausage, Baked Potato & Veggies

I saute a polish sausage and then add equal parts grape jelly and BBQ sauce. Add a chopped green pepper and simmer until ready to eat.

January 18:
Herb Crusted Basil Cream Chicken
PLEASE do your self a favor and make this one soon. Very, very soon. It is amazing.