Meals of the Week, December 8th - 14th, 2024

 

Hi everyone, and welcome to my Sunday Meals of the Week post!  This is a post I look forward to doing for you every Sunday.  A recap of all of the delicious main meals that I have enjoyed over the past seven days.  That is a whole lot of tasty.  You all seem to enjoy the recap as well, which makes me happy.

I am an older person, a senior and single.  The temptation is definitely there for me to eat simply out of packets, or frozen dinners, or takeaways. It can often feel like too much work to want to cook for yourself. I am determined not to be that person and will be cooking for myself as long as I have legs to stand on!  I love cooking and food far too much to give it up!

Besides, those types of processed foods, frozen dinners and ready meals are loaded with fat, sugar and salt. I do not think they are a very healthy option in the long term. No wonder so many elderly people are suffering from malnutrition.  I don't think it is only the cost of food that is contributing to it, but lack of inspiration and perhaps even ability.  In any case, for as long as I can, I will not be that person.

I like cooking for myself and preparing delicious meals. Many of them can be divided and frozen and are as convenient in that way as a ready-meal but without all of the salt, sugar and preservatives, not to mention fat.  There is the odd occasion when I will resort to a frozen dinner, or beans on toast, but by and large I cook all the time for myself.

I do eat out once a week with my dad and sometimes my sister, usually on Wednesday nights, and normally, most Sundays will see me sitting down to dinner with my family at my sisters, unless the weather precludes me from doing so. Occasionally my sister will have a day off and I will have the family here.  I love those times.  

I normally have oatmeal for my breakfast, or a protein shake.  I will eat my main meal (unless I am eating out) around 1 P.M and then I will enjoy a light supper. It could be a sandwich, or some soup, sometimes a salad.  I have been known to enjoy a bowl of cereal or some toast. Usually something light in any case as I find eating a heavy meal later in the day just doesn't work well with my digestion.

In any case, here are the main meals I have cooked and enjoyed over the past seven days. It is my hope that you will be inspired by them and want to cook and enjoy at least a few of them for yourself!

SUNDAY, December 8th - Ballymaloe House Roast Chicken

Usually on Sunday's I go to my sisters for dinner. We had a bit of a messy day weather wise on Sunday however so I stayed home. I didn't mind. I roasted myself a chicken and made a roast dinner, which also gave me some leftovers to enjoy during the week. My chicken was not overly large, and I did not make a lot of sides to enjoy with it, as we will be having Christmas dinner in just a week and a half. I did make the stuffing, however.  You gotta have stuffing with roast chicken and for the sandwiches afterwards. Chicken and stuffing sandwiches are the best!

This recipe produces a deliciously tender and juicy roast chicken, with golden skin, a fabulously tasty, herbed bread stuffing and a lovely, tasty gravy. I simply threw some potatoes in the pan next to the chicken and roasted them along with it and I had some frozen peas and corn which I cooked.  Just enough for me, a casserole and some soup, plus a sandwich or two.

MONDAY, December 9th - Chicken and Dumpling Casserole for two

I was able to use some of the leftover chicken to make this delicious casserole for myself on Monday. (I cut the quantities in half yet again to make only one generous serving.)  It's a "just-like-magic" kind of an entree.  Almost like a pudding cake. You know the ones I mean . . .  the self-saucing ones, except this is not a sweet pudding. Rather, it is a savory chicken casserole along the same vein. Its totally delicious. 

I enjoyed with some of the leftover roasted potatoes (I cooked enough for two meals) and leftover stuffing. I had a salad on the side. I was very happy with this.

 

TUESDAY, December 10th - Roasted Sausage & Potato Supper

This is a really simple entree from Mary Berry's book, Mary Berry Absolute Favorites. It uses simple ingredients and is easy to scale up or down, which is a plus for me.  This is a book that I had in the U.K. but had to leave behind. I purchased the kindle edition here in Canada to use. I do like the simplicity of the recipes and food in the book. It's how I like to cook and eat.

In this dish, sausage, peppers, onions, potatoes and fresh thyme (if you have it) are oven braised/roasted in the oven in a tiny bit of white wine.  This helps the sausages to become nice and sticky.  I love this dish.

    WEDNESDAY, December 11th - Dinner out with Dad

This Wednesday we went out to dinner again with Dad to the Big Scoop as that is where he likes to go.  Cindy had a cheeseburger and onion rings. I had the same, but with chips. Dad had a Western Sandwich and chips.  You have seen it all before.

I did make some chicken soup from the chicken bones and bits for lunch however, and to put into the freezer for another time. Roast Chicken Soup with Barley, Parsnips and Cabbage.   This is quite simply a delicious soup that is beautifully flavored and quite warming on a cold day. It is delicious. It's always nice to have some chicken soup in the freezer ready to take out for when you are feeling down or have a bit of a bug.  Homemade chicken soup is always like a warm hug from mom.

THURSDAY, December 12th - Lasagna Roll Ups

I had some of these Lasagna Roll Ups in the freezer which needed using up. (I have been clearing my freezer out for Christmas, as you do.)  I had made these a while back.  They are delicious.  This was a small batch recipe as well, but still enough that I (a single person) still had to freeze some of them.

This recipe produces nice little packets of lasagna which are east to serve, and quite delicious! With a meaty marinara sauce, a lush cheese filling and plenty of cheese. I enjoyed with a salad on the side and was quite happy with this. (Although wishing I had some crusty bread to enjoy it with.)

FRIDAY, December 13th - Classic Tuna Casserole

Fish for Friday with a Classic Tuna Casserole, which I enjoyed with some sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.  This is an old favorite that I always really enjoy.  I have been making it for years and years.  There is nothing fancy about this.  Absolutely nothing.  And yet, it is one of the most popular comfort food dishes out there.

Saucy tuna, peas and macaroni, underneath a crisp potato chip topping.  It's very old school and very delicious. I never tire of this for my supper. I could eat the whole thing myself, it's that good. It reminds me very much of my mom and home-sweet-home and apple pie. Comfort food in its purest sense.  You just cannot beat it.

SATURDAY, December 14th - Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

I wanted to use up some of the fresh veggies I had left in the refrigerator, and I had a piece of flank steak frozen that needed to be used and so I made myself a delicious stir fry.  You cannot beat a tasty stir fry for using up bits and bobs when it comes to the veggies.  There is nothing set in stone here.  It will vary from one time to the next for me, veggie-wise, but the main components always stay the same with the sauce and the beef.

It is a delicious way to stretch a small piece of meat and to help get in some of your five-a-day!  Teriyaki is one of my favorite flavors. Ginger, garlic, soy, sweet, and a bit spicy. The original recipe did use a small sirloin steak, but flank is also very nice done this way.  Trust me on this.

I enjoyed with some basmati rice. It was simply lovely.  I was not complaining!

And there you have it!  My meals of the week for the past seven days. I think you will agree with me that I ate very well.  I loved having the roast chicken leftovers to play with this week. Normally I don't have any leftovers like that from Sunday dinner, as I eat at my sister's, and they get to enjoy the leftovers!  This made a nice change, although I did miss getting together with the family.

This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com 

Thanks for visiting! Do come again!! 

 If you like what you see here, why not consider signing up for my newsletter and/or subscribing/following me on Grow. You can also bookmark my recipes via the Grow platform. Check out the heart on the right hand side of the screen.

Also, if you have not checked out my YouTube Channel yet, do give it a gander. I would really appreciate it, and if you want to subscribe that would be even more appreciated!  Thank you so much!  It is not really fancy like some people's channels. I am very much learning as I go along, but what you get is authentic at least! There is nothing fake there! No filters, bells or whistles. Filmed in real time and unedited!