Menu Plan Monday

Here is what we are planning for dinner this week:

• MONDAY - Tortilla - Taco Salad
• TUESDAY - Easy - Homemade Pizza
• WEDNESDAY - Pasta - Chicken Parmesan, Angel Hair Pasta, Caesar Salad, Breadsticks
• THURSDAY - Lite - Out to EAT!
  
• FRIDAY - Chicken - Sweet & Sour Chicken, Rice
  
• SATURDAY - Beef - BBQ Beef Sandwiches, Salad, Fruit & Veggie Tray
• SUNDAY - Nice - Beef Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Sweet Carrots, Corn on the Cob, Rolls
  

I just found this Sweet & Sour Chicken recipe and we absolutely love it! Most of the recipe can be made ahead so you'll only spend a few minutes cooking:

Sweet and Sour Chicken

1 pound of boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1" chunks
1 egg white
1/4 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 10-ounce can pineapple chunks (reserve juice)
1/4 cup juice from the canned pineapple
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 teaspoon table salt
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cooking oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

In a bowl, combine the chicken with the egg white, salt and cornstarch. Stir to coat the chicken evenly. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature or up to overnight in the refrigerator.

In the meantime, whisk together the pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, salt, and brown sugar.

Heat a large frying pan or wok over high heat until a bead of water instantly sizzles and evaporates. Pour in the 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and swirl to coat. It's important that the pan is very hot. Add the chicken and spread the chicken out in one layer. Let the chicken fry, untouched for 1 minute, until the bottoms are browned. Flip and fry the other side the same for 1 minute. The chicken should still be pinkish in the middle. Dish out the chicken onto a clean plate, leaving as much oil in the pan as possible.

Turn the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 teaspoon of cooking oil. Let the oil heat up and then add the bell pepper chunks and ginger. Fry for 1 minute. Add the pineapple chunks and the sweet and sour sauce. Turn the heat to high and when the sauce is simmering, add the chicken pieces back in. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Timing depends on how thick you've cut your chicken. The best way to tell if the chicken is done is to take a piece out and cut into it. If it's pink, add another minute to the cooking.

Taste the sauce and add more brown sugar if you’d like.

Serves 4.

Tips to make ahead:

• Cut and Marinate Chicken, place in refrigerator
• Cut Peppers, place in refrigerator
• Make Rice (I always make a huge batch of rice and freeze in meal size portions)

All that's left is mixing up the sauce and start cooking. I love when I can find recipes that are quick and easy and taste really good!

Be sure to check out Organizing Junkies Round-up of 500+ menu plans for more inspiration on what to make for dinner.