Behind The Butter

what’s cookin’ this week

Monday: Barbecue Chicken Enchiladas (SO good)

Tuesday: Taco truck date night! We shared a big plate of carnitas tacos and a steak and cheese quesadilla while watching the Season 4 finale of Grey’s. Good night.

Wednesday: Something yummy eaten on the way to Dumpstafunk (recipe in the morning!).

Thursday: Trader Joe’s chicken sausage with pasta and bell pepper mix

Friday: Out with friends.

I used to be one of those people that planned out my meals every week and really stuck to it. I still do to an extent. However, I’ve learned to be a bit more flexible to include random taco truck cravings, late work nights for Adam and spontaneous date nights. Cooking dinner at home during the week is something I’d like to work on and do more of in the future—maybe another savory week challenge?

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  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    March 30, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    I’m also a big menu planner, but I like to leave a little room for spontaneity as well. I think your week of eats sounds lovely. 🙂 Can’t wait for that recipe!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    March 30, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    Sounds like a good week of eats! I try to be pretty strict with my grocery budget, so I do stick to a plan to a degree, but I’m flexible with changing it up when things come up. Also, if I get home and am craving something different than what I had planned, I have no problem going with what I’m craving. It’s important to be spontaneous!

  • Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary)
    March 30, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    What’s cookin’ ;D …would love to see another savory food week! I saw Jessica’s ench’s the other day and have been dreaming about them ever since. Must make soon!!

  • hippierunner
    March 30, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    YES to savory week! I’m scared of getting cavities and you always tempt me so with your desserts!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg
    March 30, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    I try to plan dinners for the week — or at least plan what the main component will be. I do that so I can do grocery shopping on weekends instead of weeknights.

  • jenna
    March 30, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    mmm..i wish we had a taco truck around here!! sounds fun.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    March 30, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    This is all what I want my dinners to look like! BBQ enchiladas…yes please 😉

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    March 30, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    I just don’t think my life is going to be complete until I find a taco truck to get dinner at!

  • molly
    March 30, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    saw some Murphy Goode wine while shopping for last Sunday night dinner and instantly thought of you!

    spontaneity is the best

  • Lauren Z.
    March 30, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    I would love to see another savory week! Hit us up with a good “vault” of easy side dishes! 🙂

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    March 30, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    I love that you went out for Taco Truck Tacos and that Friday is out with friends! Yay for living life, going out, and enjoying food + fun + friends!

    You have your whole married/motherhood life to cook at home and stay in on weeknights. Right now, you’re not a mom, you’re not married…GO OUT and enjoy 🙂

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    March 30, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    I try to plan my meals but you definitely need to have room for flexibility. That chicken looks amazing!!! Send me some??? lol

  • Baking 'n' Books
    March 30, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    What is that last pic from?!

    I am horrible at menu planning and “venturing out” to try making new things my own. It is something I must change – but at the end of the day, I’m just suckered into sticking to what I have to save time. Actually, I probably spend more time writing down recipes and scouring what I WANT to make – versus actually doing it.

    Tips?!

  • Kayla @ Fitter Than Choc
    March 30, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    I don’t really do any menu planning. I’ll usually just cook whatever that comes to mind. I do choose 1-2 new recipes to try out every week though. I have to agree that it’s hard to cook for just 1 person!

  • Mary Catherine
    March 30, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    I’d love another Savory Week Challenge! I’m a longtime reader and truly miss your healthy dinner ideas. I will always love ELR but unfortunately can’t bake your full fat/calorie treats – I’d weigh 1,000lbs. Wish I had your discipline!

    • Rae
      March 30, 2011 at 4:12 pm

      x2!! How bout some healthy simple meals now that its getting to be warmer? I can only have a love affair with my crockpot and buttercream for so long 😛

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    March 30, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    I used to really stick to my schedule when it came to meal planing, but sometimes I’m just not in the mood for what I had planned! So I’ve learned to be a little bit more flexible with my planning to allow for days like that.

  • Errign
    March 30, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    I like menu plannin’ but I think that’s mostly because I’m in college and it keeps my eating on track/satisfies my type a personality. 🙂

    I am however, jealous of everything you’re eatin’. New Hampshire needs some taco trucks…with indoor seating & snow tires. Come to think of it, a Mexican restaurant would work.. 😉

  • Heather
    March 30, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Your salad looks beautiful! I am working on being more spontaneous when it comes to week night dinners 🙂 I’m thinking of going to my favorite Mexican place for dinner tomorrow night. I wish I had a taco truck near by !

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
    March 30, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    I love the enchilada variation – it’s such a great go-to meal!

  • Krista
    March 30, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Yes Please! Another savory week! I swear everything I make of yours is a hit in this household!

  • pawsitivelife
    March 30, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    I just started planning my meals for the week. Just dinners. Everything else is spontaneous. I must say that it allows me to better utilize the random odds and ends in my kitchen.

  • Alexa @ Simple Eats
    March 30, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    I never plan my meals, but I really should! Taco truck fare sounds fabulous right now!

  • Amber's Notebook
    March 30, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    We have this: {Thursday: Trader Joe’s chicken sausage with pasta and bell pepper mix} weekly. Loved to see your version.
    Amber’s Notebook

  • Laura
    March 30, 2011 at 3:42 pm

    I’m a terrible meal planner, i think i need to learn how too.

  • J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog)
    March 30, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    E erything sounds supremely yummy!

  • Kay, The Church Cook
    March 30, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Yes to savory week!!
    And I plan very well for the church meals, not so great with my family’s. 🙁 The cobbler’s kids go barefoot.

  • nevernotdreaming
    March 30, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Can you be my therapist please? 🙂 🙁

    Grey’s …I used to watch it…and last season was very, very bored…then the finale blew me away and convinced me to try to watch it again this season…fail, though…still boring me…I hear this upcoming episode is a musical type thing though.

    You should watch The Office. Seriously. Best show ever. It saves my life sometimes.

  • Baking 'n' Books
    March 30, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    just a question. I always notice that after I comment it doesn’t show up but neither does any other comments after mine. I only see 12 comments.

    Is this my computer or…is there something wrong with me?! 😉 (Both I know)

    • jenna
      March 30, 2011 at 5:16 pm

      hm not sure–my screen shows 33 comments for this post and 71 for the previous!

      • Baking 'n' Books
        March 30, 2011 at 5:54 pm

        Hey! I subscribed with Feeder and now I get them. Thanks for letting me know though 🙂

  • rebecca lustig
    March 30, 2011 at 4:45 pm

    sometimes savory challenges are much more rewarding for me because I feel like i always turn to the sweeter end of things when it comes to experimentation.. Have a great night!

    Becca
    http://fromheretothereinpurple.blogspot.com
    http://twitter.com/rlustig

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
    March 30, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    I am not a menu planner (send help!) but I find it keeps me flexible to plan date nights with the Hubby! He loves surprises anyways 🙂

  • Christine @ Burning It Off
    March 30, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    I’m very type A and also have to plan my meals for the week ahead of time. It’s more a matter of practicality – nothing’s worse than coming home from a long day at work and having no idea what to eat and no ingredients on hand to prepare anything. But you’re right, there’s always room for some midweek spontaneity!

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal
    March 30, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    I am loving all the summer flavors!!

  • Kath
    March 30, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    omg – I saw Dumpstafunk last year!!! http://www.katheats.com/brew-funk

  • Alaina Rose @ Sweetness of Life
    March 30, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Dumpstafunk?! At Hopmonk? Nice! I think I’m going to that show too 🙂

  • Angie
    March 30, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    I am curious to hear how your 40 day yoga challenge went. Is that over?

    • jenna
      March 30, 2011 at 6:13 pm

      It actually ended last month. It was great and i highly recommend the Baptiste program to anyone!

  • Shari @ Chicago Cuisine Critique
    March 30, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    Menu planning is a necessity for me. I too like to be flexible, but I at least like to know I have some meal options with all of my ingredients at-hand. Makes cooking dinner very exciting. 🙂

  • Liz
    March 30, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    One vote for savory week! I thoroughly enjoyed it last time.

  • Lindsay (Nourish Nutrition)
    March 30, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    I’m pretty sure I’d consider bbq enchilada’s monday-sunday. Not sure if that would fly with my husband. I’m addicted, those are out of this world!

  • Emily @ Savory and Savage
    March 30, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    I have tried the menu planning thing but I always ended up with a fridge full of groceries I didn’t feel like eating (and ended up wasting a lot of money).

    For me, it works better to do smaller shopping trips every 2 – 3 days and cook whatever I am craving at that time.

  • Megan@Dirty Dishes Daily
    March 30, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    I’m the same way. Some weeks I completly stick to my meal plans and other weeks…i throw caution to the wind.

  • Ruth
    March 31, 2011 at 2:12 am

    I’d love another savoury week! Yes please!

  • The Teenage Taste
    March 31, 2011 at 4:12 am

    NO Savory Week! I love your sweet dessert recipes too much! 😉

  • Fawn
    March 31, 2011 at 4:54 am

    Before my boyfriend and I started living together I would rely on cereal or eggs for nights I worked late. Now in an effort to be a better vegetarian and to also eat meals together I try to plan meals. It really is a struggle for me though since he is not a vegetarian. He is great though and eats whatever I come up with and one night a week he will make his own steak or chicken and I’ll have tofu or something along those lines.

    On the nights he gives up meat for me I’d still like to make something he enjoys, which is the struggle. Bah!

  • R @ Learning As I Chop
    March 31, 2011 at 7:18 am

    Cooking during the week is tough but certainly rewarding.

  • peacebeme
    March 31, 2011 at 9:06 am

    For some reason I loved this post, neat look into your life!

  • Heather M
    March 31, 2011 at 10:26 am

    I make a monthly menu, though days get swapped around and I try to use it more of a guide rather than a half to. Have a great week!

  • Shannon
    March 31, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    I love your weekly plan 🙂 Mine has been pretty boring, except for last night we had spaghetti squash, topped with TJ Vodka Sauce and sliced Habanero & Jack Cheese Chicken sausages from Costco. I will have to repeat this meal.