Allergy-Friendly Birthday Dinner & Cake

My youngest is allergic to dairy, eggs, grapes, rice and we think we can add red dye now too (had a reaction this weekend). It makes for some extra planning when it comes to cooking. Eric loves food thankfully so doesn't seemed phased unless told he can't have it.

Yesterday Eric turned one so a cake was in order. Eric recently discovered Oreos (and can actually have them). So starts his love affair with chocolate. The trick was to find a cake recipe that he could eat. I found one (gotta love Google). It is on Recipezaar.com and called (surprise) Egg-free Milk-free Chocolate Cake. What the name lacks, the cake makes up for in taste. I am not a big sweets fan so the amount of sweet was just right for me. Hubby has a major sweet tooth so it wasn't sweet enough for him. There were no leftovers so that is the better judge. I didn't have it frosted (ran out of powdered sugar earlier making pancakes ... oops) so that would add to the sweetness.

Eric is a fan of peas, chicken and noodles. What else could I serve but Chicken and Noodles? I used this recipe using chicken instead of turkey. I had cooked up some chicken earlier so had it on hand. I had some egg-free noodles as well as peas & carrots. Oh, yeah I add more black pepper than called for as well as garlic powder. It is a quick and filling meal. Eric loved it. It does call for milk. Pre-Eric days I would make it using evaporated milk for a creamier taste. Yesterday I used plain soy milk and crossed my fingers. It turned out so yummy. Eric loved it as did the rest of the family especially hubby. I served it with a simple salad of Romaine with grated carrot and radishes.

So begins my journey into the world of cooking allergy-free for Eric. It was worth though seeing him enjoy the dinner and cake so much. It is good to have a success for the trial run. I'd hate to start discouraged.

AngelFood Ministries Meal Plan

I bought 3 units from AngelFood Ministries this month. What am I getting tomorrow at pick-up?

September Package (contents of one unit):
1.5 lb. Top Sirloin Strip Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
2 lb. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
3 lb. Breaded Chicken Chunks
1.5 lb. Boneless Pork Filet
20 oz. Supreme Pizza
1 lb. Ground Turkey
1 lb. Cheddar Cheese Bratwurst Sausage
1 lb. Green Beans
1 lb. Stir Fry Vegetables (Broccoli & Bell Peppers)
35 oz. Crinkle-cut Fries
32 oz. Borden 2% Reduced Fat Shelf Stable Milk
7.5 oz. Macaroni & Cheese
15 oz. Pork & Beans
7 oz. Chicken-Flavored Rice & Vermicelli
1 lb. Pinto Beans
One Dozen Eggs
One Dessert Item

Next question is what can I make to get the most bang for my buck?

Meal #1: Beef Steak Stir-Fry over Rice, Fresh Fruit

This uses some of the steaks and stir-fry vegetables. If a fruit and veggie package was ordered, slices of pears and oranges would go well. Also peel and slice a carrot or two from the package for the stir-fry.

Meal #2: Beef Fajitas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans

This uses some of the steak and some of the pintos beans. Onions from the fruit and veggie package (F/VP)will be used in the fajitas. Note: This also uses green peppers (not in package) which are needed in Meal #12.

Meal #3: Chicken Nuggets, Coleslaw, Mashed Potatoes

This uses some of the chicken chunks. Cabbage and carrots from the F/VP will be used for the coleslaw. Half of the potatoes will be used for the mashed potatoes.

Meal #4: Shepherd's Pie, Fruit Salad

This uses some ground turkey and green beans. The leftover mashed potatoes from Meal #3 are also used. Apples, pears and oranges from the F/VP can all be used in the fruit salad.

Meal#5: Sliced BBQ Pork/Sausage, Coleslaw, Green Beans

This uses the pork filet, cheddar bratwurst sausage and green beans. It also uses leftover coleslaw from Meal #3. If there is none, make some more from the cabbage and carrots in the F/VP.

Meal#6: Shredded Pork Sandwiches, Baked Beans, French Fries

This uses leftover pork from Meal #5. It also uses the Pork-n-Beans and some French fries.

Meal#7: Potato Sausage Soup, Salad, Homemade Bread

This uses up leftover sausage from Meal#5. It uses the shelf-stable milk. It will also use the rest of the potatoes and some tomatoes from the F/VP.

Meal #8: Parmesan Chicken Casserole, Salad, Garlic Toast

This uses the chicken chunks. It also will use up any leftover salad from Meal#7. Leftover bread from Meal #7 is used to make the garlic toast.

Meal #9: Chili Cheese Fries, Coleslaw, Fresh Fruit

This uses some of the French fries and some pinto beans. It also uses the cabbage, carrots and fruit from the F/VP.

Meal #10: Breakfast for Dinner (French Toast, Ham or Bacon, Orange Slices)

This uses eggs and shelf-stable milk. It also uses oranges from the F/VP.

Meal#11: Pizza, Salad, Breadsticks

This uses the pizza. It also uses some tomatoes from the F/VP.

Meal #12: Sweet & Sour Chicken over Rice, Steamed Green Beans

This uses some chicken breasts and some green beans. It also uses carrots from the F/VP.
Note: It also uses green peppers (not in package) which are needed in Meal #2.

Meal #13: Chicken Fried Rice, Grapes/Orange Slices, Egg Drop Soup

This uses some eggs, some chicken breasts, leftover green beans. It can also use onions, carrots and celery from the F/VP.

Meal #14: Chicken Salad Pitas, Apple Slices, Macaroni & Cheese

This uses some chicken breast and macaroni & cheese. It also use apples, carrots (I add shredded) and celery from the F/VP.

**These meal ideas are subject to being re-arranged as suits my fancy.**

Food for Thought

In my other blog, I wrote my thoughts on an article I read pertaining to food budgets. It really is amazing the attitudes and even priorities you encounter.

Like right now my priority is a nap, but Eric is of the attitude that he is full of energy and not needing a nap himself.

Weekly Menu for September 22-28

Monday

Roasted Chicken

Seasoned Rice

Mixed Vegetables

Tuesday

Bean and Ham Soup

Green Salad

Homemade Rolls

Wednesday

Chicken-Rice Casserole

Green Salad

Melon Slices

Thursday

Spaghetti

Caesar Salad

Green Beans

Breadsticks

Friday

Homemade Pizza

(Sausage, Cheese, Pepperoni)

Ceasar Salad

Dessert Pizza

Saturday

Grilled Pork Chops

Mashed Potatoes

Carrots, Peas

Sunday

Sundaes