Meal Planning Monday and Brigadeiros

First off, I have to tell you about the amazing meal we had last night.  OK, maybe our standards have been slipping...but it was DARN good!

Sunday: spaghetti with red sauce (lots of sauteed onions, carrots, and celery, then browned a pound of ground beef, then added more garlic, basil, sage, oregano, and a jar of canned sauce.  It would have been wonderful with canned tomatoes, etc., but I had a jar of sauce and I was short on time.)  The last time I made bread I made a triple batch, and one of those batches turned into 2 round loaves.  We wrapped them in foil and warmed them in the oven, and served the bread with softened butter doctored up with garlic and parsley- that was Wonder Daddy's idea.  It's must more garlicky today...and therefore, much better *grin*  Make it a day ahead!  We made brigadeiros for dessert- brazilian chocolate candies.  Cook two cans of sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder, and 2 Tbsp. butter until it makes a very thick batter that doesn't stick to the pan when you tilt it.  (You can stir constantly on the stove, medium heat, for 20 minutes, or we found that you can microwave it for a minute at a time for about 6 minutes, stirring in between.)  Let it cool to room temp, roll into little balls, and roll into sprinkles.  We have no sprinkles left in the house now, and I can't see my toes.  My gracious, are those little balls good!  Like perfectly fudgy brownies, without the bother of flour.  Even better the second day.

Monday: We have leftover sauce, so I'll throw in another can of crushed tomatoes and bake a spaghetti bake.
Tuesday: I don't finish teaching till 5- I'll put a pot of rice on before lessons start, and thaw some beans from the freezer.
Wednesday: Scouts night for Daddy, so that would make it Girls night!  We always have pancakes. (Long teaching day, so again: easy.)  If I  make them whole-grain, it's not so bad, right?
Thursday: The kids love salmon- I'll make salmon cakes and see if they like those, too!  Quinoa on the side and canned corn.
Friday:  Date night :o)
Saturday:  Up in the air- we're hoping to have a work party for our yard, so I'm kind of planing on feeding the world that day.  I'm thinking pizzas and a veggie tray, and a couple boxes of Krispy Kremes.  Men around here will do a lot for a box of Krispy Kremes.  Or Top Pot donuts (they're "Hand Forged" and simply ginormous.)  Or maybe a chocolate sheet cake.... or maybe I should see how many people are coming and then make my plans *grin*  Anyone want to come and move dirt?