Menu Plan Monday - April 9

I have found some wonderful cookbooks lately. As you might have heard me say before, I am a huge fan of real, physical cookbooks. It can be difficult to find that recipe you really want - and have it in front of you, on the counter, as you're preparing your culinary masterpiece - if you're using an electronic version. Perhaps you're better at this, but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for when using my Kindle Fire. Looking it up in the index and flipping through the pages seems easier. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.

Lately, I have been enjoying a couple of cookbooks I got through our state's inter library loan system. Another book I've been looking at is, in fact, on my Kindle.

Students Go Vegan by Carole Raymond is chock full of easy to make vegan dishes - everything from appetizers to main di.shes to desserts and everything in between. It has a lot of soy recipes, however, which I try to avoid. I can't have tofu or seitan, as they are made using wheat. Even if I could have them, I probably would pass because I'm not convinced that soy is healthy. Then there are the tons of recipes utilizing garbanzo beans, to which I am allergic. However, I did find some interesting dishes that I hope to try soon.

Mother Nature's Garden by Florence Bienenfeld is a book that I am loving. This cookbook is tailor made for the vegan but it is also a huge help to the gluten-free person. In it I found out how to make my own rice milk. I made some wonderful gluten-free pancakes last night and froze them. I will make a larger amount later. There are recipes for gluten-free granola, a carob drink (similar to hot chocolate), and other good food items.

I have also been reading a cookbook called, Naked Foods. This is a cookbook that is geared toward those of us who want to eat in its simplest, and most natural, form. The less you "dress" your food, the healthier it is for you.

This week's plan includes:

Monday

Taco Salad

Refried Beans

Left over pies

Tuesday

Alfredo Pasta with Chicken Breasts

Green Beans

Salads

Wednesday

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

Sauteed Cabbage and Matchstick Carrots

Applesauce

Thursday

Meat Loaf

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

Ratatouille

Friday

Pizza & Pop

Saturday

Hamburgers & Hot Dogs

Potato Chips

Baked Beans

Sunday

On Your Own