A week of menus and dessert!

We had guests over last night for dinner-two families who we are close to, both have a child close to our kids' ages, and we all get along well. I made a "Make your own taco bar", rice and beans, cheese dip, Mexican pizza and a yummy fruity punch!

I also made a Margarita Cake-as I explained to my guests, no actual margaritas were harmed in the making of the cake! It's very simple to make-and very good to eat!

1 white cake mix
eggs and oil as directed on package to prepare
1 can frozen margarita mix, thawed but not diluted
1 Tablespoon lime zest
1 can white frosting
1/2 cup flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 8 inch round cake pans by spraying bottom with non stick spray.

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, but use the thawed undiluted margarita mix instead of liquid on package, and stirring in the lime zest. Pour into the pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a baking rack in pan 10 minutes, then remove from pan and continue cooling until completely cool.

Put the coconut in a small baking pan and toast in the oven until light brown, about 5 minutes (watch closely so it doesn't burn)

Thin the canned icing with about 1/2 T. warm water, stirring well. Ice the cakes on the sides and top, then put the toasted coconut on them, using your hand to pat it onto the sides.

Note: I used a bundt pan because I don't have two round cake pans, and it turned out just fine. It looked very pretty on the pedestal cake plate.

I would imagine that you could use any juice or drink concentrate and make this in a bunch of different ways. I was thinking that pina coloda mix would be good, as would strawberry.

Try it sometime!

Here's a week worth of menus that we may or may not follow this week. I bought the basic items for this menu, but it could be changed around at the last minute, as needed to fit our schedules and whims!

Sunday: grilled cheese and ham sandwiches and vegetable soup
Monday: Swiss chicken, baked potatoes, green beans and tossed salad; hot rolls
Tuesday: Spaghetti, breadsticks and salad
Wednesday: sausage and cheese scramble, pancakes, biscuits
Thursday: roast beef, roasted potatoes and carrots, steamed broccoli and salad
Friday: Take and bake pizzas (from Wal-Mart deli), cinnamon breadsticks, salad
Saturday: Lodge breakfast and burgers and fries for supper

Later!