Monday, May 21, 2012

Meal Plan Monday

Monday
Edamame Salad with Crisp Steak Bits (Mark Bittman’s recipe)

Tuesday
Roasted Chicken (shred leftovers for tomorrow’s pizza)
Butternut Squash
Brown Rice and Chickpea Pilaf

Wednesday
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Green Salad

Thursday
Dirty Rice
Bacon and Cheddar Cornbread
Roasted Broccoli

Friday
Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Sweet Corn and Summer Squash Hash
Whole-wheat Popovers and Basil Butter

Monday, May 7, 2012

Meal Plan Monday

Monday
Grilled Salmon (cook extra 1/2 lb for tomorrow)
Broccoli with Asian Dipping Sauce
Brown Rice

Tuesday
Salmon Sandwiches with Basil Mayo
Roasted Potato Wedges
Green Apple Slaw

Wednesday
Grilled London Broil
Mashed Potatoes
Carrots and Cauliflower

Thursday
Steak Salads (using last night's extra steak, sliced thinly and served room temp)
Hot Whole Wheat Popovers with Basil Butter

Friday
Kitchen Sink Fried Rice

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Meal Plan Monday (on Tuesday)

Monday
Grilled Sausage
Roasted Russet Potato Wedges
Carrots

Tuesday
Chicken Marsala (cook 2 extra breasts and remove from pan before adding wine and mushrooms)
Cauliflower
Pasta

Wednesday
Chicken Taco Salad (shredded from last night)

Thursday
Spicy Meatballs with Tomato Couscous
Warm Whole-wheat Pita and Hummus
Carrots and Cauliflower

Friday
French Bread Pizza
Green Salad

Monday, April 23, 2012

Meal Plan Monday

Monday
Asparagus, Chickpeas and Brown Rice with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Grilled Salmon (cook and extra ½ lb)

Tuesday
Salmon Noodle Bowls (flake last nights salmon)
Roasted Broccoli with Japanese Dipping Sauce

Wednesday
Turkey Burgers
Chopped Salad
Roasted Russets with Chipotle Aioli

Thursday
Kitchen Sink Enchiladas (use up all leftovers)
Avocado and Tomato Salad

Friday
French Bread Pizza
Green Salad

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Quick-Roasted Cauliflower with Zesty Orange-Olive Dressing

from Susie Middleton's Fast, Fresh and Green

Roasted Cauliflower:
1 small head of cauliflower, trimmed into halved florets
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp. kosher salt

Orange-Olive Dressing:
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 large clove of garlic, peeled and halved
2 pinches of red pepper flakes (or to taste)
1 tsp. finely grated orange zest
3 finely chopped pitted kalamata olives
1 tsp. red-wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley
salt, sugar and pepper to taste


1. Toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil and salt, and arrange cut side down on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper. Roast in a 475 oven until the sides begin to brown, about twenty minutes.

2. To make the orange-olive dressing, warm the garlic in the olive oil in a small saucepan until very fragrant, about five minutes. Your goal is to flavor the oil, not to brown the garlic. Remove the garlic and stir in the red pepper, zest, and olives. Remove the pan from heat, and stir in the remaining dressing ingredients.

3. Pour the dressing over the slightly cooled cauliflower in a bowl, and stir gently.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Meal Plan Monday

Monday
Grilled Chicken (cook 2 extra breasts for tomorrow)
Roasted Broccoli with a Japanese Dipping Sauce
Brown Rice

Tuesday
Panko Crusted Chicken Cakes (made with left over chicken)
Quick Roasted Cauliflower with Zesty Orange Olive Dressing
Marinated Mushrooms
Spinach Salad

Wednesday
Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Feta, Crispy Shallots and Poppy Seed Dressing
London Broil (reserve extra for tomorrow's sandwiches)
Matchstick Potatoes

Thursday
Steak Sandwiches
Carrots
Salad

Friday
Kitchen Sink Fried Brown Rice

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Happy Easter

When I host a holiday I like to keep the appetizers simple so people are hungry when we sit down to eat. When I say people I do mean my kids. There is nothing worse than trying to get two little boys who are full of chips, cheese and crackers to sit still and eat dinner. Deviled Eggs and Hot Artichoke Dip with Toast Points are always favorites in my house. I will have pitchers of Scotch Sours ready to be shaken, strained and adorned with a cherry as soon as we come in from the backyard Easter Egg hunt.

Last Easter was my first time cooking Duck a la Orange. I felt so elegant in my apron bringing the duck to the table and it was such a hit that it is our new Easter tradition. I used an updated version of the original that was first published in Gourmet in 1943. This recipe is still around for a reason. Give it a try...http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/printerfriendly/Duck-a-lOrange-233535#ixzz1KFrtpbTZ. You will thank me.



Easter Menu 2012

Arugula Salad with Lemon Parsley Dressing and Homemade Roasted Garlic Croutons

Duck a la Orange
Asparagus
Oven Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Roasted Cauliflower with an Orange and Olive Dressing
Pinot Noir

Easter Cookies
Chocolate Bunnies