Dinners w/o 1/30:

Hey everyone!

Wanted to share something that a couple friends and I are doing – a “Soup Swap” inspired by this blog post http://fullplatecookinglessons.blogspot.com/2011/01/soup-swapa-night-out-with-delicious.html  I will report back with how it goes and the soup/chili recipes that people bring to share. Try it with your friends! What a great way to have homemade soup in your freezer for a quick lunch or dinner.

Sunday –
BBQ ribs (trying out ribs from Metropolitan Market)
Trader Joe’s corn bread with frozen corn added in the mix before baking
Spinach salad with balsamic dressing http://www.heatherchristo.com/diary/221/my-basic-balsamic-dressing  

Monday–
Ceci bruschetta http://overcocktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/ceci-bruschetta.html
Flank steak – http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Flank-Steak-242598

Tuesday –
Sushi take out from Flo

Wednesday –
Edamame
Chicken curry with cashews – http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/bestof/toprecipes/bestchickenrecipes/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Curry-with-Cashews-231358
Brown rice
Steamed green beans

Thursday –
Roasted chicken with Dijon sauce http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/01/roast-chicken-with-dijon-sauce/#more-7119
Cous cous
Blasted broccoli http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Broccoli-with-Garlic-and-Red-Pepper-351031  

Friday –
out

Saturday –
Chips and guac
Chicken tostadas http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/bestof/toprecipes/bestchickenrecipes/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Tostadas-242826
Black beans –
1 can of black beans
4 cilantro stems
1 garlic clove, crushed
pinch of salt
Combine everything together in a small pot and simmer over low heat for about 15-20 minutes (I do this while I’m preparing the rest of the meal). Be sure to simmer the beans long enough so that they’re not watery
Quesadillas warmed on the Panini grill for the kids

Dinners w/o 1/23:

Sunday & Monday–
No menu

Tuesday –
Tequila lime chicken tacos (will slice up chicken and serve in tacos) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tequila-lime-chicken-recipe/index.html
Chips with homemade pico de gallo and guacamole using Goop’s pico and guac recipe (my new fav) http://www.goop.com/newsletter/86/en/
Bob’s authentic margarita (makes 1 margarita) – 1 ½ shot of silver Patron tequila, ¾ shot Cointreau, 2 limes juiced, quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Shake and pour over a salt rimmed glass filled to the top of ice. *Occasionally Bob adds a quick splash of soda water on top before serving.
Best margarita ever – just ask anyone that has had one 

Wednesday –
No menu

Thursday – Make your own pizza night
Homemade pizza (using Zeek’s fresh pizza dough) sauce from Trader Joe’s, turkey pepperoni and whatever veggies we have in the fridge. Everyone makes their own then cook at 400 degrees on a greased cookie sheet until golden
Simple green salad

Friday –
Chicken piccata http://overcocktails.blogspot.com/2009/03/chicken-piccata-all-time-fave.html
Brown rice
Steamed broccoli

Saturday – Guests over
App’s:
Tuna tartare (this recipe online feeds 50! I use the recipe from Ina Garten’s cookbook which has the correct recipe for 8 adults) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tuna-tartare-recipe/index.html
Ceci bruschetta http://overcocktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/ceci-bruschetta.html
Main course
Tomato and sausage risotto plus this risotto recipe without the sausage for a vegetarian option http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/alexs-restaurant/
Baby spinach salad – salad dressing TBD
Dessert:
Peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwiches (inspired by dessert we just ate tonight)
Will make peanut butter cookies (recipe TBD), freeze them, take them out, little scoop of ice cream smashed between 2 cookies and back in the freezer until ready to be served

Dinners w/o 1/16:

Sunday –
Greek nachos (doesn’t this sound fun? Not making my own pita bread though!) http://notwithoutsalt.com/2009/08/06/greek-nachos/  

Monday –
Tom Douglas Tomato Soup (new recipe – thanks, Brooke) http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/creamy-tomato-soup-with-buttery-croutons
Grilled cheese panini on sliced ciabatta bread

Tuesday –
Pan-Roasted Halibut with Prosciutto, Lemon, White Wine, and Capers http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/pan-roasted-halibut-with-prosciutto-lemon-white-wine-and-capers-recipe/index.html
Sautéed spinach w/ garlic (fresh spinach sautéed in a little olive oil and garlic)

Wednesday –
Easy weeknight Bolognese (will not use nutmeg in it) http://www.mamamakesitbest.com/2010/11/weeknight-bolognese.html
Simple green salad with homemade vinaigrette*
*We do not have any store bought salad dressings in our fridge – not needed. Just add ½ amount of olive oil, ½ amount of your favorite vinegar (red wine, white wine, champagne vinegar etc), little spoonful of Dijon, salt/pepper and whisk together. Simple and the unused dressing can be used for up to 5 days if left in the fridge.

Thursday –
Turkey burgers with goat cheese and red pepper relish (I use less than ½ of the lemon zest/juice) Kids get regular turkey burgers – no lemon, goat cheese
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/printerfriendly/GOAT-CHEESE-STUFFED-TURKEY-BURGERS-WITH-ROASTED-RED-PEPPER-RELISH-2279

Friday –
No menu

Saturday –
No menu

Dinners w/o 1/9:

Guest Blog post from before the holidays: http://overcocktails.blogspot.com/2010/12/guest-blogger-post-michelle-shares.html  

Words of inspiration I found on over cocktails via the Food 52 blog and I am totally onboard with the statement.
Over the past decade, many studies and books have shown that children from families who eat together do better in school, that eating “whole” foods is healthier, that eating sustainably will save the environment. But no one has pointed out that the only way to achieve all this in a comprehensive, lasting way is for people to cook.

Because:
If you cook, your family will eat dinner together.
If you cook, you will naturally have a more sustainable household.
If you cook, you’ll set a lifelong example for your children.
If you cook, you’ll understand what goes into food and will eat more healthily.
If you cook, you’ll make your home an important place in your life.
If you cook, you’ll make others happy.
If you cook, people will remember you.

Sunday –
Grilled bread with prosciutto http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/fettunta-with-prosciutto-recipe/index.html
Simple salad with greens, blue cheese, sliced pear, a bit of balsamic and olive oil drizzled over

Monday –
Baja shrimp tacos http://goop.com/newsletter/86/en/
Or
Roasted shrimp and broccoli http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2009/02/roasted_shrimp.html
Brown rice

Tuesday –
Chicken parmesan w/ salad on top – http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/parmesan-chicken-recipe/index.html  

Wednesday –
FENNEL SALAD WITH ASIAN PEAR AND PARMESAN (test run for my book club – doesn’t this sound delicious?) Thanks, Carol! http://www.seattlepi.com/food/401312_orangette25.html  (you have to scroll way down to find the recipe)
Roasted chicken with lemon and croutons http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-chicken-with-croutons-recipe2/index.html  

Thursday –
Ceci bruschetta (addicted to this easy app/side dish) and leeks are in season and I have many I need to use up- I use whatever bread I have on hand, usually ciabatta, for the recipe) http://overcocktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/ceci-bruschetta.html
Turkey ragu (in freezer from a couple weeks ago – try the recipe if you haven’t – it’s even better if you make it the day before) http://goop.com/newsletter/1/en/  

Friday –
Grilled beef tenderloin roast

Mustard Horseradish Sauce served on the side
1 1/2 cups good mayonnaise
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustards, horseradish, sour cream, and salt in a small bowl

Mrs. Young’s potatoes http://overcocktails.blogspot.com/2010/08/salmon-two-ways.html
Green salad

Saturday –
out

Dinners w/o 1/1:

Saturday –
ORECCHIETTE WITH TURKEY SAUSAGE AND BROCCOLI http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/orecchiette-with-turkey-sausage-and-broccoli-rabe-recipe/index.html
Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan

Sunday –
Chicken tostadas (this recipe is so good and easy – I make the sauce and then mix it with chicken breasts I had baked then shredded or rotisserie chicken and then whatever toppings we already have on hand – usually lettuce, black beans and corn tortillas I keep in the freezer) http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/bestof/toprecipes/bestchickenrecipes/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Tostadas-242826  

Monday –
Easy Sole Meuniere (I use ½ the butter it calls for) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/easy-sole-meuniere-recipe/index.html
Cannellini beans (canned white beans) w/ rosemary & olive oil
1. 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil in a sauté pan w/ a whole rosemary sprig (from the garden) – heat for 2 minutes
2. then add cannellini beans that have been washed/strained and warm for 3-5 minutes
3. then sprinkle with s/p and take sprig out– I am addicted. Don’t over warm the beans or they will be mushy!
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Pistachios
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Brussels-Sprouts-with-Lemon-and-Pistachios-241353

Tuesday –
Butternut Squash Lasagna (recipe below) –
Two bags of frozen (whole foods) or steamed fresh butternut squash (Trader Joe’s has these)
1 container mascarpone cheese (Trader Joe’s has this)
1.5 jars of red sauce (your choice or Trader Joe’s three cheese sauce) Lasagna noodles One chunk of smoked mozzarella (Trader Joe’s just started carrying this – yay) One chunk of easy to grate regular mozzarella

Mix the first three ingredients (sauce, squash and mascarpone cheese) together. Grate the mozzarella cheeses and mix them together. In a 9×13 pan layer noodles, sauce mixture and cheese, repeat and add any extra cheese to the top.
Bake at 375 for 45 mins or until center cheese is melted on top. Enjoy!

Wednesday –
Chicken lettuce wraps http://overcocktails.blogspot.com/2009/10/healthy-lettuce-wraps.html
Sautéed bok choy – sauté with sesame oil and garlic
Cabbage with hot sauce http://orangette.blogspot.com/2009/01/best-we-can-hope-for.html  

Thursday –
Grilled beef tenderloin steak
Spinach salad with vinaigrette
Baked potato with yogurt and sour cream http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/baked-potatoes-with-yogurt-and-sour-cream-recipe/index.html  

Friday –
NEW RECIPE – Chicken curry with cashews – http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/bestof/toprecipes/bestchickenrecipes/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Curry-with-Cashews-231358
Brown rice
Steamed veggie

Saturday – Michele out
Bob’s choice