"What's for Dinner?!" I'm always thinking about it, thought I'd share.

"What's for Dinner?!" I'm always thinking about it, thought I'd share.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Menu- March 22nd - March 28th

Saturday-
Manhattan Style Fish Stew
Roasted Tomato and Basil Flatbreads
Baby Green Salad with Apples and Toasted Walnuts, Cinnamon-Honey Vinaigrette

Sunday-
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Crudité with Bleu Cheese Dip

Monday-
Spaghetti Squash with Lamb Meatball Ragú
Chopped Salad with Sweet Onion Dressing

Tuesday-
Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy
Oven Roasted Cauliflower
Green Beans with Crispy Shallots

Wednesday-
Ina's Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette
Shredded Chicken Hash

Thursday-
Ratatouille over Brown Rice Pasta

Friday-
Steak and Martini Night
Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri
Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary and Sea Salt
Sautéed Spinach




Monday, March 17, 2014

Breakfast Tortilla

Makes 4 servings

5 large kale leaves
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/4 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 large shallot, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
4 large eggs, at room temperature
4 (10-inch) soft corn tortillas
1/4 cup store-bought plain hummus

Cut away and discard the stem from the center of each kale leaf. Coarsely chop the kale into 1-inch pieces. It will look like you have a lot of kale but it will cook down considerably.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the tomatoes, shallot, garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes, if using. Sauté until the tomatoes and shallot soften, about 4 minutes. Add the kale and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Toss with 2 wooden spoons until the kale wilts but is still bright green, about 2 minutes. Stir in the basil. Remove mixture from skillet and reserve warm.
Quickly wipe out skillet with paper towel and continue to heat.  Using tongs, toast each tortilla directly over high heat until beginning to blacken in spots, about 15 seconds per side. Put the warm tortillas on plates. Spoon 1 tablespoon of hummus on each tortilla and spread to cover, leaving a 1-inch border. Divide the kale mixture over the hummus.
Return skillet to medium high heat and heat last tablespoon oil.  In a small bowl scramble eggs. Add eggs to hot pan and cook until soft. Season with salt and pepper. Put the eggs on top of the kale.  Fold up the bottom of each tortilla and then fold in the sides, leaving the wraps open at the top. Serve and enjoy!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Here's a recipe from legendary chef, James Beard.  It has been a staple in my house forever.  My mother was not much of a cook, but I did get this one from her.  It never fails to get raves and is perfect for St. Patty's Day dinner.

Enough for 6, with meat left over for additional meals

5 pounds corned brisket of beef
packaged pickling spices
3 carrots, peeled and quartered
3 onions, peeled and quartered
1 medium-sized green cabbage, quartered or cut in wedges
Melted butter (about 4 tablespoons)

Place the corned beef in water to cover with mixed pickling spices (in supermarkets, these often come packaged with the corned beef). Cover the pot or kettle, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 hours or until tender, skimming occasionally. During the last hour, add the carrots and onions and cover again. During the last 15 minutes, add the cabbage. Transfer meat and vegetables to a platter and brush the vegetables with the melted butter. Serve with boiled parsley potatoes, cooked separately. Enjoy!

Braised Red Cabbage


1 medium head red cabbage, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced crosswise
4 bacon slices, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup white-wine vinegar
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Rinse cabbage under cold water, then drain (do not pat dry).

Cook bacon in an 8-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving it for another use. Add butter to bacon fat, then increase heat to moderate and cook onions, stirring, until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in cabbage, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 1 1/4 hours.  Adjust seasoning, if necessary with salt and pepper, Serve and Enjoy!

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste


In a medium bowl, whisk all ingredients together.  Adjust seasoning and serve over your favorite green salad.  Enjoy!

The Menu: March 15th - March 21st

Saturday-
Cornmeal Crusted Cod with Tartar Sauce
Broccoli with Garlic, Ginger, and Red Pepper Flakes
Sautéed Kale with Bacon and Shallots
Oven Roasted Carrots

Sunday-
Chicken Mole Enchiladas
Guacamole
Chopped Salad, Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Monday- "Happy St. Patrick's Day!"
Corned Beef with Stone Ground Mustard Sauce
Braised Red Cabbage
Green Beans with Red Onions

Tuesday-
Vegetable Chili
Chopped Romaine Salad, Creamy Garlic Dressing

Wednesday-
Curried Lentil Stew with Vegetables and Sausage
Oven Roasted Cauliflower

Thursday-
Smorgasbord Night

Friday- "Steak and Martini Night"
Prime Aged Porterhouse Steaks, Herb Compound Butter
Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives
Baby Greens Salad with Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette

Sunday, March 9, 2014

The Menu: March 8th - March 14th

Saturday-
Oven Roasted Salmon with Caramelized Shallots
Sautéed Spinach
Vegetable Quinoa

Sunday-
Thai-styled Rice Noodles with Shrimp
Stir Fried Green Beans with Ginger and Peanuts

Monday-
Shredded Pork Tacos
Red Beans and Rice
Chopped Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing

Tuesday-
Italian Sausage with Homemade Ragú
Brown Rice Pasta
Broccoli with Garlic

Wednesday-
Oven Roasted Chicken
Carrot, Beet, and Parsnip Hash
Baby Green Salad, Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette

Thursday-
"Smorgasbord Night"

Friday-
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Braised Wild Mushrooms
Shingled Potatoes with Thyme and Sea Salt
Steamed Asparagus
Roasted Carrots