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Heavenly Lunch

My friend Melissa invited the girls and me over for lunch last Friday. It was wonderful! The table was set beautifully and the food, oh the food. I suppose pretty much anything is a step above my usual PB & honey sandwich. But this lunch was probably a million steps above that. It was a real treat. Cate gobbled up the salad. That's really saying something when a 3-year-old will eat SALAD.

Melissa was kind enough to share the recipes with me. Enjoy!

CRANBERRY SALSA

From Melissa Esplin
makes about 3 cups

- 12 ounce package cranberries (fresh or frozen)

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 1 medium jalapeño

- 1 bunch green onions

- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro

- 1/4 teaspoon cumin

- 1/4 teaspoon ginger

- juice and zest of a lemon

Blend in food processor and chill for a couple of hours to allow flavors to marinade. For a twist, serve salsa over cream cheese and top with fresh cilantro.

BOOKCLUB CHICKEN SALAD

From "Favorites" by Grace Ivory Rock & Jane Ivory Metcalf
- 6-8 chicken breasts

- 8 ounces slivered almonds

- 4 tablespoons sugar

- 2 bags European blend salad mix

- 1 head iceberg lettuce, torn into pieces

- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

- 1 cup raisins or craisins

- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (or Feta and/or Apricot Stilton)

Cook chicken breasts for 30 minutes at 350 degrees (or in the microwave on high 4-6 mins, or until done). Cool and cut into small pieces. In a small skillet sprinkle sugar over almonds and cook over medium heat until almonds are coated and sugar has dissolved. Cool.

Mix all ingredients together and top with sweet red onion dressing.

Sweet Red Onion Dressing

makes about 1 quart

- 1/2 red onion, or less if onion is large

- 2 cups sugar

- 4 teaspoons dry mustard

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup red wine vinegar

- 2 cups vegetable oil

Finely chop red onion in food processor (or blender). Add sugar, dry mustard, salt and vinegar and blend until frothy. Slowly add oil. Toss with salad.

Week 88 Menu

We were invited to dinner this evening at someone's home and had an amazing meal. This couple is way into food and cooking. They served a delicious vegetable soup, olive polenta with mushrooms, GOAT (yes, you heard me, goat) with veggies we've never eaten before, and a very fancy french dessert. Seriously, this meal was amazing. They plated all of the food, so it was beautiful, and it was fun to try completely new foods. I can promise you tonight's menu will never show up on my weekly plan, but we so appreciated it. Thanks, Sheryl & Jason!

Sadly I did not have my camera with me. So, close your eyes and just imagine what dinner would have been like. Isn't it lovely?

Sheryl & Jason participate in a fruit/veggie CSA (community-supported agriculture) and a meat CSA. Their way of cooking is pretty much opposite of mine - they don't know what food they're going to get each week and then they just figure out what to cook as they go along. It's quite impressive and definitely a fresh, healthy way to eat.

I am WORDY tonight. Sorry! One last thing...I didn't cook dinner ONCE last week. It was a FANTASTIC birthday week. :) So, lots of carry-overs...but this week I'm back in the game.

MONDAY:
- Stir fry
- Rice
- Pick up a few sides from our local Chinese restaurant

TUESDAY:
- Natalee's Butternut Squash Soup...gotta try this recipe out! (It's posted in the comments here, if you're interested)

WEDNESDAY:
- Fajitas

THURSDAY:
- Leftovers

FRIDAY:
- Pizza

SATURDAY:
- Eat out

SUNDAY:
- Spinach & Pancetta Stuffed Shells w/Asiago Cream Sauce
- Garlic Bread
- Salad

Can't wait to see what you're eating for dinner this week! As always, thank you for sharing your menus!

Farewell, old skillet...hello awesomeness

Dear Skillet,

You are the best skillet a cook could have. You have a beautiful clear lid. You are the perfect shape...not too shallow, not too angled. You've served me well for over 9 years and I am so grateful someone gave you to me for a wedding present. My life would not have been the same without you.

But it's time I moved on. You're not healthy for me. Every time I cook with you, I fear I'm turning my insides into a non-stick surface. And while my insides grow increasingly black & slippery, you, my friend, stick to everything you come into contact with. But you've put up a good fight. I've searched high and low and could not find any other skillet that could replace you. Until now.

I found your perfect replacement. And it was 50% off. And this new skillet. Oh, it is fabulous. The food cooks so evenly and I'm not scared I'm being poisoned. What more could a girl want from her skillet?

So, thank you for all of your hard work. You deserve this retirement. Really, you do. And I'm not just saying that because I've found something better. ;)

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today we are heading off to Carmel to celebrate my big 3-0. I can't wait to get there!


As a little birthday present to myself, I am leaving my computer at home and staying off-line the whole two days we're gone. Seriously. No email. No work. No blogging. As much as I love all those things...okay, well, as much as I love blogging...I am so excited to UNPLUG.

See you Thursday! Better have a birthday cake ready for me when I get back! :)

Crispy Garlic Potatoes

I am SO loving my subscription to Everyday Food. It's the BEST.


I made these Crispy Garlic Potatoes from the September issue. They were simple and fantastic. Just wanted to share the recipe with you!

A few notes...I used a little more than 1 Tbsp of oil and I put my garlic through a press instead of mushing it with a knife. Oh, and the thinner the potato slice, the yummier they were.

Oh No You Didn't!

Oh yes I did! I bought a BOX of mac & cheese, cooked it, and ate it.


Probably everyone reading this is thinking, what's the big deal? Okay, seriously, my mom never bought boxed mac & cheese growing up. Never. Honestly. And the idea of powdered, orange-colored cheese never really appealed to me that much anyway. Hence, my need for a good homemade recipe.

Tonight I asked Cate what she wanted for dinner. "Mac & Cheese." What? How does she even know what that is? Okay, fine, Mac & Cheese it is. I didn't have time to whip up a batch of homemade..sooooo...I looked for a box.


I didn't go totally WT and get Kraft (no offense, my dear friends who love Kraft)...I bought organic Shells & White Cheddar. Anyway, it was GOOD. Surprisingly satisfying. I mean, I really enjoyed dinner.

What has the world come to?

Week 87 Menu

I am so excited about this week's menu...mostly because I don't have much to do with it! Thursday is my 30th birthday and we're going on a little trip to Carmel, CA to celebrate. I AM SO EXCITED! Although, I'm not excited I only have 4 more days in my twenties. Remember thirtysomething? I thought they were all SO OLD.


Last night I grabbed some clam chowder from Cook's Seafood, a restaurant here in Menlo Park. It was quite yummy. And steps away from my house. Convenient, but dangerous!

On to the menu...

MONDAY:
- Stir fry
- Rice
- Pick up a few sides from our local Chinese restaurant

TUESDAY:
- Carmel!

WEDNESDAY:
- Carmel!

THURSDAY:
- Back home...but we're going out to eat, without the girls!

FRIDAY:
- Natalee's Butternut Squash Soup...gotta try this recipe out! (It's posted in the comments here, if you're interested)

SATURDAY:
- Good friend in town...I'm sure we'll eat out!

SUNDAY:
- Spinach & Pancetta Stuffed Shells w/Asiago Cream Sauce
- Garlic Bread
- Salad

Time for your menus!

A tragic day...

Horror of horrors! My Costco doesn't carry $5 rotisserie chickens!!!! WHAT am I supposed to do now? My go-to meal is toast. Oh, and I'll never be able to take someone dinner again. It's a sad, sad day. Because Costco was chickenless, I had to pick one up at Whole Foods. It was $10, smaller and a little dry. How depressing.

Time to go eat some chocolate. Seriously, I think this cake could get just about anyone out of a chicken-induced depression.


Pictured: Gooey goodness from Jake's Del Mar. Yes, I ate the whole thing. By myself.

Featured Recipe: Stewed Green Beans

When we first got married, I never planned side dishes. And my salads consisted of lettuce. Pretty sad. And funny. I've come a long way, baby. I almost always remember to do a side dish these days, and I may even throw a carrot in the salad. ;)

Anyway, side dishes are pretty important and can really make or break a meal, wouldn't you say? And it's amazing how much better they can be with just a TINY bit more thought and effort. And I mean tiny...I'm as lazy as the next guy, so don't be scared.


Instead of just steaming your green beans tonight, try this!

Stewed Green Beans
Adapted from a recipe in Everyday Food, Sept 2008 (p. 80). I changed it up, and my version was quite tasty, if I do say so myself! Here's my rendition.
- 2 T butter
- 1/4 medium yellow onion, cut into skinny crescents
- A bunch of fresh green beans
- A bunch of baby tomatoes, halved
- Seasoning (S&P, or a seasoning blend...I used Onera, my favorite!)

In a medium saucepan or large, deep skillet, melt butter and saute onion over medium heat until they begin to soften. Add green beans and tomatoes. Season. Cook until beans are done to your liking, stirring occasionally (probably around 15 minutes).

The Best Cheese Grater in the World

Time to share another one of my favorite kitchen accessories...


Ikea has the best cheese grater I've ever used. And it's only $5.99 for a pack of two. And it's called CHARM...how appropriate. It's certainly charmed me! Yeah, yeah, that was CHEESY. A-ha-ha-ha....


Reasons why the Ikea CHARM cheese grater rules the land of cheese:
1) Grippy thingy on the bottom holds the bowl in place while you grate, which is probably my favorite part. Also, the metal "grater" part fits right on top of the plastic "bowl," so you don't end up with a pile of cheese and making a big mess.
2) Comes with two different sized "graters" and a plastic lid for storage. So handy!
3) All the pieces stack well with each other (see first picture), so it's easy to store and takes up little space.

If you don't have one, GET ONE. You'll thank me. Also, it makes a nice gift...I gave these out to everyone I knew for Christmas one year. Happy grating!

Week 86 Menu

Is it really time to plan another menu? These weeks go by far too quickly.


It finally feels like autumn! I LOVE FALL. It's my favorite season hands down. I love everything about it. The weather, warmer clothes, the leaves, the colors and the food. Butternut Squash Soup, here I come!


MONDAY:
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Whole wheat french bread

TUESDAY:
- Bolognese (recipe to come!) over whole wheat pasta
- Spinach salad with strawberries & green onion

WEDNESDAY:
- Roast Chicken (from Costco)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Potatoes of some sort

THURSDAY:
- Leftovers

FRIDAY:
- Chicken Stir Fry
- Rice
- Pick up a few sides from our local Chinese restaurant

SATURDAY:
- Eat out

SUNDAY:
- Spinach & Pancetta Stuffed Shells w/Asiago Cream Sauce
- Garlic Bread
- Salad

PS: I'm back to 'normal' eating. But here's the healthy eating plan going forward: less sugar (way less), little white flour and MORE VEGGIES. That's the biggest goal...incorporating more vegetables into every meal. I'm sure I'll be posting more on that!

Okay, it's the end of this post...you know what that means...time to share your menu for the week!

No Sugar, No Flour, No Dairy...OH MY!

Time to check in on the experiment. I've been good, friends. Seriously, I haven't eaten any refined sugar, white flour or dairy yet this week. Amazing. Truly. If you know me, you know I like me my treats. Here are a few observations...

• I feel good after everything I eat, which isn't always the case in "normal" life - more often than I'd like, I have meals that make me feel heavy and sorta yucky. That hasn't happened this week.
• I've never done any kind of diet before. Now I know firsthand why they don't work. If you can't have something, you think about it and want it even more. That is no way to live and I know why it doesn't work.
  
• It is really tricky planning meals without sugar, white flour or dairy allowed. The salad I had planned for the week? Sugar in the dressing. The bolognese recipe I was going to try called for 1 cup of cream. Even when I thought I had planned meals that would work, they didn't. It's been tough!
  
• Sugar is in everything. Seriously. When you cut sugar, you realize how much you eat it. Now I totally believe the stats about the amounts of sugar Americans eat each year. That's because it's in everything we eat! Pasta sauces, salad dressings, cereals, dried fruit, the list goes ON.
• I was so hungry (and grumpy) the first 2 or 3 days! But that's getting better...I think because I'm figuring out better snack foods, planning our meals better, etc.
  

I'm proud that I've stuck to my plan and I will continue to do so through the end of the week. But, I have to admit, I can't wait to be done.

However, I am not going to simply revert to my old ways. I will definitely watch my sugar intake more closely from now on. White flour was the easiest to cut for me, so I think that won't be too hard to keep to a minimum. I'm not a huge dairy person normally, so there won't be much of a change there. I have to say, though, I can't wait to eat some cheese!

PS - Some of you were wondering why dairy got the kabosh this week. I don't have a good scientific answer for you yet, but here is a nice, short, balanced article about the pros & cons: Dairy: Good or Bad?

Featured Recipe: Caramelized Onion & Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Today's recipe comes from reader, Kate. It was on her menu a few weeks ago and I stole it shamelessly. Nate and I really enjoyed this dish, and it is super easy to prepare. Plus, it's so pretty!


Caramelized Onion & Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
From Robin to the Rescue by Robin Miller, via TWFD reader Kate :)
- 12 oz spinach fettuccine (Kate note: I always use regular fettuccine or whole wheat spaghetti with great success)
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced into half moons
- 2 Tbs sugar
- 1 cup sliced roasted red peppers (Jane note: I just bought a jar of these at the store)
- 2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup vegetable broth (Kate note: I usually use chicken b/c i have an open container in my fridge)
- salt and fresh ground pepper

Cook pasta and drain. While pasta is cooking, heat the oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and sugar and cook, stirring a couple of times until the onions are golden brown and carmelized, about 10 minutes (Jane note - took longer for me). Stir in the red peppers and vinegar and cook for 2 minutes. Add the broth and pasta and simmer for 2 minutes to heat through. Season with salt and pepper and serve. The sauce will thicken up a bit upon sitting for a minute or two.

Kate note: I am only making this for 2.5 of us so I usually make half the pasta, but a full recipe fo the sauce. It's so good and we like it really saucy! Enjoy!

Jane note: I had a 9 oz package of spinach fettuccine...and I thought it was too much pasta for the sauce, so go with Kate's tip of just doing 6 oz of pasta (half the recipe), but the full recipe of sauce. Also, I'm going to throw some chicken in here next time - I think that would taste good. Great dish!

The Goods: Heirloom Tomatoes

Homegrown tomatoes are the BEST, but until the day I start growing them, I'm stuck with buying tomatoes at the store. Which can lead to very disappointing results. But occasionally I come across some flavorful tomatoes that make me happy...like the Splendido little tomatoes I wrote about a few months ago.


I have a new tomato love. Heirloom tomatoes. I've gotten them at my regular old grocery store and at Trader Joe's. I have been very happy with both. First off, they actually have flavor. Go figure. In addition, they all have slightly different flavors from one another, making for more dynamic tastes in your meals. Plus, they look so pretty on your plate!