MENU FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 15, 2010
Officially, Spring hits us this Saturday – and not a moment too soon! And, of course, St. Patrick’s Day is Weds. T his year I am trying to keep the tradition of Corned Beef and Cabbage, but in a little bit of a different way. Hope it’s good!
Our farm stand has reopened and hopefully they will have the lettuce seedlings ere long. I buy these as early as I can and plant big pot loads of them on the deck – along with herbs like parsley and thyme. (Others to follow in warmer weather). It is such a pleasure to be able to take one’s colander and pick a fresh salad just before dinner. And pansies! I love pots of them out on the deck smiling at me through the rest of the lousy weather. And again, I will force forsythia as soon as I can get out there. Despite about 5” of rain in the last two days (thank heaven’s it was rain – that equates to a bout 5’ of snow), we still have large piles of snow in the yard, and of course, what ground is visible, is totally saturated.
Once again, we ate well last week. Before I married him, my husband loathed pasta (at some point I’ll share my mother-in-law’s recipe for spaghetti). He really enjoyed the rigatoni (of course it was his sausages) – but it really was a great recipe – the sauce would almost be better the second day. And the Gorgonzola sauce with the fillet was excellent. Gorgonzola, cream and a hit of chipotle gave it more depth and flavor. It would be a knockout dish to entertain with.
And soon we’ll be grilling!
Mon. Russian Borscht CCI
Fresh Dill
Sour Cream
Pumpernickel Bread
Tues. Rock Cornish Game Hens with Red Grapefruit
Pan Sauce with Madeira
Steamed Rice
Baby Peas
Weds. Corned Beef and Cabbage
with a Marmalade Whiskey Glaze A 306
Colcannon (A traditional Irish dish with Mashed Potatoes, Cabbage Onions and Butter) BAC
Horseradish Sauce
Irish Soda Bread BA 2/05
Thurs. AM Russian Borscht Revisited
Thurs. PM Shrimp and Andouille Pot Pie BA 3/09 91
Tossed Salad
Fri. Corned Beef Revisited
Sat. Blue Cheese Dip DI 32
Irish Lamb Stew JOC
Tossed Salad
Sun. Spinach Turnovers
George Lang’s Paprika Chicken with Egg Dumplings GLCH 278
Lemon Spinach
Cookie of the Week: Mini Black and Whites.
MENU FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 8, 2010
We are slowly working our way out of last week’s snow. Still can’t find the mailbox. Even so, several days in the mid 50’s serve to remind us that there IS and end in sight. The cat happily got out today – the first time in over a week and she was going stir crazy! So much for her to do out there….
Still thinking braises, but starting to think more spring seasonal ones. Next week, of course, Corned Beef. And I’m thinking an Irish Stew might also be on the menu. As my husband can testify – I can eat a ton of this….
[Husband testifying, the first time I made this dish for her we were not yet married. I watched this tiny barely 100 pound girl eat four helpings and think about a fifth. wwj]
Maybe an Irish Soda Bread. Haven’t done one in ages. Good for dinner, and almost better the next day as toast.
We ate well this last week. T he Pork Lo Mein is a fabulous (and healthy) use for leftover pork. And the Shrimp Tacos were great for a change. I find that I am doing more with soft tacos these days. Again, an easy, fast preparation that fills the bill for “something different”.
Our Shop Rite has been featuring inexpensive daffodils and I have been buying them each week. They do so much to brighten up a room this time a year – until such time as I can see my own in the front yard. Tulips too. And when the snow melts I’ll cut some forsythia to force – the wonderful yellows of Spring!!!!
Mon. Udon Hot Pot with Clams, Shrimp, Chicken and Vegetables and Dashi Broth CIAS
Tues. Julia Child’s Braised Beef with Onions and Carrots
Steamed Rice
Weds. Roasted Chicken with Orange, Basil and Garlic
Buttered Orzo
Roasted Asparagus
Thurs. Rigatoni with Spicy Sausage & Cannelinni Beans FW 2002 135
Tossed Salad
Fri. AM Thomas Keller’s BLT Fried Egg Sandwich on Toasted Peasant
Bread FW 2008 283
Hazelnut Coffee
Fri. PM Fillet Mignon with Chipotle Gorgonzola Sauce BA 2/07 34
Fresh Pasta with Red, Yellow and Green Pepper Parmesan
and Pine Nut Sauce PWT 136
Sautéed Green Beans with Marjoram
Sat. Shrimp Pancakes FWS
Cornish Game Hens with Pink Grapefruit
and Madeira FW 10/88 168
Steamed Rice
Steamed Asparagus
Sun. Sun Dried Tomato Tartlets f/i
Roasted Lamb Riblettes PFSMC
Orzo with Grape Tomatoes, Feta Cheese
and Scallions BA 4/06 106
Tossed Salad
Cookie of the Week: Mother’s Sugar Cookies
MENU FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 1, 2020
This last big storm really hit us. It was the worst one I remember here. We got about 3 feet of snow – up to the deer’s shoulders…..Heavy winds caused lots of drifts – in the back yard they are about 41/2 feet up against a 5 foot fence. The pile at the back of the driveway is about 7 feet!
We lost power from before dinner on Thurs until 4 o’clock Friday. Lots of big pots on the big stove kept us warm – but we were worried about the freezers. They were broadcasting that there were about 20,000 outages in our area and some would not be in service again until the middle of next week. With over 50 pounds of Warner’s homemade sausages in stock – among lots of other things. Oy! So there was a huge sigh of relief as we realized the power was back on!
Crews worked through the night and the standard height here of the snow at the side of the road is about four feet. The plows also took out any number of mailboxes, ours included. Many, many trees down under the weight of this heavy, wet snow. Schools, businesses closed. And they are talking about anther storm for mid-week! It’s at the point where snow shoveling isn’t possible – there is no more room to put it!
We focused on eating well – although I couldn’t do the pork with fig sauce. I neglected to buy figs – and wasn’t about to run out and get them. A simple pan roast with Potatoes Savoyard and White Asparagus with a stock reduction and parmesan did very nicely instead. And so we bundled up, ate very well and waited it all out. It will be a long time before this all melts. And Spring is in 19 days….
Mon. Chicken and Dumplings revisited
Tossed Salad
Tues. Roast Pork Lo Mein AP 149
Weds. Bavarian Sausage Hot Pot with Potatoes,
Cabbage, Green Beans, Carrots and Kielbasa NGC 104
Tossed Salad
Thurs. AM Tuscan Minestrone f/i
Thurs. PM Chipotle Shrimp Tacos T-MM 58
Baja Cabbage Slaw T-MM 145
Guacamole CCI
Salsa
Fri. Bavarian Hot Pot Revised
Sat. Chinese Chicken Wings CCI
Julia Child’s Beef Braised in Red Wine and Madeira JCI 301
Herbed Spaetzle
Acorn Squash Baked with Butter and Brown Sugar
Sun. Parmesan Crisps BA 5/04 50
Provencal Roast Chicken with Orange and Basil FW 11/89 148
Steamed Rice
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
Cookie of The Week: CIA Chocolate Chunks
MENU FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22, 2010
Again, a lot of good eating this past week. The pork was wonderful – and would feed a crowd. We got two big meals off it, with another three for the freezer (the freezer is starting to groan). The trout was excellent as was the Parmentier – and it was so pretty. I’m looking forward to the leg of lamb tonight – with curry to follow.
Shop Rite has mussels on sale, we we’ll do these tomorrow and push the pasta dish back until later in the week. Mussels with Chorizo, good bread and a salad…We won’t go to bed hungry!
Am looking forward to the pork roast. We enjoy pork and we love figs – so this should be out of sight…
I’ve gotten into the habit of sending my husband into work with a load of cookies once a week. The crew seems to appreciate it. The first I did was Chocolate Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies (BOTB VOl 7), then a family recipe for Pizzellas (wonderful Italian cookies – somewhat like a waffle with orange zest) and last week I did a Dark Chocolate Cookie (GM 2/03) that is always a hit. These drop cookies are all easy to prep and cook and basically hassle free.
The first sure sign of spring comes on Friday when our local farm stands reopens after their winter break. Only 26 days until Spring! They are, however, predicting several snow storms this week as February continues to torture us. However, this should mean only a few more weeks where braising is the method of choice – so I’m trying to end up with some of our favorites. Despite my husband’s gripe that I never cook anything twice, I love to do the Chicken and Dumpling recipe every so often. It warms the heart and soul.
[I have a computer again, so as soon as I can get to Photobucket, hopefully within the hour, I'll be posting pictures again. wwj]

[I took the day bed out of my office, unfortunately Ms Child had considered it hers, so we replaced it.]
Mon. AM Steak and Eggs
Coffee

Mon. PM Jasper White’s Portuguese Steamed Mussels JWCFNEW 24
Peasant Bread
Tossed Salad
Tues. Curried Lamb with Ginger Garlic Chutney FW 1/93 84
Steamed Rice
Baby Peas

Weds. Veal Marengo f/i
Steamed Rice
Sautéed Zucchini



Thurs. Penne with Sausage Pancetta and Egg ICC-W
Tossed Salad
Fri. Catalonian Beef Stew with Orange and Kalamata f/i
Orzo with Garlic and Onion
Tossed Salad



Sat. Penelope Casas’ Garlic Shrimp Tapas
William Sonoma’s Spanish Roasted Pork Loin
with Figs, Orange, Honey, Cinnamon, Almonds
and Sherry WSSSP 119
Penelope Casas’ Potatoes
with Green Beans Extremadura Style FSW 97
Sun. Baked Stuffed Clams
Chanterelle’ Chicken and Dumplings BOTB 2001 101
Tossed Salad
Cookie of the Week: Pumpkin Cookies TGCCC&C 102
MENU FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15, 2010
This last snow storm took it easy on us – only a foot. More snow predicted Tues/Weds…On the bright side of things, Shop Rite has been selling small pots of fresh herbs. I’ve picked up Parsley, Mint, Thyme and Basil and have repotted them and have them in my kitchen window. It is a joy to have fresh herbs here so early and the visual effect is good for my morale! As of the 15th, only 33 days until Spring!!!
Lots of good eating this week. The waffles with poppy seeds didn’t happen as I forgot to buy buttermilk. However, the substitution of Gale Gan’s waffles with dried cherries and hazelnuts was wonderful.
The Sauerbratten is always good and the pork shoulder was worth trying. As was the stuffed cabbage. It is a dish I never would have thought of, but after watching Jacques Pepin prepare it on PBS I couldn’t wait to try it. It is a wonderful, inexpensive dish ( 1 pound of ground beef) with a wonderful, flavorful rustic flair.
Like everyone else, we’ll be spending a lot of the next few weeks watching the Olympics. It is always amazing to see what these young athletes can do. Although, I do agree with my husband that I wish that they had limited admission to those only with amateur status. But, big money creeps in to everything these days….
Mon. Hoisin Braised Pork Shoulder with Mushrooms and Green Beans over
Udon Noodles BA 2/200
Tues. Madeline Kamman’s Hazelnut Stuffed Trout MKS 299
Gnocchi with Sweet Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, Sage and Brown Butter FW 2002 138
Weds. Chicken Stew with Potatoes and Garlic Sausage
Sautéed Zucchini
Thurs. Jacques Pepin’s Beef Gratin Parmentier ECWJP 123
Carrots
Fri. Hoisin Pork revisited
Sat. AM Creamy Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Trout and Green Onions and
Fresh Dill BA 4/06 104
Warm Biscuits
Hazelnut Coffee
Sun. AM Cheese Blintzes with Sour Cream FW 11/91 145
French Roast Coffee
Sun. PM Patricia Welles’ Savory Rosemary Madelines
Anne Willan’s Gigot d’Agnew a la Brettone CF 155
(Roasted Leg of Lamb with White Beans)
Sautéed Mushrooms with Wine, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Herbs SW 194
Mon. AM Hot Rueben Sandwiches
Mon. PM Union Square Café’s Hot Garlic Potato Chips USC
Penne with Italian Sausages, Pancetta, Eggs and Lemon ICC-W 28
Baby Peas
MENU FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8, 2010
The Thomas Keller Brined Chicken was spectacular last week. Highly recommend this brining process – it makes a huge difference in flavor and really takes no more effort. As predicted with chicken on sale this past week, we did chicken stock in the 40 qt pot so we have ample supplies of that. Warms the house up and, oh, the aroma!
Sunday, of course, is Valentine’s Day. We don’t go bananas over this as (a) that isn’t our style and (b) our wedding anniversary falls a few days later. Still, a standing rib is not a bad entrée for a celebratory meal. Heart warming, one might say….
[Well they improved it more, it still accepts Word directly, but now reformats the document, and it is too much trouble to remove the extra line spacing, so I won't.]
Mon. PM Tilapia Fillets with Red Wine
Sauce MIK 171
Fresh Fettuccini with Gorgonzola Sauce CIC I
Steamed Asparagus
Tues. AM Sausage Chili
with Cheddar and Sour Cream
Tues. PM Sauerbraten with Potato Pancakes,
Braised Red Cabbage, Cranberry Sauce, Sour Cream
Weds. AM Lemon Poppy Waffles with Blueberry
Sauce BA 9/2000
Bacon
Hazelnut Coffee
Weds. PM Jacques Pepin’s Stuffed Cabbage
Peasant Bread
Thurs. PM Braised Pork Shoulder with Onion,
Carrots, Butternut Squash,
Cranberries, Allspice, White Wine
and Apple Juice
Soft Polenta
Fri. PM Lamb Curry f/i
Steamed Basmati
Baby Peas
Sat. PM Spanish Shrimp Pancakes FWS
Roasted Chicken with Baby Red Potatoes
and Chorizo FW 2/99 99
Sautéed Green Beans
Sun. AM Sausage and Barley Soup f/i
Sun. PM Artichoke Parmesan Dip
with
Roasted Tortilla Chips GM 8/91
136
Standing Rib Roast,
Roasted Acorn Squash with Butter and
Brown Sugar
MENU FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 1, 2010
Feb. 1st means it is only 47 days untilSpring. On the other hand, we in thenortheast know that February is the longest month of the year….. So we willcontinue to fire up the stove for those wonderful braises that sustain us sonicely this time of year.
Have been watching more of the PBS Createchannel. In addition to the chefs Imentioned last week, they run Jacques Pepin, Julia Child, Eric Ripert,etc. The other night Jacques Pepin madea perfectly spectacular, yet rustic looking stuffed cabbage. I will try that this weekend. Just thinkingabout it makes me hungry! And our first sauerbraten this year. Always atreat! My recipe is from Joyce Goldsteinand has the magic addition of ginger snaps. Wonderful! And with all the chilirecipes circulating this week for some odd reason, Warner queried as to whetherwe had one that could be made with his sausage. Emeril to the rescue. I’ll be doingthis with Warner’s andouille, but any smoked sausage should work.
Shop Rite has chicken half price this week. Warner reports that we’re down to 38 pints ofchicken stock, so you can guess what we’ll be doing….38 pints of chicken stock don’t last a hell of a long time in this house. They also have lobster on sale,but somehow that strikes me as more of a warm weather thing.
Mon. Jasper White’s Fried Fish with Fresh Tartare Sauce SSCB
Oven Fried Potatoes
Baby Peas
Tues. Thos. Keller’s Garlic Sausage with Lentils
Sautéed Kale
Weds. Lamb Breast Pot au Feu
Peasant Bread
Thurs. Thos. Keller’s Brined Roasted Chicken B-TK
Pan Gravy
Steamed Rice
Eggplant Fritters CC I
Fri. AM Buckwheat Gallettes with Creamed Chicken BA 2/10
Fri. PM Sauerbraten OHCB
Red Cabbage OHCB
Potato Pancakes with Sour Cream and CranberrySauce OHCB
Sat. AM Tuscan Minestrone f/i
Sat. Pm Parmesan Chicken Wings BOTB 2001
Emeril’s Sausage Chili with Warner’s HomemadeAndouille Food Network
Cheddar, Sour Cream
Fresh Biscuits
Sun. Sun Dried Tomato Tarts f/i
Jacques Pepin’s Stuffed Cabbage J&JCAH