Week 53

Ahh, Thanksgiving hangover.  I was just reading on  a blog (Dinner: A Love Story) about how the planning of the the Thanksgiving menu is sometimes more enjoyable than the food.  I concur!  Although, I love food, the eating of the Thanksgiving grand meal, never lives up to the planning of it...  Maybe it's the exhaustion of caramelizing a meringue for a lemon pie the night before (anytime the candy thermometer comes out, I think I need a xanax...), or maybe it's just how quickly it is all gobbled up.  I don't know.  But what I do know, is that the pies I made were AWESOME.  Hooray!  Brussel Sprouts need to be made right before the meal, and the make-ahead mashed potatoes were fabulous.  As usual.

So here is this week:

Farro and Bean Stew + Bread

Asparagus and Quinoa

Mushroom Burguinion

Turkey Burgers with Mango Chutney + Cous cous salad

Salmon and Wild Rice

Panna Cotta Trifle (for a bit of a treat)

Week 52

Thanksgiving countdown.  It's on the way, gobbling and mucking it up.  We are having the big feast at a good buddy's house this year, and I am so excited.  Since it is feast week, I share with you the feastly menu:

Thanksgiving:

Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes - two portions, one with chives, one without

Lemon Marhmallow Meringue Pie - from the Flour cookbook, p. 220

Pumpkin Pie - also from the Flour cookbook, p. 214

Pickles (Henry's request)

Cranberry relish (thanks, Trader Joe's!)

Stuffing

Brussel Sprouts

Non-feasty menu:

Potstickers and edamame

Lentil Soup and Bread  (Still haven't made this)

Salmon and Veg

Kale and Bean Soup + Bread

Mustardy Potatoes + Sausage

Tabasco butter Asparagus + Veg

For breakfast -

Lemon Brioche French Toast

Thanksgiving Breakfast:

Frittata

Week 51

Hooray - I am actually pulling all of this together the day BEFORE I go shopping, rather than the five minutes before.  It's a hurdle in efficiency!  Soo, since my last post, I have started a diet (or did I already start the diet by the last post?).  Anyway, trying to keep it healthy, y'all.  But not too, too healthy, it still needs to be interesting.

So here it is:

Chickpeas and Caramelized Fennel and Brussel Sprouts


Home Sick Texan Carnitas and Slaw

Mushroom Pizza - using Lahey crust and his recipe - p.26

Red Lentil Soup + Bread

Shrimp Roll-ups + Roasted Tomatoes + Fresh Mozzerella

Salmon + Pan-Fried Potatoes

Lemony Banana Bread