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Category Archives: On the Menu this Week

Boeuf à la Bourguignonne

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Kyle

Boeuf à la Bourguignonne

Valentine’s Day dinner was an overwhelming success. After getting the mister to sit down and watch “Julie and Julia” the other night, which he admitted was better than he thought it would be, I decided to make him Julia Child’s famous Boeuf à la Bourguignonne. I worked from her cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol. 1,” and while it was an involved process, the finished product was amazing. I didn’t even crowd the mushrooms, and he ate them, which was probably the biggest victory of all.

I’ve been told it’s even better the next day, which just so happens to be right now. Yay leftovers!

 

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Eat Your Meat(loaf)

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Kyle

No, not that meatloaf. Eat your meat(loaf)

One of the challenges of cooking is getting picky eaters to delight in the same things you do. There’s tricks that moms use to sneak vegetables into their kids’ diets, but the bait-and-switch tactic isn’t so easy when you’re dealing with a grown man.

At some point during Thanksgiving weekend, I mentioned that I wanted to make a meatloaf. That idea was met with a sour face, to put it nicely. He blamed it on his childhood, so of course, all I could imagine was seeing a meatloaf chasing him down the hallway of his childhood home while he ran away screaming in his Brooks Brothers pajamas. I don’t think it was quite that dramatic, but in a way, I can agree with him. I never was all that happy to see it show-up on dining tables at my friends’ houses, but I like my mom’s meatloaf.

So, what’s her trick? For one, many people overwork the meat, turning it into an iron-clad football. And then to top it off (quite literally), they slather ketchup on top like it’s a cardboard McDonald’s hamburger. Ick. Yuck. To me, meatloaf is one of the most simple comfort foods. All you need is high-quality ground beef, cracker crumbs, diced onion, a little milk, and an egg. How do people manage to ruin something that’s so easy?

When I explained this to the mister, he seemed less threatened by the aforementioned childhood loaf. Maybe it’s just that he trusts my abilities in the kitchen, but he said he’s willing to give it a try. To up the ante, I’ve decide to complicate my own meatloaf recipe this next time around. I’m adding a little bit of ground pork sausage, swapping in a red onion for a little spice and visual appeal, and I’m going to stud my meatloaf with tater tots. I’ll finish it off with a little egg-wash to help it achieve the crunchy crust that I know his temperamental palette will enjoy, and should there be any left the next day, I’ve already told him that we’ll slice it up and reheat it on the BBQ.

I don’t know if it will be a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am meal, but if it’s a total flop, I know a dog who would be more than happy to help.

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On the Menu this Week

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Kyle

On the MenuMajor delay on getting the post up this week. Apologies! I wasn’t able to post from my iPad, and I’ve been traveling this week. Engage effective problem solving skills, or in this case, post tardy and beg for forgiveness. Since I left the kitchen behind this week and a hungry man caring for the critter kingdom, I’m listing recipes that are easy enough for the non-cook to execute. Have a great rest of your (short) week!

Monday:

Angel Hair Pasta with Light Red Sauce and Bulk Sausage Meatballs, Caesar Salad & Garlic Bread

Tuesday: 

Pan-Fried Steaks, Scalloped Potatoes, & Green Salad

Wednesday:

Frito Taco Salads, Beans, Rice & Mexican Caesar Salad

Thursday:

Dinner Out

Friday:

Cinnamon-Crunch Chicken, Lemon-Steamed Spinach & Polenta

Bon Appetit!

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On the Menu this Week

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Kyle

On the MenuIt is officially fall. The leaves are changing, and I picked up a handful of gorgeous red ones this morning to make an art project out of. I love this time of year. The holidays are on the horizon, we’re forced to bundle up when we go outside, and I can finally delve into some heartier recipes, especially since we both have mini colds. Have a great week, and sorry for the one-day delay!

Monday:

Chicken Vegetable Soup & Latkes

Tuesday: 

BLT Pasta Casserole & Caesar Salad

Wednesday:

Foster the People Concert

Thursday:

Beef and Garlic Italian Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice & Green Salad

Friday:

Daube de Boeuf with Crusty Bread and Caesar Salad

Bon Appetit!

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On the Menu this Week

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Kyle

On the MenuBusy, busy, busy is the theme this week! From one set of guests this past weekend to another coming into town tomorrow, there isn’t a lot of time to think about mega meals with laundry lists of ingredients. Have a great week!

Monday:

French Onion Soup with Tri-Cheese Toast & Fork ‘N Knife Caesars

Tuesday: 

Fried Tacos, Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, & All the Trimmings

Wednesday:

BBQ Beef Sandwiches with Orange-Jalepeno Coleslaw & Pepper and Scallion Potato Salad

Thursday:

Robert Earl Keen Concert

Friday:

Balsamic-Glazed Pork Chops with Argula-Basil Rice Pilaf & Green Salad

Bon Appetit!

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On the Menu this Week

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Kyle

On the MenuFall has arrived in the Pacific Northwest! We’re in for some rainy days, so most of this week’s menu  reflects that. Of course, we’re also back up to 75 degrees at the end of the week. So much for consistency!

Monday:

Oven-Fried Chicken, Chive Mashed Potatoes, & Roasted Acorn Squash

Tuesday: 

Rigatoni with White Bolognese Sauce & Green Salad

Wednesday:

Andouille Sausage Jambalaya with Fresh Veg & Yellow Rice

Thursday:

Dinner Out

Friday:

Papardelle with Lemon, Herbs and Ricotta Salata, Garlic Bread & Caesar Salad

Bon Appetit!

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On the Menu this Week

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Kyle

On the MenuLooking for weekly culinary inspiration? You’ve come to the right place!

Monday:

Polenta Burgers, Roasted Asparagus, Criss-Cut Fries

Tuesday: 

Dinner Out

Wednesday:

Chicken Drumsticks with Vinegar Sauce, Herb Rice, Caesar Salad

Thursday:

Pasta with Browned Butter and Mizithra Cheese, Steamed Broccoli, Garlic Bread

Friday:

Chicken Schnitzel, Herb Spaetzle, Green Salad

Bon Appetit!

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