June 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 3

Hi y’all!  It is hard to believe June is almost over!  Where is this Summer going?!?  After yet another week involving crazy work travel, I am happy to say I am back in the kitchen and not boarding a plane for over ten days! 

Back at home, I am continuing my quest to conquer the grill, and am finally making progress!  My small success includes not flame broiling the salt and pepper steak featured below.  Fingers crossed there are fewer charred meals in the weeks to come.  

OK, I am going to make this short and sweet.  As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and share my blog with your friends!  

German Potato Salad with Dill

RECIPES

Double-Pea Sauté with Ground Pork, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2016, page 93

Herbed Balsamic Chicken With Blue Cheese,  Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2009, page 103

Salt-And-Pepper Steak, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2014, page 67

German Potato Salad With Dill, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2014, page 66

Tamarind-Glazed Black Cod With Habanero-Orange Salsa, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2010, page 61

Grilled Lamb Chops With Fresh Mango Chutney, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2009, page 40

Spice-Roasted Cornish Hens With Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2009, page 102

GROCERY LIST

Produce

4 large oranges

1 habanero chile

1 serrano chile

1 cucumber

.5 pound peas

.5 pound snap peas

1 bunch of scallions 

1 bunch of dill

1 bunch of mint

2 bunches of cilantro

1 bunch of basil

1 bunch of arugula 

2 mangos 

2 pounds small waxy potatoes

1 onion

1 red onion

1 head of garlic

1 gingerroot

Fresh orange juice

Lime juice

Dairy and Frozen

3-4 ounce wedge blue cheese

Whole-milk yogurt

Sour cream

Meat and Seafood 

3 skinless boneless chicken breasts

3 Cornish hens

.5 pound ground pork

1.5 pound skirt steak

8 T-bone loin lamb chops

4 6-ounce black cod fillets

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

Kosher salt

Black pepper

Herbes de Provence

Caraway seeds

Cumin seeds

Coriander seeds

Dry mustard

Garam massala

Balsamic vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Red wine vinegar

Honey

3 ancho chiles

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Tamarind concentrate

Ginger preserves

June 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 2

Hi y’all!  I am trying to make good on my promise of catching up on June posts!  So far this week I have been able to make the chicken salad and the pork chops featured below.  The pork chops took around 35 minutes to make, and I managed not to scorch them on the grill!  The salmuera sauce was also great on the steamed asparagus I served with the chops.  

For the chicken salad I tried the tip for pitting cherries found on sunset, but it was not a huge success.  The cherries kept spreading out which made them hard to whack with a mallet.  Do you have a cherry pitting trick that does not involve buying another gadget?

  

As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and share my blog with your friends!  

Butter Lettuce, Chicken And Cherry Salad

RECIPES

Pork Chops with Almond Salmuera, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2016, page 93

Butter Lettuce, Chicken, And Cherry Salad, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2011, page 44

Grilled Hanger Steak With Fennel Salad, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2016, page 12

Summer House Lobster Salad, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2012, page 96

Grilled Summer Squash with Blue Cheese and Pecans, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2016, page 99

Cumin-and-Coriander Grilled Lamb Ribs, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2014, page 128

Grilled Cantaloupe with Prosciutto and Mozzarella, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2014, page 126

GROCERY LIST

Produce

1 pound of fresh cherries

2 fennel bulbs

2 large tomatoes

1 2-pound cantalopue

6 ounces haricots verts

2 pounds mixed zucchini, summer squash, and pattypan squash

1 cup fresh shelled peas

3 heads butter lettuce

10 cups mixed greens

1 pint cherry tomatoes

2 bunches of radishes

1 bunch of chives

1 bunch of cilantro

1 bunch of mint

1 bunch of parsley

2 bunches of dill

1 bunch of thyme

1 lemon

1 pound small red-skinned new potatoes

1 head of garlic

3 large shallots

Fresh lemon juice

Dairy and Frozen

3 ounces feta cheese

2 ounces crumbled blue cheese

.75 pounds fresh mozzarella

Unsalted butter

Eggs

Meat and Seafood 

4 chicken thighs

1.5 pounds hanger steak

4 8-ounce bone-in pork rib chops

3 1.5 lb lobsters or 3 cups lobster meat

Two 2.5-3 pound racks of lamb ribs

4 ounces prosciutto

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Sherry vinegar

White wine vinegar

Apple Cider vinegar

Kosher salt

Flaky sea salt

Black pepper

Ground cumin

Ground coriander

Ground Cinnamon

Honey

Light brown sugar

Dijon mustard

Pecan halves

1 loaf of rustic bread

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Marcona almonds

Pomegranate molasses

June 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 1

Welcome back to weeknight dinner help y’all!  Crazy work travel combined with metro track work left me with less time to post over the past few weeks…  During one trip I managed to walk over 10,000 steps in O’Hare airport, and left with a greater appreciation of the sheer size of that place!  Fortunately, I am back in town for a few days, and plan on catching up on June posts.  

For this post I focused on including a bunch of recipes that require a grill so we can keep on using our new toy. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way late last week the importance of cleaning out the grease pan on it.  We definitely had some flame-broiled dinners as I made the recipes featured below!  Since a few crispy meals will not stand in the way of me using the grill, does anyone have any suggestions on how to tell when you are almost out of propane?  I am beginning to get worried  we are going to run out in the middle of making dinner one night!    

As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and if you find my blog useful please share it with your friends!  

RECIPES

Honey-Butter-Grilled Chicken Thighs with Parsley Sauce, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2014, page 115

Coconut-Marinated Short Rib Kebabs With Peanut-Chile Oil,  Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2016, page 90

Vietnamese-Style Pork Chops With Fresh Herb Salad, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2016, page 43

Lamb Chops Scottadito With Charred Cherry Tomatoes, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2016, page 74

Grilled Kielbasa Tacos, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, June 2016, page 74

Grilled Leeks with Shishito Romesco, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2014, page 106

Halibut in Parchment with Corn and Tomatoes, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, June 2015, page 58

Vietnamese-Style Pork Chops With Fresh Herb Salad

GROCERY LIST

Produce

4 ears of corn

6 ounces wax or green beans

1.5 pounds small cherry tomatoes on the vine 

2 bunches of parsley

1 bunch of cilantro

1 bunch of basil (Thai if they have it)

1 bunch of mint

1 bunch of tarragon

1 bunch of thyme

1 bunch of rosemary

8 large leeks

12 shishito peppers

2 red bell peppers

2 bunches of scallions

1 Fresno chile

1 lemon

1 lime

3 firm red plums

Horseradish

Bean sprouts

1 ginger root

1 red onion

1 head of garlic

2 large shallots

Lemon juice

Lime juice

Dairy and Frozen

Unsalted butter

Meat and Seafood 

12 chicken thighs

1.25 pounds boneless beef short ribs

4 1/4-1/2-inch-thick bone-in pork rib chops

2.25 lamb rib or loin chops

1.5 pounds kielbasa

1 1.5 pound skinless halibut fillet

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Kosher salt

Pepper

Crushed red pepper flakes

Whole black peppercorns

Coriander seeds

Ground turmeric 

Fennel seeds

Honey

Unsweetened coconut milk 

Fish sauce

Soy sauce

Unseasoned rice vinegar

White wine vinegar

Fresh bread crumbs

Light brown sugar

Sugar

Salted roasted peanuts 

tortillas

Hot sauce

Hard to Find Ingredients 

2 lemongrass stalks

Marcona almonds

4 guajillo or New Mexico chiles or 2 ancho chiles

May 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 4

Hope y’all are having a happy, healthy and safe Memorial Day weekend!  Did you grill anything good during one of the first nice weekends of the year?  

Instead of grilling tonight, I am on my way to Montana for a work trip.  This trip comes on the heels of getting home from Nashville around 2:30 Friday morning.  All of this crazy travel means there are fewer quick dinner ideas listed in my post this week.  Fingers crossed no additional crazy travel comes up last minute for next week!  

For the soy-glazed chicken thighs mentioned below, the recipe says to bake them.  After making the recipe per instructions, I would suggest grilling them.  Despite lining the pan with foil we have a blackened cookie sheet on our hands.   Do yourself a favor and spare yourself from the extra mess!

OK, my flight is about to board… As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and if you find my blog useful please share it with your friends!  

RECIPES

Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs With Asparagus And Scallions, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2014 page 58
Grilled Steak with Parsley-Parmesan Salad, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2014 page 122
Pumpkin-Goat Cheese Sweet Potato “Risotto” with Maple-Pecan Crusted Pork, Source: Inspiralized Blog

Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs- learn from my mess and cook these on the grill!

GROCERY LIST

Produce
2 bunches scallions
1 bunch of cilantro
2 bunches of flat-leaf parsley
1 bunch asparagus 
2 large sweet potatoes
1 shallot
1 head of garlic
Fresh lime juice
Fresh lemon juice

Dairy and Frozen
2 ounces Parmesan cheese
3 oz goat cheese

Meat and Seafood
8 chicken thighs 
1.5 pound flatiron steak
4 boneless pork chops

Interior Aisles
Olive oil
Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Aniseed
Chili powder
Red pepper flakes
Thyme flakes
Honey
Maple syrup
Dijon mustard
Chicken broth
Pecans
Reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 can pumpkin puree

May 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 3

Hi y’all!  Thank you for checking out my latest dinner menu post.  I am happy to report I am in the middle of a ten day stretch at home:)  

This week I managed to make the steak salad recipe included below in less than 25 minutes, and the zucchini noodle dish in less than 30.   The butter chicken recipe takes a bit longer to cook, but is worth making on a work from home day.  There is enough butter and seasoning in it that the leftovers the next day are just as delicious as the night before!  

As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and if you find my blog useful please share it with your friends.  

Grilled Steak Salad with Beets and Ramps

RECIPES

Thai Catfish Salad (Laap Pla Duk), Source: Food and Wine Magazine, May 2013, page 163
Duck Breasts with Dulce de Leche Chile Sauce, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, May 2015, page 40

Grilled Steak Salad With Beets And Scallions,  Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2015, page 128

Green Curry Pork Tenderloin, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2013, page 18 

Buttery Roast Chicken, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2016, page 12

Hand Salad With Buttermilk, Grapefruit, And Mixed Seeds, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2016, page 68

Creamy BLT Zucchini Pasta, Source: Inspiralized Blog

GROCERY LIST

Produce

2 medium zucchinis

3 beets

Radishes

1 cabbage

1 cucumber

1 pound Bibb, Little Gem or Baby romaine lettuce

2 limes

2 lemons

1 grapefruit

1 serrano chile

1 bunch of thyme

2 bunches of cilantro

1 bunch of mint

1 bunch of dill

1 head of garlic

3 shallots

1 bunch of scallions or ramps

1 bunch of scallions

2 bunch of spicy greens (arugula or mizuna) 

Ginger root

Orange juice

Lemon juice

Lime juice

Dairy and Frozen

Butter

Heavy cream

Eggs

Parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Meat and Seafood 

2 pork tenderloins

1 3.5-4 pound chicken

1 pound tri-tip, New York strip or skirt steak

Three 1-pound whole catfish

4 12-ounce Muscovy duck breasts

Bacon

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Toasted sesame oil

Red wine vinegar

Balsamic vinegar

Kosher salt

Pepper

Red pepper flakes

Aleppo-Style pepper

Cumin seeds

Coriander seeds

Dried oregano flakes

Sunflower, sesame and/or poppy seeds

Fennel seeds

Reduced-sodium soy sauce

Green Thai curry paste

Fish sauce

1 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk

chicken stock or broth

1 14.5 ounce can of crushed tomatoes

Tomato paste

Dijon mustard

Sugar

Light brown sugar

Maple syrup

Pepitas

4 ancho chiles

1 chile de árbol

1 cup brioche or chill breadcrumbs

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Ramps

Thai chile powder

Roasted rice powder

Dulce de leche

May 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 2

Thank you for checking out my latest weeknight dinner ideas post!  There are fewer recipes posted this week than normal due to my work trip on Sunday and Monday to Florida.  Man, getting in from flights at midnight two nights in a row is rough!  

The majority of the recipes featured this week should be prepared ahead.  The chicken, flank steak and pork all need to marinate for several hours.  The good news is if you can prepare the meat in the morning, then it takes less than thirty minutes to get each dish on the table after work!      

As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and if you find my blog useful please share it with your friends.  

Fried Eggplant Salad with Feta

RECIPES

Butter Chicken, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, May 2016, page 113

Vindaloo Flank Steak, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, May 2015, page 40

Fried Eggplant Salad with Feta, Source: Food and Magazine, May 2015, page 50

Curry-And-Coconut-Milk-Grilled Pork Skewers, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2015, page 118 

Scallops With Apple Pan Sauce, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2013, page 61

Black Rice Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2013, page 61

GROCERY LIST

Produce

Hearty sprouts (such as daikon or sunflower) or pea shoots

Grape tomatoes

Green beans

One 1.5-pound eggplant

2 Granny Smith apples

1 bunch of cilantro

1 bunch of scallions (at least 8)

1 medium green bell pepper

1 medium red bell pepper

1 lime

1 ginger root

1 garlic head

2 yellow onions

Fresh lemon juice

Meyer lemon juice (or regular)

Dairy and Frozen

Greek yogurt

Salted butter

Unsalted butter

Heavy cream

crumbled feta cheese

Shelled edamame

Meat and Seafood 

8 bone-in chicken thighs

1.5-pound flank steak

1.5 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)

4 ounces fatback

12 large sea scallops

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Sugar

Kosher salt

Pepper

Cumin seeds

Black peppercorns

Whole Cinnamon sticks

Whole Cloves

White pepper

Curry powder

Ground turmeric 

Distilled white vinegar

Red wine vinegar

White wine vinegar

Agave syrup or honey

Fish sauce

One 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes

One 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk

Sweetened condensed milk

Chicken Stock

Salted roasted cashews

Walnuts

Basmati rice

Black rice

Paratha or naan

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Vindaloo spice

Dried guajillo chiles

Thai thin soy sauce

May 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 1

It’s hard to believe we are already in May!  Where is the year going?   Do you have any fun plans for Cinco De Mayo?  I am going to make tacos and margaritas, but plan on deviating from the carnitas recipe featured this week by making the pork in the slow cooker.  If you follow the recipe on Thursday you will have to let me know how everything turns out!  

When planning the menus for the month I found May a bit harder to stick to my goal of a different type of animal protein each night of the week.  After going though all of my old May issues of Bon Appétit and Food and Wine, I found that there are a bunch of great desserts, cocktails, chicken and beef recipes featured, but not so many pork, lamb, seafood, etc. dishes that are easy to make in less than an hour.  I wish I had a better idea of why that is!  Do you have any great lamb or turkey recipes to recommend for later in the month?  

As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and if you find my blog useful please share it with your friends.  

Crunch Veg Bowl with Warm Peanut Sauce

RECIPES

Roast Chicken with Rhubarb Butter and Asparagus, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2015, page 104

Strip Steak With Lemony Yogurt And Radishes, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2016, page 50

Gambas Al Ajillo, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2016, page 14

Crunchy Veg Bowl With Warm Peanut Sauce, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2016, page 66 

Lamb-Bacon Burgers With Spicy Aioli, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2015, page 24

Double-Pork Carnitas, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, May 2016, page 76

GROCERY LIST

Produce

1 bunch asparagus

1 large rhubarb stalk

1 ginger root

4 plum tomatoes

8 ounces radishes 

1 head of Napa cabbage

3 cups baby arugula

1 bunch of scallions

1 golden beet

1 package of celery 

1 Persian cucumber

1 bunch of bean sprouts

4 lemons

1 lime

1 avocado 

2 red or green Thai chiles

1 bunch of fresh thyme

2 bunches of parsley

1 bunch of cilantro

1 bunch of mint

1 bunch of oregano

1 bunch of sage

3 heads of garlic

1 white onion

Fresh orange juice

Fresh lime juice

Dairy and Frozen

Unsalted butter

1.5 cups plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

1/3 pound fresh mozzarella

Meat and Seafood 

1 3.5-4 pound chicken

2 1-inch-thick boneless New York strip steaks

20 large shrimp

5 eggs

.5 pound thick-cut bacon

1 pound ground lamb

3 pounds boneless pork shoulder

1 pound pork belly

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

Kosher salt

Crushed red pepper flakes

1 chile de árbol

Pepper

Dried oregano

Honey

Dark brown sugar

Peanutbutter

Unsalted peanuts

Unsweetened coconut milk

Soy sauce

Fish sauce

Brown rice

Dijon mustard

Chipotle chile in adobo

Chicken stock

4 brioche buns

Warm corn tortillas

Brandy

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Cardamom pods