Weekly Gourmet

Today is Monday. Today's recipe I used more as a suggestion rather than a guide. I took out some chicken this morning because that sounded healthier than anything I had eaten in the prior 72 hours, and then proceeded to laze about the house. At one point I zoned out at Jewel and walked around buying things that seemed necessary, mostly in a bored trance. I then spent the afternoon hours ramped up on coffee, finally remembering I have a house and several children over here that needed attention. I organized our new mudroom cabinets, helped my kids write their names in the "to" section of their Valentines (we have to mess up something), there was tidying, dust-busting - it was a whole thing today.  So anyways, back to 4:52 p.m. without a plan in my head. I used what turned out to be boneless, skinless chicken thighs and the last of the vegetables I bought last week and hadn't used yet to make a super homey, creamy, mushroomy chicken in a saucy-thing. I think it was Fren...

 Today is Super Bowl Sunday! SUPER BOWL! Ah ha ha ha ha ha! I said it! FBI guys are gonna break through my windows momentarily! WHY can't I say it!?! I don't understand?! And why The Weekend?! He is not Lady Gaga and nothing makes sense. Ok folks, let's be honest, I had several 13% proof Cutwaters and some of my kids are still up so I'm gonna make this real short and sweet. I made wings tonight. And people who like wings said these were GOOOOD wings so that's what I'm sticking to. You should make them too. Why are the commercials never ever funny anymore? Why did Gisele take Tom? Why? Why! Liz's Honey Chipotle Citrus Wings   Yield 12 wings (1.5 lbs.)  Ingredients 12 chicken wings (1.5 lbs) I had a baker's dozen actually. Because I can't count. 1/4 cup flour 2 tsp. spice rub I used Stephanie Izard's Little Goat went to Cuba. You can use anything you like or just 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper. 1 tsp. salt 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup orange juice 1/4 cup chipot...

Today is Monday. Ahhhh the boneless, skinless chicken breast - nature's blank canvas. It would be my most dreaded ingredient were I ever to appear on "Chopped." There are just too many ways to go with it. I chose tonight's recipe based on two features: 1) It calls for pineapple, and I happened to have a pineapple on hand that was about a day away from getting tossed and 2) It calls for cardamom and I have a cutie-mom who buys cardamom pods and grinds them up and delivers them to me in tiny, adorable jars. Notes: A) Steve hates fruit mixed with meat, but see item #1. B) My kids THINK they don't like pineapple, but I know better, and please refer back to item #1. C) They always groan over pineapple on "Chopped" and talk about how it is the one food that ruins any dish when introduced. Did that stop me? Nuh uh. See. I set up everyone to hate their dinner like the evil non-food wasting person that I am, and everyone LOVED it. FYI, the pineapple was surprisin...

  Today is Sunday. I made a Greek-inspired pasta today. Greece is my favorite place on earth. Well, my favorite place that I have seen. There could be other good ones out there, but thus far in my research, Greece is the best. Don't tell Italy I said that. Sorry Countrymen, but you can't beat their amazing food, sunny weather, and incredibly friendly people. That's how I judge places. Is their food good? Italy- yes. London- no. México- yes. The South- no. Can I get tan there? Greece- YES. Various islands- yes. The Midwest- yes. Are the people nice? London- no. Spain- no. Costco- no. And so forth. Greece wins. Italy next, then México. Oopa. This recipe is a big, fat, Greek party for your mouth. The flavors really come together nicely. It is also pretty easy to make and very customizable. You can omit the chicken, omit whatever veggies make your kids' scream, add in different veggies, etc. You can sauté shrimp with the same oil and seasonings used for the chicken and toss...

  Today is Monday. The inlaws are coming! The inlaws are coming! Quick, clean the house and the children! Steve, go jump in the shower four minutes before their arrival time!  ...Pulled out all the stops for a lil MLK cele with my inlaws tonight. Meaning we had carbs on a Monday and set the table with knives and everything. I chose tonight's dinner very carefully, as my mother-in-law is quite the picky eater (see my dissertation on picky eaters posted below). She doesn't eat fruit or veggies or seeds or nuts or carbs or bones in chicken or cheese or stinky foods or spice. SO, I used two of the requests I got this week: one for Chicken Piccata and one for recipes with <10 ingredients and came up with this feast we all went to TOWN on. We had Chicken Piccata, lemony orzo, Caesar salads, and chocolate cupcakes 4ways (more on those another day). Nom nom nom...she even ate carbs. And garlic. And anchovies! Don't tell her.                Au...