BRISKET, again!

 Brisket! Finally perfected in the trusty Bradley Smoker.  Keeps getting better each time.  Check out that bark.

 

Mixed Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Carmen Peppers from our garden.  Sprinkled with EVOO, Balsamic and Parmesan.

Roasted!

Variety of red/white/blue potatoes, just boiled and super steamy. Perfect for American BBQ.

Potato Salad with Red Onions, Cilantro, Crisp Bacon and my secret sauce.

The Prize!!!!

Surf, Surf & Surf

Okay, so this doesn't necessarily qualify for a nightmare because the lobster tails were previously frozen and the clams were already stuffed with crab cake.  But then again, I guess that is a nightmare!  I needed a quick, but nice meal to serve when Alex got home from a  run of music dates topped off by a business trip.  On the menu:  Steamed Broccoli with Lemon, Cheesy Orzo, Lobster Tails with Garlic Lemon Butter, Clams Stuffed with Crab Cake, and Homemade Caesar Salad.  So quick and simple to prepare on a work night, and easy to have waiting when you are uncertain about a sketchy flight arrival time.

Lobster Tails, Crab Cake Stuffed Clams, Mayo, Chicken Stock, Orzo, Anchovies, Tomatoes, Parmesan, Lemons, Brocoli

Proud of my homemade Caesar salad, complete with Anchovies.  Yum!!  I love them!

Mushroom Crepes

I heart Crepes.  Sweet, savory - I 'll take their deliciousness any way I can get it.  I had always heard they were extremely difficult to make and so I never tried.  One day after eating at Flip Happy (sooo AMAZING if you haven't been) I was inspired to finally try them on my own.  I found several recipes and somehow put together a great (not perfect) crepe.  I have been making them since, and one of my favorites is a mushroom and ricotta crepe.  It is my take on Eastside Cafe's  (also sooo AMAZING if you haven't been) Wild Mushroom Crepes.  I am clearly no Flip Happy or Eastside Cafe, but I will keep trying.

  

My cilantro lime dressing.  This is one of the first things I ever learned to "cook" and I served it to Alex the first time cooking for him.  It's one of his faves, so when I top a salad with it I call it "Alex's Salad" :-)

After my crepe research before trying them for the first time, I found that one of the keys to making great crepes is to refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes before cooking.  It works!!!

"Alex's Salad", with marinated Gulf Shrimp and of course - Cilantro Lime dressing.

Mushroom Crepes (ricotta, mushrooms, jack cheese, pecans) topped with a Creamy Tomato & Mushroom Sauce; Roasted Asparagus

2-Day Lamb Breast

Nightmare ingredient = lamb breast.  I had cooked many types of lamb before but was totally unfamiliar with this large hulking piece of meat and bone.  My first thought was to cut it into ribs and grill them.  After doing a little research on the trusty interweb I found that although generally overlooked, lamb breast is flavor packed and when prepared correctly quite delicious.  Being such a large piece meat with high fat content there are a few preferred methods of preparing in order to make sure it is not too tough.  After sharpening my knives and trimming off much of the fat the breast was cut into ribs.  For my method of preparation I chose to marinate overnight, quickly sear to seal in flavors, smoke for a couple of hours and finish off on the grill (missed pics for these steps - sometimes i get lazy.  sorry).  Topped with a Raspberry Mint BBQ sauce, this inexpensive cut of meat turned into a delectable dish.


 DAY ONE...

Ingredients:  Lamb Breast, Turnip Greens, Red Pears, Spicy Cheese Curds from Texas Daily Harvest

Fresh garden rosemary, sage, oregano and mint for marinade

Lamb ribs cut and ready for an overnight bath in marinade which included Red Wine, Garlic, EVOO,  Red Wine Vinegar, fresh Rosemary/Sage/Mint/Oregano, Sugar, Mustard, S&P, Citrus Juices

 When we discovered we couldn't have our lamb feast until the following night we ordered one of our faves, trusty Eastside Pies, and I made a quick salad to go on the side. 

Chopped salad with apples, pecans, cucumber, tomatoes, feta and simple vinaigrette.

Love in a box.  Custom pie with Pepperoni, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, Basil and Garlic!!!!

Fast Forward to DAY 2 ...

Sieving raspberry seeds out of Raspberry Mint BBQ Sauce.

Cook, Cook, Cook!  Sauteing the turnips for the turnip greens, and cooking the pear mixture for the bruschettas.

I used bagels for my bruschetta since i had no other bread on hand.  These little pieces of fried heaven are cheese curds. 

Seared/Smoked/Grilled Lamb Breast Ribs with Raspberry Mint BBQ Sauce with Pear, Mushroom and Feta Bruschetta,  Fried Spicy Cheese Curds and Turnip Greens

Ready For Santa

 Homemade Oreos....enough said.

Three 30 Minute Dinners and One of my Favorite Things

I have an obsession with cleaning.  It is pitiful, I know.  I am a cleaning product whore who is constantly on the look out for new items, preferring those with natural ingredients and delicious smells.  In keeping with the seasonal theme of fall scents throughout our house I found my current obsession at Target .  It is Caldrea's Plum Nutmeg Countertop Spray.  All of Caldrea's products are dreamy, but I can't seem to stop incessantly spraying everything I can find with this one.  I may even be guilty of being a little messier than normal purpose!

I wasn't feeling my best this past week, and didn't quite have the motivation to take on any really complicated dishes.  I think my body may have been anticipating the time change and my circadian rhythm was playing tricks on me.  Anyhow, these three quick meals were made with ingredients from the kitchen and no trips to the store. Simple, quick and tasty!

French Onion Mushroom Chicken and Roasted Radishes

Yes, I used french onion dip.  Classy.

But, added a touch of class with a good Pinot.

Mixed greens with feta, baby cucumbers and sun dried tomatoes.

Sauteed Balsamic Rosemary Chicken with French Onion Mushroom Sauce (leeks, mushrooms, garlic, french onion dip, milk & chicken stock)   Roasted Radishes and Crescent Rolls

Classic Steak & Baked Potatoes

Mixed Greens with Raspberries, Goat cheese, Pecans and Champagne Vinaigrette

Grilled NY Strip

And Loaded Baked Potato

Alex's Pineapple Jalapeno Burger

Like I've said before, I'm a super lucky girl.  He stuffed these burgers with bacon and ground pecans and topped them with grilled pineapple, jalapeno and homemade BBQ sauce. 

Sweet Potato Fries