Roast Beef and Gorgonzola Sandwich

Pretzel Bread Roll
Raspberry Current Jam
Thinly shaved red onion
Crumbled gorgonzola
Shaved Rare Roast Beef

Cut roll in half and toast under broiler.
Lay shaved roast beef over both halves of roll.
Spread with a thin layer of jam on top of both halves of roast beef.
Top the jam with crumbles of gorgonzola.
Top cheese with shaved red onion.
Broil till cheese is melted. 


Big lunch hit with Rafe.

Simple Dinner

Egg Drop Soup
Pork Potstickers

Egg Drop Soup
4 cup good quality chicken broth or seasoned stock
1" piece of fresh ginger, peeled OR 1-2 tsp grated ginger in a tube 

• Simmer till flavors are developed

3 tbsp cornstarch

• Remove knob of ginger if used.  Mix cornstarch with small amount of water and thicken broth. 

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp cornstarch mixed with just enough water to remove clumping, not too much.

• Mix eggs and cornstarch together thoroughly.  
• Turn off heat on broth, let simmer die down and slowly swirl in egg mixture through the tines of a fork.  

2 scallions, minced including green tops

• garnish with scallions

Rafe said this was the best egg drop soup he's ever had and he normally doesn't like it.  Must use a good quality stock or broth to begin with or you are doomed.

Pork Sandwich

• 2 halves of "everything" bagel, toasted
• horseradish sauce (mayo and horseradish)
• 4-6 thin slices of bacon wrapped, apple wood smoked pork loin
• 1 thick slice red onion, charred/caramelized in hot skillet (tender but still firm)
• 1 slice Swiss cheese

Layer everything in that order on one slice of toasted bagel; broil briefly to melt swiss cheese and top with remaining slice of toasted bagel.

Quick lunch for Husband

BBQ Ham and Cheese Sandwich
2 slices Arnold brand 12 grain bread
4-6 thin slices deli ham
1.5 slices American cheese
1-2 very thinly sliced red onion
Chipotle BBQ Sauce
butter

1. Butter 2 slices bread or melt small amount of butter in non-stick skillet.  
2. Layer cheese, red onion, ham and bbq sauce on non buttered side and top with another slice bread, butter side out.
3. Toast in skillet.  Alternately, toast ham in skillet prior to putting on sandwich.

Superfast Sardines and Eggs

Chili Sardines and Scrambled Eggs with Rye Toast

• 1 small can of sardines in chili tomato sauce
• 3 organic eggs
• McCormick California garlic pepper seasoning
• 1 piece of rye bread, cut in half and toasted

1. Scramble the eggs with the garlic pepper seasoning. 
2. While scrambling eggs, briefly warm the sardines and sauce in microwave.
3. Toast the rye bread while sardines are in microwave.
4. All should finish at about the same time.   Plate with the sardines nestled together in a pile next to the scrambled eggs.  Layer the toast on the side of the plate. 

Simple Sandwich Dinner

Griddled Hot Ham and Cheese on 12 Grain Bread
Creamy Tomato Soup
Crisp Green Apple Slices

Sesame Ginger Lamb

Sesame Ginger Marinated Lamb Leg with reduced marinade for sauce
Mashed Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts
Oranges

*This lamb doesn't really taste "asian" although the ingredients are.  It goes well with the sides here and with the following sides:

Sesame Ginger Marinated Lamb Leg with reduced marinade for sauce
Toasted Cous Cous with fresh mint
Buttered Sugar Snap Peas

Hoisin Ribs

Hoisin Boneless Country Style Ribs
Jasmine Rice
Sauteed Snow Peas Teriyaki
Oranges

Quick Pasta Dinner

Chicken Tortellini in Fire Roasted Tomato Sauce
Green Salad with Mom's Vinaigrette Dressing
Pears



Chicken Tortellini Sauce
1 bulb garlic, minced
Olive oil to coat kosher salt and cracked black pepper to tastebottom of Le Creuset pan
3/4 cup white wine
2 cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes not drained
1 can tomato paste
1-2 tbsp basil pesto or a lot of fresh basil or smaller amount of dried basil
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and rough chopped
1/3 small bag pine nuts

• Amounts are approximate based on what I remember throwing in the pot tonight. 
• Saute the garlic on low till translucent
• Add white wine, turn heat up and reduce by at least half
• Add remaining ingredients except pine nuts and olives; simmer till slightly thickened to sauce consistency you want
• Add pine nuts and olives and heat; toss in cooked chicken tortellini and serve.

Livi eating solids!

Herring in Dill Sauce
Butternut Squash and Green Apple Mash
Roasted Root Vegetables

*Yes, I know, the flavors don't match/complement, but Livia can't tell and doesn't care. 

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Corned Beef Brisket
Yellow Gold "B" Potatoes
Green Cabbage
Onions & Carrots\
Whole Grain Mustard
Watermelon Chunks

• Rinse beef and put fat cap up in large,  heavy pot (ie Le Creuset) that can also cook in the oven.  Cover with water until just below the fat cap and bring pot to a boil on the stove.  As soon as it's boiling, put in preheated 300 degree oven with the lid off; and cook for at least 3 hours. 
• During the last hour, put the potatoes, onions and carrots (could also use celery but I was out) in the cooking liquid.  In the last 15 minutes, add in the cabbage. 
• Serve on a platter with all the ingredients in nice neat little piles.  And some good grain mustard to accompany.
• No crazy talk from the crazy spouses. 

Real Dinner for Livi

Lemon Pepper Salmon
Yellow Rice (Zatarain's)
Asparagus Spears
Corn on the Cob
Grapes

Gourmet Slow Cooker Meal

Chicken Curry
Fresh cilantro leaves
Basmati Rice
Plain Yogurt
Mom's Cucumber Salad
Fresh Apples

Lenten Supper

Shrimp Scampi Fettucine
Steamed cauliflower/broccoli/carrot
Fresh Grapes

*Vegetables served on side but mixed in with Fettucine to eat.  Delicious.

Rafe's New Favorite Omelette

Brown butter, Japanese sweet potato, chorizo, caramelized onion, spinach and 2 whole organic eggs, extra large.

Kosher salt and garlic pepper sprinkled on top of the onion.

Quick Dinner for a busy day

Slow Roasted Chicken Pieces
Broccoli and Cheese Sauce
Wild Rice Pilaf

Seafood Stew

Mediterranean Seafood Stew with Shrimp and Cod
Garlic Bread
Arugula and Leaf Lettuce Salad with Mom's Onion Vinaigrette

Mom's favorite dinner

Crab and melted butter
Fresh Asparagus
Corn on the cob
Strawberry Shortcake

Oxtail

Oxtail (onions, carrots, garlic cloves, turnips, rosemary sprigs, garlic pepper, stock)
Spicy Roasted Root Vegetables (rutabaga, leek, celery, sweet potato, parsnips, blackened seasoning, tomato/basil seasoning, kosher salt)
Fresh Asparagus (butter, kosher salt)