May 28, 2012

MENU FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 28, 2012

Well, we did get the garden in.  The deck garden.  Perhaps the back garden can wait until it cools down about.  Like October.

In these last few weeks we’ve done a few other things as well.  We took a drive.  To Florida. Stayed for a week in Tampa with my college roommate and her husband.  They are spectacular hosts - great food and great wine and a spectacular view of The Gulf of Mexico.  And they arranged for a surprise evening with another college friend, Don who had been quite ill and had clearly made a great recovery.

Then we drove to Miami. Stayed one night then caught the Celebrity Eclipse as she sailed for Europe.  Thirteen nights on board.  Ports of call – the Azores (lovely), Cork (cancelled due to storms producing 30’ waves), a small port in northwestern Spain, Le Havre and finally Southampton.

We had rented an apartment in London – beautiful, overlooking the Thames with a view of The Eye, Big Ben and Parliament from our living room window. 

Then on the Eurostar to Paris where we had an apartment in Montmartre overlooking Sacre Couer for 10 days.

As spectacular trip and a long time coming - my first time in Europe. So much to absorb!!!

We did our steak and ale pies, fish and chips, steak frites and croque madams – but we also cooked.  The markets in Paris were fabulous – one highlight was that we did a market tour and lecture at Le Cordon Bleu.  Wonderful.

This cooking was different from what I usually do.  Usually I start out with a week’s menu and a list of recipes and ingredients.  In Europe it was different.  I would start from scratch - what looked great – how could I build a meal around it. It was a real education for me. And I loved it all.

Mon. AM             Grilled Burgers

Mon. PM              Grilled London Broil

                             Pasta Salad with Whole Wheat Pasta, Tomatoes, Cukes, Peppers,

                             Capers and Vinaigrette,         Devilled Eggs

                             Minted Beet Salad GM 7 /92

Tues PM               New England Boiled Dinner (Corned Beef) Served Cold with a

                             Selection of Mustards and a Horseradish Sour Cream Sauce

Weds.         AM    Steak Salad Larcon with Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cukes, 

                            Capers,

                             Vinaigrette GM 6/84  8

                             Devilled Eggs

Weds. PM            Steamed Salmon Fillets with Green Vinaigrette PFCA 371

                             Cold Rice Stuffed Tomatoes CCI 425

                             Kirby in a Thick Mustard Sauce GM 7/ 83  100

Thurs. AM             Cold Cuts

Thurs.  PM           New England Boiled Dinner Revisited

Fri. AM               Grilled Burgers

Fri. PM                 Grilled Chicken Thighs with Balsamic BBQ Sauce GK 14 9

                             German Potato Salad RG 268

                             Blue Cheese Cole Slaw GM 5/04  3 0

Sat. AM               Spaghetti Frittata CIC 350
                            Corned beef hash with poached eggs.

(that is homemade lemon marmalade on the bread)

Sat. PM                Double Radish Rounds

                             Shrimp Salad with White Beans and Fresh Thyme FFAA 57

                             Thai Cantaloupe Salad With Basil and  Lime SPH TES 41

Sun. AM              Chicken Salad with Curry, Cantaloupe, 

                            Grapes and Craisons BA 8/91 94
                            Fresh home made Knockwurst

That ring was stuffed just prior to grilling for lunch