Trying Something New...

We are attempting to implement a more vegetarian lifestyle at our house.  We have been on board with Meatless Mondays for several years now & my husband really wanted to stretch the practice out longer.  The idea is smaller, meatless dinners Sunday through Friday night.  Saturday is a free day - you have to have one! I have a feeling proper planning will be the key.
Here is our menu for the week:
Sunday - Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach Pizza with Fruit Salad for dessert
Monday - Broccoli & Goat Cheese Souffles with Red Lettuce Salad
Tuesday - Bean Burritos with Tex Mex Quinoa Salad
Wednesday - Orecchiette Pasta with Brocolli Rabe & Chickpeas
Thursday - Southwestern Cheese Paninis with Raw Veggies
Friday - Caramelized Onion and Spinach Lasagna

Wish us Luck! I will be sharing the yummy dishes. 

Of course we came to this decision after a ridiculously decadent weekend in New York.  Italian and French food galore, 2 shows (Sleep No More & Venus in Fur), long walks through the Metropolitan Museum and the city, and beautiful snow.


Union Square Farmers Market on Friday Afternoon



Babbo



The Freedom Tower from our Hotel

 

Ancient Roman Tile Floor

 

Oceanic Collection

 

Faberge Lilies



The Knights



The Egyptian Gallery is amazing



Lunch at Grottoa Azzura 



Cheesecake & Canollies at Ferrara



Ferrara's Treats



Brooklyn Bridge in chocolate with skyline of gingerbread buildings



Happy to come home to the pups- Walter is huge Westminster fan



Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day at an inn in Connecticut from the movie Holiday Inn

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
If only Holidays were like they are in the movies. Getting dressed up and spending the evening eating, drinking & dancing. Oh and the clothes!
Unfortunately now trying to go out on Valentine's is ridiculous.  The crowds & prices - no thanks, too much. Dinner at home tonight is what I have planned - here is our menu:

Valentine's Dinner 2012 
Shrimp Cocktail
Caesar Salad
Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce
Twice Baked Potatoes
Green Beans Almondine with Bacon
Strawberries dipped in Chocolate
Chocolate & Nutella Bread Pudding or Maybe Chocolate & Nutella Crepes - Haven't decided yet...

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Our table setting for Valentine's Dinner

Southern Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry over Brown Rice with Thyme Roasted Carrots

Southern Chicken Curry
Serves 4 -6

2 cups shredded chicken
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 sweet or yellow onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
3 Tbs butter
4 Tbs flour
2 Tbs curry powder
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 Tbs sherry
Salt & pepper

Toppings - Peanuts, chopped green onions & crispy, crumbled bacon

Over medium heat saute the onion, pepper & celery in the olive oil with touch of salt & pepper until softened.  Remove them from the heat & melt your butter in a dutch oven. Add the flour to the butter, making a roux, and stir until light brown (watch closely this can only take a few minutes).  Stir in curry powder.  Add 2 cups of broth slowly while stirring the roux.  Add the chicken, onion, celery & green pepper to the roux.  Turn the heat down and simmer for 45 minutes while adding broth and Salt & Pepper as needed. Add sherry in the last 5 minutes. Serve over brown rice with toppings.
 
I served this dish with Roasted Baby Carrots for our Sunday Supper.

This is an old recipe from our church.  The ECW throw an annual chicken curry luncheon to raise money for various causes.  Each year it is a success not to mention a great lunch.  They serve the Chicken Curry over white rice along with marinated green beans, tomato aspic & a rum cake that will knock your socks off (literally).