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Engaging stories of love, joy, comfort and friendship with proven scrumptious, healthy recipes, we celebrate LOVE as the secret ingredient for wonderful food!

Everyday dinners

May 21, 2013 by Mary Frances 15 Comments

We had guests this weekend up in the country. Had a great deal of fun catching up, eating and drinking with long time friends. Of course I tried to make a special dinner but I also tried to balance it, making something not too complicated as I wanted to able to spend time with the party and my kitchen upstate is a separate room, not open to the living and dining room as it is in the city. Not sure I really succeeded at that as I still did spend quite a bit of time cooking.

They loved what I made! (I’ll tell you all about that menu later this week with wine pairings.) Said it was better or equal to any restaurant meal and oh, by the way, when was I going to open my own restaurant? Well, that’s not something that interests me. We have talked about perhaps opening an exclusive “supper club” type of place, that might be open once or twice a month, in our home – as a way to have fun and meet new, interesting people upstate – but not a restaurant. Then the conversation went to, do you cook every night? And yes, I cook almost every single night. In fact, when we have leftovers, while I enjoy the speed of getting that meal on the table, I have to tell you, I miss the cooking process those nights. Once you get into the habit of doing it, it’s easy, and I enjoy it, no matter what time I get home.

Sesame curry crusted salmon with steamed broccoli and tomato cucumber salad on a white Wedgewood plate.

Sesame curry crusted salmon with steamed broccoli and tomato cucumber and avocado salad with fresh chives.

Just take a look at these quick, easy meals for weeknights – super simple and super easy. And don’t they look much better and are certainly cheaper than anything you could ever get from ordering up?

Lamb ragu with Girelle in a bowl with grated Romano cheese and cracked black pepper.

Lamb ragu with grated Pecorino Romano cheese, parsley and cracked black pepper

Roasted zucchini with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Roasted zucchini with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Really, all of these meals took 45 minutes to maybe an hour to make. Plus, if you’re cooking, you KNOW what you’re eating, particularly in terms of fat, salt and calories. Feed your body with healthy food, prepared with love and you will feel better. I promise.

Sauteed chicken thighs with bacon, shallots and dry white wine, steamed Jasmine rice and sauteed baby bok choy with garlic on a white Wedgewood plate.

Sauteed chicken thighs with bacon, shallots and dry white wine, steamed Jasmine rice and sauteed baby bok choy with garlic

Everyday dinners, roasted salmon, steamed Jasmine rice with parsley and roasted asparagus on a white Wedgewood plate.

Roasted salmon, steamed Jasmine rice with parsley and roasted asparagus with lemon and olive oil

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Filed Under: Dinner Tagged With: chicken thighs with bacon and shallots and white wine, everyday dinners, lamb ragu, roasted salmon, roasted zucchini, sesame and curry crusted salmon, steamed broccoli, steamed Jasmine rice with parsley

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Comments

  1. The Taste Bud says

    May 21, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    Oh my goodness, all of those pictures look absolutely delicious! The zucchini looks especially good and I can’t wait until they start showing up in abundance in my Dad’s garden. You’re absolutely right about the cooking process – I find it to be such a stress reliever and really enjoy even the most “tedious” of chores like the chopping, dicing, etc. Job well done!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 21, 2013 at 4:10 PM

      So glad you agree! Nice job you did for you mom on Mother’s Day. Bravo!

      Reply
  2. Chef Doru says

    May 21, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    OMG. How many guests did you have? 20? 30? Very nice repertoire.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 22, 2013 at 10:49 PM

      This was just my husband and me!! Over many nights. With leftovers!

      Reply
  3. jovinacooksitalian says

    May 21, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    Great menu. I bet your friends love for you to invite them to dinner!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 26, 2013 at 3:14 PM

      Thanks!! They do enjoy it!

      Reply
  4. richardmcgary says

    May 22, 2013 at 2:32 PM

    OK. You have convinced me. You can come and fix me everyday dinners anytime you want. 🙂 Nice menus and lovely photos.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 22, 2013 at 10:47 PM

      Thanks!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    May 22, 2013 at 6:23 PM

    You did a lot of cooking for us today. You are right about knowing what goes into your meals if you make it yourself. No ingredients you can’t pronounce.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 26, 2013 at 3:16 PM

      Exactly – about no ingredients you can’t pronounce – one wouldn’t put the wrong gas in your car, right? (this was over several nights)

      Reply
  6. DellaCucinaPovera says

    May 23, 2013 at 6:44 AM

    MMM i love the idea of mixing and matching some of this stuff Mary Frances! Plus using fresh herbs like parsley always adds a little something more lovely 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 26, 2013 at 3:17 PM

      Yes, it’s true, a little fresh herbs mixed into anything makes it a little more special and certainly more flavorful!

      Reply
  7. shiroknowes says

    May 28, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Everything looks so good! 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 30, 2013 at 12:56 PM

      Thanks!! All very easy and quick!

      Reply
      • shiroknowes says

        May 30, 2013 at 2:27 PM

        🙂

        Reply

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