Menu Monday

Another Monday, another menu.  Enjoy!

Shrimp, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad {Cooking Light December 2011}

 We needed this clean, refreshing salad after our previous week's marathon o' gluttony.  I seasoned the shrimp with Old Bay {duh}.  I didn't have any shallots on hand, so I added minced garlic to the dressing.  Easy, yummy, fresh.

 Spaghetti Carbonara {Ruth Reichl}

 

credit

 This is our favorite dish EVER.  I only make it once or twice a year because it is so rich and decadent, but it is heaven on a plate.  I made this dish for M right after we started dating, and I still think it's at least 50% of the reason he proposed.  It made for the perfect Valentine's Day dinner.

 Brownie Tart {Ina Garten Barefoot in Paris}

credit

credit

Ina provides an incredibly unhelpful picture for comparison purposes, and I forgot to take a picture of mine, so you'll just have to make do with this gorgeous picture from US Masala. Word to the wise:  it is really freaking challenging to butter and flour a tart pan, especially the sides.  I highly recommend using a non-stick spray formulated for baking.  

I adore Ina's recipe for Outrageous Brownies, but it make waaaaaaay too many.  This recipe still makes a lot, but it's a much more manageable amount. And it's still the best-tasting brownie you'll ever have.

3-Ingredient Turkey Burgers {Duchess of Fork}

 

credit

These could not have been a bigger hit.  Turkey burgers scare the scrap out of me, because a) I'm always afraid they will be totally flavorless and b) I'm terrified of undercooking them, so I tend to over cook them and they end of dry.  These?  These were a revelation.  I used the low-sodium Montreal seasoning and still didn't need to add any additional salt.  They were cooked perfectly in 11 minutes.  M inhaled two of these in record time.  Winner!!!!!

Hominy Grill Bean Cakes and Orange Sweet Potato Mash {Dinner: A Love Story}

 

credit

All I see when I look at my picture is little turd cakes.  Sorry, I know that's gross, but riiiight?

These were delicious, but they dirtied a million different dishes, which means this recipe will not make it into the weeknight rotation.  Too much clean up work.  That said, the orange-sweet potato side dish dirtied only one dish and was incredibly easy and yummy, so I will be making this a lot.

Chicken Parmigiana {Martha Stewart Living January 2011}

credit

This was what I served to our dinner guests on Friday night, so I just didn't have time to take a picture.  I thought it was pretty good.  Everyone cleaned their plates, and M raved about it, so I'll go ahead and say it's a crowd pleaser. 

Bon appetit!