weeknight gourmet

Category : Salads

Happy New Year from the Weeknight Gourmet!

I just wanted to write a Happy New Year message to my readers and say thank you for reading my blog during 2009!

Here are some stats for the year:

This is my 215th post for the year.  I’ve had just under 31,000 readers since launch in late January.  The most popular posts have been:

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Dave Jewell’s Turkey Soup: 1,488 hits

Perfect Barbecue Side Dishes: Cheese Stuffed Grilled Peppers : 671 hits

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Honey, Lime, and Chipotle Marinade: 583 hits

Baby Shower Tea Party: Tea Sandwiches and Tarts: 582 hits

Baby Shower Tea: Turkey Tea Sandwiches: 473 hits

Black Bean Burgers with Guacamole Salad: 359 hits

First BBQ of the Year: Grilled Herbed Baby Lamb Chops with Asparagus Salad: 346

Bridal Shower Recipes: Chinese Chicken Salad: 337 hits

Great Mark Bittman Article: 101 Simple Summer Salads: 330 hits

Feta-tastic: Mediterranean Turkey Burgers: 313 hits

Looking forward to continuing in 2010!  Should be interesting once the baby comes in May (yes, the Weeknight Gourmet is expecting) but hopefully I can keep up with my cooking!

Hope you have a very happy and health new year!

Holiday Season Dinner Party Menu!

We had 3 couples over for dinner last night.  Our dear friends Jason and Maria are expecting their second child on New Year’s Eve so we thought it would be fun to have them over — before things get even busier for them — to see some friends.  We had a fun evening and everyone seemed to enjoy the food.

I tried to put a festive holiday menu together since it’s that time of year and many of you might be trying to figure out some menus for the season.

Cheese Platter: Brie with Cranberries and Apricots, Goat Cheese, Mozzarella with Sun-dried Tomatoes

Antipasti Platter: Parmesan, Salami, Olives, and a Feta and Olive Spread

Cocktail Hot Dogs in Mustard Sauce

Toasts with Goat Cheese, Pesto, and Roasted Red Peppers

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Honey-Mustard Pork Roast with Bacon

Roasted Cauliflower with Pasta and Lemon Zest

Celery Salad with Walnuts, Dates, and Pecorino

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Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mediterranean Salad With Chickpea Patties

After the eggplant parmesan, Tim and I were in the mood for a lighter dinner. I had noticed this recipe in Real Simple a while back and decided to make it last night.

The recipe is very quick and easy. The chickpea patties are a lighter version of falafel. We both loved the yogurt – lemon juice salad dressing. It gave a nice kick to an otherwise pretty basic salad of romaine, tomatoes, red onion, and feta. I will definitely be making it again.

The recipe claims that it serves 4 but I only was able to make 6 small patties from the chickpea mixture. I would double the chickpea mixture if you were cooking for 4 people. I served the patties and salad with some whole wheat pita I warmed under the broiler. Overall a satisfying and healthy dinner!

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Mediterranean Salad With Chickpea Patties
Real Simple

• 1 15.5-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt (preferably Greek)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 8 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• Pita chips (optional)

In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas, parsley, garlic, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper just until coarsely chopped and the mixture comes together when gently squeezed. Form into eight 1/2-inch-thick patties and coat with the flour, tapping off excess.

Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties, turning carefully, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

In a small bowl, whisk the yogurt, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Divide the greens, tomatoes, onion, and chickpea patties among plates. Drizzle with the dressing and serve with the pita chips, if using.

Back to School Dinner: Parmesan Chicken

Since it’s the start of the school year, I thought I should post some kid-friendly recipes that will also appeal to adults.  Tonight I made Tim this wonderfully simple but delicious chicken cutlet recipe served over greens with a lemony vinaigrette.

Just a couple of comments…I didn’t have seasoned breadcrumbs so I just added some Italian seasoning to the breadcrumbs.  I also ran out of butter so I just used 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Make sure not to crowd the cutlets when cooking them.  Cook them in batches if you need to.  Lastly, I added some cucumbers and tomatoes to the salad.

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The cutlets were very tasty and went perfectly with the greens.  This will definitely satisfy both kids and adults!

Parmesan Chicken
Barefoot Contessa

  • 4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 extra-large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 1/4 cups seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
  • Unsalted butter
  • Good olive oil
  • Salad greens for 6, washed and spun dry
  • 1 recipe Lemon Vinaigrette, recipe follows

Pound the chicken breasts until they are 1/4-inch thick. You can use either a meat mallet or a rolling pin.

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper on a dinner plate. On a second plate, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. On a third plate, combine the bread crumbs and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and dredge both sides in the bread-crumb mixture, pressing lightly.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan and cook 2 or 3 chicken breasts on medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken breasts. Toss the salad greens with lemon vinaigrette. Place a mound of salad on each hot chicken breast. Serve with extra grated Parmesan.

Lemon Vinaigrette:

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
  • 1/2 cup good olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Yield: 6 servings

150th Post!! Skirt Steak, Tri-Colore Orzo, Tapas-inspired Chickpea Salad, and Grilled Peaches with Honey & Mascarpone

Hard to believe I have posted 150 times since late January!  There have been so many delicious meals, wonderful dinner guests, and fun meal-time conversations.  Plus, I have received so much positive feedback on the blog.  Overall, the Weeknight Gourmet has been a fun and rewarding undertaking!

As I mentioned in my Blueberry Pie post, we had some guests in Becket this weekend.  Here is the meal we had on Saturday night.  File this as another great barbecue menu!

Mark Bittman’s Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Tri-Colore Orzo

Tapas-inspired Chickpea Salad

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Pound Cake & Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone & Honey

50 Simple Salads: Tapas-Inpired Chickpea Salad

Similar to Mark Bittman’s 101 Simple Summer Salads, the Food Network Magazine published 50 Simple Salads in their most recent issue as a mini pullout booklet.

I thought the Chickpea Tapas recipe would accompany the skirt steak nicely:

“Mix chickpeas, capers and green olives with chopped chorizo, celery, red onion, parsley and cilantro. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper; top with manchego.”

I used shaved manchego — utilizing a vegetable peeler to make thin slices.  I also added a splash of red wine vinegar.  Don’t forget to drain and rinse the chickpeas.

Great Summer Side: Tri-Colore Orzo

I have made this orzo dish several times and everyone loves it!  It’s just a great combo of flavors — sweetness from the cherries, saltiness from the ricotta salata, some freshness from the basil and arugula, and little crunch from the pine nuts.

A couple of quick notes, I use baby arugula because I prefer the flavor and you can buy it pre-washed in a clamshell.  I have made the recipe with dried cranberries and feta when I cannot find dried cherries and ricotta salata.

To toast the pine nuts, just cook them in a small frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes.  The nuts will start to darken in color.  Keep an eye on them — I have burned many nuts and sesame seeds by forgetting about the toasting in progress.

Overall, a great summer side!

Tri-Colore Orzo
Giada De Laurentiis

  • 1 pound orzo pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1/4 cup
  • 2 cups fresh arugula (about 3 ounces)
  • 3/4 cup crumbled ricotta salata cheese (or feta cheese)
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries
  • 12 fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta and put the pasta on a large cookie sheet. Drizzle the pasta with 3 tablespoons olive oil, toss, spread out, and set aside to cool.

Once the orzo is cool, transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine. Serve.

Great Summer Side Dish: Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Glaze

It’s another rainy summer day but that doesn’t mean we can’t dine on quintessential summer foods like WATERMELON! To me, there are few foods that encapsulate summer better than a juicy slice of watermelon.

Here is a great salad with watermelon, feta, and baby arugula.  Simply dress it with a little balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze (reduced balsamic vinegar).  If you are using a well-aged balsamic, I don’t think there is any need to reduce it but if you are using a basic balsamic I would suggest reducing it.

I served this salad as a side last weekend when we cooked ribs for Tim’s family.  YUM!

Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Bon Appetit

  • 1 5-ounce package baby arugula
  • 8 cups 3/4-inch cubes seedless watermelon
  • 1 7-ounce package feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar glaze

Arrange arugula over large platter. Scatter watermelon, then feta over. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with pepper.

Ingredient tip: Balsamic vinegar glaze can be found in the vinegar section at many supermarkets. If unavailable, boil 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan until reduced to 3 tablespoons, 6 to 7 minutes.

Summer Barbecue Menu: Spiced Butterflied Leg of Lamb, Zucchini & Orzo, and Roasted Red Peppers with White Beans and Mozzarella

We had Tim’s family up to the Berkshires this weekend.  Tim’s parents and the dogs arrived on Friday and Tim’s brother, his wife, and baby girl came on Saturday.

We had this delicious and surprisingly simple barbecue menu on Friday night!  I love grilled lamb and I tried to take advantage of the fresh zucchini at the store and my mother-in-law Pam’s fresh lettuce from the garden.

I think everyone enjoyed the meal!

Spiced Butterflied Leg of Lamb

Zucchini & Orzo

Roasted Red Peppers with White Beans and Mozzarella

Fresh Greens from Pam’s Garden

Orzo & Zucchini Salad

Here is a wonderful way to put fresh zucchini and basil to work — a tasty and healthy pasta salad dish for the summer.  I did add an extra clove of garlic to the recipe.  I also added crumbled ricotta salata cheese for some additional flavor and a nice saltiness.

One tip when working with orzo for pasta salads, let the orzo cool on a baking sheet.  Make sure to drizzle a small amount of olive oil on the orzo to prevent it from sticking.

The salad tastes best a room temperature.  Make sure to let the flavors meld a bit before serving.

orzo

Orzo, Zucchini & Ricotta Salata Salad
Everyday Food

  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
  • Crumbled ricotta salata (to taste)

In a medium pot of boiling salted water, cook orzo until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain well. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet to cool completely.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add zucchini and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes.

Transfer orzo to a medium bowl; add zucchini mixture, basil, vinegar, and remaining teaspoon oil. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. If storing, cover and refrigerate up to 1 day; bring to room temperature before serving.