Week 13

(Tues) Pizza! (Crust from Analytical Mom)

To make the sauce, saute sliced onion in EVOO until soft. Add a small can of tomato sauce and couple tsp of dried basil and oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer a few minutes, taste and adjust seasonings to taste. Top crust w/sauce and shredded cheese and toppings of choice. I'm doing bell peppers and Italian sausage. Bake at 400 F for about 15 mins or until crust is done and cheese is bubbly.


Southwestern Chicken Salad

This is really just a throw it together kinda meal. I had radicchio (the purple lettuce), mixed greens w/spinach, radishes, tangerines, and chicken. I sauteed the chicken (grilled would be great, too), then sliced it. Mixed all the other ingredients in a salad bowl and topped w/chicken. Make your own dressing w/a southwestern flair by whisking 1/2 cup mayo, several Tbs lemon juice, salt, pepper, cayenne, cumin, and smoked paprika to taste. Dressing makes about 3 servings. (You could omit the chicken and serve this along side the tri-tip from below).

(Wed) Salmon with Smoked Paprika (serve w/rice)
I found this recipe while I was on the McCormick site to look up if they put MSG in their spices. Who knew I'd stumble upon a great dinner recipe! (And no, they don't put MSG in the spice I was looking at, their gourmet chili powder. However, they said that some of their spices do have MSG but it is clearly stated on the ingredients label).

(Sat) Warm Salad with Fingerlings and Bacon
This recipe comes from my produce delivery company and makes use of some of the items I'm getting in my box this week.

(Thu) Red cabbage and Braised Short Ribs
For cabbage see this recipe from AllRecipes.com
For ribs:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat beef short ribs in flour seasoned w/salt and pepper. Heat olive or grapeseed oil in dutch oven (I just got a real dutch oven!) and sear ribs until browned on all sides. Remove from pot and set aside. Add chopped veggies such as onion, carrot, celery, garlic and/or mushrooms and cook until browned. Add a couple cups of red wine and a couple Tbs of tomato paste. Add a sprig of fresh thyme and a bay leaf. Return ribs to pot. Cover and transfer to oven. Cook about 2 1/2 hrs or until meat is very tender. If desired, you can puree the veggies and liquid to make a gravy and serve over mashed potatoes.

(Sun) Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip
This is super simple and super yummy! Get a tri-tip roast, make a dry rub of salt, pepper and garlic powder. Rub all over roast. Grill for 5 mins on one side then flip and grill about 10 mins more on second side, or until desired doneness. Slice across the grain and serve with BBQ sauce (can put on toasted rolls if desired). Great accompaniments are cole slaw, grilled veggies, baked beans, etc.