Menu Planning - Meals for Weeknights, Weekends and Special Occasions
Menu planning is one of the most enjoyable parts of cooking, but sometimes you're tired, braindead, in a hurry, or looking for a surprise combination. There menus are the place to come when cooking for two and you want something new.
A Flagging 4th of July
For most of us, the 4th of July means grilling or barbequing. My favorite is barbequeing (slow smoking) ribs but I've also been known to fire-roast Cornish game hens, grill steaks or kebabs, and smoke a whole salmon.
For most of us, the 4th of July means grilling or barbequing. My favorite is barbequeing (slow smoking) ribs but I've also been known to fire-roast Cornish game hens, grill steaks or kebabs, and smoke a whole salmon.
Picking Nics
Above all, a picnic should not be ordinary, nor should it be an effort - at least not during the picnic itself. A little advance planning and work goes a long way toward keeping the picnic itself more joy than job but even a spur-of-the-moment picnic can be pure pleasure if you're prepared.
Above all, a picnic should not be ordinary, nor should it be an effort - at least not during the picnic itself. A little advance planning and work goes a long way toward keeping the picnic itself more joy than job but even a spur-of-the-moment picnic can be pure pleasure if you're prepared.
Father's Day 2008: Fried Chicken
I've been pondering my Father's Day menu. I always ask my parent's over for lunch on their parental and birth days and so what to fix this coming Sunday. I finally decided on fried chicken. Serves 2 or more.
I've been pondering my Father's Day menu. I always ask my parent's over for lunch on their parental and birth days and so what to fix this coming Sunday. I finally decided on fried chicken. Serves 2 or more.
Birthday Dinner
A birthday dinner is the perfect opportunity to tell someone you love them.
A birthday dinner is the perfect opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Happy Anniversary: Celebrate Your day
Anniversaries are the ultimate couple's meal, even more so than Valentine's Day because it commemorates not only your love but your history. To me, this is the time to pull out all the stops.
Anniversaries are the ultimate couple's meal, even more so than Valentine's Day because it commemorates not only your love but your history. To me, this is the time to pull out all the stops.
An Italian Easter Feast for Two
This Italian Easter Feast isn't completely traditional nor completely Roman, but it is mostly both of those. None of it requires a lot of effort and the flavors match delightfully. Double or triple the recipes and you have a great dinner party. Serves 2.
This Italian Easter Feast isn't completely traditional nor completely Roman, but it is mostly both of those. None of it requires a lot of effort and the flavors match delightfully. Double or triple the recipes and you have a great dinner party. Serves 2.
A Lazy Weekend
Cooking on the weekends is particularly enjoyable because you have time to cook seriously. Sometimes that means cooking something complex that stretches your imagination, abilities and teaches you something new. At other times it means making something that simply takes a long time - as in the case of this menu.
Cooking on the weekends is particularly enjoyable because you have time to cook seriously. Sometimes that means cooking something complex that stretches your imagination, abilities and teaches you something new. At other times it means making something that simply takes a long time - as in the case of this menu.
A Perfect End to a Long Day
It's your night to fix dinner, but the day has been back-to-back meetings and lunch was a bag of chips and a promise. You won't get home before 7:00. Sound familiar? Well here's an idea, and with a little planning you won't even have to stop at the store.
It's your night to fix dinner, but the day has been back-to-back meetings and lunch was a bag of chips and a promise. You won't get home before 7:00. Sound familiar? Well here's an idea, and with a little planning you won't even have to stop at the store.
Snowday - Eating Well on a Snowy Day
I lived in New Hampshire for three years and became all too familiar with six inch snowfalls on top of eight inch snowfalls. The only way to deal with that much snow is to stay at home in front of a fire and cook a hearty meal.
I lived in New Hampshire for three years and became all too familiar with six inch snowfalls on top of eight inch snowfalls. The only way to deal with that much snow is to stay at home in front of a fire and cook a hearty meal.
A Flash in the Pan
A great menu for a winter weeknight, this meal features veal scaloppini, egg noodles, braised Brussels sprouts, and even something sweet.
A great menu for a winter weeknight, this meal features veal scaloppini, egg noodles, braised Brussels sprouts, and even something sweet.
Valentine's Day Menu for Two
Popular with lovers of all ages, there is no other holiday so suitable for a couple unencumbered with children. This menu is as intimate as it gets.
Popular with lovers of all ages, there is no other holiday so suitable for a couple unencumbered with children. This menu is as intimate as it gets.