Our trip to Ruth's Chris in Fairfax on V-day

So, I mentioned that my sister, Cheryl came for the Mumford and Sons concert on February 14th...she took me to dinner before the concert. We went to Ruth's Chris and let me tell you...delicioso!!  Our waiter was wonderful (Amine) and the meal...SPECTACULAR!!

Crab stuffed mushrooms

 

 

Yeah, surf and turf is a little generic but let me tell you what...it was gooooood!  And I even ate (AND LIKED) the roasted Brussels sprouts!

 

I would highly recommend this place and hope to go again!!

Tasty treats for Justin, mom and Cheryl

My mom has been at my house for almost two weeks now (poor gal) and my sister came for the Mumford and Sons concert...on the night Cheryl got here, I put together a yummy platter of nibbles.

Crispy baguette slices, a mixture of olives and stuffed grape leaves from Wegman's, and warmed brie with balsamic fig topping.  Went very well with the martini and goat cheese stuffed olives!

I've been away far too long

Things have been so busy and hectic over the past few months...I can now take a minute to give some updates...

 

Quinoa with butternut squash, kale and pecans

 

My oh my...this is tasty!  I found the recipe in the paper...can't even remember which one but I know it was within the last two weeks.  The recipe was adapted from a recipe by Carolyn O'Neil, MS RD

 

1t olive oil

1/2c carrots, diced and steamed (I skipped the steaming)

1c butternut squash, diced and steamed

1 garlic clove, minced

2c cooked quinoa (instead of water, I cooked it in homemade chicken stock)

2c kale, sliced into ribbons (I steamed it a bit in a little water and a clove of crushed garlic)

1/4t finely chopped rosemary leaves

salt and pepper to taste

1/4c toasted pecans

 

Cook first four ingredients until crisp-tender.  Fold in the cooked quinoa, kale, rosemary and pecans.  Season to taste.

 

Guys...this is good!

 

Good stuff!!  



Vegetable Stock

Having been home for the past two weeks, aside from updating my resume, I have had plenty of time to cook.  This morning, I cleaned out my vegetable drawer(s) and am now making vegetable stock.  Leeks, potatoes, onions, dried mushrooms, carrots, spinach, and celery...not to mention some parsley from the (frozen) garden.  Can't wait to see how it turns out!  Just started and it smells good already! 

Thinking of whipping up some spinach and tortellini soup (vegetarian) this afternoon.  It is a Friday in lent after all.

Isn't that just beautiful?  Can you smell it??  Perfect for a day like today...just started to sleet!