Pantry Dinner?

Is this what your pantry dinners look like? Seth requested curry a few days ago. What? Your 11 year olds don’t ask for curry??

• Lamb chops - Scott got little tiny lamb chops on sale a while ago. I re-discovered them rooting around the freezer
• ½ onion – all that was left in the house
• Trader Joes Thai Green Curry simmer sauce – just about the last thing from our run to TJ in Dayton on our last trip – good thing we are going again in a couple weeks – I’m out of Two Buck Chuck too!
• Chick Peas
• Rice
• Frozen basil & garlic squares – also from Trader Joes. I have the basil, garlic and cilantro squares. I LOVE these things! So convenient and easy!
  

Heat 1-2 T olive oil over medium high heat

Add in sliced onion and let brown – this goes quickly. Add in a garlic square.

Lay down the lamb chops in the pan and let get very brown on both sides. Leave out two chops for your daughter who doesn’t want curry.

De-glaze pan with the last of your Two Buck Chuck Chardonnay

Dump in the simmer sauce, rinse jar with a little water to get all the goodness out

Dump in the drained chicken peas

Reduce heat.

Simmer until your husband gets home.

Meanwhile – you’ve made your rice with turkey stock you had in the freezer – right? Add in a basil square for color and flavor. I always start the rice as soon as I get home. It stays warm and ready if you don’t remove the lid and keep the pan on the stove.

Serve curry with rice. Serve plain lamb chops with rice for Maya.

I was this was a tiny bit more spicy but the sauce is so flavorful and wonderful. I rarely use items like this but I’ll definitely be using this one again! I didn't think this was going to be so good - so I didn't take a pic! Next time!!

Loaded Potato Soup!

one onion - chopped

2-3 stalks celery - chopped

1 clove garlic

White parts of green onions (about 3 onions) chopped

1 T olive oil

3 medium potatoes - washed and chopped but not peeled

24 oz chicken stock (or vegetable stock)

1/2 - 1 cup white wine

4 oz cream, milk or 1/2 and 1/2

4 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese

4 strips bacon (I use turkey bacon) - cooked until crisp and chopped (optional)

green parts of green onions

cheddar cheese

salt



Saute first five ingredients until nicely browned. Add in pototoes. Brown a bit more. Add in stock and wine. Boil gently until potatoes are cooked through (10-15 minutes?). Mash with a potato masher or use your immersion blender (fancy!). Add in cheese and stir until melted. Add in diary and gently simmer until warmed through. Taste for seasonings and add salt if necessary (I added about 1/2 t.)



Serve topped with bacon, green onions and more cheese. YUM!

Molten Chocolate Cakes for Your Sweetie(s)

So easy yummy Valentine Dessert for your honey(s) YOU can make this!

Melt 8 oz best quality chocolate (or semi sweet chips). Let cool.

4 T butter
1/3 c sugar
Cream together.

Add 3 whole eggs in one at a time and beat thoroughly each time.

Do this before dinner. Put bowl in fridge.

After dinner: Preheat oven to 350.

Butter and sugar 4-6 oven safe dishes (I used my Fiestaware mugs. I wished I had used the teacups!) (to sugar: butter container then add in some sugar. Swirl around until butter is all coated with sugar.

Add 1/3 c flour and ½ t salt to butter/egg/ sugar mixture. Beat until just mixed.

Stir in melted chocolate.

Divide between serving dishes.

Bake for 8-14 minutes watching closely. We like ours not *so* molten so I baked for about 14 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately run knife around the edge of the dish. Invert over serving plate.

YUM! *You* can make these!* They are so easy and look spectacular!


*Well – maybe not Monica – but definitely Anisa!