simple weekend recap: edition 21

This weekend started early with this little blizzard you may have heard about...Nemo is it? After driving bans were lifted, Erin made her way to the dog park to enjoy the 2 feet of fluffy snow that was delivered...

...before heading home to sleep off all of that bounding through the snow, while Moose waited for more.

 

 

I made an easy vodka sauce with whole wheat penne, peas & chicken for a relaxing night in (recipe tomorrow)...

 

 

...and 5-minute light personal pizzas for lunch the next day ("recipe" this week).

 

 

Saturday night we braved the snowy roads to rejoin human civilization at Casa B.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday was spent in relaxing with corned beef, potatoes, and cabbage and prepping & planning for the week ahead.

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simple weekend recap: edition 19

Friday kicked off the weekend with some guacamole in my Christmas molcajete. My favorite & easiest guacamole is just 2 avocados, 1/2 lime's worth of juice, 1 small tomato, 1 tbs cilantro, sprinkling of salt & pepper, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp onion powder all mashed together.

 

Saturday Erin had a date with one of her boyfriends, Mickey, at the dog park...

 

...before the pup-parents headed out to dinner at 80 Thoreau.

 

I started with the crisp gnocchi with bacon, oysters, and cauliflower...

 

..before having the outstanding roasted & braised chicken with potato gratin, brussel sprouts, and almonds. I can never pass up their chicken...it's always so moist!

This weekend we also ended up at the Tip Tap room for some snacks. Started with the mashed sampler, a tasting of horseradish, goat cheese, creamed corn & olive tapenade mashed potatoes. Sadly the only one I enjoyed (but really enjoyed) was the creamed corn version.

 

The dessert saved the visit though...I will definitely return if not just for the perfected bread pudding dessert. Mmmmm.

 

Weekend home-cooked dinner was a chicken lasagna roll-up, a new recipe I thought up while craving both lasagna and chicken cacciatore.  Tender shredded chicken simmered in a tomato sauce rolled up with cheddar inside pieces of lasagna. T almost ate the whole batch himself, as these are delicious (recipe will be posted Tuesday)!

 

 

 

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simple weekend recap: edition 11

Friday after work I met up with a friend to try the Boylston location of the Parish Cafe (information here). A minute-walk from the Arlington T station, the Parish Cafe uses recipes for sandwiches provided by chefs all across Boston (along with an amazing cocktail menu). I went with the L'Espalier, created by the chef & owner of L'Espalier, Frank McClelland. A tasty combination of fresh Maine crab meat mixed with a homemade remoulade served open faced on toasted brioche topped with sliced avocado and mango. Served with Cape Cod potato chips and salted greens. I also opted for the Stella al fresco, absolut Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka mixed with fresh lime juice, simple syrup and Ruby Red Grapefruit juice. Shaken and served straight up with a splash of Sprite. Delicious & generously strong.

Saturday, Erin & I spent some time with the leaves and pumpkins...

 

 

 

...before heading out to a friend's new place in the South End. We went to Aquitaine for an early dinner with their prix fixe menu that is offered from 5:30-6:30 nightly. A 3-course meal with a glass of wine for $29.95, a steal for a large-portioned French dinner in Boston! I will definitely be back for the regular menu.

We slept in and started the day on the right foot

 with a BLT with baby spinach and grape tomatoes... 

...before a walk through the dog park with Erin on a perfect fall day.

 

 

 

When the sun began to set, we headed home for a dinner of squash 

risotto and some pumpkin carving (and seed toasting!)...

 

 

 

before ending the weekend with a dessert snack 

of homemade banana bread and tea.

 

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