deliciousness

spicy parmesan green beans and kale

via giada de laurentiis
serves 6-8

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1/4 pound cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered (about 14 mushrooms)
1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed and slice into 1-inch pieces
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 bunch kale (1/2 pound), rinsed, stemmed, and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan

Warm the olive oil in a large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms, green beans, salt, and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine and continue cooking until the green beans are almost tender, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and the kale and continue cooking until the kale has wilted, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice and the Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat and serve immediately.

herb chicken tenders and warm potato salad

via avec eric and cook sister
serves 4

8 chicken tenders
oil, salt, pepper
herbes de provence
3 russet potatoes
2 eggs
1/2 pound green beans
less than 1/2 diced red onion
2 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tbsp. whole grain dijon mustard
dill

Season chicken tenders with salt, pepper, and herbes de provence. Heat pan with oil and brown chicken over medium high heat. Take off heat and let rest.

Meanwhile, boil potatoes and eggs, then remove from heat until cool enough to handle. Blanch green beans in salted water. Peel and chop potatoes and hard-boiled eggs into bite-size pieces.

Dice chicken into bite-size pieces and combine with the other ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.

thanksgiving redux

lamb sausage in puff pastry
baked mashed potatoes with parmesan and bread crumbs (note: use less butter) homemade gravy
spicy parmesan green beans and kale
ciabatta stuffing with chestnuts and pancetta

thanksgiving 2008

spiced turkey breast
parmesan mashed potatoes and gravy
spicy parmesan green beans and kale
pecan pie from whole foods

overall, delicious and easy. turkey was still a little pink in the middle after sitting in the oven extra and resting for thirty minutes, but after carving and microwaving for a minute, it turned out perfectly. mashed potatoes and gravy was delicious of course. veg was a little spicy for mom’s taste but everyone else thought it was good. tiny pecan pie was just the right size for five people. prep always makes life easier. moms complaining and worrying over your shoulder is not as fun. but yay for grandmas eating.