Broccoli & Cheese Chicken Grillers with Florida Corn- June 3, 2010

Mmmmmmm..... chicken grillers. These are from Roche Bros., and I used to get them from the butcher, but I finally found them in the prepared meat section. They are chicken breasts stuffed with cheese and in this case broccoli and wrapped in bacon. Again another easy meal that I often use on Friday nights in the summer when everyone is coming down but there's not a lot of time to cook. They are big and my mom and I often split one, but tonight I ate almost the whole thing! I served some fresh Florida corn which was my first of the season- yummy!

Chicken Curry with Cauliflower- June 2, 2010

Again, a quick, weeknight favorite. I used the Coconut Curry variety of the typical store-bought fresh curry I use. It is not as spicy as the one I typically use, so its just right for me, but a little mild for my husband. I added cauliflower tonight which is very healthy and works very well with the chicken. And don't forget the naan!

Fish Chowder- June 1, 2010

I made a simple fish chowder with the remaining sea bass filets tonight. I like my chowder thin and not too creamy. In fact, if it calls for cream I usually use whole milk as I did here. I also add more potatoes than it calls for (love those potatoes) and don't forget the oyster crackers! I've never found a fish stock I liked, so unless I'm going to make it myself I use chicken stock which works fine. I used this recipe for this chowder, which hit the spot.

Filet Mignon with Baked Potatoes- May 31, 2010

Ah yes, from BJ's of course. I think I've also mentioned how important trimming the tenderloin is. Not something I would attempt, but there is definitely an art here!

Fish Tacos- May 30, 2010

We headed out on the boat this morning for some bottom fishing and came back with quite a few sea bass. I love sea bass as its firm enough to easily cook and very tasty. Considering the amount of tortillas we had left over (I may have overbought...) we had fish tacos. My husband did a light seasoning on them, sauteed one and then just grilled the rest of the filets. We didn't add much too them as they didn't need much. Just a little salsa and sour cream. I served some Mexican rice and refried beans along side.

Summer Kick-Off BBQ- May 29, 2010

Today was our big summer kick-off bbq. We served more delicious fajita meat as well as sausages, slider burgers and hot dogs. Kids love hot dogs. Well, mine doesn't but that's no big surprise! I thought the sliders would be better than full size hamburgers seeing as how there were so many other options as well. A friend also brought a ramen noodle salad which I hadn't had in a while... so good! It was a great day, even though it started pouring right when we served the food. Thank goodness for the barn (and the keg!)!

Grilled Lamb- May 28, 2010

Have I mentioned my dad's favorite place is BJ's? Its pretty funny considering we have a family of four (well, there are a few more now), but there definitely are things that it pays to buy in large quantities. Like tenderloin, for example, or in this case lamb. We had a grilled leg of lamb as well as a rack. A Coonamesset Farm salad to go with it- perfect summer meal!

Chicken Parmesean Burgers- May 27, 2010

I made these before a couple of months ago. Once again- delicious!
http://foodiesdinner.blogspot.com/2010/03/chicken-parmesean-burgers-march-26-2010.html

Stir-Crazy Takeout- May 26, 2010

Again one of our favorite local spots I've mentioned before. Tonight my mom and I split the bar bong (which was perfect- its huge) and my husband had the lemongrass steak, one of his favorites. And don't forget the Bopha fingers!

Grilled Chicken Breasts and Chipolte-Cilantro Carrots with Feta- May 25, 2010

This is an epicurious recipe that was light, healthy and delicious. Chipolte chilis are delicious, but I've made the mistake of using way to many of them before. Warning: they are VERY spicy! They are usually packed in adobo and canned. This recipe called for very little, so I was sure to rinse off the adobo, de-seed the pepper and I used probably less than half of just one of them. It added exactly the kick and flavor the carrots needed.

Panzanella- May 24, 2010

Mmmmmm..... bread salad. What could be better? Panzanella is quick, easy and you can do so many variations on it. Tonight I used cubed, toasted ciabatta bread, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion, goat cheese & sausage. I tossed it with a red wine vinaigrette.

Chapoquoit Grill, May 23, 2010

My dad offered to babysit while we went out tonight (another joy of the summer) so we went to one of our favorite local spots, the Chapoquoit Grill. When we lived down here year round, I swear we used to go here once a week. They're known for their thin-crusted wood-fired gourmet pizza, but Chappy has it all. Their special list is long and diverse (and we pretty much always order from it). Some of our regular favorites are the fig jam pizza (which you've seen me duplicate on the blog), the antipasto and the chocolate icebox cake. Tonight my husband had the special pizza- duck sausage & aioli, and I had the lobster papparadelle.

Filet Mignon with All the Trimmings- May 22, 2010

As my busy season begins the hardest thing for me is having less time to cook, and just when all the wonderful things come into season! Luckily, my husband and pretty much my entire family also love to cook. So tonight was a classic example of a family meal. My dad picked up a tenderloin, which he filleted out, we made some grilled potatoes, and my aunt made cauliflower au gratin (so yummy...), sauteed carrots & caprese salad. We even ate outside! Summer is here!

Blackened Grouper with Tropical Fruit Salsa- May 21, 2010

My mom picked up some grouper from Captain Marden's in Wellesley today. I think I've mentioned before what a fantastic fish store this is. My husband blackened it with the usual red fish rub he uses. I made a very simple tropical fruit salsa to go on top (jalapeno, green pepper, pineapple, mango, tomato, cucumber, red onion, salt & a little vinegar) and we served everything over white rice.

Roche Bros. Kebabs- May 20, 2010

I didn't feel much like preparing anything tonight so I purchased some meat & veggie kebabs at Roche Bros. One was chicken and one was beef but they were both marinated in their bourbon marinade, which is always yummy. We grilled them and served them with a simple rice pilaf.

Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Oven Roasted Potatoes and Sauteed Fiddleheads- May 19, 2010

Last night I marinated my pork tenderloin (I try to do so overnight to get the most out of the marinaded) and tried a little something different. I did a mustard-based marinade with a bit of soy sauce, honey & garlic. The mustard flavor definitely came through. We grilled the pork and sauteed fiddle heads to go along with it (the same recipe I used a few weeks ago with the red pepper flakes). I also made oven roasted potatoes. These are one of my favorite sides from childhood- simple and a great side to so many mains. I usually just toss halved or quartered baby potatoes in some olive oil and add salt, pepper and whatever herb best compliments the main. 375 for about 40 minutes.

Florida Pepper Blend Seasoned Flounder with Risotto & Sauteed Soft Shell Crab- May 18, 2010

I picked up some flounder and a soft shell crab for myself (my husband is allergic to them) at Kyler's Catch in New Bedford on my way home from Providence today. My husband sauteed my crab (after I lightly doused it in some flour, salt & pepper) in oil. Just the way I like them! He breaded the flounder in a delicious Florida pepper/spice blend we have and lightly sauteed that as well. I made a simple risotto as a side.

Coonamesset Farm Salad- May 17, 2010

We picked some fresh greens and edible flowers today and made a delicious grilled chicken salad with a balsamic vinaigrette. We also added roasted peppers, onions & goat cheese. Windfall Market in Falmouth actually carries a lot of the farm's fresh produce if you can't make it their yourself. They also carry (as does Jack in the Beanstalk in N. Falmouth) their bagged greens- a mixture of lettuces, Asian Greens & edible flowers.

Cheesburgers- May 16, 2010

We always love a good cheeseburger! I'm not sure I've mentioned my favorite type of fries on the blog yet. They're the Alexi brand sea salt fries. All of their products are delicious and all natural, but these are my favorite.

The Chart Room, May 15, 2010

We made our first trip to the Chart Room just down the street in Catuamet this year last night. We went early and didn't have a reservation, and its also early in the season, but usually on a Saturday night? Forget it. I had my favorite (grilled cheese and tomato on Portuguese bread) and my husband his favorite (rack of lamb). Always a treat!