Weekly Meal Plan: Late Summer/Early Fall #2

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menu 1: fish

Time to Table: 30 Minutes

Salmon Cakes with Lemon Yogurt Sauce from Epicurious
Succotash of Fresh Corn, Lima Beans, Tomatoes and Onions from Epicurious *Can be made ahead and re-heated.

menu 2: beef

Time to Table: 20 Minutes* (Making Potato Salad ahead or night before)

Steak with Parmesan Butter, Balsamic Glaze and Arugula from Epicurious
Celery and Potato Salad from Epicurious *Made the night before*

My notes: This steak dish was FABULOUS! We used a couple of nice rib-eye which we BBQ'd and served over Spring Mix instead of arugula. I just cooked the shallot/balsamic in a saucepan, since we didn't pan fry the meat. Next time I would double the shallot sauce. It was yummy and I wanted more. Don't skimp on the parmesan shavings on the lettuce. The combination of flavours was great and this was quick to the table. Wouldn't hesitate to serve this to company. Would be great with any nice cut of beef, such as beef tenderloin.

menu 3: eggs/meat-free

Time to Table: 20 Minutes

Poached Eggs and Parmesan Cheese over Toasted Brioche with Pistou from Epicurious
Baked Sweet Potato Fries from Food & Whine

My notes: If you are looking for a dish that's quick and easy but tastes special, this poached egg dish is it! Make it kid-friendly by eliminating the Pistou and using cheddar cheese instead of Parmesan.

menu 4: chicken

Time to Table: 30 minutes

BLT Chicken with Rosemary Lemon Mayonnaise from Epicurious

menu 5: seafood

Time to Table 25 Minutes* (Starting the Shrimp marinating night or morning before)

Grilled Rosemary Garlic Shrimp from Epicurious (*start shrimp marinating night before or in the morning)
Frisee and Apple Salad with Dried Cherries and Walnut from Epicurious

sweet treat

Cinnamon Crumble Apple Pie from Epicurious

shopping list

** Assumes you always have eggs, milk, bread, butter (salted and un-salted), all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, olive oil, garlic bulbs, soy sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, white vinegar, baking powder, baking soda on hand. If you are missing any of these, please add to your shopping list.

Each item on the grocery list shows which recipe it corresponds to. If you are skipping any particular item, simply cross out all ingredients from that recipe. Of course, if you already have an item on-hand, cross it off as well before heading out to shop.

meat, fish and poultry

1 lb. of salmon fillet (1a)
4 Small, good quality grilling steaks (like rib-eye) (2a)
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (4)
16 Jumbo Shrimp (5a)
Bacon (Try the pre-cooked boxed or frozen bacon, for a time-saver) (4)

Pantry Items

Spice Coriander (1a)
Spice Cumin Seeds (4)
Spice Cinnamon (Sweet Treat)
Panko (Japanese Breadcrumbs) - 1 cup (4)
Dark Brown Sugar (2a)
Golden Brown Sugar (Sweet Treat)
Malt Vinegar (2b)
Red Wine Vinegar (4)
Apple Cider Vinegar (5b, Sweet Treat)
Bamboo Skewers (5a)
Dried Tart Cherries - 1/2 cup (5b)
Walnut Pieces - 1/2 cup (5b)
Vegetable Shortening (Sweet Treat)

dairy

Plain Yogurt - 3/4 cup (1a)
Parm Regianno (2a, 3a)
Sour Cream (2b)

produce

Fresh Chives (1a)
Fresh Basil (1b, 3a)
Fresh Rosemary (4, 5a)
4 Lemons (1a, 2a, 4, 5a)
2 onions (1b)
4-5 Shallots (2a, 5b)
1 sweet onion (2b)
5 regular tomatoes (1b)
4 plum tomatoes (4)
4 ears of corn (1b)
Fresh or Frozen Lima Beans -2 cups (1b)
Celery (2b)
3 large sweet potatoes (3b)
Yukon Gold Potatoes - 1 1/2 lbs. (2b)
Arugula (or spinach) (2a)
Mixed Greens (4)
Frisee Lettuce (5b)
1 medium Gala Apple (5b)
3 1/2 lb. Granny Smith Apples (Sweet Treat)

bread

1 Loaf Brioche or Egg Bread