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Menu Plan for the week of June 7, 2013:  Saturday's Recipes

Spinach 'Caprese' Salad
Grilled Balsamic-Glazed Veal Chops
Basmati Rice and Asparagus Gratin

Cooking time:  40 minutes for menu     Cooking schedule: see below for instructions

        We don't do veal chops often, but, as the veal is much better than the beef we get,  we love having them done on the grill a few times during the summer.  You could substitute pork chops or a steak. Cook veal chops at the last minute - you don't want to overcook....

Spinach Caprese Salad

Total time: 10 minutes
      Spring is too early for a proper 'Caprese' Salad, but why not improvise with cherry tomatoes and spinach?  

 Ingredients:

• 3oz (90gr) spinach
• 1 ball mozzarella de Bufala,  package weight usually around 8oz (250gr), net weight 4oz (125gr)
• 10 - 12 cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 onion
• 1oz (30gr) bacon
• 1 tbs Balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbs plus 1 tsp olive oil
• handful fresh basil leaves
• more oil and Balsamic as desired

 Instructions:

• Prepare spinach, wash and spin dry if needed. Tear for salad.
• Cut mozzarella into 4 slices. 
• Cut cherry tomatoes in half. 
• Select nice basil leaves for on top of the mozzarella. Put any others in with the spinach.
• Roughly chop onion. 
• Cut bacon into matchsticks. 
• Sauté onion and bacon in 1 tsp olive oil until bacon is crisp.
• In a medium bowl whisk together 1 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs Balsamic vinegar.
• Add spinach and toss well to coat. Add bacon and onion, toss lightly.
• Divide spinach onto two plates.
• Arrange tomatoes around the edges of the spinach.
• Arrange the mozzarella on top of the spinach and top mozzarella with basil leaves.
• Serve, with extra oil and vinegar on the side.

Grilled Balsamic-Glazed Veal Chops

Total time: 30 minutes
     Simplicity is often best.  A light glaze of Balsamic Vinegar gives these chops a bit of color and a hint of flavor.

 Ingredients:

• 2 veal chops, preferably center- cut and about 1" (2.5cm) thick
• 2 tbs Balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbs olive oil

 Instructions:

• Mix olive oil and vinegar well with whisk. 
• Spoon on both sides of chops and set aside for 10 - 20 minutes.
• Grill chops on barbecue for 10 - 12 minutes
• depending on how thick and how done you want them or broil 12 - 15 minutes.  Take a peak to see how done they are. 
• Remove from grill and serve.

Basmati Rice and Asparagus Gratin

Total time: 40 minutes
     The asparagus is blanched before assembling the gratin, to help keep it's vibrant green color.

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (3.3oz, 95gr) Basmati rice
• 1 cup (8oz, 240ml) chicken stock
• 8oz (240gr) asparagus
• 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (2oz, 60gr) shredded cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 tbs fresh, snipped tarragon    substitute 1 tsp dried
• 2 tsp olive oil

 Instructions:

• Cook rice in chicken stock. 
• Trim asparagus and cut into 2" (5cm) lengths. 
• Blanch for 2 minutes in boiling water.
• Drain and refresh in very cold water.
• Lightly whisk egg.
• Add milk and tarragon, whisk to combine.
• When rice is done spread on a plate and allow to cool for 5 minutes. 
• Lightly oil baking dish.
• Add cheese, asparagus and rice to egg mixture. Stir to combine and spoon into  baking dish.
• Bake, 400F (200C) for 20 minutes.
• Remove and serve.

Cooking Schedule: 40 minutes for menu Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes Utensils: measuring cups, spoons, knives, scissors, small bowl, medium bowl, salad bowl, whisk, small saucepan, medium saucepan, small skillet, baking dish, plate, barbecue grill Cook rice Heat water in medium saucepan Mix oil, vinegar, spoon on chops Trim, cut asparagus Shred cheese if needed Prepare spinach Blanch asparagus Slice mozzarella, cut cherry tomatoes Select basil leaves, snip herbs Drain asparagus, refresh in cold water Chop onion, slice bacon Sauté onion, bacon Turn on / light barbecue grill

Turn on oven, 400F (200C) When rice is done, spread to cool Remove onion, bacon from heat, drain fat Whisk egg Add milk, tarragon Oil baking dish Add cheese, asparagus, rice to eggs, stir Spoon gratin into dish, bake Whisk vinegar, oil in salad bowl Add spinach, herbs, toss to combine Add bacon, onion, toss to combine Arrange salad on plates Top with mozzarella, basil, tomatoes Serve salad Done?   Cook chops Remove gratin Turn chops Remove chops Serve all

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By Katie Zeller

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