Main Course Menu Plan: Week 9  Summer I

Day 1: Salmon Salad with Spanish Rice, Pimento Dressing

Total time: 40 minutes 
   This is a layered salad, with tomato-infused brown rice, shredded, fresh zucchini and roasted or grilled salmon, finished with a red pepper dressing. If you use quick-cooking Brown Rice it all goes together fast.  Everything can be cooked ahead and assembled just before serving.

Salmon Salad with Spanish Rice, Pimento Dressing Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 2: Vitello Tonnato  Cold Veal in Tuna Sauce

Total time: 20 minutes     plus at least 2 hours resting time 
     This is properly made with a veal roast that is braised for hours, then sliced thinly and served with the sauce.  This is my shortcut version.... Summer cooking!  I've included the traditional Tonnato Sauce as well as a version using commercial mayonnaise rather than the raw egg. 

Cold Veal in Tuna Sauce Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Tonnato Sauce Traditional Version

 Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 3: Barbecued Chicken Thighs

Total time: 35 minutes
   We didn't marinate the thighs but basted with barbecue sauce, like we would for proper Barbecued Chicken. Divide the sauce in half so you have some for dipping.

Barbecued Chicken Thighs Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 4: Hot and Sweet Glazed Pork Chops

Total time: 30 minutes
    Fresh, chopped ginger adds a better, sharper flavor than the powdered.  Usually you can just break off a small piece at the store.

Hot and Sweet Glazed Pork Chops Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 5:  Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Total time: 35 minutes
   Fresh ginger adds a bit of heat and a lot of flavor to this chicken.  You can substitute 1/2 tsp ground ginger if you don't have fresh; and add more if you like the heat.  For a hotter dish you could add crushed red pepper, Asian chili sauce or even Tabasco to the marinade and/or the peanut sauce.

Grilled Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 6: Cheese Stuffed Burgers, Grilled  

Total time: 15 minutes 
   These can have a chunk of any cheese you like inside.  Try to use something a bit on the firm side so it will stay together and not run out.  I just get a small piece of aged goat cheese at the deli counter. Gouda, Muenster, Colby... any would be good! 

Chevre Stuffed Burgers, Grilled Ingredients:

 Instructions:

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