Main Course Menu Plan: Week 3  Spring I

Day 1: Pasta with Scallops and Shrimp

Total time: 25 minutes
     By sautéing the shrimp and scallops in garlic butter they get a robust flavor offset by the creamy cheese sauce... If you don't normally have milk on hand use part chicken stock and part white wine- different sauce, equally good! I used spinach fettuccini.

Pasta with Scallops and Shrimp Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 2: Roasted Cornish Games Hens (Poussin)

Total time: 60 minutes
    Small, perfectly roasted hens make an elegant presentation and are perfect individual servings (with maybe a snack leftover).  If yours are larger birds, one may be enough, (you can split it in half before roasting) or fix two and have cold chicken/game hen for lunch tomorrow!  Remember to put bowls for bones on the table - and wet towels for fingers.

Roasted Cornish Games Hens  Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 3: Beef and Root Vegetable Stew

Total time: 90 minutes
    Sherry adds flavor notes that go well with stews.  It blends well with the traditional root vegetables. You could add parsnips, turnips or celeriac, as well.  This make enough for 4 servings. 

Beef and Root Vegetable Stew Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 4: Chicken Breasts with Spanish Rice

Total time: 40 minutes
    I use a quick cooking brown rice in this dish; it cooks in 20 minutes. You can use whatever rice you choose (except instant) just adjust the liquid and cooking time accordingly. The tomato juices cook right into the rice, adding color and flavor!

Chicken Breasts with Spanish Rice Ingredients:

 Ingredients:

Day 5:  Pork Tenderloin with Lemon and Capers

Total time: 35 minutes
     Pork tenderloin lends itself to a variety of treatments; it's lean, cooks fast and stays moist and tender.  I can get them under a lb which is perfect for us.  You could substitute boneless pork chops if you like. 

Pork Tenderloin with Lemon and Capers Ingredients:

 Instructions:

Day 6: Pasta with Red Beans and Ham

Total time: 30 minutes 
     Beans are a major vegetable in both France and Spain, but are normally sold plain, rarely flavored or spiced.  Frying the chili powder releases more of the flavor.

Pasta with Red Beans and Ham Ingredients:

 Instructions:

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