Meal Plan Monday

Happy Marathon Monday to all of my fellow Bostonians!  Or if you want to get technical...Happy Patriots day to everyone in Massachusetts, Maine, and Wisconsin.

Who knew?  The people of Wisconsin celebrate the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.  How patriotic of them.  Or how smart of them.  Who doesn't want a random Monday off in April?

This day off couldn't have come at a more perfect time.  Two weeks left of class and everyone has spring (and/or summer) fever.  So an extra day to get some things done, enjoy the sunshine, and watch the brave marathoners?  Yes, please.

Fun fact: Last year, as I was witnessing the Boston Marathon for the very first time, I decided that I was going to run it this year.  It just looked like so much fun!  This year, as in a week ago, I went on a leisurely run and almost died.  Maybe next year right?

 {monday}

Tonight I will be dining with the lovely Esch family...which I couldn't be more thrilled about.  I've never met a family that loves food as passionately as they do.  That being said, I'm planning ahead and having a really light lunch.  Maybe something like this wrap/sandwich?  Mhm.
California Sandwich
-from Ezra Pound Cake

{tuesday}

Did I tell you the weather in Boston the next two days is supposed to be in the 80's?  Uhhh what?  That means it's time to start grilling.  And this is one of my favorites to throw on the grill.  Not your typical "grilling" item but it's oohhh soooo good.  Plus, I haven't played around with a recipe from the Pioneer Woman lately.  It's time.

Grilled Vegetable Pizza

-from The Pioneer Woman

{wednesday}

I don't want all of you to start worrying about my lack of meat consumption...like my mother did when I told her about this endeavor (that didn't last).  So to prove that I'm still eating meat occasionally...I'm going to make a Turkey Burger this week.  I know that seems like cheating to substitute turkey for beef...but I really like ground turkey.  Sorry.  And if you're having visual meat withdrawals...don't fret, just keep scrolling down.

Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers

-from Eat Live Run

{thursday}

You know how much this household likes Mexican themed dishes.  Anything that involves rice, beans, corn, avocados, and cilantro is an instant hit.  And now you're telling me to throw some eggs in it?  Done deal.

Mexican Baked Eggs

-from Closet Cooking

{friday}

Time for Fishy Friday.  This little recipe has made it on here before.  It's possibly one of my favorite ways to prepare fish and it's incredibly easy.  After letting the fish marinate for a while, the rest of the process is easily under 10 minutes.  Perfect for a weeknight meal.

Honey-Ginger Glazed Tilapia 

 -from Our Best Bites

{carnivores only}

As I mentioned above, I don't want any of you going into a state of visual withdrawals from the lack of meat on my recent Meal Plan Mondays.  So...I thought I would overload your senses with some unbelievably "meaty" dishes.  Just don't let Kaston see.  He might cry.

Ginger Beef Stir Fry

-from The Comfort of Cooking

Mexican Braised Beef Tacos

-from Kitchen Konfidence

Garlic, Pesto, and Lemongrass Chicken

-from The Hungry Giant

Porchetta with Herb Rub

-from I Am a Food Blog

Steakhouse Pizza

-from The Pioneer Woman

Boiled Peanuts

I need to ask you an important question...

Are you ready for it?

Have you ever had a *boiled* peanut?

If you just answered "YES", then you are probably from the South, have friends or family in the South, or you were brave enough to try one while you were visiting the....South.

For 100 points (brownie points of course) can anyone tell me the keyword in that last sentence?

Ding - ding - ding!

South.  Now we aren't talking just any old place below the Mason-Dixon line.  We are talking the Deep South, as in the Carolina's and below.

If you answered "NO", please keep reading.  And then do your best to either a) get a hold of some raw peanuts so that you can make these yourself OR b) immediately transport yourself to any of the lovely states mentioned above, find someone with a ridiculously southern drawl, and ask them for some "bolled" peanuts.  (If you say "bolled" in a Southern accent it all makes sense.)

I was first introduced to Boiled Peanuts by Kaston's family several summers ago.  They were all visiting from Florida for Kaston's grandparents 50th wedding anniversary and before I knew it I was trying boiled peanuts and collard greens for the very first time. 

And that's when the love affair began.  True Southern dishes being washed down by a big glass of *real* sweet tea?  Goodness gracious.

After they left, Kaston's mom fed our cravings with her own boiled peanuts.  Thank the lawd.  And there might have been several stops at a roadside stand while visiting North Carolina to feed the cravings even more.  You can read about that {here} if you'd like.

And now...finally...I have made my own boiled peanuts. 

Right before my mom arrived in Boston, I made a frantic realization that she was in Florida and could bring me a bag of raw peanuts.  Perfect timing.

Now, I keep referencing "raw" peanuts.  And that's because raw or green peanuts are not the same as just any old peanut that you can find around the country.  These things are hard to find if you aren't in the sunny states of the South.  It's a little frustrating, but it makes these elusive little treats that much better when you actually do get a hold of them.

Are you ready to hear how easy they are to make?

Makes: 1 big ol' crockpot full   Prep Time: 2 minutes   Cook Time: All day  Total Time: 1 day

{Print Me}

Ingredients:

• 1 pound raw or green peanuts
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup salt
• 4 cups water (or enough to cover peanuts)
• 2-4 tablespoons shrimp boil or old bay seasoning (add more/less to taste)

Directions:

1. Thoroughly rinse peanuts in water. 
2. Put peanuts, water, salt, and seasoning in a large crockpot.  Turn on low and leave for the remainder of the day.
3. Drain, eat, enjoy.
4. And don't forget to wash down with a big glass of sweet tea.
5. Store remaining peanuts in the refrigerator, reheating to eat within the next couple of days.   

Shrimp Pasta...with Tomato Basil Sauce.

Sadly, Momma Bell has left us to return to the great state of Missouri.  Luckily however, she left us with incredibly full bellies, a new bed, a couple new articles of clothing, a new found love for blackjack, and of course some wonderful new memories.

We were able to pack in so many fun things over the last couple of days but of course we weren't able to snap ONE picture together.  Not even our usual last minute "leaving for the airport" shot.  Mom, we need to work on this.

Instead of pictures together...we snapped some pictures of our food.  Typical.  Seriously.  Most pictures exchanged between the two of us are centralized around food.  Nothing wrong with that right?

{Isn't she the cutest?}

Every time mom comes to visit, it's imperative that we spend an afternoon/evening in the kitchen.  It's tradition at this point and it can't be broken.

This cooking process has divided itself into several different steps that usually end up taking a good chunk of the day, making the end result that much more satisfying.  First, the daunting task of deciding what we will make.  There is usually much debate, or me just being picky and indecisive.  After that is over with, we obviously make a list that includes everything we need to pick up.  I didn't acquire a love/psychological need for lists from nowhere (aka...I completely inherited it from my mother).  And...the next part is my favorite.  We stroll around the North End stopping by all of the local shops to pick up an item or two at each place.  Why would you buy meat anywhere but the butcher, or bread from anywhere but the baker?  You wouldn't.  That's madness.

Also, we usually end up stopping at the coffee shop for an Americano along the way.  Sheesh, we are predictable.

Let's take a gander at all of the local goods while we're on the subject.

Homemade Whole Wheat Ziti from DePasquale's Homemade Pasta Shoppe.  This is as homemade as it gets.  As we were browsing the store, an adorable Italian woman was sitting in the corner making some delicious looking Gnocchi with several other "pre-noodle" bowls of dough surrounding her.

So fresh they are still BLUE!  These little babies came from The North End Fish Market.  I can't even begin to describe how wonderful this place is.  Especially for a girl from a landlocked state.  I live for fresh seafood.

There is not a good meal that comes out of this household that doesn't require a stop at Monica's Mercato.  I've said this over and over but I can't help it.  This is one of my favorite places in Boston.  The tiny little space is absolutely packed with delicious cheeses, fresh baked bread, meats, soups, snacks, and all sorts of other treats.  Plus the guys in there are incredibly friendly and always perk up your night with their fun banter.

What's a good Italian meal without wine?  It isn't.  Every Friday evening, our favorite wine supplier, The Wine Bottega, hosts a nice little wine tasting event down in their "cellar".  It's a magical little place, littered with wine bottles and beautifully distressed wood.  This was number 5 on the list of tastings.  It only took one tiny little sip and we were sold.  Donkey & Goat has easily become one of my favorites.

And lastly, what's a good meal without dessert?  Once again, it isn't.  A while back, I ran into a lovely chocolatier who lives...just down the street.  How dangerous is that?  I wasn't aware of this danger until I tried her delicious chocolates.  Seriously, they are UNREAL.  She creates homemade RAW chocolate truffles in her very own kitchen.  Raw, meaning they aren't so dangerous after all.  Whew.  If you are a Boston resident, you need to place an order.  Now.  And you can do that {here}.

And finally...we have made it to the final part of the process.  It's time to cook.

Shrimp Pasta...

with a tomato basil sauce

Servings: 4-6   Prep Time: 10 minutes   Cook Time: 20 minutes   Total Time: 30 minutes

{Print Me}

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces, uncooked pasta of your choice (I used whole wheat ziti)
• 1 1/2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bunch fresh basil, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. While pasta is cooking, saute shrimp and garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet until shrimp turn pink.  Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, saute mushrooms and onions in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until tender.  Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low.
4. Add shrimp, basil, sugar, and oregano.  
5. Cook, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.  Give it a taste test and season with salt and pepper accordingly.
6. Drain pasta and top with shrimp and sauce.  Serve with Parmesan cheese.
7. Enjoy!