Chili!

The weather has turned colder and it's chili season!  It's a simple blend of onions, garlic, kidney and black beans, jalapenos, and ground beef which is heavily spiced and simmered for several hours.  Topped with sour cream and grated cheddar then served with a side of freshly-baked, still steaming corn bread.  (Credit:  the cornbread was prepared by my beautiful sous chef.)

Beef & broccoli

The beef is flank steak, thinly sliced, dusted with cornstarch, and sauteed in peanut oil with steamed broccoli, sauteed onion, and garlic.  The sauce is a combination of hoisin, soy, honey, vinegar, and spices.  Served over rice.

Sausage and Peppers

Three types of sausage.  We each have a pork with roasted red pepper and herb sausage.  I also have a sweet Italian sausage and she has a chicken and cilantro sausage.  They are served on a baguette dressed with spicy pepper aioli and topped with sauteed red and green bell peppers with onion.  Served with a side of mashed sweet potato.

Salmon, shrimp, and spinach.

The perfect after-yoga meal.  The salmon filets are seasoned with salt and pepper, then roasted.  Garlic-infused olive oil is slowly heated in a large pan, then the shrimp and spinach are added just as the salmon is coming out of the oven.  (Roasted sweet potatoes were served about 15 minutes later.  My timing was a little off.)

Olives & Hummus

Hors D'oeuvre.  While dinner in being prepared, a plate of stone-ground crackers with garlic hummus and three kinds of olives, including the ones stuffed with garlic (so good!).  Served with a heaping side of upbeat music.

BBQ, bacon-cheddar burgers!

The cut side of the ciabatta is brushed with bacon grease, then toasted on the grill before being coated with a sweet BBQ sauce.   Each burger is one-third of a pound of ground beef (85/15) with yellow onions, garlic, and other seasonings.  The burgers are grilled and topped with crisp, crumbled bacon and diced red onions, then a pile of sharp cheddar is melted on top, then topped again with sliced dill spears.  Served with sweet potato fries and a side of honey for dipping.

Late-night trail mix for two.

Trail mix:  cashews, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, dried cherries, and dark chocolate.