Kelly and I both recently craved a warm home cooked meal.

I took a mental survey of what we had in the apartment and arrived at Parmesan-Crusted Lemon Chicken with cous-cous and spinach

A lemon cutting board to cut lemons... how convenient!

The citrus zester was another great stocking stuffer that I was happy to put to use.

I marinated the chicken for a little longer than suggested, and I loved the added citrus flavoring it took on.

My cast iron skillet contributes to yet another meal!

And a sippy cup of red wine to top it off.

It can't get easier or more delicious than this.

Chocolate chip cookies with a little ice cream in between.

I looked up a few recipes for chipwiches and they all end up being recipes for cookies and then "buy ice cream at your local grocer" it's really the only way to go come summer!

RIP to the greatest sous chef ever.

Woodie.

xoxoxo

Out & About:

$10.00. Tuesday. 7:30pm. Beer.

Jimmy No. 43 hosts a great 6 beer tasting every Tuesday. It does get packed so I would suggest going early to secure a seat - and while you're there, stay for dinner!

I don't like brussel sprouts.

Or at least that is what I had always thought until our Sunday night dinner.

Ashley whipped us up a batch of sauteed brussel sprouts

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Deliciousness.

It's official I like 'em.

While it wasn't all class and wine glasses, our Sunday dinner was exactly what we all needed, a sit down home cooked meal to re-charge for the week ahead.

So we indulged in:

Roast Rack of Lamb with Fingerling Potatoes and Mint Pesto

At first I didn't know what to make, to which dear Ashley responded

"Dead baby lamb please"

And with that pleasant image in mind I shopped for dinner

The line at Whole Foods on a Sunday: 45 + minutes

The hours of the Ukranian butcher shop on a Sunday: 8 - 3pm

The line at Trader Joes on a Sunday: 30 minutes

The gourmet meat selection at Associated Supermarket: Very poor

With these stats it was clear that Trader Joe's was my best bet (it was 4:30) And even with TJ's discounted prices the lamb was more expensive than I thought - $36.00

Searing meat caramelizes the sugars and browns the proteins present in meat. Making the dish more flavorful and appealing in color.

It also makes quite a mess.

A Splatter Screen reduces the mess, and saves on clean up ... I should really get one.

I was skeptical about the mint pesto, but it was delicious and really made the lamb pop!

I look forward to including it in future recipes

(It also paired nicely with our brie and crackers - we're a little impatient)

Appréciez !

"Bbbbaaaaaaahhhhhhh"

I guess we all liked it...

Thank you again hostess Ashley !!