2009 Fall Kick Off Dinner Menu
Spinach Salad with Apples and Swiss and Mustard Vinaigrette
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Cider and Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Sauteed Apples
Buttered Green Beans
Flaky Apple Turnovers (see previous post)
Money Saving Tips: This celebratory dinner makes use of common ingredients (Potatoes, onions, apples, pork chops, dried thyme), so the good news is that it's very affordable. To make it even cheaper, choose whatever firm apple you can find on sale at the market. Use apple juice in place of the cider, or swap out the maple syrup for honey. Spring mix or Romaine can stand in for the Spinach. It's all good.
Spinach Salad with Apples and Swiss and Mustard Vinaigrette
Estimated Cost: $4.50 for four servings
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
2 tablespoons Maple syrup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 of a 6 ounce bag baby spinach
1 apple, skin on, thinly sliced
2 ounces swiss cheese, chopped
2 tablespoons red onion thinly sliced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced almonds
In a small bowl, combine mustard, syrup, oil, and vinegar, whisking to blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. On four separate plates, layer spinach, apple slices, cheese, onion, and almonds. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Estimated Cost: $3.00 for four servings and leftovers
Notes: These tangy potatoes are so fantastic with the sweet cider pan juices.
3 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttemilk
1/2 cup sour cream (low fat is fine)
2 tablespoons butter, plus more if desired
Place potaotes in large pot and cover with cold water. Add salt. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Cook until tender, about ten minutes. Drain potatoes in colander discarding all water. Place potatoes back in same pan over low heat to dry out potatoes. Using hand masher, mash potatoes adding in buttermilk, sour cream, and butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mash until smooth adding more milk or butter if needed. Dot the top of the potatoes with butter and put the lid on pan until serving time.
Cider and Maple Glazed Pork Chops with Sauteed Apples
Estimated Cost: $6.00 for four servings
1 tablespoon vegetable oil (plus 1 more tablespoon)
1 lb pork chops, boneless
2 tablespoons flour
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
3/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Preheat oil in skillet. Sprinkle chops with flour and about 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook chops for three minutes per side, or until nicely browned. Transfer to plate and cover to keep warm. To same skillet, add an additional tablespoon oil and onions. Cook until onions begin to soften, about five minutes. Add butter, thyme, and apples. Saute for about five minutes, or until softened and browned in some places. Pour in cider, maple, and vinegar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer. Return chops to pan. Cook for five minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened. To serve, arrange potatoes on plate and spoon pan juices over potatoes. Serve chops with apples atop.
UP Next:
Blackberry Jam Pufflet Cookies
28 comments:
I'm new to your blog and think I've found a winner. Like you, I would rather be home cooking than most anythign else. I'll try this new dish on Tuesday in honor of Fall.
I'm also interested in your little blip about Hobbs and Locke--I think you said. Do you teach classics? Where? I've been working through the great books set on my own. Sometimes it numbs my mind. Any suggestions?
did Rita Moreno win an Oscar? (love your blog--thanks for the wonderful recipes tonight!)
This looks delicious. I think my family will love it. I can't wait for Fall. It's my favorite season, too. Except I can't help but wonder where on earth my summer went.
WOW...that salad looks so yummy!! I love the idea of using the apple quarters on the meat...it looks so appetizing!! I suppose you have guessed that I am sending this comment from the dance floor of a very trendy club that I frequent on Friday nights...just so you know!!
Cookie Bookie week? (Perking Up!) The ginger cookie recipe you posted last year has become my favorite cookie EVER, and I've made it at least a half dozen times since.
Also, you posted a recipe for take-out style curry that I just looked at the ingredients list for so I can make it this weekend. Sunday afternoon I plan to be planted on my couch watching football and eating curry.
Thanks for all the great recipes you post!
Melanie
http://junkmel1.wordpress.com
Can't believe fall is around the corner. Great dinner! If the Oscar winner is not Rita Moreno, it could be Jose Ferrer. I'm home on Friday night doing my blog and twitter:)
Here's a list I came up with on google:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Puerto_Rican_Academy_Award_winners_and_nominees
Lyn
Well, I got cut off - I'll try again. You'll have to piecemeal it together. But it looks like Ferrer or Moreno.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Puerto_Rican_
Academy_Award_winners_and_nominees
Lyn
Wahoo!! Awesome kick-off menu :)
I think it's Ferrer for his win in 1950 for Cyrano de Bergerac...Hahaa...looked it up.
Thanks for the brain exercise! What was the answer?
The food looks delicious! Have a restful weekend!
Oh yum! I may just have to cook this for the fam...but I work on Tuesday, so Monday night it will be!
Was is 'Selma' Hyeck for Frida?
Let me be the first to thank you for sacrificing your Friday night to give us this FABULOUS menu - it looks divine! p.s. I was home watching netflix last night w/ the husband...not even close to a night club lol :)
Jose Ferrer or Rita Moreno
Looks absolutely delicious. I'm making it all tomorrow and licking my plate clean.
I'm glad there is another soul on earth who likes a good Friday night at home.
H
Love the menu...and got excited about fall and cookie bookie week in the process! I'm not one of your toney readers either...I like being home on Friday nights, tucked in early reading or catching up on my favorite shows.
LOOOVE THE APPLES!LOVE,SAILOR
I was home bottling (and cursing) pears! This looks delicious...Sunday dinner here we come!
This is a fantastic idea. I love the idea of celebrating the change of seasons properly. I grew up with no traditions and like to create new traditions for my children. They really love and often remind me of "traditions" I didn't know were our traditions.
So, I am going to make this dinner, I'll let you know how it goes. I am thinking I might make mashed sweet potatoes instead. Been craving them something terrible.
Enjoy what's left of your weekend and summer.
Wow! Mash potatoes! Mash potatoes, I love! I always find some real good stuff here in your blog! Thanks!
Hey Erin.. I am so sorry I've missed so many posts = ( The salad, the spread, the entire meal looks DELISH.
We were at home too. Not working on the blog, but doing horse chores. Hubby whipped up stir fry on the griddle.
Your dinner looks good. I can see why it's a favorite.
Ramona
I heart fall, apples and this dinner!
I was home Friday night cooking a meal to post on my blog. We're too poor to be cool and go out clubbing these days ~sigh~
My vote goes to Jose Ferrer, too!
For some reason, when I think of Locke and the divine right of kings, I think of the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the peasant is teasing Arthur about becoming king because of a lady in a lake with a sword. "You mean some moist bit in a pond hands you a dagger and you get to be king?"
We loved the idea of the Fall kickoff dinner, and adored the maple pork chops. I loved that my kitchen smelled like a five-star restaurant or woodland spa retreat!
Thanks - I'm making these pork chops tonight for dinner! =)
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