Greek Style Lamb PIta Sandwich

Greek -Style Lamb Pita Sandwiches

We rated this dinner excellent.  But I need to give you a little more information.  Tonight was the third time I made the pita sandwiches.  The first time I made the recipe "as is" with ground lamb and fresh dill.  It was excellent.  I made the pita sandwiches a second time last week.  The second time I made the lamb burgers with ground chicken.  The ground chicken was about half the price of the ground lamb and didn't really change the taste of the burgers.  Tonight I made the burgers with ground turkey.  The ground turkey was less than $5 per pound.  Tonight I also made the burgers with fresh mint instead of the dill.  They were again excellent.  The lamb burgers were excellent and the turkey burgers were just as good.  Another hint,  instead of chopping the cucumber for the sauce, consider grating it.  We liked the texture better.  I served the sandwiches with a fresh greek salad.  A little cucumber, red pepper, green pepper, tomatoes, onion, celery, olives and feta cheese.  A little lemon juice and oil make a quick and tasty dressing.  Not the quickest week night meal, but it is work the work.

Skillet Olive Bread

Skillet Olive Bread

This was a quick and easy bread to make.  It tasted excellent.  Basic quick bread recipe with savory spices. The bread bakes in the same skillet that you start the garlic in.  I paired this bread with a potato leek soup.  

Slow-Cooker Weeknight Beef Chili

Slow-Cooker Weeknight Beef Chili

There are several different chli recipes in the Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook.  I think we have tried at least three different recipes.  They are all excellent.  They all have very similar seasonings and taste. This time I served the chili with gluten free pasta and corn muffins.  The recipe for the corn muffins can be found on page 348.  The corn muffins were tasty and the recipe only made 5 muffins which was great for just the two of us.  I did substitute gluten-free flour in the recipe with not other additions to the recipe.

Chicken Fijitas

Chicken Fajitas

We rated this recipe as very good.  Be sure to take the time to brine your chicken breasts.  Just a few minutes in the salt water makes a lot of difference to the taste.  The chicken breasts are moist and flavorful.  It is my understanding that brining pork and chicken is an old school technique that has been forgotten in recent years.  More information about brining and salting chicken can be found on page 115 of The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook.

Chicken and Rice

Chicken and Rice

We rated this dish as excellent.  Not really a difficult dish to make.  I am sure you have all the ingredients on-hand.  But, it took about 15 minutes prep time and another almost 45 minutes to bake. Too much time for after working all day, in my opinion.  

Chicken Soft Tacos

Chicken Soft Tacos

We rated this recipe as excellent. I used the recipe for the crunchy coleslaw recipe that was included with the Grilled Fish Taco recipe on page 262.  It's cabbage, cilantro, vegetable oil and lime juice - how easy and low calorie, too.  I served our Chicken Soft Tacos with store-made pico de gallo and spicy rice.   Easy, quick weeknight meal.  

Turkey Taco Salad

Turkey Taco Salad

I realized about half way through dinner that I forgot to add the tomatoes but it was still delicous.  We rated this salad as "excellent".  Please note that I did not make the taco bowls as shown in the Cooking for Two cookbook.  I subbed homemade corn tortilla chips instead of the flour tortilla taco bowls.  The salad was great.  

Thai Style Green Curry with Tofu, Snap Peas and Mushrooms

 Thai Style Green Cuarry with Tofu, Snap Peas and Mushrooms

I have to admit, I made this dish twice and neither time did I use tofu.  The first time I couldn't find tofu at the market so I used some left over grilled tuna.  The dish was excellent.  The second time I made the dish, I used chicken thighs.  Again, the dish was excellent.  I am sure the tofu would also be good.  One thing that we didn't like were the strings in the snap peas.  The first time I used fresh snap peas and it took forever to trim the peas.  The second time I used frozen snow peas - all trimmed and ready to go.  Not much difference in taste but a lot of difference in prep time.  Target had frozen snap peas for less than $1.50.  

Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Wasabi Dressing

Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Wasabi Dressing

Another "excellent" entee.  This was also rated "fast" by the America's Test Kitchen folks.  Take care not to overcook the fish.  The fish cooked really fast and was overdone the first time I made this dish. The second time I made the recipe I cooked the fish to medium-rare.  Much better and even faster.

Tortellini Salad with Bell Pepper, PIne Nuts and Basil

Tortellni Salad with Bell Pepper, Pine Nuts and Basil

I served this salad as a side with Chicago-style Italian Beef sandwiches.  This salad got good reviews for family members.  A new twist to pasta salad. The second time I made the salad I used meat tortellini, because that's what I had in the freezer, it was also "very good."  This recipe was very easy to make.  Be sure to toast the pine nuts for extra flavor.

Tandoori Chicken with Yogurt Sauce

Tandoori Chicken with Yogurt Sauce

We rated this entree a "very good."  This recipe was easy to make.  Cooking for Two recommended serving the chicken with rice and chutney.  I used the tomato chutney recipe that can be found on page 88.  The spices were the same - it was really good.  I served the chicken with rice noodles, we had already had rice once this week.  The noodles were an easy addition to dinner.  Be careful not to over cook the chicken.  My chicken was well done in just 30 minutes.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

We rated this entee as "excellent."  According to the Cooking for Two Cookbook, this tomato sauce spiced with garam masal, ginger, and cilantro gives this Indian dish authentic flavor with minimal fuss.  This recipe was easy to make.  The only change I made to the recipe was that I served the chicken pieces whole, not into one-inch pieces like the recipe suggested.

Easy Skillet Pizza with Fontina, Arugula, and Prosciutto

Easy Skillet Pizza with Fontina, Arugula, and Prosciutto

This is not your ordinary carry out pizza.  Rated "excellent" by both of us.   There are several variations to the Easy Skillet Cheese Pizza recipe included in the cookbook.  The argula and prosciutto seemed interesting to us, The arugula offered a peppery flavor to the dish. I used gluten free pizza crust mix from Aldi's as the basic pizza dough.  Be careful not to over cook the pizza dough in the skillet prior to putting the pizza in the oven.  

Chicken Saltimbocca

Chicken Saltibocca

Doesn't really look like much but the Chicken Saltimbocca was "excellent."  This recipe was fast and easy to prepare - the chicken cutlets cooked in just a few minutes.  I did not add the fresh sage leaves to the cutlets.  I served the chicken with spaghetti with garlic and oil as a side.  Steamed green beans completed our menu.  

Salmon Burger with Tomato Chutney

I know, it sounds like something your mom made you eat on Friday night's when you were growing up, but try this recipe.  We rated this recipe as "excellent" both times I made the salmon burgers for dinner.  The first time I followed the recipe and used the salmon fillets.  They were wonderful.  The second time I made the burgers I used canned salmon.  Believe it or not, they tasted very similar.  I used instant potatoes as a gluten-free alternative to the panko bread crumbs. I think the fresh chutney on top is the best.  Don't wait until the end of the week for this burger.  Try the salmon burgers with the chutney tomorrow night. 

Salmon Burger with Tomato Chutney

Grilled Portobello Burgers with Garlicky Eggplant

Grilled Portobello Burger with Garlicky Eggplant

We rated this "burger" as very good.  The grilling directions were included in the recipe - just 12 minutes on the grill.  Keep your eggplant slices to the 3/4 inch recommended in the recipe, then all the veggies will be ready to eat at the same time.  

Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese Chicken Salad

Easy week night dinner.  Also, this would be a great dinner for a hot summer night.  We rated this entree as very good.   

Juicy Pub-Style Burger with Peppered Bacon and Aged Cheddar

Juicy Burger with Peppered Bacaon and Aged Cheddar

We rated this burger as an "excellent."  It was everything you would want in a burger.  Nice and juicy without being greasy.  The peppered bacon was easy to make - you can buy peppered bacon - but just sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of pepper over three slices of bacon and  it's really good.  The special sauce was excellent.  Just a little of this and a little of that - mayo, soy cause, chives, brown sugar, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce - made this Sunday night dinner easy and tasty.

Thai-Style Red Curry Shrimp, Bell Pepper and Snap Peas

Thai-Sytle Red Curry Shrimp, Bell Pepper and Snap Peas

First, I have to confess, I made a few adjustments to the recipe.  First, I used chicken instead of shrimp and then I combined the original recipe with the varation recipe and added asparagus, carrots, Red Bell Pepper and Snap Peas to the mix.  I thought the recipe was "excellent" but Rick only gave it a "very good."  I was not able to find Thai Basil Leaves at my local grocery store so I used regular basil in this recipe.  I think fresh cilantro would also work fine in this recipe.  Overall, I would make this "fast" recipe again.

Chicken en Papillote with Zucchini and Tomatoes

Chicken en Papillote with Zucchini and Tomoates

Fancy name but it really didn't taste very good.  We both rated this entee as "needs improvment."  Cooking for Two explained that "cooking en papellote allows meat to steam in its own juices, developing a delicate texture and intense, clean flavor." We found the chicken and zucchini to be a little soggy.  I would try this again but I would drop the oven tempature to 425 degrees and forget the foil packets.

Slow-Cooker New Mexican Red Pork Chili

Slow-Cooker New Mexican Red Pork Chili

We rated this dish as Very Good.  However, I didn't serve this as a chili.  I used the pulled pork as a filling for tacos.  I used the cabbage slaw (Grilled Fish Tacos  Recipe- shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, oil and lime juice p. 262), fresh pico de gallo, and cheddar cheese as garnish.  Pictured is the "kids" version.  Gidoen gave his taco good reviews.  In the future,  I would consider making this meat the day  before to make skimming the excess fat from the surface a little easier.

Salmon with Asparagus Herb Dressing

Salmon with Asparagus and Herb Dressing

Asparagus is in season and this was a delicious way to take advantage of locally grown vegetables. We rated this dish as "very good."   The dressing was tasty but Rick is not a big fan of lemon so  the "very good" rating.  This dressing would also work great on a green  or chopped salad.  

Grilled Fish Tacos

Grilled Fish Tacos

We rated this as an "excellent" entree.  In fact, I repeated this for at a family gathering over the weekend.  The cabbage slaw was excellent.  Although, I should mention, I used broccoli slaw instead of the cabbage in the slaw mix.  I did not use the mahi-mahi fillets either time.  I used cod the first time I made this dish and I used tilapia the second time I made this recipe. My family all gave the fish tacos high marks.  I am looking forward to the left overs tonight. 

Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Sticky Ribs

Slow-Cooker Sweet and Sour Sticky Ribs

We rated this entee as a "very good."  They were tasty but in all honesty, I would prefer a more traditional barbecue sauce on my ribs.  There are so many other excellent Asian inspired recipes in the cookbook, I would rather do a repeat on one of those than spend the time make these ribs.

Garlicky Pork with Eggplant

Garlickly Pork with Eggplant

"Excellent" we both commented after our first bite of the Garlickly Pork with Eggplant.  This was a quick and easy week night dinner.  Really it was easier than take-out, except for the clean-up, and I used gluten-free soy sauce so I knew it was safe to eat.  Really easy, really good and enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Rated "excellent."  I served this gumbo over grits.  Lots of veggies in this dish, onion, red bell pepper and celery, however, I did miss the okra.  I think next time I would add just a little bit of okra for color and texture.

Catalan-Style Beef Stew with Mushrooms

Catalan-Style Bee Stew with Mushrooms

Rated "basic" by both Rick and I.  I will not be adding the recipe for this entree to my favorites.  This recipe didn't work for us.  It took a long time to make this dish.  It cooked in the over for about 3 hours and then didn't really taste that great.  I marked this recipe as "don't repeat."

Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder

We rated chowder as an excellent despite the fact that I substituted canned corn for the fresh corn on the cob.  Sorry, it's the beginning of April and fresh corn on the cob is not really available in northern Illinois.  I used two cans of corn in this recipe.  Instead of using a bx grater - I put one can of corn in the blender for just a few seconds.  I added the other can of corn when I added the cream to the soup.  Another note,  I made the chowder on Friday night and we ate the soup for lunch on Saturday.  Even with the substitutes, we gave this soup high marks.

Meaty Skillet Lasagna

Meaty Skillet Lasagna

Easy, easy, easy and so delicious.  We gave this entree an excellent rating.  This is an easy one-pan dish that can be made with items that I generally have in my pantry.  A can of tomatoes, a onion, garlic, ground beef and a about a cup of pasta.  I did have to substitute a gluten free pasta into this dish.  I used a penne.  It did not change the cooking time.  This was another recipe that I made ahead. I followed the recipe through step 4.  Then added the cheese after warming the pasta in the microwave just before serving.  I think making this ahead really enhanced the flavor of this dish. We have already repeated this entree.

Slow-Cooker Curried Chicken Breasts

Slow- Cooker Curried Chicken Breasts

At only 350 calories, you need to add 100 calories for the rice, this is a "light" entree.  This was easy to make.  You start by microwaving the onion, garlic, ginger, curry and tomato paste before you put it in the slow cooker for 2 to 3 hours.  We rated this entree as "excellent."

Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili

I made this dish for Gideon because his mother's chili is his very favorite.  This chili didn't make the cut with Gideon.  He didn't like the beans and my pieces of red, green, and yellow pepper were not up to the same standard as his mother's recipe.  I thought this recipe was very good.  Even this recipe for two makes a lot of chili for two.  There was plenty of left overs for lunch.  

Chicken Chowder

Chicken Chowder

This was a repeat already.  I served this as for a family gathering last Sunday night.  It received "excellent" reviews from all.  The left-overs were even better.  I made Chicken Chowder a second time just for us.  Again it was a hit.  Ok, it starts with bacon!

Beef Chili with Bacon

Beef Chili with Bacon

"Excellent" rating from Rick and he doesn't even like chili, maybe it was the addition of the bacon.  This was a great meal for a cold and snowy day.  There are really no fancy ingredients in this recipe.  Four slices of bacon, ground beef, onions, peppers, a can of beans and a few spices made this an easy prep. However, do note that the simmer time on this recipe is a bit longer than other recipes in The Complete Cooking For Two Cookbook.  The soup needs to simmer over medium-low heat for 45 minutes.  I added some gluten free pasta, fresh avocado and a few chips to make lunch on this snowy day.

Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata

We rated this easy t make Chicken Piccata a "very good."  But remember Rick really doesn't like lemon. To be honest, I am not really sure we gave this recipe a fair chance.  I forgot to defrost the fish for dinner so I had to figure out a quick meal.  I defrosted the chicken in the microwave.  I am sure it made the chicken a little dry.  I thought the sauce was "excellent."  Capers add a salty, pickle taste to the sauce that I really liked.  I would try this recipe again.

Lemon-Steamed Sole with Green Pea Sauce

 Lemon - Steamed Sole with Green Pea Sauce

It might look a looking too green but it was really "excellent."  Even better as left overs.  This is identified as a light entree in The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook.   At only 190 calories and ready in only about 10 minutes, Lemon-Steamed Sole with Green Pea Sauce was a great Monday night dinner.  I served the fish with risotto.  I used the same white wine in the pea sauce and risotto. We will be repeating this dinner. 

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Italian Sausage

 Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe

We rated this dinner as "excellent."  I really had never cooked with Broccoli Rabe.  Before tonight, the only other time I had even eaten broccoli rabe was on pulled pork sandwich at Citizens' Bank Park in Philadelphia.  "Don't confuse broccoli rabe with broccoli or broccolini; broccoli rabe is a member of the turnip family and has a peppery bite" (The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook). I found the Broccoli Rabe near the green onions in the produce department.  This was a quick and easy week night meal. Please note, I did have to substitute the orecchiette with  a gluten free rotini pasta.  

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

We rated this dinner "excellent."  We thought this entree was just as good as carry out.  The combination of broccoli, red pepper, and scallions not only tasted good but also made a great presentation.  I think I might double the "sauce" next time. This recipe is rated "fast."  I think it took only about 10 minutes to prepare this dinner.