Two Plates

This was the year for epic Christmas presents all around. Lauren and Mike had the ingenuity and practicality to give Dave a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and the cookbook, One Pan, Two Plates.  As the book says on the cover, it contains more than 70 complete weeknight meals for two. It is awesome!!

Dave and I had gotten into the lazy habit of just picking up something from the prepared foods section of the Teeter or Fresh Market, which is tasty enough, but probably not as fresh...and certainly not as creative...as these recipes.

So far we have had Sauteed Pork Chops with Sweet Potato, Apple, and Mustard Sauce; Veal Picatta with Brussels Sprout Hash and Apples; and Thyme-Rubbed Salmon with Shallots and Caramelized Cauliflower "Risotto". On tap for tonight is Sweet-and-Sour Stir-Fry with Beef, Broccoli, and Mango. Yum! (Photo to come.) The recipes call for all fresh ingredients, and everything really does happen in one pan. Hooray for easy clean up!

We have had fun with both of us in the kitchen chopping, slicing and searing.  And another side benefit...no big tubs of leftovers. We are not big fans of leftovers, so not having to clean the fridge of science experiments has been great! Oh, and two more things I really am liking about this book...each recipe has a little aside entitled, "it's that easy", which gives cooking or preparations tips that are super helpful, and each recipe has the chef's wine recommendation. 

Cheers, and bon appetit!

Aunt B