Menu of the Week

A few notes on what we ate last week in case you're looking for something new to make for dinner! Have a great weekend and don't forget to enter the DownEast Basics Giveaway, which ends tonight! Enjoy...

Baked Polenta with Sausage with Tomato Pepper Sauce - If you love polenta, you'll enjoy this winter casserole too. This was our first family polenta experience and our family was split on the matter. I did enjoy having something different though. I followed their recommendation to buy the polenta already made (on sale at Whole Foods that week!), which made things easy. I added very little of the red pepper as my kids don't enjoy anything spicy (and either does nursing baby Gray!) and a little extra salt and pepper to the polenta slices.

Winter Squash Soup - This is my favorite squash soup ever. I typically skip the croutons in the interest of time and it's still awesome. If I am making it for company, I like to add a dollop of creme fraiche and minced apples (tossed with a little lemon juice to avoid turning brown) or a sage leaf.

Baked Salmon with Capers, Garlic & Parsley, Roasted Red Potatoes with Herbs, Salad - Not my favorite salmon recipe. I say if you're spending money on good, wild salmon, go for a sure winner. Next time I'll make one of my two standby salmon recipes--Hazelnut Encrusted Salmon or Herb Crusted Salmon.

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup - My oldest daughter went crazy for this soup. I omitted the zucchini in the interest of my children and added frozen corn instead. This is the type of recipe that allows room for changing measurements too (i.e. adding more beans, zucchini or corn than it calls for).

Baked Ziti with Spinach + Tomatoes - a true family favorite, which is why it has a permanent place in my "recipes to love" section. It makes enough for our family plus a nice lunch the next day. Use the best sausage you can for this recipe. Here in Seattle I like the sausage at Rain Shadow Meats, Whole Foods and PCC.

Black Bean Tacos with Avocado and Fresh Fruit - a quick, easy vegetarian meal my kids just love.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting - I purchased all necessary ingredients for these, but ended up not having time to make them. That being said, I'm determined to make them again soon as they are amongst the best cupcakes I've ever made (it's that cardamom I tell ya--it's my favorite spice these days!). Romina, you've done good!

More "menu of the week" posts here.

image 1 - Iain Bagwell for Sunset Magazine / image 2 + 3 - Stephanie Brubaker