Monday

Garlic cream farfalle with broccoli (recipe in the comments from January 7, 2009)
Arugula salad with carrots and red cabbage

Hot tea
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Today was long and tiring and comfort food (quick!) seemed critical. This dinner hit the spot and was both good for us and so yummy. Sometimes that's all a meal needs to be :)

Prep Notes
Difficulty: Easy
Chopping: Broccoli florets, grating Parmesan
Time: 40 minutes
Make ahead: Do this last minute

Reaction
J: "Pasta saves the day - again."
M: "Hits the spot for summer too."

Monday

Penne with broccoli and gorgonzola (recipe in the comments from November 10, 2007)
Baby lettuce salad

Hot tea
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We discovered this recipe shortly after our move to Ann Arbor and it remains a true favorite, probably recurring 2-3 times a year. Regular readers will know that indicates a true love! I think we love it so much because it manages that delicate feat of being light and rich. Also, both of us really love blue cheese and we don't have enough recipes that really incorporate it. At any rate, this is a deceptively easy and truly fabulous.

Prep Notes
Difficulty: Easy
Chopping: Broccoli, grape tomatoes
Time: 35 minutes
Make ahead: Probably best not.


Reaction
J: "I think this is officially a favorite! "
M: "Despite the name this is light!"

Saturday - Welcome home!

Penne alla vodka (recipe in the comments from November 2, 2007)
Mixed veggies with lemon

Hot tea
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We had a great visit in Kansas City, but are all happy to be home and getting back to routine. M and I try to plan a meal that has now fresh ingredients for the night we arrive into town so we have something home-y to welcome us back and don't have to shop the day we return. Penne alla vodka fits the bill, though depending on the length of your trip the parsley might not save :) This is a great meal and we haven't made in WAY too long. It just got lost in the shuffle, which si a problem with having as many recipes as we do. Anyway, we unearthed it and it was utter perfection! Don't worry if it looks like too much sauce when you first add it to the hot pasta - mixing in the Parmesan and parsley takes up some and the hot pasta will absorb more.

Note: We didn't notice we were out of vodka before we left so we made it with gin tonight. Absolutely fine :)

Prep Notes
Difficulty: Easy
Chopping: Shallots, parsley
Time: 25 - 35 minutes
Make ahead: You can make the sauce ahead, but toss with fresh pasta. We have even frozen this sauce and defrosted it for a fresh meal.

Reaction
J: "This is the *best* welcome home!"
M: "Booze as condiment - yum!"