Friday's Shopping List

So here is this weeks shopping list followed by 5 dinner meals and directions. One thing to note, I've made the assumption that you have in your pantry things like pepper, salt, butter etc. Please read through the directions in case there is something you don't have. Also you do not need to eat the meals in the order that I have put them down, mix and match to find meals that fit your schedule, some meals will be quick and easy and some will take a little longer.

List:
- pecans
- walnuts
- eggs
- potatoes (1 or 2 yukon gold or russet potatoes will do)
- a bag of hearts of romaine lettuce
- dried cranberries
- goat cheese (a soft chevre will be perfect)
- large cucumber (preferably english or hot house because it has less seeds)
- container of grape or other small size tomatoes
- bunch of scallions
- block of sharp cheese (preferably white, yellow cheese is often colored to look that way)
- lemons
- orzo
- bag of frozen shrimp (you want uncooked, devined, cleaned, tail-off or easy peel but make sure it's uncooked)
- block of feta
- some kind of seafood ravioli such as crab
- heavy cream
- parm cheese (from now on I will consider this a staple)
- bag of large carrots
- honey
- head of broccoli
- 1 14 oz can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 shallot

Things to pick up on the day or within a day or so of making the meal
- tilapia (just one fillet if it's just for you or 2 if it's for you and someone else)
- one steak/chicken breast or a half pound of bacon (this is to top a salad so you just need one of these)
- 1 lbs salmon

Meal 1: Pecan crusted tilapia with mashed potatoes and carrots

Fish: finely chop a handful or two of pecans mix in some salt and pepper and put on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Rinse fish and pat dry. sprinkle fish with flour so it's covered and a little bit of salt and pepper and then dip it in one egg (take an egg and gently whisk it in a shallow bowl) then take fish and cover it with the pecans. In a pan on the stove warm some olive oil and place the fish in the pan. Cook the fish flipping once until cooked through (about 5-10 minutes depending on the size of the fish.

mashed potatoes - I'm making an assumption that everyone can make mashed potatoes but if you want some tips send me a note and I'm happy to share

carrots - peel and chop carrots into pieces that would be comfortable to eat (I would cook about 2-3 carrots per person.) fill a small bowl with just enough water to cover the carrots. Bring water and carrots to a boil and cook until just soft. Drain. Add butter, salt and pepper and some honey to taste

Meal 2: Large salad - hint: when I get home from the store the first thing I do is wash all my lettuce. I take my time soaking it and drying it and then put it in a bag so that it's easy to use the rest of the week

First: Either broil a chicken breast or bake it quickly in the oven or take a piece of steak and cook it on the stove top. If you are using bacon cook this up first. At the same time make one or two hard boiled eggs (*note I often do this at the beginning of the week too because hard boiled eggs are a great thing to have in your fridge.)

take some lettuce and break it into bite size pieces and add to a big bowl. Add half of the cucumber cut up, half of the tomatoes (sliced in half) 2 - 3 scallions sliced, sharp cheese cut into cubs and the egg. Cut into cubs or sliced. Mix with salad dressing or oil, vinegar and salt & pepper (I prefer Italian Seasons make at home dressing but you can use whatever.) Add the meat you made to the top of the salad and eat with some bread

Meal 3: Greek style orzo with shrimp

Make orzo according to directions. In the meantime thaw your shrimp and cook it over the stove top with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. Let the shrimp cool. When orzo is done, drain it and run cold water over it and set it aside. In a large bowl add the other half of the cucumber, cut in cubes, the other half of the tomatoes, sliced in half, 2-3 scallions sliced, a large handful of feta, crumbled up a tablespoon or two of olive oil (you might need to add more once it's mixed) the juice of one or two lemons (again mix and taste to see if you need more) and some salt and pepper. Add in the orzo and the shrimp and mix together.

Meal 4: Crab ravioli with a lemon cream sauce and salad

Cook the ravioli according the package.

Take some lettuce and spread it on a small plate. Sprinkle with dried cranberries, walnuts and goat cheese. Top with some sort of a balsamic/Italian dressing - set aside

Stir a 1/2 cup of heavy cream and the juice of one lemon together over medium heat to blend. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and stir until the butter is melted (about 3 minutes) add 4 tablespoons more of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of parm cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest and some salt and pepper. Stir over low heat until the sauce thickens (a few more minutes)

Top the ravioli with the sauce and serve with the salad

Meal 5: baked salmon with broccoli

Sprinkle bottom of a 9x13 pan with olive oil. Rub the salmon in the oil so it coats both sides and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Stir the can of chopped tomatoes, the chopped shallots, 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of oregano, salt and pepper in a medium bowl to blend.

Spoon the tomato mixture over the salmon. Cover pan with foil and bake at 400 degrees until the salmon is just cooked through, about 25 minutes.

Fill a pan with a little bit of water and boil the broccoli until just tender. Drain and cover with butter, salt & pepper and parm cheese.

Serve with a roll