week of 9/24

baked potato bar: cheddar cheese, scallions, bacon, sour cream, broccoli

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/orange-pecan-french-toast/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=orange%20pecan%20french%20toast&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page - anniversary breakfast. Absolutely amazing.. and this is coming from someone that doesn't really like nuts!

http://jessieheaviland.blogspot.com/2010/01/chicken-lemon-dill-and-orzo.html +asparagus- I love meals that can be thrown together in 15-20 min. This is one of those. And it tastes great!

Ben was a rockstar with cooking a huge dinner for my birthday. He served

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/05/marinated-caprese-salad.html- this really can't be beat
baked brie on rosemary bread
olive tapenade on french bread

3 different kinds of flat bread:

bbq chicken- shredded rotisserie chicken coated in bbq sauce, with sliced red onions & cilantro, topped with cheddar cheese

brie, pear & candied pecans- sliced brie & pear, and used this recipe for the pecans:

Quick Spiced Pecans:
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups pecan halves
1 tablespoon sugar
For the pecans, melt the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the spices and then the pecans. Toast the nuts, stirring often, until the color deepens slightly and they are lightly toasted, about 5-7 minutes. 

kalamata olives, feta & marinated artichoke hearts. The base was a combination of a little bit of the artichoke marinated, some melted butter & garlic

For dessert:

http://jessieheaviland.blogspot.com/2011/10/chocolate-cake.html- can't be beat