Cleaning Out The Fridge

Thursday night I realized I needed to cook up a pair of pork loin roasts and so put them on a bed of Walla Walla Sweet onions and then on one did a BBQ sauce while the other got an apple jelly/Dijon mustard glaze. I had gotten the glaze from Jodie a couple of weeks ago and it held up quite nicely.  They turned out amazing and will be food for the weekend. Also, took some fresh green beans and blanched them up and tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette and added some slivered almonds and Parmesan cheese. Over the weekend I will need to use up the beef steak tomatoes I have i the fridge - perhaps with some mozzarella cheese for a fun summer salad. Want to get the fridge cleaned out before Wednesday departure. 

Last night was dinner at Markie's place.  Was to see him last Sunday at my place but that did not work out.  From what he shared I am the third of three dinner parties and he plans to have a quiet weekend before flying off to Kansas City for a few days.  It seems he has a full schedule for the next month as he ramps it up to his birthday cruise in September.  Since I moved to Lake City in April we have not seen each other nearly like we used to and not out of desire.  It is just a lot further to commute and boy, trying to get to his place from mine during the week is no longer a 20 minute drive, more like hour+.  Thus, we tend to focus towards Friday - Sunday.

Arriving a little earlier than usual I decided to head to his place directly from work as it was Friday and knew it could be a real hassle.  Actually arrived before him by about 5-10 minutes and that was just fine.  We had not seen each other for a while and so between cocktails and conversation he created dinner.  First up, a stunning red and yellow tomato salad with mozzarella.  A nice drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a few herbs added.  AMAZING!

As we chatted along he proceeded to share that he has a 5 liter bottle of wine that needs to be enjoyed sometime soon.  Perhaps for a birthday party for him in September.  Here is a festive photo of Markie, well being Markie.

We enjoyed the news and he pan fried some steaks and there was a lovely bundle of asparagus he tossed in the pan to cook on top of the steaks.  As you can see above and below, quite the meal.  If you have noticed over the past several posts, carbohydrates are really not a part of my life any more.  I do have to include 80 units a day, but it is such a difference from a couple of years ago when they were front and center. 

It seems that more and more people I know are dropping them and moving forward.  It does make for a fun and creative cooking culture.  Monday - Friday, I usually have oatmeal for breakfast and thus take care of the day.  Weekends I allow for creative options like pasta or a bagel to keep things interesting.  So below is how the dinner ended up on the plate and just because it was so lovely, a shot of the sky as the clouds begin to arrive.

Enjoy the weekend and stay cool if it is getting too hot for you!  Here in Seattle it is in the 70's with clouds and there is suppose to be some sprinkles at some point today.  No problem.  Groceries are delivered and no plans to do much.  My kind of relaxing weekend.