Aaron and I started this business for many reasons, but one of the main reasons was to create a life where we could dinner together every night.  Since Aaron was working Chez Panisse (hence working nights) and I was working at Paula LeDuc Fine Catering in Sales (mostly daytime work) we passed eachother like ships in the night.  Now that we are able to have dinner together, it is a very important and symbolic time in our day; a time that reminds us why we opened The Local Butcher Shop and why we are working so hard.  I share that with you to explain why I take our dinner menu planning so seriously and I have limited time to shop and prep.  Thus, I make a weekly dinner menu and I go to the grocery store once a week, to the farmer’s market twice a week (I have to go twice a week to pick up produce for our Sandwich of the Day anyway), and, yes, I do go to the butcher shop every day.

Many people have asked for me to post our weekly menus for inspiration.  So, I will do my best to post “What’s for dinner at the Rocchino’s” weekly.

Here goes!

Monday: Roman style pizza at adesso in Oakland

Tuesday: Frozen North Carolina White Shrimp turned into Shrimp Scampi with Capellini and a salad of Little Gem Lettuces and Cucumber with a Meyer Lemon Olive Oil and Katz’s Sparkling Wine Vinegar Vinaigrette.  The recipe I used was delicious! http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Shrimp-Scampi-Pasta-234258

Wednesday: Pork Ribs with Honey and Anise from Nigel Slater’s book A Kitchen Diary: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2003/oct/12/foodanddrink.shopping1 with Stir Fried Bok Choy and Rice

Thursday: Zucchini Pancakes with Double Brie from Donna Hay’s book The New Cook: http://cookbookoftheday.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-week-i-opened-mailbox-and-there.html with Red Leaf Lettuce Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette

Friday: Sicilian Style Albacore Tuna from SirenSeaSA: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sicilian-Tuna-355420 with a Fennel, Watercress and Pear Salad from Nigel Slater’s book A Kitchen Diary: http://www.recipething.com/recipes/show/1736-fennel-watercress-and-pear-salad

Saturday: Our 5 Year Anniversary! Going to Plum for dinner to celebrate!

Sunday: Macaroni with Fontina and Narsai’s Mustard from Nigel Slater’s book A Kitchen Diary (yes, I am getting through the whole book! I started in January!): http://opistachio.blogspot.com/2010/10/mustard-fontina-macaroni-cheese.html with Little Gem Lettuces and Cherry Tomatoes.

Monday: Roasted Green Chili and Lime Quail from Donna Hay’s book The New Cook

 

Let me know if you like this idea and if I should include more info or less info…or your thoughts in general on this post.