This Week's Menu and Shopping List

This week has some of my favorite recipes. I love comfort food - and the baked ziti and pot roast recipes fit the bill perfectly. I also love having really fancy, but affordable dinners at home - Monday's meal is a perfect example. And who doesn't love fast, effortless meals (on Friday you basically just put Wednesday's leftovers on rice - which changes the consistency and flavor a little, but is so easy!) Finally, I also love indulging in a great dish that has taken some time and effort...but pays off! This dish for me was the phenomenal flourless chocolate cake recipe on Friday. So good. I hope you enjoy your dinners this week as much as I did!

Menu
Monday: A Parisian Feast: French Onion Soup au Gratin and Steamed Mussels
Tuesday: Baked Ziti
Wednesday: Pot Roast and Vegetables with Mashed Potatoes
Thursday: Cheesy Chicken, Potato Cakes, and Roast Asparagus
Friday: Beef and Tomatoes on Rice
Super Fun Recipe: Chocolate Cracked Earth (Flourless Chocolate Cake)

Shopping List
Produce
1 bundle green asparagus (1/2 - 1 lb.)
3 yellow onions
2 lb. onions, (approx. 6 cups)
5 garlic cloves
1 bunch baby carrots
2 celery stalks
1 cup button mushrooms
8 medium potatoes

Pantry
Olive oil (at least 10 Tbls)
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 1/2 cups beef stock
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 1/2 cups store-bought (or homemade) tomato sauce
1 pound ziti or rigatoni noodles (whole wheat preferred)
1 1/2 cups uncooked rice

Bakery Aisle
3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1 pound bittersweet chocolate
5 Tbls flour
2 tsp. sugar
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Spices
7 sprigs fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
Salt and Pepper

Meat and Seafood
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (3 to 4 pound) piece beef chuck roast
2 lb. mussels, scrubbed and cleaned

Dairy and Refrigerated
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 stick butter (I use salted)
5 Tbls butter
1 ½ cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup plus ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
3 cups shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
9 large eggs
1 cup firm tofu, mashed well or pureed (1/2 of a 14-oz. block)

Baby Food
1 2nd stage foods container pureed carrots
1 2nd stage container pureed sweet potatoes

Bakery
1 baguette

Other
4 Tbls cognac
½ cup dry white wine (can substitute chicken stock)