Weekend Wrap-up

We have had a fun, busy weekend.  It got off to a great start with a strawberry margarita and enchiladas with mole sauce.  Am I the last one to know about enchiladas with mole sauce?  My new favorite Mexican dish because it is DELICIOUS!!

Saturday morning we were able to sleep in, which is always a bonus, before Jack's soccer game.  The Blue Tornadoes pulled out another win and celebrated with Slushies and candy from the concession stand!  We came home and watched the Arkansas v Auburn game (Auburn looks good) while the boys played with our neighbors.  A new family has moved in next door and they have 4 children.  They are a wonderful family and a God-send; our children love to play together so Elizabeth and I just keep our back doors open and listen as they go from one back yard to the other playing, exploring, running and laughing.  I am thrilled that they are spending so much time outside playing the way I did when I was a child.

Saturday night, we went over to our friend's home for a football party.  Everybody brought something to share and we had what looked like a Thanksgiving spread....wings, meatballs, pulled pork sandwiches, wraps, buffalo chicken dip, hummus, olive tapenade, chips and dip, and candy-coated pretzels, cookies, brownies, and s'mores.  We were full as ticks and were taking bets on which kid would be the first to throw up!  We were watching the South Carolina v Kentucky game with some of our friends who are SC alumni.  One of their sons was running around with a SC helmet on, and Kris kept apologizing to me.  No need to apologize to me because I understand that kind of passion!  The party lasted till the Alabama kickoff and then everyone had to get home to put the children to bed.  I stayed up to cheer on the Tide, because you can never be too confident these days.  And we need a bye week soon...our poor guys are the walking wounded out there.

A couple of weeks ago, we bought some Porterhouse steaks from the local butcher, and that was the best steak I have ever put in my mouth.  I am not really a steak person, but these were so juicy and had the best flavor.  Our Jack was all over that steak bone.  This past week Brent and I were planning what we wanted to cook this weekend and I had been craving the Herb and Garlic Lamb Loin Chops, so we went back to the butcher for the loin chops.  Once again, we were not disappointed, they were delicious.  You pay a bit more for the meat but it is restaurant-quality, much better than the cuts you can find in the grocery stores.   

We had the Loin Chops with Dill New Potatoes and Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.  On his second serving of lamb, Will declared it the "best meat ever!", which is completely unheard of from Will, so I have to share the recipe.

Herb and Garlic Lamb Loin Chops

• 4 lamb loin chops (be sure to get the loin chops over the regular lamb chops)
• 1/4 c olive oil
• 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Combine olive oil, thyme, basil, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a bowl.  Spoon marinade over chops, coating both sides evenly.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.  Preheat the grill.  Place lamb chops on grill over a medium high heat.  Grill about 5 minutes per side.  Chops should be brown on both sides.

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

• 1 pound this asparagus, ends trimmed
• 3 oz prosciutto
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.  Cut prosciutto slices lengthwise into 2 thin strips.  Gather 3 to 4 asparagus spears and carefully wrap prosciutto around asparagus bundle.  Continue until all ingredients are used.  Place asparagus bundles on baking sheet.  In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice.  Drizzle over asparagus.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Roast in oven for 8 to 10 minutes.