Dutch Oven Cornbread with Fig Jam

Looking for the perfect side to your next BBQ bash? Look no further than Dutch Oven Cornbread with Fig Jam. I served it at my Superbowl party along with my favorite baked beans (recipe to come), and Martha's Mac n' Cheese and it truly was the fan favorite.  For the mains I left it to the pro's (of Smoque BBQ in Chicago) and served BBQ ribs, chopped brisket and pulled pork. It was a simple yet delightful entertaining move.   

PC: Bon Appetit

Winter Kale Salad

Here's the perfect weeknight salad that you can whip together in no time: 

KALE SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, GOAT CHEESE & HONEY-CIDER VINAIGRETTE

PC/Recipe: RecipeGirl

Recipe after the jump: 

Chicken Parm Meatballs

My love of meatballs is evergrowing since I've discovered variations like chicken parm that is not only delicious but the perfect antidote to cold Winter nights and hungry tummies. They're also a lighter version of the real deal which is perfect for a week night. Serve them with whole wheat pasta marinara and roasted asparagus. Or a tuscan shredded kale salad. 

Recipe after the jump.

PC and Recipe: Dinner: A Love Story

General Tso's Chicken

In honor of the Chinese New Year, I whipped up General Tso's chicken to warm up my heart and soul on a recent freezing Friday night. While the traditional cooking method calls for deep frying the chicken in vegetable oil, I baked it for a lower fat version that tastes anything but.

I paired it with Gwyneth Paltrow's (amazing) Salad with carrot and ginger dressing to start and Food & Wine's Kung Pao brussel sprouts. The only thing missing was fortune cookies. 

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Recipe for General Tso's Chicken after the break 

PC: CookingClassy, Goop, Food & Wine

TGIF

Friday nights have taken on a whole new meaning since I started a family. While I'll spare you the details of my thrilling days of yesteryear, I've come to the conclusion that getting older actually rocks-everything except the wrinkles. The meals are better, the wine is high end, and the company is unbeatable.

Here's a recent Friday night meal that was better than a steakhouse:

To start:

Standard Wedge salad:

I like mine with chopped tomato, red onion, crumbled blue cheese and balsamic vinaigrette

Strip Steaks with red wine-rosemary butter:

With or without the butter, this steak prep is the best

Twice Baked Potatoes with Kale (recipe to follow)

Dessert: 

a piece of dark chocolate and berries 

PC: Huffington Post, Giada Delaurentis, The Smitten Kitchen