Coq au Vin for Dinner tonite :)

Recipe:

• 2 1/2 to 3 pounds of 1 whole chicken (cut up)  
• 2 tbs. olive oil  
• Salt and freshly ground pepper 
• 1 or 2 large cloves of garlic, chopped 
• 1 imported bay leaf 
• 1/4 tsp or so thyme
• 1 large ripe red unpeeled tomato, chopped, (or 1/3 cup canned Italian plum tomatoes) 
• 2 cups table red wine (Zinfandel, Merlot or Chianti type)
• 2 cup chicken stock (or more)
• 2 sprigs of rosemary  
• 1 large red onion (roughly chopped) 
• 2-3 cups fresh mushrooms
• 1 stalk of celery (roughly chopped)
• 1 bag of baby carrots
• Beurre manie, for the sauce (2 tbs.each of flour/softened butter blended to a paste) or use constarch with water (equal portion)

1.  Brown the chicken with olive oil using a big pot
2. Flame the chicken with the brandy, if you wish -- it does give its own special flavor, besides being fun to do.
3. Add all above ingredients in the pot.  Then proceed to simmer the chicken in the wine, stock, tomatoes and seasoning  in the pot (except the mushroooms, add in last 1/2 hour of cooking).
4. Simmer on medium low for 2-3 hours
5. Thicken the sauce with cornstarch (4 tablespoons) or Beurre manie during the last 20 min of cooking.

Makes 4 servings.

Healthy and Hearty Rolled Oats Pancakes

• 1 cup of Cottage Cheese (low fat. used 2%)
• 1 cup of Rolled Oats (grounded in Food Processor)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup of lowfat milk or soy/almond milk
• 4 packets of splenda (or 1/4 cup of sugar)
• Dash of cinnamon/nutmeg
• Spray oil

Makes 4-6 pancakes

1. Mix all ingrediants in a medium size bowl - mixture should be thick like pancake mix/add more milk if desired

2. Spray oil on pan. Pour mixture into pancake size circles on to a frying pan

3. Cook 5-8 min on each side

4. Serve with fresh fruit and maple syrup

Reese Witherspoon's Wedding choos!

http://www.jimmychoo.com/bridal/macy/invt/010macysat/

Full Story: http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2011/03/reese-witherspoons-jimmy-choo.html

Dinner tonight - Braised Masala Lamb Shank/Shoulder

Receipe:

4 lamb shanks/shoulder (1.5 pounds)
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 medium sized Onion, halved and sliced into thin half-moons
1 can of tomatoes or 2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 cup Table Dry Red Wine
2 cups of chicken stock
2 cups of water
1 large stalk of celery
2 cups of chopped carrots or baby carrots
Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Salt and Pepper to taste
Serves 2-4

1. Using a large pot, brown lamb/celery/onions and garlic, stir for 5 min, add in salt/peper, garam masala
2. Add chicken stock, tomatos and red wine/water, turn heat down to medium low
3. Let it cook for 2.5 - 3 hours
4. Serve with Brown/white rice or pasta