Birthday Dinner...

So...

My wonderful husband just turned 35 yesterday...(yay)!

and 

we couldn't celebrate, because he had a softball game...(boo...)

So...

My wonderful sister in law is taking our son for the evening...

so we can spend some quality time together...(yay)!

I am off work and busy getting our dinner together for tonight...

(& doing some school supply shopping too)!

(cause if you don't go now...Target's supplies get pretty thin...)

So...

Here is the menu!!!!

Cupcake Merlot

Ina Garten's Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Pan Fried Scallops

French Bread w/ Spicy Olive Oil Dipping Sauce

Yumm...

Ina Gartens Cape Cod Chopped Salad

Serves 4 to 5

8 slices (8 ounces) thick-cut bacon, such as Niman Ranch


8 ounces baby arugula

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced

1/2 cup toasted walnut halves, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries

6 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled

For the Dressing:

3 tablespoons good apple-cider vinegar

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

2 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2/3 cup good olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and lay the bacon slices on the rack. Roast the bacon for about 20 minutes, until nicely browned. Allow to cool.

3. In a large bowl, toss together the arugula, apple, walnuts, cranberries, and blue cheese. For the dressing, whisk together the vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.

4. Chop the bacon into large pieces and add it to the salad. Toss the salad with just enough dressing to moisten. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and toss well. Serve immediately.

Happy Birthday my Love...