Weekend cooking frenzy

I said I would stay away from the computer this weekend, but here I am. Thinking about dinner tonight ... I'm making macaroni and cheese (rather, penne and cheese) for Oliver, along with Parmesan chicken. The mac & cheese is from Martha -- I got the recipe from one of those direct mail pieces she sends, and this, supposedly, is her most requested recipe *ever*. The chicken recipe is from a fabulous cookbook called Barefoot Contessa Family Style by Ina Garten. Back in the 1990s, I used to spend a lot of time in East Hampton, Long Island, and frequented Ms. Garten's store. Mmm, they made the best salsa -- this intense tomato-ey dip with the merest hint of heat (I'm not a chili head). And I recall there being a lot of cilantro, which is odd because I was watching "The Barefoot Contessa" on the Food Network last week, where Ms. Garten said she disliked cilantro. Hmm. But I digress.

We're off to Whole Foods (Deb, that's a natural foods supermarket) to buy asparagus, shrimp, lamb chops, and other assorted goodies. I'm making a custard tonight with some rhubarb I had tucked away in the freezer. And maybe a monkey bread for DH in the a.m. (it's our wedding annversary tomorrow). :-)

Pictures forthcoming ....