Feeding Rachie - Birthday Dinner

My mom was in town for the 6 days before my birthday so we went out to dinner A LOT.  Italian at Anthony's Runway in Fort Lauderdale, Seafood at Joe's Stone Crab, casual Asian fusion at American Noodle, WE MADE OUR ROUNDS.  Needless to say, come Tuesday I was still full from THURSDAY, and we decided I would pick a meal and Nick was cooking for me!!  I chose Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa.  Then, in the last seconds of the meal being complete, I found a recipe for Cilantro-Lime salad dressing.  So, so, so pleased.

For the Chicken:
3 tablespoons of minced cilantro
1 lime (all the juice)
1 1/2 olive oil
2 large chicken breasts
salt

For the salsa:
1 chopped tomato (medium sized or a large plum tomato)
1 quarter of an onion minced
1 small lime (all the juice again)
1 avocado
salt
pepper

Combine the cilantro, olive oil, and lime juice.  Marinate the chicken in it while you prepare the salsa.  Chop the onion and tomato.  Cut the avocado.  Combine, squeeze the lime and salt and pepper to taste.  Put the chicken and marinade into the pan.  Lightly salt the chicken. 

As it cooked, I looked for a recipe and made the it. 

Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
2 garlic cloves
4 tablespoons  of olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon of honey
1/4 cup cilantro

Combine all ingredients in a blender and press the button!

At the very last second with the chicken,  I put the salsa in the pan with it for 1 minute.  Optional, no big deal, ENJOY!!  Oh yea, I also sprinkled feta over the whole meal! YUM!!

Gourmet Mac and Cheese!

Ok perhaps it isn't gourmet but it sure isnt Velveeta or Kraft and sure isn't run of the mill sharp cheddar.  Don't get me wrong I actually love all of the aformentioned but this mac and cheese was KILLER.  Nicky's initial taste was dislike, but as he continued to eat out of my bowl, that quickly changed.

Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese
Less then 1/2lb of gorgonzola (fresh from Laurenzo's, cut from a big wheel of happiness)
1 lb bag of regular pasta
5-6 tablespoons of butter
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
pepper to taste

Boil water and add the pasta.  Melt the butter and cook the garlic.  Add the cheese and melt that down.  Combine the cheese and pasta and pepper if you'd like.  Bon appetit!!