Dirty Bananas & a Menu Post

After such a hectic last week, I am looking forward to some quality time in the kitchen trying some new recipes.  Cooking is so therapeutic for me!  I find that I am feeling my most cheerful when I can get to yoga class throughout the week and when I can spend some time in the kitchen.  Good news is, I've completed all of my physical therapy and have been cleared to be able to go back to the gym and yoga!  Yeah!  To celebrate being able to go back to exercising, I have a lovely, healthful menu planned for the week.

Sunday night we will be enjoying chicken club salads.  In last month's Cooking Light, I saw a mouthwatering open-faced chicken club sandwich and thought that I'd deconstruct the sandwich and make it a salad.  Monday and Tuesday, we will be dining on the ever so popular blogosphere meal slow cooker French dip sandwiches with another popular blog side kale chips.  I've studied several recipes and have an idea of how to adapt the sandwich recipe so it is sans gluten.  Wednesday and Thursday, I will be experimenting with a touch of India by serving chana masala served over rice.  Friday, my mother and youngest sister will be rolling into town.  To entertain them without the La Bodega disappointment, I am making my own tapas- warm spiced lentils, grape leaves stuffed with herbed seasoned rice, and grilled gluten-free bread topped with smoked Gouda cheese and a tomato vinaigrette.

And, not to leave you all without a fun little recipe here is a cocktail my family and I enjoyed last weekend.  When I was a little girl, my grandfather always made ice cream drinks.  Bailey's and Kahlua for the adults and chocolate shakes for the kids.  My father has carried this special tradition on into our family.  You always know it is a good night when Chris, my dad, gets the blender out and whips up a few cordials:)  His latest beverage since vacationing in the Caribbean, a Dirty Banana.  These are traditionally made using rum cream; however, none was to be found so we used Rum Chata.  Ohhhhhh, Rum Chata!  This stuff tastes like a shot of French toast.  So good!  Here is how we made our Dirty Bananas

  Dirty Bananas

Ice
1 very ripe, frozen banana
1/3 cup coffee liquor
1/3 cup Rum Chata

In a blender, blend all ingredients until smooth.  This is a lovely taste of the Caribbean!