Recipe(tried): Fathers Day Menu for One!

FATHERS DAY MENU FOR ONEThis Menu, with my best wishes, to all my friends from my favorite message board, Cooking for One or Two. Don’t forget, pamper yourself, you are your best friend, take very good care of yourself. Half a bottle of a good wine is in order, while you cook, and finished at the table. Or, you might double the Menu and invite a very good friend.

LAMB CHOP WITH ARTICHOKE

1 medium artichoke
2 cups water
1 tb vinegar
2 tb olive oil
1 large lamb chop, trimmed
salt and pepper to taste
1 garlic clove, minced
tsp rosemary
1 8oz can plum tomatoes

Tear the tough outer leaves from the artichoke and trim the stem to inch. Using a sharp knife, cut off the very top of the artichoke. Cut the artichoke into quarters and remove the chokes. Drop the artichoke pieces into the water and vinegar to prevent darkening. Bring some salted water to a boil and parboil the artichoke pieces for 10 minutes. Heat the oil in a skillet and brown the lamb chop on both sides. Pour off the excess fat. Arrange the artichoke pieces around the meat. Add salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until meat and artichokes are tender. Reduce the sauce if it is too thin, and you might add a pinch of flour to give it substance.

PIQUANT MACARONI SALAD
This salad can be served with any ham or beef, or by itself with sliced cooked sausages. Recipe can be doubled or tripled easily.

cup cooked elbow macaroni
1 tb chopped green onion
2 tb sliced radishes
2 tb chopped red bell pepper
2 tb sliced celery
2 tb mayonnaise
1tsp prepared mustard
tsp prepared horseradish
salt and ground pepper

Toss the macaroni with the onion, radishes, green pepper and celery. Mix together the mayonnaise, mustard and horseradish, combine with the macaroni and toss again. Season to taste with salt and pepper and chill. Serve with the lamb chop.

I also suggest a big slice of store bought New York Deli cheesecake, as dessert. Once upon a time we can give ourselves the indulgence. HAPPY FATHERS DAY!