Aside from the major dinner (see menu below) on Saturday, we’ve remained pretty true to our no shopping until the freezer is empty rule. First, our Happy Birthday Julia (and Cindy) dinner, honoring Julia Child. The menu was inspired by her, but not entirely taken verbatim out of her famous book The Art of French Cooking.

Brandade on croutons

Potato Leek Soup

Mussel souffle with saffron cream

Roasted squab with duxelle and chicken liver spread

Boeuf Bourgignon

Roquefort cheese tart

Chocolate pots de creme

So now we have plenty of leftovers. Plus sous chef Maria brought fresh eggs, peaches, lemons, potatoes and tomatoes from her and family gardens. We are pretty well stocked. Last week we enjoyed tortellini and pesto, chicken and vegetarian enchiladas, pasta tossed with lemon and artichoke hearts.