the weekend, after all

March 12 2009 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Menu, Recipe » 17 comments

Between the constant onslaught of depressing news (economy, I’m looking at you), a long work week and The Return of Winter 2009 (happens every year; why am I still stunned?), I am so ready for the weekend. I can almost taste it: mindlessness, lazing, puttering, strolling—all the luxuries that the work week dispenses with. And there’s only a mere Friday (lovely in its own right) standing between me and this weekendly luxury! It’s enough to make a girl giddy.

I’m extra excited for this weekend because we spent last weekend in Boston (photos here). It was a great trip—unexpectedly glorious weather, an excellent tour guide (Kevin’s sister, who we were visiting), wonderful co-tourists (Kevin’s parents) and a belly constantly full of delicious food—but it left me exhausted. So, I’m looking forward to more of a hunker-down kind of weekend this time around.

It’s weekends like this when I love to put together a fun meal for just Kevin and me. Maybe it’s a pan of lasagna or fresh-from-the-grill burgers or steaks alongside a heap of oven fries—all things more decadent or time consuming than our average weeknight meal. One of my favorite things to do is to throw ourselves a fiesta for two, and that’s the menu I’m sharing today.

This fiesta begins and ends with blood orange margaritas. I make no bones about: these drinks are the clincher of the meal. I think you should still be able to find blood oranges in the markets, though they could be close to disappearing. If they’re gone, no matter. Just replace the blood orange juice with the freshly-squeezed juice of any other citrus, like grapefruit or lime.

Between sips of these frosty, fuschia cocktails, there will chips and salsa, of course, and maybe even a bowl of guacamole. You can munch on those things as you prepare the main attractions: chipotle chicken burritos and a chickpea salad, full of lime, cilantro and manchego.

At the end of a meal like this—hearty, flavorful, filling—I don’t want much in the way of dessert. Kevin, my co-fiesta-er tends to disagree and for this reason I’ve added a little something in to round out the meal: key lime bars. I suppose I could probably manage a tiny square. It is the weekend, after all.

Fiesta Menu

Blood Orange Margaritas
•
Salsa & Guacamole
•
Chipotle Chicken Burritos
•
Chickpea Salad with Cilantro & Lime
•
Key Lime Bars

Check out some other menus here.

17 comments so far. »
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Amy says on March 12 2009 at 6:32 pm:

Ole! I just finished writing my post about March doldrums (I’m in the thick of them), only to click over here and see a fuschia cocktail! Hellooo, blood orange margarita. You are a site for sore, winter-weary eyes!

We’re up for fiestas anytime, and this menu looks terrific. Happy (early) weekend, Kristin.
amy says on March 12 2009 at 6:40 pm:

wow two amys in a row…gotta be a good sign or something like that right? ugh i feel you with the return of winter thing…i hate how spring teases you with glorious temperatures and sun and then takes it all back those key lime bars look like a temporary cure to me, i’ll be making them soon!
-amy
http://asliceoflohrpie.blogspot.com
Whitney Merritt says on March 12 2009 at 8:18 pm:

The cold really was cruel this week. Good thing I am going to TX for my last spring break! Enjoy your lazy weekend.
LilSis says on March 12 2009 at 8:24 pm:

This menu looks amazing! I’m going to try the burritos and the margarita! Our daughter was in San Diego visiting for a week and just returned to Chicago; only to be welcomed home by yet another storm. I lived in Upstate NY for three years, so I can sympathize!

Thanks for the great menu! I hope it warms up in Chicago!
Polly Rice says on March 12 2009 at 11:21 pm:

This is why I love your website, we are constantly on the same tastebud wavelength…I made your blood orange margaritas last weekend (resounding success) and was literally logging on right now to get your key lime BAR recipe, which I’ve been meaning to make for months upon months. As we say here in California, Viva la fiesta!
Tabitha (From Single to Married) says on March 13 2009 at 4:24 am:

Boston’s such a great city, glad you were able to visit! And that guac looks fantastic – perfect weekend food!
KT says on March 13 2009 at 4:44 am:

Blood oranges – great idea! I read an article (food & wine maybe?) last month about using agave nectar in margaritas, and was looking to try that. Now I have the perfect recipe to experiment with, thanks!
bellaguinness says on March 13 2009 at 5:49 am:

Thank you, Kristin! This menu is perfect. We too are back to semi-winter temps and this is just the thing to make it sunny inside.
Treehouse Chef says on March 13 2009 at 6:05 am:

Great Menu!
GS says on March 13 2009 at 7:25 am:

I returned from a 2 week vacation last week to -27 Celsius (which is, I believe, about -16F) so I extend my sympathies! I was surprised and pleasantly delighted to see the change in your site; congratulations! As well, thanks for another wonderful menu idea; I think I’ll try this one next weekend (this weekend is actually not going to be Arctic and I want to get outside and enjoy it!!!). Happy Weekend!
Kaitlin says on March 13 2009 at 8:38 am:

I SO love your blog, Kristin! Beautiful, stunning pictures, and the most heavenly-sounding food. I especially enjoy the menus-I’m always struggling to figure out what goes together best when I’m making a menu. Glad to see you had a nice fiesta together!
Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary says on March 13 2009 at 9:50 am:

Hi, just found your blog via Lottie & Doof. Love it! I’m going to add you to my blog list for sure. Must go and now and read all the older posts!
Culinary Cory says on March 13 2009 at 1:29 pm:

I think I’m going to try the blood orange margaritas this weekend. It will wash the green beer down real well.
JC says on March 13 2009 at 3:11 pm:

Fantastic menu! I’m new to your site, via The Pioneer Woman, but I’m a fan already. That margarita alone has me itching to run to the store.
anya says on March 14 2009 at 7:29 am:

Hi Kristin!

I’ve just found the Kitchen Sink, what a great blog! Positively, will be back for more!

Best,
Anya
holler says on March 15 2009 at 10:08 am:

Lovely! I’ll have a glass of that too please
The Duo Dishes says on March 16 2009 at 12:56 pm:

Totally know what you mean. This is a festive menu to get anyone in a good mood. Especially the zippy key lime bars!