The Best of the Best- October at Dream Dinners

Well, finally, the "Best of the Best" month has arrived. We are featuring the dinners from the last year chosen as being the best by our guests and store owners from all over the country. We also have a new dinner, body + soul Moroccan Chicken with Pumpkin. body+soul, is a Martha Stewart publication and their kitchen whizzes in association with our chefs, have created this special dinner. Pumpkin, a "power" food, is combined with all-white meat chicken, carrots, green beans and warming spices, with just a slight sweetness delivered by raisins. This northern African inspired dish is unique and delicious and great for a family dinner or for entertaining. You will recognize many favorites this month, such as the Herb Crusted Flank Steak(pictured above), the Apple Crisp and the Chicken Mirabella among others. When we do a benefit or promotion, we rely upon the Herb Crusted Flank Steak and the Apple Crisp. They have become our calling cards so to speak...they are that good. The flank steak is tender and fully flavored and my favorite way to serve it is at room temperature or cold. On a buffet table, it stands out and never lasts long. At our house, I put it on crisp greens for a knock-out salad, dressed with a nice, simple vinaigrette. Or of course you can hit it out of the ballpark for your family and serve it with scalloped potatoes and green beans. The Apple Crisp. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....Now I can do a mean dessert myself, but my hat is off to our chef who created this winner. It combines tangy apples and raisins in a buttery, sweet filling that is topped off with a crunchy topping that includes walnuts. Oh, you have to taste it to believe it. We always get multiple requests for it. The Chicken Mirabella is very, very good. Both tangy and sweet, you will have it for dinner and then you will crave it after it is gone. I have been there and done that and I am not alone. Then there is the Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya. This is a baked rice dish that is filled with sweet shrimp, smoked sausage, tomatoes and other savory ingredients. Yummm. I add lots of hot sauce to mine and even a little red pepper. We like things a little spicy at home. Now that brings up a point. You can add to or subtract from your dinners, elements that you would like a little more or less of. My suggestion is that you try the dish the way the chef designed it, but if you know you like more garlic or that onion makes you burp, well, just do what you need to do. You know your family best. Well, that's just the tip of the October iceberg...there's lots to choose from this month. Click on the October Menu link to the right and get a look at what's in store right now.