Make-Ahead Meals: Week 6 Recap (The Finale!)

Hello hello!  We've arrived at the final make-ahead meals post!  It's been a very rewarding experience, making and serving dinner at least a couple nights a week and challenging myself to use new ingredients and try new dishes.  This week, my favorite dish was the Mexican Chicken-and-Rice Soup, while Scott's was the Mediterranean Chicken Salad Pitas.

Since this is the final post, I have a special twist for you all.  My friend Mike writes an informative and entertaining blog entitled Beer For Dinner about...well, beer and food...two things that guys and girls alike can enjoy.  Through reading his blog, I've learned a lot about local breweries, lesser-known "must try" beers, and the perfect pairings to make the most of your beer + dinner experience.  Even better, he has used his expertise to select a great beer pairing for each of the last three Make-Ahead meals... what a treat!

Mediterranean Chicken Salad Pitas + Mike's beer pairing Stone Pale Ale
Building blocks: pulled chicken, roasted peppers
Ingredients: pitas, chicken, roasted peppers, tomato, cucumber, red onion, lettuce

Rigatoni with Apple and Squash + Mike's beer pairing Sierra Nevada Tumbler
Building block: roasted squash
Ingredients: pasta, bacon, sage, shallots, tart apple, roasted squash, parmesan

Mexican Chicken-and-Rice Soup + Mike's beer pairing 5 Rabbit Golden Ale
Building blocks: pulled chicken, rice pilaf

Ingredients: chicken broth, tomato salsa, lime juice, chicken, rice, monterey jack cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro