Dinner for friends who are not Schmucks.

I made dinner for my friends.

Sometimes I spend too much money on frivolous things like cropped white skinny jeans and Anthropologie cardigans. Those sometimes are more frequent when my husband is out of town. Retail therapy -- ever heard of it? It works wonders on a lonely wife. When it's just me and I realize I spent my weekly cash flow on things to adorn myself with instead of things to stuff my belly with, I am ok with it until I remember how awesome my friends are to me in my lonely state - taking me to dinner, allowing me to be a temporary "squatter" in their home, inviting me to family-only functions even though I'm technically not a member of their family, and supplying a shoulder to cry on when I'm in my most vulnerable and bummed out state - I decide the economical and nice thing to do for them to say 'thank you' is to make them dinner.

And so I did. I made dinner for my friends. These friends are not schmucks.

Avocado, tomato, and scallion spread (not to be confused with guacamole) on toasty fresh country bread, sprinkled with a little kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Leftover Costco jalapeno artichoke dip. (what? that's not gourmet? sure it is!)

Roasted corn with fresh herb butter, served alongside grilled chicken breast with chipotle peach sauce.

Mixed greens with candied walnuts and goat cheese. (a staple in my house)

And the best course? Fresh peach and blueberry crumble with vanilla ice cream. Recipe by none other than the Barefoot Contessa herself.

Be my friend. I'll make you dinner. Or just click on the links and make yourself these fantabulous dishes before summer's end rears its ugly little head.

P.S. For those wondering how and why Sensei let me eat this meal that included both bread AND dessert (and the inevitable 1/3 bottle of wine...) this meal happened before he entered the picture. All dinners will be significantly more boring from here on out. I promise.