So I’m forgoing the food art this week in favor of a picture of my cat, Chloe. Her Halloween costume last year was at least food-related, so it’s not too much of a stretch to include here.

Chloe had a bit of a rough go last week when she got a tumor removed from her leg. We’re still waiting on the test results. Since she kept picking at the stitches, she has to wear a blue e-collar for the next week, too. I keep trying not to laugh at her, since that only seems to intensify her laser stares of rage. She gets annoyed when I sing the Darth Vader theme at her, too.

We’re eating at home all week this week in order to offset the expense of her surgery, which cost about as much as a birthday dinner at Congress Austin or Uchiko would have. (Here’s to next year’s birthday dinner!) Here’s what I’m cooking with:

And here’s what I’m making:

Meal One: Roasted okra sprinkled with garam masala, served with field pea hummus, pita bread and Indian chicken skewers

Meal Two: Red Aztec spinach and rice, sliced watermelon on the side

Meal Three: South Indian stir-fried potatoes and peppers, pita bread,cucumber raita

Meal Four: Crock pot chicken and potatoes, sliced watermelon on the side

Meal Five: Eggplant Parmesan with spaghetti