November 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 1

Hope y’all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  I am still marveling at the fact that we managed to host both families at our home this year without a hiccup!  We pulled off a very traditional meal by using the smoker for the turkey, and the single oven for the sides.  I also made sure to make a strong batch of punch which I think made everything else taste better! 

I was home in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, so I have a few kitchen-tested recipes to share.  All of them were easy to make after work or partially in advance for a quick weeknight dinner.  

As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and share my blog with your friends!  

Mapo Tofu with Ground Pork

RECIPES

Winter Greens Salad with Buttermilk Dressing, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, November 2016, page 137

Panang Chicken Curry, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2010, page 24

Steak With Mixed Peppercorns And Pomegranate Glaze, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2009, page 56

Spiced Lamb Meatballs With Walnut Romesco, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2016, page 18

Weeknight Mapo Tofu With Ground Pork, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2016, page 52

GROCERY LIST

Produce

4 cups arugula 

8 ounces Belgian and curly endive

6 cups arugula or spinach

2 bunches scallions

1 bunch fresh rosemary

1 bunch parsley

1 bunch cilantro

1 bunch tarragon

1 bunch chives

1 bunch Thai basil or regular basil

2 red bell peppers

1 jalapeño

1 medium tomato

1 ginger root

1 medium onion

1 head garlic

Pomegranate juice

Fresh lemon juice

Dairy and Frozen

Eggs

1 pound silken tofu

Buttermilk

Meat and Seafood

1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1.25 pounds top sirloin steak

1 pound ground lamb

.5 pound ground pork

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Balsamic vinegar

Sherry vinegar

Kosher salt

Coriander seeds

Cumin seeds

Ground black pepper

Peppercorn mélange

Chipotle chile powder

Cayenne pepper

Sweet paprika

Paprika

Sugar

Golden brown sugar

Cornstarch

Tomato paste

Fish sauce

2 cans unsweetened coconut milk

1 can low-sodium chicken broth

Thai red curry paste

8 ounces bamboo shoots

Chinese black bean garlic sauce

1/4 cup Chopped walnuts

1 cup chopped pecans

Rice

Hard to Find Ingredients

8 kaffir lime leaves

Tamarind paste

Sichuan peppercorns