February 2017 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 1

Are y’all enjoying this warm February weather as much as I am?  I can’t believe it’s 70 outside!  All of this sunshine and warm weather is causing me to clean up our patio and order new outdoor dishes so we are ready for Spring!   

I know it’s hard to grocery shop and get ready for the work week when it’s this beautiful outside, but hopefully I can help you find a few quick dinner ideas to make cooking this week a bit easier!  Most of the recipes featured below are super easy to make after work.  You can prepare both chicken dishes the night before, and finish cooking them in under 30 minutes.  The pork tenderloin was also a quick and flavorful meal— serve it with a side of microwave spaghetti squash and dinner is on the table in under 30 minutes. As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and share my blog with your friends!

Chicken with Crispy Rice next to the recipe

RECIPES

Hanger Steak with Spicy Lemon Couscous, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, February 2013, page 43

Chicken with Crispy Rice, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, February 2017, page 30

Skillet Pork Tenderloin with Mustard and Smoked Paprika, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, February 2017, page 44

Fried Catfish, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, February 2012, page 79

Easy Chicken Masala, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, February 2010, page 54

Thai-Spiced Lamb Shoulder, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, February 2016, page 104

GROCERY LIST

Produce

1 lemon

1 lime

1 avocado

1 bunch cilantro

1 bunch Thai or regular basil

2 bunches scallions 

4 small carrots

1 small fennel bulb

1 ginger root

2 small onions

2 medium shallots

1 head garlic

Dairy and Frozen

Plain whole-milk yogurt

Meat and Seafood

1 pound hanger or skirt steak

2 chickens cut into pieces

2 1-pound pork tenderloins

4 pounds well-trimmed boneless lamb shoulder

6 5-7 ounce catfish fillets 

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Kosher salt

Black pepper

Crushed red pepper flakes

Smoked paprika

Cayenne pepper

Garlic powder

Black peppercorns 

Soy sauce

Fish sauce

Thai red chile paste

Dijon mustard

Hot sauce

Low-sodium chicken broth

Granulated sugar

Flour

Baking powder

White cornmeal 

Couscous

Green olives (Castelvetrano)

Sushi rice

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Garam masala

Palm sugar or light brown sugar

Chinese black vinegar or aged balsamic vinegar

Thai shrimp paste or 3 minced oil-packed anchovies

January 2017 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 2

Happy final day of dry January!  Have you been able to successfully keep any cooking resolutions you made for 2017?  I am happy to report that I have completed both another dry January, and avoided restaurants for the month.  Many of the recipes featured below did double duty for both dinners and lunches!  

Furthermore, after seeing so many inspirational pictures online, I'm already thinking about fully embracing the Cook 90 challenge in 2018.  For anyone who successfully completed the Cook 90 challenge, what are your tips and tricks for unique breakfasts and lunches while working a full-time job?  Would love to hear if you had success with Dry January or the Cook 90 challenge, and how you made it through the month!  

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

RECIPES

Skirt Steak Sizzle with Carrots and Arugula, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, January 2017, page 91

Braised Chicken Thighs With Squash And Mustard Greens, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, January 2017, page 100

Butter-Basted Halibut Steaks with Capers, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, January 2014, page 75

Indian Lamb Chops With Curried Cauliflower, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, January 2010, page 45

Pork Chops with Cider, Horseradish and Dill, Original Source: The Smitten Cookbook by Deb Perelman, page 177

Zucchini Noodles with Turkey Meatballs, Source: A Cozy Kitchen

GROCERY LIST

Produce

10 scallions

1 jalapeño

1 acorn squash

4 medium zucchinis 

1 large head cauliflower

3 multicolored carrots

1 horseradish root

1 bunch mustard greens

6-ounces arugula (not baby)

1 bunch thyme

1 bunch parsley

1 bunch sage

1 bunch dill

1 ginger root

1 lime

1 red onion

1 yellow onion

1 head of garlic

Fresh lime juice

Apple cider

Dairy and Frozen

Unsalted butter

Whipping cream

Eggs

Parmesan cheese

Meat and Seafood 

4 pounds skin-on bone-in chicken thighs 

1 pound ground turkey

1 pound skirt steak

4 bone-in pork loin chops

2 4 to 5-ounce lamb shoulder blade chops

2 14-16-ounce bone-in halibut steaks

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Toasted sesame oil

Unseasoned rice vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Kosher salt

Table salt

Crushed red pepper flakes

Cayenne pepper

Black pepper

Coriander seeds

Sweet paprika

Toasted sesame seeds

Dark brown sugar

All-purpose flour

Dried breadcrumbs

Dried chiles de árbol

Capers

Low-sodium chicken broth

1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes like Sam Marzano

Dry white wine

Soy sauce

Tortillas

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Mango chutney

January 2017 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 1

Happy New Year y’all!  I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season, and is committed to the first day of their NYE resolutions.  January first marks the start of my busiest six weeks in the kitchen as we start our home cooking challenge giving up restaurants, takeout, and alcohol (hubby also gives up carbs) until Valentine’s Day! It’s crazy to realize that this is our fifth year of self-imposed sobriety, and third year of giving up dining out (work functions excluded) for an extended period.  I have learned a lot over these past few years about giving up restaurants and take-out and want to share my top 5 takeout takeout tips:

1. Have a plan- Plan out your meals, snacks and grocery lists at least a week in advance.  I personally plan our meals and shopping lists before the start of each month, and try to grocery shop every Sunday.

2. Buy in bulk- If you have the space, take your monthly shopping list to Costco or Sam’s Club to stock up on spices, meat, nuts, canned vegetables etc. 

3. Slow cook- Invest in a sous vide machine or slow cooker so you can start dinner in the morning and come home from work to a prepared meal

4. Leftovers- Leftovers will become your best friend.  Get creative in how you repurpose them, and make sure you have the right containers to pack and heat your food at work

5. Celebrate- Plan something extra special for Valentine’s Day to celebrate your six weeks of hard work and discipline!

For anyone who has been successful with their whole 30, Cook 90, or takeout takeout challenge, what other tips and tricks do you have?  

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

Sticky Baked Chicken Wings

RECIPES

Sticky Baked Chicken Wings, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, January 2017, page 128

Black Cod With Swiss Chard, Olives, And Lemon, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, January 2013, page 40

Weeknight Porchetta, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, January 2015, page 30

Grass-Fed Strip Steak With Spicy Hoisin Sauce And Cucumber Relish, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, January 2010, page 99

Chunky Lamb Ragu with Celeriac Noodles, Source: Inspiralized

Paleo Baked Turkey Breast, Source: Living Well Mom

GROCERY LIST

Produce

2 large bunches Swiss chard

2 English hothouse cucumbers

1 celery rib

1 medium celeriac (celery root)

1 bunch scallions

1 bunch cilantro

1 bunch rosemary

1 bunch thyme

1 bunch mint

1 lime

1 lemon

1 ginger root

2 heads of garlic

1 small yellow onion

2 Maui or Visalia onions

4 medium shallots

Dairy and Frozen

Eggs

Meat and Seafood

5 pounds chicken wings

2-2.5 pounds boneless skinless turkey breast

2 1-pound 1" thick grass-fed New York strip steaks 

.75-1 pound lean ground lamb

1.5 pounds pork tenderloin

Bacon

4 4-ounce pieces skin-on black cod fillet

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Canola oil

Coconut oil

Unseasoned rice vinegar

Kosher salt

Iodized salt

Pepper

Crushed red pepper flakes

Coriander seeds

Cumin seeds

Ground cumin

Fennel seeds

Onion powder

Garlic salt

Nutmeg

Toasted sesame seeds

Soy sauce

Hoisin sauce

Honey

Ketchup

Tomato paste

14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 can low sodium chicken broth

Oil-cured black olives

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Tapioca flour

Almond flour

December 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 2

Happy Monday y’all!  I wanted to share a quick round of weeknight dinner ideas before cooking tonight.  Most of the recipes can be made in under 30 minutes, and it looks like the chicken will be easy to re-purpose for lunches later in the week.

The key for making a few of the other recipes below in less than an hour is to prepare portions of them in advance.  For example, roast the spices for the chicken ahead of time and make the brine for the pork over the weekend.  The fennel, broccoli and sweet onions can also get chopped on Sunday for use early in the week.  

  

Ok, time to start the Shrimp à l’Américaine!  As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and share my blog with your friends!  

RECIPES

Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks with Cilantro-Shallot Relish, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, December 2013, page 152

Coriander-Crusted Steak with Miso Butter Sauce, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, December 2010, page 55

Benno and Leo's Brined Pork Chops with Fennel, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, December 2014, page 179

Roast Hen with Yassa Marinade, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, December 2016, page 151

Coriander-Roasted Broccoli, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, December 2016, page 83

Shrimp à l’Américaine, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, December 2016, page 84

GROCERY LIST

Produce

1 lemon

3 medium fennel bulbs

2 heads of broccoli

1 fresh Thai bird chile

1 bunch scallions

1 bunch cilantro

1 bunch mint

1 bunch thyme

Fresh ginger root

5 shallots

2 sweet onions

1 medium onion

1 head garlic

Fresh lemon juice

Dairy and Frozen

Unsalted butter

Fat-free Greek-style yogurt

Meat and Seafood 

12 chicken drumsticks 

12-ounce top sirloin steak

6 1-pound pork rib chops

4 1.25-1.5-pound Cornish game hens

2 pounds large shrimp 

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Canola oil

Sesame oil

Distilled white vinegar

Unseasoned rice vinegar

Dry white wine

Soy sauce

Kosher salt

Ground pepper

Crushed red pepper

Sweet paprika

Garam masala

Ground cumin

Whole cumin seeds

Ground coriander

Whole coriander seeds

Whole black peppercorns

Bay leaves

Ground tumeric

Light brown sugar

All-purpose flour

15-ounce can diced tomatoes

Tomato paste

Dijon mustard

Sake

Cognac

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Red miso

Tamari

December 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 1

Who else is in disbelief that Christmas is only a few weeks away?  I keep asking myself where did 2016 go?  It’s also pretty hard to believe that this means I have been posting quick dinner ideas for over a year now.  I know I shared some of the recipes featured below last year, but they were too good not to make again in 2016!  Being able to marinate the firehouse chicken up to three days in advance makes it one of those meals you can prep on Sunday for the middle of the week. 

If you make the steak tacos I’d be curious to know how they turn out if you use flour tortillas instead.  The flavorless and dry corn tortillas from the grocery store detracted from what was otherwise a quick and flavorful dinner.  

OK, I am off to find some long johns for my trip to the mountain timezone tomorrow.  Wish me luck that I make my connecting flights and don’t freeze to death in the arctic blast taking over that part of the country!  

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

RECIPES

Steak Tacos with Pineapple, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, December 2015, page 124

Firehouse Chicken, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, December 2015, page 12

Cauliflower with Pumpkin Seeds, Brown Butter, and Lime, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, December 2015, page 68

Green Curry Pork Tenderloin, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, December 2016, page 20

GROCERY LIST

Produce

1 large head of cauliflower

1 bunch fresh cilantro

1 pineapple

1 lime

1 head garlic

1 red onion

1 medium shallot

1 ginger root

Fresh lime juice

Fresh orange juice

Dairy and Frozen

Unsalted butter

Meat and Seafood 

3.5-4 pound chicken

1.5 pound skirt steak

1.5 pound pork tenderloin 

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Toasted sesame oil

Distilled white vinegar

Salt

Kosher salt

Paprika

Black pepper

Crushed red pepper flakes

Pure maple syrup

Agave nectar

Soy sauce

Raw shelled pumpkin seeds

Green curry paste

1 14.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
Tortillas

November 2016 Weeknight Dinner Ideas Part 2

Somehow the last few days of November got away from me, so I am writing this final November post a few days later than usual.  The short ribs and hot dog recipes were too good not to share with y’all!  

Are you shocked to see hot dogs featured on here?  Well, we’re only a few weeks away from January which means I am fitting in a few extra meals with bread and rice before hubby goes strict Paleo for the month. I hope you find the hot dogs as delicious as I did!

OK, I'm off to grocery shop for the week ahead.  As always, please let me know if you enjoyed any of the recipes featured below, and share my blog with your friends!  

Loaded Hot Dog with Chipotle Mayo

RECIPES

Soy-Braised Short Ribs, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, November 2016, page 78

Cider-Glazed Chicken Breasts With Apple-Fennel Salad, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2011, page 50

Flattened Pork Chops With Greens And Mustard Pan Sauce, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2014, page 54

Moroccan Halibut And Carrots, Source: Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2009, page 62

Loaded Hot Dogs with Chipotle Mayo, Source: Food and Wine Magazine, November 2016, page 44

GROCERY LIST

Produce

4 cups mixed baby lettuces

1 bunch mustard greens

1 fennel bulb

2 large carrots

1 Granny Smith apple

1 lemon

1 bunch scallions

1 bunch mint

1 bunch parsley

1 bunch dill

1 ginger root

2 shallots

1 yellow onion

1 head garlic

Kimchi

Apple cider

Dairy and Frozen

Unsalted butter

4 ounces crumbled cheddar cheese curds or sharp cheddar cheese

Meat and Seafood 

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

5 pounds English-cut bone-in short ribs

4 bone-in pork rib chops

8 beef hold dogs

2 5-ounce halibut fillets

Interior Aisles

Olive oil

Canola oil

Grapeseed oil

White wine vinegar

Apple cider vinegar

Kosher salt

Ground black pepper

Cayenne pepper

English mustard powder

Mustard seeds

Toasted sesame seeds

Ground cinnamon 

Sugar

Brown sugar

Honey

Whole grain Dijon mustard

Piccalilli or pickle relish

Mayonnaise

Soy sauce

Mirin

1 can chicken stock

Dry red wine

Rice

8 hot dog buns

Fritos 

Hard to Find Ingredients 

Chipotle chile in adobo

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