I’ve been meal planning for so long that it has become a part of my routine — almost automatic each weekend. I check the calendar for busy days or evening events, look in the pantry, fridge, and freezer for food that needs to be used up, and consider the weather that may dictate my cooking…
Main Dish
Soyaki Roasted Chicken Thighs
Quick and Flavorful Asian-Inspired Marinade This flavorful Asian-inspired marinade is easy to throw together and can marinate overnight or in as little as 1 hour. To make things even quicker, I often get help from Trader Joe’s—they have frozen garlic and ginger cubes that you can pop right into the marinade. Trader Joe’s Soyaki Sauce:…
Coconut Red Curry With Chicken and Vegetables
Coconut Red Curry with Chicken and Vegetables: A Versatile, Flavorful Staple This Coconut Red Curry with Chicken and Vegetables is a staple in our home. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for cleaning out the fridge. Customizing Your Coconut Curry: Veggie Options One of the best things about this dish is its versatility. You can easily…
Chipotle Shrimp Fajitas
Shrimp Fajitas: A Family Favorite Shrimp fajitas have been a long-time favorite in our household, regularly making their way into our meal planning calendar. With wild frozen shrimp always stocked in the freezer, it’s the perfect quick-cooking protein for those busy weeknights when you need a fast yet satisfying meal. The shrimp and veggies can…
Braised Beef Roast with Banana Peppers
You’ve likely heard of the widely popular Mississippi Roast that became popular many years ago on Pinterest. I’ve never actually tried it as it is written due to the Hidden Valley Ranch packet it called for (with ingredients I cannot pronounce) along with an unnecessary amount of added butter. I do like the idea of…
Salmon with Orange Mustard Glaze
A Culinary Friendship That Inspired a Favorite Recipe Many years ago, we lived next door to a family who shared our love for cooking. Both the husband and wife enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new dishes and techniques. We often found ourselves chatting in the front yard, exchanging ideas about recipes we…
Quesadilla with Sweet Potato, Black Beans and Spinach
Busy weeks call for simple, nutritious food! Quesadillas are the perfect answer to a quick lunch or dinner. Since I have three teenagers, they have been pretty standard in our home for many years. Sometimes they are thoughtfully made with a tiny bit extra effort like this particular recipe, but usually they are full of…
Stuffed Shells with Sausage and Vegetables
Happy New Year! I’m excited to continue sharing delicious recipes from my kitchen to yours. As always, 90% of what I eat year round is FOR my health and that’s what I will continue to share here. That said, it’s early January and in CA we are in an unprecedented stormy pattern to begin the…
Curry-Spiced Chickpea Burgers with Yogurt Sauce
A Flavorful, Pantry-Staple Recipe with Fresh Ingredients This is one of those recipes that use pantry staples as well as fresh ingredients that I almost always have on hand. It’s adapted from an old Martha Stewart recipe from 10 years ago but I find this version has more flavor, easily swaps grains, and adds healthy…
Roasted Grass-fed Beef Meatballs
Meatballs are a good idea no matter the season. They are quick to make, freezer friendly, and make great leftovers. I keep several pounds of local omega-3 rich grass-fed ground beef in my garage freezer at all times. It’s a staple for weeknight meals including these meatballs as well as quick tacos, skillet meals and…