This soup is surprisingly good for how little effort is needed to make it. Also I served it with a cutting board full of topping options which makes the soup fun too.
Bento: Nailing It
Despite Andrew eating one of these before I could photograph it so I had to re-make it, this weeks bentos were a triumph. The funny thing is Andrew accidentally ate one of the ones last week too. How strange.
Minestrone, salad, bread for dipping, apple
Bubble and squeak, salad, banana
Creamy paprika chicken, pasta, side salad, mandarins
Bean burrito, corn salad to switch it up, carrots and hummus, apple
Thai spiced falafel, rice, chili sauce, side salad now with walnuts, apple
Menu: On It
I did better this week at the most basic things so I’m hoping I can do that for a bit and then build on it. I think the US election really knocked me off track when I should have been on top of the world (got my residency the day Trump was elected which…mixed feelings there). But that’s not what you’re here for so, a menu!
Saturday bubble and squeak, leftovers
eating out
Sunday eggs and toast
salmon, couscous, salad
Monday bagel with cream cheese, rolled omelette, fruit
pasta with sauce and vegetables
Tuesday chicken kebab, spiced rice, yogurt sauce, salad
vegetable ramen, pickles, boiled egg
Wednesday spinach and cheese piroshiki
bagel sandwhiches, chips, carrots and hummus
Thursday vegetable ramen, pickles, boiled egg
chicken kebab, spiced rice, yogurt sauce, salad
Friday turkey sandwhiches, chips, salad, fruit
general tso’s cauliflower, rice
Things to Make
bagels
chicken kebab
piroshiki
vegetable ramen
general tso’s cauliflower
Shopping List
ramen
apples
oranges
grapes
tomatoes
mushrooms
peppers
cauliflower
carrots
salad
bread
butter
milk
eggs
yogurt
sour cream
cheese
hummus
cereal
cat litter
tupperwear
soap
chips
frozen veg
frozen spinach
chicken breast
turkey (cold cut)
Recipe: Coconut Lentils
These creamy coconut lentils are a total treat. They have a really nice color to them and you can easily change up what vegetables you use depending what you have on hand or what is in season to make a filling meal.
Coconut Lentils
Adapted from drinkeatrepeat
Menu: Hectic Weeks
I lost track of time in there for a little bit and things went kind of sideways all over but hopefully we’re back on track this week. Trying a slightly ambitious menu again so we’ll see how it goes but I’d rather aim up I guess? I was getting bored of all that pasta and sadness anyway.
Saturday usali salad, miso soup, fried egg
out @ party
Sunday chicken kerala
vegetable pancakes, fried egg, fruit
Monday minestrone, bread, salad
chicken with creamy paprika sauce
Tuesday bubble and squeak, carrots and hummus, miso brussel sprouts
bean burritos, corn salad
Wednesday seven layer dip cups, corn salad, mexican rice
thai style falafel w/ sweet chili sauce
Thursday chicken with creamy paprika sauce, pasta, salad, fruit
minestrone, bread, salad
Friday thai style falafel, thai chili sauce, salad, fruit
homemade white pizza with spinach and carmelized onions
Things to Make
bubble and squeak
seven layer dip cups
mexican rice
chicken with paprika sauce
minestone
corn salad
Shopping List
canned tomato (3)
white beans
brown beans
canned corn
EVOO
linghams
tortillas
salsa
apples
bananas
carrots
bell pepper
lime (3)
zucchini
celery
mushrooms
cherry tomatoes
avocado
2kg potatoes
onions
coffee
small pasta
stock
bread
sour cream
milk
cat food
cat litter
garbage bags
chicken breast
Recipe: Turkey Burger
I’m sure there’s only about 1000 recipes for turkey burgers. In the end it’s basically a reverse meatloaf in some ways but I also thought these burgers came out perfectly and they took less time than I assumed. By adding some finely chopped vegetables to the recipe, I think it keeps them moist while also stretching the amount of burgers you get from a pound of meat.
Turkey Burgers
Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Delicious and homey this dish is a little heavy for normal days but sometimes you just want to slip in to a food coma and that’s what this recipe is for.
Chicken and Dumplings
Adapted from EpicuriousBento: Five Alive
Almost forgot to post this weeks bentos because I am not doing a fantastic job at multitasking lately (or maybe ever). But it’s still Monday so this counts. Hurrah!
Rice Bowl (there is rice under there) toppings are: tomatoes, beans, yellow pepper, limes, onions, salsa and chili flake on top. There’s also a salad. 
Chicken Vindaloo, rice, salad with walnuts 
Lentil Falafel, couscous with “panic” tomatoes, yogurt dipping sauce, salad, apple 
Shrimp Pad Thai, Roasted Spicy Veg (sweet potato, green bean, tomato), apple 
Cheese and spinach mini quiche, salad, rye toaste, jam, mandarins.
Menu: Something Old
Decided to have a week where I just make things I’ve made before and subconciously I’m making much more home style dishes than average also but I guess that’s good sometimes too. I’m hoping to branch out with side dishes but I have a lot of trouble committing to that so it’s very hard.
Saturday leftovers
American breakfast party (carrot pancakes, blueberry pancakes, eggs with salsa, roasted paprika potatoes)
Sunday eggs and toast
Japanese chicken curry, rice
Monday mac and cheese, slaw, pickles, cherry tomatoes
stromboli
Tuesday vegetable polenta, carrots and hummus, pickles
mac and cheese
Wednesday japanese chicken curry, rice, miso brussel sprouts
coconut risotto with shrimp
Thursday stromboli, salad, pickles, fruit
vegetable polenta
Friday coconut risotto with shrimp, miso brussel sprouts, fruit
pasta with vegetables
Things to Make
Japanese Chicken Curry
Vegetable Polenta
Mac and Cheese
Coconut Risotto with Shrimp
Stromboli
Miso Brussel Sprouts
Shopping List
apples
bananas
carrots
zucchini
cherry tomatoes
green peppers
snap peas
slaw
onions
basil
salad
brussel sprouts
pickles
polenta
elbow mac
white cheddar
coconut milk
flour
cereal
milk
fish stock
chicken
turkey cold cuts (400g)
sliced cheese (250g)
cat food
body wash
Bento: Side Salad
I know how much Andrew likes side salads but my god, they’re visually boring. He just doesn’t want other things and I can’t seem to get up the gumption to make other side dishes and be really cool. Looking around though it seems like everyone has trouble making side dishes at least so that’s some small consolation prize.
Pasta with spinach and red sauce, side salad, carrots and hummus
Carrot pancakes, jam, boiled eggs, mandarin
Chicken and pasta soup, bread, tomatoes, side salad
Mosaic of Scotch eggs, carrots, red peppers and side salad with tomatoes and walnuts
Creamy coconut lentils, salad, apple