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

Menu: Going Out

It’s still hard to be outside because it’s been really cold and windy so hopefully we don’t end up putting off food shopping until Sunday again this week because it really messes up my cooking and happiness.

Saturday scotch eggs
chicken and pasta soup

Sunday eggs and toast
out @ party

Monday fajita and black bean rice bowl, chips and salsa, corn salad
lentil falafel, yogurt sauce, couscous with vegetables

Tuesday chicken vindaloo, potato stuffed naan, side salad
shrimp pad thai

Wednesday lentil falafel, yogurt sauce, couscous with vegetables
fajita and black bean rice bowl, chips and salsa

Thursday shrimp pad thai, roasted green beans, corn salad
chicken vindaloo, potato naan

Friday mini spinach and cheese quiche, salad, grapes
homemade white pizza

Things to Make

bubble and squeak
chicken vindaloo
fajita vegetables
lentil falafel
shrimp pad thai

Shopping List

black beans*
yogurt sauce*
rice noodles
salad
tomatoes
zucchini
onions
red pepper
cabbage
carrots
lime
taco spice
rice
butter
cat food
shrimp
chicken
frozen green beans
mixed veg

Bento: A Nice Variety

Despite the fact that all of these lunches have a side salad, I actually feel good about the variety of foods. The bad lighting on Wednesday has to do with waking up too early to go out and not being able to use natural light (and being tired from waking up too early and being in a rush so I just took one really blurry picture and left it at that).

Vegetable Quiche, Oranges, Salad Egg Fried Rice, Chicken Gyoza, Salad Homemade Spaghettios with Meatballs, Apple, Salad Chicken Afritada, Rice, Salad Bean Burger, Baked Fries, Dipping Sauce, Pickles, Carrots and Hummus

Menu: It’s Cold Out There…

It is VERY cold this past week so I tried to pick very warming recipes to make. It won’t as cold next week but in the middle of the winter, there’s nothing wrong with comforting, warm soups and stews.

Saturdayeggs and toast
salmon, couscous, roasted veg

Sunday out for lunch
bean burritos

Mondaycoconut lentils, bread, salad, apple
scotch eggs

Tuesdaybean burrito, corn salad, orange
chicken and rice soup

Wednesday scotch eggs, salad, carrots and red peppers with hummus, grapes
coconut lentils

Thursdaychicken and rice soup, bread, salad, grapes
scotch eggs

Fridayvegetable pancakes, boiled egg, grapes and apples
homemade pizza

Things to Make

bean burritos
scotch eggs
chicken and rice soup
vegetable pancakes
coconut lentils

Shopping List

pinto beans
canned tomatoes
zucchini
red pepper
carrots
tomatoes
grapes
apples
salad
lentils
pasta
chicken
flour
breadcrumbs
rolls
sour cream
cheese
ground turkey
dry cat food
frozen mixed veg

Bento: Bon Voyage

These were the last food remnants of 2016. It was a really colorful and largely successful week that included a day off at the beginning, so there’s only four but I think quality over quantity any day, right?

Chicken Stew, Rice, Spinach Salad

Arincini, Red Pepper Sauce, Carrots, Salad with Walnuts

Chicken Dumplings (Gyoza), Spinach salad, Soy Sauce, Apple, Mandarins

Baked Chicken Tenders, Green Beans and Cherry Tomatoes, Challah, Apple

Menu: 2017 Now!

The last menu of 2016! What a year it’s been and a really successful one for me re: cooking and baking. I made over 100 new recipes and I have more queued up already until March so I’m feeling really motivated to keep it going. This week I’m just re-making recipes though to give my brain a bit of a break before I jump in to 2017.

Saturday leftover rice balls
chicken caccitore

Sunday eggs and toast
fried rice

Monday vegetable quiche, salad, peaches
spaghettios

Tuesdayfried rice, dumplings, fruit
black bean burgers

Wednesday chicken afritada, rice, salad
quiche

Thursdayblack bean burgers, zucchini fries, carrots and hummus
chicken afritada

Fridayspaghettios, bread, fruit, salad
pasta with vegetables

Things to Make

Holiday Recipes:
Shaved Salad
Arinchini
Challah
Chicken Caccitore

Recipes:
quiche
spaghettios
fried rice
black bean burgers
chicken afritada

Shopping List

EVOO
canned tomatoes x 2
black beans
salad
peaches
apples
oranges
zucchini
cherry tomatoes
potatoes
carrots
peppers
chilies
pineapple (can)
coffee
ring pasta
rice
bread
cheese
milk
eggs
cat food
cereal
ground turkey
chicken thighs
green peas (frozen)

Recipe: Homemade Spaghettios with Meatballs

This is a delicious change from soup and a nice throwback to a lot of peoples childhoods. I haven’t had Spaghettios in probably over a decade and I’ve never eaten the one with meatballs but I can almost assure you this one is way more delicious than the one in a can and honestly, very easy to make! You can sub in any type of meatballs or leave them out for a vegetarian version.

Homemade Spaghettios with Meatballs

Adapted from The Budding Table

Bento: Sick Daze

Last week we both caught mild colds so half the week Andrew worked from home which means that two of these are not actually bento. One can argue that actually none or all of them are bentos though so I’m going to take my credit for making lunch while sick and just run with it either way.

Savory scone (goat cheese, pear, pepper), tomato and cucumber salad, boiled egg, apple Taco Bowl (rice, salad, turkey, peppers, onion, tomato, corn, sour cream) Turkey, Brie, and Cranberry Chutney Sandwich (there’s pickles and oranges on the plate too) Broccoli-Cheddar Soup, Rye Bread, Mandarins, Apple Vegetable Pot Pie, Side Salad (very sad looking), Apple, Mandarins