Everyone may not agree, but I find cooking to be one of the most relaxing ways to get out of my head and wind down. This week’s menu provides plenty of ideas that I hope will get you into the kitchen, including a chocolate chip cookies boosted with nourishing goodies. Enjoy!
TURMERIC BRAISED CHICKEN IN YOGURT
This recipe comes by way of my friend, Humaira, who is from Afghanistan and can cook like a boss. Even if this dish is new to you, the recipe is fairly straightforward and the result is one delicious chicken dish. Serve with brown basmati rice or other favorite grain, a salad and/or sautéed leafy greens.
THREE-INGREDIENT BLACK BEAN SOUP
A three-ingredient black bean soup? That’s about as quick as it comes as far as getting dinner on the table. I like to set up a little toppings bar and include favorite fixings, such as salsa, sour cream, avocado, crumbled bacon, and/or fresh cilantro. Simple cheese quesadillas or these sweet potato “fries” make a suitable side.
BROTHY TORTELLINI WITH SAUSAGE AND KALE
This dish is new to the blog and lands somewhere between a pasta and a soup. It’s satisfying and nourishing, with everything you need for a balanced supper right in one bowl. Do up some garlic bread on the side if you’re in the mood.
Turkey Taco Salad with Cumin Lime Dressing
This crunchy chopped salad tossed with old-school turkey taco meat more than qualifies as a “half the plate” meal. If you want to make this vegetarian, swap in Beyond Meat or use black beans instead. Top with crumbled tortilla chips and you’ve got a main dish meal on your hands. Finish with a plate of chilled citrus for dessert.
“ALMOST VEGAN” LINGUINE WITH CAULIFLOWER PECAN ALFREDO
Pasta with cream sauce, only no cream. That luscious texture comes instead from a combo of cauliflower blended with pecans and finished with a shower of Parmesan. If you’re a skeptic, check out how I make this over on Instagram.
APPLE CINNAMON DUTCH BABIES
Who doesn’t love a Dutch Baby? These ones are wholesome, easy to make, and fun to watch rise. Serve with a maple syrup drizzle and fresh fruit on the side.
HEALTHIER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Now that Girl Scout season is coming to a close, it’s time to get back to baking homemade. These cookies are a makeover of the classic Toll House eecipe. They’re everything that’s good about America’s most famous cookie, only boosted with oats, nuts, and whole grain flour (plus a little less sugar).
SHOPPING LIST // WEEK 7
Turmeric Braised Chicken in Yogurt (Lewang)
1 1/2 cups low-fat or full-fat Greek yogurt
3 pounds skinless, bone-in chicken legs and/or thighs
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium yellow onions
4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
Basmati rice for serving
Brothy Tortellini with Sausage and Kale
One 9-ounce package fresh tortellini
2 links fresh spicy Italian sausage (about ⅔ pound)
¾ cup diced shallot (or yellow onion)
3 large cloves garlic
2/3 cup dry white wine
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (homemade if you have it)
1 bunch kale
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Small chunk Parmesan cheese for grating
Three-Ingredient Black Bean Soup
Three 15-ounce cans black beans
One 12-ounce container pico de gallo salsa (fresh chunky salsa, about 1 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup sour cream, plus any other favorite garnishes, such as shredded Jack or Cheddar cheese, cilantro, lime wedges, and salsa
Turkey Taco Salad with Cumin Lime Dressing
1 pound ground turkey
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 head Romaine lettuce
¾ cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/3 English cucumber
5 radishes
½ large avocado
1 cup coarsely grated sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Black pepper
Handful tortilla chips
“Almost Vegan” Linguine with Cauliflower Pecan Alfredo
⅔ cup pecan halves
1 cup oat milk (or cow’s milk)
2 packed rounded cups medium cauliflower florets (7 ounces)
1 large clove garlic
1 pound linguine
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan, plus more to garnish
Apple Cinnamon Dutch Babies
2 tablespoons butter/3 cup honey
1 crisp apple
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 eggs
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1 cup milk
Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies
2/3 cup almond flour, spooned an leveled in the measuring cup
2/3 cup oat flour, spooned and leveled in the measuring cup
1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour, spooned and leveled in the measuring cup (alternatively use whole-wheat or white whole-wheat
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick butter (4 ounces), softened to room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups dark chocolate chips or about 8 ounces chopped dark chocolate