Weeknight Rescue/January 2022/Week Two

From a cooking standpoint, January is going swimmingly in our house so far. With two of my kids still home from college, we cooked a ton (and also made room for the last of the holidays sweets). Moving onto the week ahead, below you’ll find the full line-up. Side note: keep your eyes on your inboxes, since I’ve got something in store for 2022 to help us all keep on on track with feeling good and eating well.

SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK SANDWICHES W/ APPLE CABBAGE SLAW

To me, winter is officially slow cooker season, and these crowd-pleasing pork sandwiches are a good way to go. The tenderloin, which is a lean cut of meat, cooks down into tender, pull-apart pork that’s excellent on a soft bun with a pile of crunchy slaw. Assemble a big plate of crudite and add Green Goddess or Ranch for a tasty dip. 

SWEET POTATO BLACK BEAN BOWLS

A relative newcomer to the blog, these nourishing bowls are a fan favorite in my house. Roasted sweet potatoes, brown rice, black beans, and avocado get dressed up with a tangy, slightly spicy cilantro sauce. Add pickled jalapeños, Cotija cheese, toasted pepitas or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Creamy Carrot Mac and Cheese

This lighter version of mac and cheese is built on a base of cooked carrots that you whirl with low-fat milk into a creamy puree. All you have to do is add pasta, sharp Cheddar and chopped chives and bake until bubbly. Throw a sheet pan of broccoli (there’s an easy recipe in my cookbook, PREP) in the oven to roast alongside the pasta.

Wild Blueberry Balsamic Sheet Pan Chicken

A sheet pan supper is an easy way to get around doing a lot of dishes and this is a tasty way to get it done. The combination of wild blueberries and balsamic vinegar here pairs perfectly with the chicken and sweet potatoes. It’s one-dish dinner with very little clean up.

Coconut Lime Chickpea Curry

This is everything you want in a cozy stew: satisfying, flavorful, and nourishing. Chickpeas do double duty in this dish by serving as its foundation as well as a crispy topping to scatter on at the very finish. It’s so filling, no extra sides or salads are needed.

Turmeric Tonic

This is a good one if you or someone you love is down with a cold (or Covid) or just needs a little burst of brightness in the morning. It does require fresh turmeric, which isn’t available everywhere (but worth seeking out if you can find it).

Celery Salad with Dates and Pecorino

Poor celery is a bit of an underdog in the kitchen, which is why I love this salad so much. It shows off celery at it’s best. It’s paired with salty Pecorino, slivers of Medjool dates, chopped nuts, and a dressing with a spicy kick. Bright, refreshing, and an easy side to so many mains.