What to Cook This Week
Project 365, Day 17
This morning, I woke up with the desire to throw on Julie & Julia. I adore this movie. I’d be lying if I didn’t say Julie Powell’s year-long writing project didn’t inspire me to some degree. The first time I watched this movie, I fell so deep into the Julia Child hole, I barely crawled out of it. My birthday gift that year from my Charles was Mastering the Art of French Cooking volume 1 and 2. I remember being so excited that I started reading them like a novel. Enthralled. Then, I sourced out the book that Julia Child’s part in this movie was based on—My Life in France—which is such a delight if you’re looking for a light read.
All that said, while I was watching Julia chop up onions and Julie make raspberry Bavarian cream, I slapped together a Whole 30-compliant menu for the week. If you need some inspiration for what to cook yourself, here ya go my lil’ chickens.
Roast chicken w/ Braised Carrots, Baby Potatoes & Kale Salad
I’ve never attempted to spatchcock a chicken, but I think I might tomorrow (today, when you’re reading). Wish me luck! I’ve always loved Ina Garten’s roast chicken recipe, so I’m going to use that as the base once I manage to smash it down. The combination of roasted fennel, onion and carrot is so wonderful. I’ll have some baby potatoes leftover from another recipe so I think I’ll throw those in as well, and round it out with a tart, lemony kale salad.
Harvest Stew w/ Smoked Sausage
Oh Charles. He happily eats essentially anything I place in front of him, but if it’s soup or salad, well, I can feel the lack of enthusiasm. That is unless sausage is involved. In fact, “unless sausage is involved” applies to literally anything. The man loves a kielbasa. I get it. I’ve made this stew before…honestly, it’s more of a soup so not sure why they’re calling it a stew, but it’s hearty and perfect for winter. The marriage of sweet butternut squash and smokey sausage is fantastic.
Picadillo Tostone Sliders w/ Guacamole & Aji Verde
I was born with an innate love of the plantain. I’m pretty sure when the heavens are putting together Puerto Rican babies, part of the recipe is “a dash of plantain.” This is a recipe I’m kind of concocting from a memory of something I ate many years ago. I will be using my go-to picadillo recipe, whipping up some tostones (Goya makes great ones in the freezer section if you want to skip a step), a little guacamole and aji verde, which is a spicy, creamy, glorious sauce that goes with nearly everything.
Tuna Salad Wraps w/ Plantain Chips & Applesauce
Last week, I had a night where I couldn’t bring myself to cook, so Charles made us eggs and bacon, can’t lie, it was great so I plan to free myself up one night this week and do the same. This means I won’t have anything for lunch the next day (we eat leftovers typically), so hence, tuna salad wraps. I have my own recipe for tuna salad, but if you need one, linking something above that seems solid. I’ve been smashing an avocado in to halve my mayo usage as Whole 30 compliant mayo is $$$, and it’s delicious!
Salmon Cakes w/ Tarragon Tartar Sauce & Arugula Salad
Slather anything in a cornichon-based white sauce and I’ll eat it. I have some salmon in the freezer I’d like to use up, so trying this! How delicious does it look??
Flank Steak w/ Chimichurri, Roasted Mushrooms, Balsamic Marinated Tomatoes & Roasted Delicata Squash
Another slapped together dinner idea from things I have around the kitchen that I’m actually quite looking forward to. I tend to save the meals I look the most forward to for Friday night. A reward for ending the workweek. That or Sunday night. Except now I’m starting to think it sure would be nice to have something to look forward to on say, Tuesday night. Maybe that’s why Taco Tuesday is a thing? Who doesn’t look forward to tacos?!? Anyway, the linked flank steak marinade recipe is great. I can’t use it right now (honey, soy), but I’ll whip up something with dates and coconut aminos instead!
Slow Cooker Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry w/ Cauliflower Rice
Saving this baby for Saturday since it involves the slow cooker. I LOVE this recipe. It’s 1,000x better with real rice, but sticking to cauliflower rice while I finish up this Whole 30 this month. Woop, another one to look forward to this week!
And that’s the week. I hope I gave you some ideas for things to make yourself, or at least bookmark to try later. I always love trying a new recipe, so please always feel free to drop some gems in the comment section for us all to benefit from!
See you tomorrow, friends.