Summer is (almost) here! We’re getting close to the summer solstice, which means long sunny evenings, and a struggle to get kids to bed when it doesn’t seem like bedtime. It also means plenty of opportunity to dine al fresco, in the back yard, and be silly as we wind up the school year and summer vacation is in sight. I still enjoy spending time in the sunny kitchen, so this week I’ll be using some of the first greens of the season.
Julie Van Rosendaal
Beef Recipes: Grilled Asian Steak with Sweet Ginger Slaw
It’s been so nice outside – I look for any opportunity to fire up the barbecue and eat on the grass. This simple marinated steak is one of our summer favourites – and delicious thinly sliced and eaten over sweet, gingery slaw. Pick up a bag of pre made coleslaw to streamline things. Happy weekend!
Vegetarian Recipes: Lentil and Spinach Salad with Roasted Tomatoes & Feta
A smallish, healthy dinner early means we can go out later for pizza, wings, or whatever it is we’ll be craving on the patio.
Pasta Recipes: One Pot Mac and Cheese
Rather than order pizza, a big batch of creamy mac & cheese is simple to stir together, and satisfies everyone’s need for cheesy comfort food. A big bagged salad is all we need to make it a meal. (And maybe a pint of good ice cream and a few spoons!) To ramp things up, try stirring a torn handful of spinach into the finished pasta, or a few chopped sun-dried tomatoes, or sprinkle the top with a few crumbled slices of cooked bacon. Cubed leftover ham and frozen peas make it more substantial.
Free Meal Plan: Chickpea and Spinach Swimming Rama
May came speeding up all too quickly – my New Year’s resolution to organize the house and Be Prepared has not stuck, but the arrival of spring does make me want to clear the cobwebs and clean out the pantry. In the back I found packages of rice noodles, tamarind paste, crunchy Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) about a dozen pasta shapes and altogether too many Mason jars. This week we’re going to try to use up what we have – and have some fun in the process.
Vegetarian Recipes: Chickpea and Spinach Swimming Rama
When I lived in Vancouver my favourite takeout was from a teeny Thai restaurant called Thai Away Home – they had Swimming Rama with chicken and spinach I could have eaten every night of the week. I made an impromptu version with chickpeas recently that was a hit – inexpensive and quick to prepare too, which is exactly what I want on Fridays.
Soup Recipes: Curried Carrot and Cauliflower Soup with Apple and Ginger
This gingery curried carrot soup with cauliflower is one of my favourites – perfect for sipping out of an oversized mug or eating from a deep bowl while curled up on the couch. (The curry flavour is mild – add more or omit it for more sensitive palates.)
Free Meal Plan: Fridge-Cleaner Frittata
It’s a short week, thanks to Easter, and we’re settling into our longer days and sunny mealtimes. I’m feeling more creative these days, enjoying the sun coming into my kitchen, and am in the mood to expand my culinary horizons and think summery thoughts with crispy fried shrimp sandwiches, mint-ginger chicken kabobs with spicy raita, and fall-apart beer brisket. We’ll practice summery dishes and dream of a few months ahead. With any luck, we’ll be dining al fresco! Maybe.
Free Meal Plan: Pulled Pork Tacos
Spring has almost sprung, and although we’re still waiting for those first tips of green to poke through the ground, we still gotta eat our veggies. I’m a little jaw-weary of root veggies and winter squash though, and so will shake things up with a vegan veggiepalooza quinoa fried rice, springy leeks baked with salmon and a side of (yes, imported) sugar snap peas, and even a wintry turnip… baked with chicken and lentils into an easy and hearty one-dish meal.
Quick and Easy Dinner: Bacon & Egg Pizza
Friday is traditionally pizza night – but that doesn’t necessarily mean take-out. Start with good quality pitas, naan, other flatbreads or even, yes pizza dough – and make your own. Personal-sized bacon and egg pizzas will be a hit, particularly if you let the yolk ooze out onto your plate. A big green salad or Caesar will round out your easy Friday night breakfast for dinner.