This week our focus was on quick and easy comfort meals. We returned from a trip to Oklahoma late Tuesday night and jumped right into a hectic schedule of school, work, and evening appointments, so we stuck with old favorites.
Wednesday, with no fresh food in the house, we just had a favorite Trader Joe's meal, Chicken Serranada. Eight minutes in the microwave, and it tastes like a restaurant meal! We added some couscous with peas and fruit and had a complete meal.
Thursday, my husband made good old basic spaghetti with meat sauce while my younger son and I got haircuts. It was wonderful to come home to a delicious meal, hot and ready to eat! And spaghetti is such a comfort food.
Friday, I tried a quick favorite of ours, Roasted Italian Sausage, Potatoes, Onions, and Bell Peppers...but it took over an hour to cook a meal that usually takes 20 minutes. Well, at least that explains our undercooked turkey disaster on Christmas Day - looks like our oven is not working (we think maybe the bottom heating element is out). I'll have to call the repair service tomorrow, but this could get expensive - the oven is about 25 years old!Last night, we had our all-time family favorite and the ultimate in comfort food, Red Beans and Rice, a recipe I created after we lived in New Orleans. I made a double-batch, so now we have dinner for our busy Monday evening, too (which is when Red Beans and Rice is traditionally eaten in Louisiana).
And, tonight, we will have a delicious Cooking Light recipe, Chinese Hot Pot of Beef & Vegetables, which we've enjoyed before. That should be just right for a day that began with a surprise dusting of snow on the ground! And, more importantly, it doesn't require an oven.That was our week of quick meals...what have you been cooking and eating this week?
I just pinned the Red Beans & Rice and Hot Pot recipes. Both of those sound so good, especially on a snowy day like today. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful week of homey eating and winding down from holidays. I love red beans and rice--NOLA knows a good tradition when it sees it. :)
ReplyDeletei made Cheesy Chicken Rice Casserole using leftover turkey from New Year's Day and today I have Slow Cooker Brisket with Onion Gravy cooking up.
ReplyDeleteYour red beans & rice recipe is similar to the one I use out of River Road Recipes, my first cookbook purhase as a student. The Hot Pot combines some interesting flavors. Just pinned it. Looks good.
ReplyDeletehmmm...that hot pot sounds so cozy.
ReplyDeleteWow, you're so organized with your meals! My husband is only home five nights out of seven, so on those nights it's either a sandwich or cereal for me. The rest of the nights are either leftovers, something quick (tacos, pasta), or we go out. I get home between 7 and 8pm, and my pantry is usually always bare...I should really make a resolution to do more meal planning--you're an inspiration.
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