April meal plan #3
Ina's lemon chicken, pantry meals, and a break for Semana Santa
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I (Meredith) have been listening to Ina Garten’s memoir, “Be Ready When the Luck Happens,” and it is everything I hoped it would be: honest, inspiring, and it invokes a bit of nostalgia and homesickness. (Katie: I am dying to read this!!!) She talks about her love for hosting and how she started by making elaborate recipes to wow her guests. Unfortunately, those recipes tether the chef to the kitchen and pull them away from their guests and the whole point of having a dinner party: to socialize. I learned this the hard way, much like Ina, when we hosted friends for the kick-off of our international kitchen competition. Each couple was randomly assigned a country and had to prepare a meal for the rest of the group from that country.
Last week, at our final meal, we voted on every meal’s flavor, presentation, and creativity. I’m sorry to report that we did not win overall, but we did win the flavor category. We served some really delicious birria tacos and a spicy chocolate mousse to represent Mexico. I went all out, buying a range of peppers and other products from a speciality store. Our downfall? We spent too much time in the kitchen during the dinner party, frying tacos so they’d be gooey and melty when served, which also meant our presentation left something to be desired.
Next time (we’ve been assigned Italy), we’ll make something simpler. I’m hoping to wow my guests, of course, but also enjoy a glass of Sangiovese with them.
This is our honest feedback on what worked (or more likely, didn’t) from last week’s meal plan.
Little victories
Meredith: The golden chicken noodle soup was great! I sauteed the veggies, added the chicken and water, but waited to add salt and pepper. After everything cooked through, I scooped out a bit to blend for Lola and then added the salt, pepper, and some noodles for us.
Katie: My kids tried gnocchi! I marketed them as potatoes (close enough), and they happily ate a few. They both put broccoli in their mouth before deciding it was absolutely not for them. And as a surprise to no one, they mostly just ate sausage for dinner.
Katie: I adjusted my meal plan quite a bit this week. The official countdown to move to our new house is on (two and a half weeks, what?!), and I’m feeling inspired to pantry shop and use what’s on hand. So the sheetpan chicken tikka got turned into a chickpea korma, and juicy burgers morphed into grilled chicken sandwiches. It felt great to use what was on hand and not spend more money at the store.
Meredith: Fernandito has been asking me to make Christmas cookies (sugar cookies) for weeks. On Thursday I got us some festive, new cookie cutters, and we made a batch for Easter!
Katie: I loved seeing my kids try new things this week. Clara loved the chickpea korma, and I was just so proud that she was up for trying new flavors. Also! Both of my kids requested this granola (very good, highly recommend!) on yogurt in the morning, and I just thought it was a nice new way to eat oats.
Humbling moments
Katie: I stained my shirt with (a lot of) butter when I was brushing it atop pillowy pain de mie. Humbling, annoying, not ideal. And the real question is: Will I be able to get the stain out?!
Meredith: This week was another doozy, and I underestimated how much food we’d need. We ended up ordering sushi on Wednesday (for the adults) after a long day of meetings, a flat tire, and a birthday party.
A note on this week’s game plan: I’m REALLY inspired by the idea of using up bits and bobs from my pantry, fridge, and freezer. This week my goal is to buy as little as possible and to stick to classics I know my family loves, balanced with the fact that Semana Santa (Holy Week) is here, which means school break and probably more spontaneous meals out than normal.
Monday: Spanish cocido (via Always Olives; will freeze leftovers and the broth for the following week!)
Tuesday: Salmon & rice bowls (No recipe; on my busiest days, I boil rice and grill salmon. And if I’ve got the time, I add quick pickled cucumbers and carrots, and drizzle it all with sriracha mayo!)
Wednesday: Homemade pizza! (via “Pizza Night,” my go-to for all things pizza)
Thursday: Out of town for Semana Santa
Friday: Out of town for Semana Santa
Other: I’ve never found an oatmeal raisin cookie I’m in love with. Will this week be the week I do?! Also realllllyyy want to fry up some torrijas this week, too.
A note on this week’s game plan: I’m going to be a bit more mindful of my budget this week. I spent a whopping 18€ on 1kg (about 2lbs) of ground beef last week 😩 and I’d like to use up what’s in our freezer and pantry rather than buying a ton of ingredients. (Katie: Hear hear!)
Monday: Skillet-roasted lemon chicken (via Ina Garten)
Tuesday: Burgers with the extra patties I froze last week (via Simple Home Edit)
Wednesday: Coconut curry lentil stew (via What to Cook)
Thursday: Out of town for Semana Santa, bringing a batch of blueberry muffins (via Culinary Hill) with us
Friday: Out of town for Semana Santa
Other: Definitely going to make a batch of torrijas!
Meredith: I am really loving this linen top and linen pant combo. It’s so comfortable and looks sharp! I bought it in black and might add a few more colors to my summer wardrobe.
Katie: I’ve been thinking A LOT about raising bilingual children these days, and I can’t help but worry that I’m not doing enough to make sure my girls are fluent in English. Their entire lives are in Spanish, and while of course I only speak English to them, I feel like I’m falling short. Any tips from other parents in bilingual households? I’m all ears.
Meredith: I love Semana Santa in Southern Spain. Everyone dresses up, and the streets come alive with beautiful music and candle-lit processions. We saw a procession yesterday with another Spanish-American family, and it was so nice to have a beer with a friend (and our babies) while the dads and older kids got candy from the nazarenos (nazarenes, or those seeking penance).
Katie: This 5€ blush from Mercadona is very fun! People who know about makeup say it’s a good dupe of the Charlotte Tilbury one. All I know is that it sparkles on my skin and is easy to use!