In My (Teeny Tiny) Kitchen
I have been cooking up a STORM since we arrived in Boston, and I figured you probably have only 70,000 better things to do than read my menu, so why not share?
(Note: I have sadly, resigned myself to the fact that we’ll be spending $50 a week on groceries here because it’s just not quite as cheap. On the other hand, I now live near a Trader Joe’s, so life evens itself out a bit).
Saturday
- Grilled Pineapple Sandwiches. Delightful. Plus, the pineapple was free since Bart brought me home one from the buffet at a training meeting he was at.
- Potato Salad
- Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cake. So, SO delicious. Oh my word. A frozen piece is like a little slice of . . . something cool, chocolaty and delicious.
Sunday
- Chicken Gyros. Oh my freaking heavens, these were so good. It was all I could do not to eat them all, but I was so so full. Plus, it meant there were some left for an after-school snack the next day.
- Marinated Mushrooms. (I bought a cheap container of mushrooms at Trader Joe’s and was determined not to let them go to waste).
- Pineapple
Monday
- Vegetable Quesadillas. I won’t lie. These made me a little nervous. I was really happy when they turned out to be delicious (so much so, that I made them for a weekend lunch to use up the rest of the vegetables). I served them with this dip.
Tuesday
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs. These are divine. Bart loves them.
- Cucumber Salad. Even for me, who doesn’t like cucumbers, this was quite delicious.
Wednesday
- Chickpea Pasta. This is pretty much my favorite go-to dinner dish. It is so easy and SO good. I had the leftovers for lunch the next day. I used whole wheat pasta because it’s so cheap at Trader Joe’s. And, of course, makes me feel good about myself.
Thursday
- Black Bean and Chicken Casserole. Yum. Also, my mom is probably amazed that I’ve eaten so many beans this week. I used to kind of hate beans. Now I love them.
Friday
- Dinner out a fabulous Indian restaurant in Back Bay.
Saturday
- Leftovers from said Indian restaurant.
Sunday
- Breakfast for dinner. Or more like “almost-dessert for dinner.” We’d had those vegetable quesadillas for lunch and were totally in the mood for something a little sweet. Also, I have apples from our road trip coming out my ears which are lousy for eating plain, but bake up deliciously.
- This lemon pudding cake.
I also made these maple granola muffins. And eight loaves of this french bread to take around to the kind souls who helped drag all our belongings out of the moving van and into our apartment. Bless them all.
Also, have you noticed how I’m clearly obsessed with these two new cooking blogs: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe and Mel and Boys Kitchen? I basically won’t need to look at a cookbook for weeks. Also, I have desserts planned from now until my first grandchild is born.
are you still living in texas!? *wink wink
lots of yummy recipes to try! i can't believe you can get away with $50 a week. i guess a toddler will eat me out of house and home! it's definitely expensive over here!
Nope. I don't have anything better to do. Thanks! I am grateful. Were there more than 2 desserts in that week?
Oh good. Kristen already pointed out that you in fact live in Boston now.
Isn't it great that you after-school snacks still fit into your schedule?
Thanks for posting your menu, I've seen a lot of great things on there that I plan to try out in the coming weeks.
Thanks for sharing these, Janssen. You've given us some more ideas. Your meatballs reminded me of the recipe we did this week (from Food Network of all places): http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/shows/episode/0,1000011,FOOD_32078_64605,00.html. We did it with turkey rather than beef, since I don't eat red meat, and we made the cous cous with dates. OH MY GOODNESS. It was delicious 🙂
Oh, thank you! I needed some new dinner ideas. You guys have been eating well!
I'm pretty sure that I need to try a few of those recipes…Steve would love the s&s meatballs and I'd love the black bean anc chicken casserole…
Now that you are in New England, try cooking lobstah 🙂
Yum!!! All these recipes sound really good. Thanks for sharing!
"cooking up a STORM since we arrived in Texas"
Boston?
I love those cooking blogs. Bless you for introducing me.
I REALLY wish you'd stop being so awesome with the cooking…I get a complex every time I read of your culinary coolness. That being said, totally trying the chocolate cake this week!
I love those two cooking blogs! Hooray for cooking good food 🙂 I always feel good when I've cooked meals all week. I'm a smidge jealous you have a Trader Joes nearby. I LOVE their dried fruit. And the big thick pretzel sticks. And and and…
I've been eyeing those chicken gyros and can't wait until I get my hands on a kitchen in which to make them.
Mmmmm, these all look so delightful!
xox
So excited to try these delicious sounding/looking recipes!
Double Wow.
$50 a week and you're eating like that? Your next blog should show us a picture of your messy post-prep kitchen. It would make ME feel better…
Enigmatic.
ah! thanks for all the great recipe ideas. I just moved to Boston too, to start my MLS, and I have been attempting to cook up a storm in my tiny-tiny-tiny kitchen. Anyway, I really am enjoying your blog! Thanks for posting!
I had a mediocre Gyro on Monday, I'll have to make this recipe!
Thanks for the food blog suggestions! You are seriously amazing and I also love how much you love your new job. So happy to hear that things are going so well for you!!!
Dear Janssen,
How did you know that I was reading blogs to put off deciding what to make for dinner group? And lo, then you posted links to amazing recipe blogs and now I'm so excited!
You are so ambitious! Thanks for sharing. It is always good to try something new. 🙂
You are now my favorite person that I have met since I've moved to Boston because you just gave me what I really needed, a dinner menu. I have been so brain dead lately that I haven't been able to think of anything to make. Thank you!!!!
YUM – thanks for all the awesome tips and recipes. It seems like you enjoy putting together a menu and grocery list ALMOST as much as I do. Which makes me feel so much better about myself! Happy eating!
I'm glad things are going so well in Boston!
I also love those two cooking blogs, and definitely cook at least one thing from them a week. They're great!
Mmmm food! 🙂 I like those recipe blogs, too! I went to high school w/Mindy of the sisters!
Hi there! Thanks for your comment on my blog today.
Aren't you a cute librarian! In college I always wondered if I should switch to that major, but I ended up as an English teacher.
I just wanted the closest thing to getting paid for reading!
Yum! I'll have to bookmark this post so that I can try these recipes once I actually get my life organized and start cooking again.
Is there a Market Basket near you? They have the best prices in town. You've been busy cooking!!
do you make or buy the pitas for the chicken gyros?
Ooooooo, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be working my way through these! Saved to desktop – check.
After Ashley gushed about the recipes on this post I had to come back and take a closer look! I'm really excited about the soft wrap bread – I've heard I can buy it at our store, but never seem to find it! Can you believe I had my first Gyro this summer? I'm eager to make this recipe you shared now for the chicken one! (I really wish I liked to cook!)
Those two cooking websites happen to be my favorites as well.
Just made some banana bread from sisters the other night!