Dinner/Mains

DSC_0329sm

Steak Quesadillas

When a craving for steak hits the same time as exhaustion, this is what’s for dinner. It’s been awhile since I had beef in the weeknight rotation, so I’m not surprised my second-trimester body was asking for it. We decided to do pan-seared steak tips one evening and use the leftover steak the next night … Read more

Tortellini-pasta-with-tomatoes-wood-1024x1024

Tortellini with Spinach-Tomato Cream Sauce

  This recipe reminds me I should cook with tortellini more often. We frequently turn to pasta (usually with some form of protein and vegetable) for a quick and easy dinner option. For as much as I like pasta and cheese (and the two together), I’m surprised tortellini isn’t in a regular rotation. This dish … Read more

Carrot-Ginger-Soup-red-1024x837

Carrot-Ginger Soup with Lentils

The idea for carrot-ginger soup is not necessarily ground breaking, but the addition of the red lentils, which lends a creamy, hearty texture and flavor to the soup takes this recipe to new levels. The lentils contribute quite a bit of protein, turning what might otherwise be a flavorful starter into a satisfying vegetarian main course.

Sausage-Peppers-and-Onions-Drop-Biscuit-Skillet-MostlyBalanced-1024x701

Sausage, Peppers, and Onion Skillet with Drop Biscuits

The idea for this recipe popped into my head in the late months of this past winter, and then not long after, I got clobbered with the can’t get off the couch, don’t even want to think about cooking fatigue of first-trimester pregnancy. So even though this isn’t a huge project of a dinner, the … Read more

GoatCheeseFrittata-plated-1024x620

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Frittata

Here’s a simple, satisfying idea for a quick weeknight meal (which is what we chose to do) or a make-ahead Mother’s Day brunch for the upcoming weekend.

Take-Out-Style-Chicken-1024x928

Take-Out-Style Chicken

What a surprising and winning recipe this is. First time I made this, David and ate it up and delightedly looked forward to leftovers. Not long after, I made this for my parents, who were in town for a visit, and it was a crowd-pleasing dinner. (This was true even for my dad, who doesn’t … Read more

Lentil-Soup-with-Bacon-Recipe-1024x932

Not Boring Lentil Soup

It’s January, which means so many people are turning to things like lentil soups to help with new year’s resolutions. But that’s not what I’m doing (or recommending). This lentil soup is here because I spent December tweaking it and perfecting it. It’s here because after trying so, so many boring and lackluster lentil soups, … Read more

Sloppy-Joes-1024x733 (1)

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes are considered a quick and easy weeknight option. They aren’t something I grew up with, but when I wanted to try them at home this fall (to use up some leftover hamburger buns from what is likely the last grilling night of the season), I wanted to get a bit creative and improve … Read more

BroccoliChickenRamen-1024x873

Chicken Broccoli Ramen Bowl

Out to lunch at a familiar bistro with my sister yesterday, I hit a kind of rut with ordering off the menu: none of the soups, sandwiches, flatbreads, or specials were sounding quite like they’d hit the spot. It was the Friday before 4th of July weekend, and I’d taken the afternoon off at my practice, turning … Read more

DSC_0269sm

Stir-Fried Rice with Tofu and a Peanut-Mango Sauce

Every once and awhile, I hit upon a recipe that David raves about. He tries to be pretty honest about the dishes I come up with, letting me know what parts work well, where they could use a little more work. It helps ensure less-than-stellar recipes get more revisions before being finalized and posted (or … Read more