February 11 Meal Plan
Hello!
Valentine’s and Superbowl this week call for a couple fun dinners! And a couple of veggie packed dinners to create a little balance.
Also I’ve been confusing myself with the dates in the header of the email so from here I’ll start just using the date that I’m sending the meal plan.
Quick Links
marry me chicken // coconut cauliflower, chickpea stew // mediterranean quinoa bowls // corn and black bean nachos // lava cakes
Weeknight meals
For Valentine’s Day: Marry Me Chicken
I’m not sure who originated it, but the legend is that it’s so good that it would convince someone to marry you. It really is incredibly good. I love this version with roasted cherry tomatoes, castelvetrano olives and extra sauce for the rice or pasta that you serve it on top of.
For a vegetarian version: This sundried tomato and mushroom pasta. This recipe calls for chicken but just skip it and the recipe will not suffer at all.
Both of these would be great with some garlicky green beans.
Chickpea stew and coconut cauliflower
It’s kind of funny that I’m including two “viral” recipes this week, but both of them are legitimately so good and live up to the hype. This chickpea stew was really popular a few years ago but I think it has really stood the test of time.
When I made it this week, we skipped the kale and instead had this cauliflower on the side. It really is crazy good and flavorful. I love roasted cauliflower and the coconut topping on this made it incredible.
We eat this with basmati rice but it would be equally good with a flatbread like naan.
This is a great veggie packed weeknight meal. The red pepper sauce is delightful! You could make the sauce and quinoa ahead of time and then it would just be assembly on the day you serve this.
If you want to make it more filling or satisfying, a fried egg or crispy chickpeas would be a great addition.
My quinoa cooking tip: Sometimes it gets a weird taste to it because there’s a natural coating on the quinoa. It comes off easily with a quick wash in a fine-mesh strainer (make sure it’s pretty fine so you don’t lose your quinoa). And then cook in vegetable or chicken stock to amp up good flavor. When it’s cooked, taste for salt and even add a pat of butter.
Weekend meal: for the superbowl
If you held me hostage and only released me if I could tell you who is playing at the Superbowl, then get ready for a new roommate. But I could plan a meal of all my favorite game day foods!
These nachos are a delight. Sometimes we will add some grilled chicken or pulled pork if we have it, but it’s equally good without it. Trader Joe’s has frozen roasted corn and hot and sweet jalapenos that would be great in this recipe.
Treat of the Week
Valentine’s Dessert: Chocolate Lava Cakes
Is this kind of a throw back to the 90’s? yes. But don’t they just feel so fancy and fun? also yes. Serve with some whipped cream or ice cream and berries.
Something to Listen to
A few years ago, we made a playlist of all the cheesy love songs that we loved. Here it is for your listening pleasure: v-day cheese fest
Have a great week!
Emily