Hello!
I started some sourdough this week after about a year without a starter. We made a loaf this past week and I’m really looking forward to more bread but also to crackers, tortillas, pancakes and waffles using it. It’s such a fun science experiment and I’m glad that I’m back to a place I can maintain a starter again after having a baby.
I hope you are having a great Saturday. We are going to be visiting family next week so I will be taking the week off next Saturday. Happy cooking this week!
Quick Links
fusilli with baked tomato sauce // sesame ginger dressing // sheet pan pitas // brussels sprout and cabbage salad // strawberry shortcakes
Weeknight Meals
Fusilli with Baked Tomato Sauce
This is great with off season cherry tomatoes. I always use a little less pasta (about 12 ounces) to maximize the ratio of tomato to pasta.
Sesame Ginger Grain Bowl
Start with a base of a grain: quinoa or brown rice are ideal.
Grill some chicken or salmon, or crispy pan fry some tofu.
Make a salad of cabbage, bell pepper, grated carrots, green onion, cucumber, avocado, toasted almonds and sesame seeds
Make this dressing (or buy another sesame ginger dressing, no judgement!)
Layer it up and enjoy. This is easy to make the components ahead of time and makes excellent leftovers.
Easy peasy crowd pleaser! Make with crispy chickpeas instead of chicken for the veggies out there.
The Trader Joe’s tzatziki is great if you’re not up for making it right now.
Weekend Meal
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Salad
This isn’t a “weekend meal” per se, but a great addition to any group meal if you are tasked with bringing a salad or side. It’s a great tangy and crunchy contrast to any heavier meat and starch meal. My husband discovered this salad a few years ago and it has become a favorite for us.
Treat of the Week
A perfect spring dessert!
Something to Listen to
This week, I went back and listened to the first playlist my husband ever made for me when we were just newly dating and it was so sweet to remember and the music created such a time capsule. I highly recommend listening to something that takes you back to a specific moment and you haven’t listened to in a while. A few meaningful albums for me:
Modern Vampires of the City reminds me of making a new start back home after living away for a couple years.
The self titled Bon Iver album reminds me of being in college and figuring out my next steps in life.
Saint Cloud and Magic Ship remind me of being a new mom and getting time to find my interests again.
The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter reminds me of being in high school and finding my own taste and interests.
Go forth and have a great week!
Emily