Hello, fellow chefs. How has your week been? It’s been a good one here. One highlight: I discovered that a bagful of birthday clothes I bought wasn’t charged to my card. When I returned to the store to exchange something, they couldn’t find the transaction and then realized nothing I bought that day had been charged. They said it was their mistake and everything was mine to keep. I felt both thrilled and a bit guilty. After insisting several times to pay and being politely refused, all I could say was, “Thank you!”
Another lucky moment: I accidentally left a bag of groceries in the supermarket parking lot. I noticed as soon as we got home and drove back a few minutes later—the bag was still sitting exactly where I’d left it. Definitely a shopping fail, but everything was intact and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Speaking of groceries, are you ready to plan meals and shop for the week? Below is this week’s menu of easy dinner recipes. These are simple, family-friendly options that worked well for us—hopefully you’ll enjoy them too.
- Lemon Couscous Salad with Coconut Lime Salmon (or chicken) – This couscous salad is a favorite. We served it with salmon as pictured, and the coconut-lime marinade also works beautifully on chicken. For an easy one-dish meal, add bite-sized cooked chicken pieces directly to the salad.
- Smothered Beef Burritos – Some call these “wet burritos,” but I prefer “smothered” because it sounds more appetizing. I followed the original recipe closely and found it just right—no major changes needed. Rich, comforting, and satisfying.
- Bacon Gouda Alfredo – If the words “bacon” and “gouda” catch your attention, you’re not alone. I adapted a rich pasta I found online to make a lighter version that still delivers big flavor. It’s creamy, smoky, and indulgent without feeling heavy—perfect for a weeknight treat.
- Steak with Potatoes – Two easy directions here: go special with Steak Xavier and Hasselback Potatoes, or keep it simple with steak and roasted vegetables. Either approach is straightforward and delicious—pick based on how much time and flair you want.
- Spinach Artichoke Lasagna – A classic in our kitchen. Prep only takes about 15 minutes and it bakes for roughly an hour, so plan ahead. You can assemble it ahead of time and bake when convenient, which makes it nearly as easy as a quick meal but with the comfort of a baked casserole.
- BLTAs with fries – A BLTA is simple but satisfying. I wrote up a recipe mostly for reference, but assembly is straightforward: crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado on your favorite bread. Serve with homemade Cajun oven fries or frozen fries for a casual, fun weeknight dinner.
- Chicken and Dumplings – For a recent school potluck, I brought chicken and dumplings to represent my Southern roots. I made it a bit thicker by adding extra dumplings so it would sit nicely on a plate rather than in a bowl. It was a hit—comforting, hearty, and familiar to many.
Enjoy planning your week of meals. These recipes are easy to shop for and simple to prepare, making dinner time less stressful and more delicious.