Weeknight Rescue//March 2023//Week 12

You’ll find lots of crunch and color in this week’s menu, not to mention a recipe for one of my favorite cookies. Enjoy!

Crispy Avocado Tacos

This was my lunch a few days this week, with the addition of kimchi and some baby spinach. Any quick way you make these simple tacos, be sure to get the tortillas good and crisp. They’re quite tasty and perfectly suitable for dinner with a side of beans or this Mexican Style Street Corn.

Slow Cooker Chicken Marbella

The roots of this Chicken Marbella recipe are from the Silver Palate Cookbook, a 1980s classic that was a runaway best seller. The dish is a sweet, savory, tangy combination of chicken thighs, prunes and olives. After several hours of cooking low and slow, the chicken is fork tender and infused with fabulous flavor. Add a big handful of chopped kale to the pot an hour before it’s done for a veggie boost. And serve with any favorite grain or simple egg noodles.

Tangy Shrimp Skewers with Tangy Avocado Sauce

This dish is all about the flavorful sauce that can be whirled in a blender in a matter of minutes. A combination of fresh cilantro, avocado, scallions, and lime juice, it’s a terrific way to brighten up a plate of skewered shrimp. If you don’t care for cilantro, make the sauce with fresh basil instead.

Warm Spinach Salad with Crispy Proscuitto and Soft Egg

Gently cooked spinach with a balsamic splash, crispy bacon, and a soft egg are enough to make a light supper. Serve with a crusty baguette for soaking up that oozy yolk. 

Spaghetti with Butter Egg and Cheese

This is about as easy as it gets when it comes to getting dinner on the table. One pot and just a few ingredients, it’s foolproof and delicious. Blanched broccoli tossed with olive oil and equal parts lemon juice and balsamic vinegar makes a quick side. Tip: blanch the broccoli in the same boiling water you plan to cook the pasta (scoop out the cooked broccoli with a slotted spoon, then cook the pasta).

Pineapple Orange Green Smoothie

This luscious smoothie is full of green goodness and a snap to make. The combo of pineapple, orange, and banana is a good one (and using frozen pineapple is a good shortcut). If you want ideas for boosting the protein without adding protein powder, check out the post I just published this week.

Cowboy Cookies

If you’re like me and appreciate a cookie packed with goodies, this one’s for you. It’s both wholesome and decadent, made with oats, nut butter, chocolate, coconut, dried fruits, seeds, and nuts. Make a batch of dough and freeze half for a rainy day. Bake the rest to tuck in the pantry for when a sweet tooth strikes.