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.
SHOPPING LIST // WEEK 16
Crispy Avocado Tacos
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese (grated about 1 1/2 cups)
8 corn tortillas
Favorite salsa, taco sauce or sriracha
2 ripe avocados
8 crunchy, light-green leaves of Romaine
Lime wedges
Slow Cooker Chicken Marbella
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup pitted prunes
1/2 cup pitted, flavorful green olives
1/4 cup capers, plus 1 tablespoon of the brine
3 bay leaves
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup white wine
2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Shrimp Skewers with Tangy Avocado Sauce
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
Freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 medium cloves minced garlic
1 1/4 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 roughly chopped cups cilantro, mostly leaves, but some stems are ok, about 1 bushy bunch OR 2 roughly chopped cups basil leaves
1 scallion, white and light green parts
½ medium ripe avocado
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
Warm Spinach Salad with Crispy Prosciutto and Egg
4 thin slices prosciutto
4 eggs
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium shallot
1 large clove garlic
1 pound fresh spinach (not baby spinach)
1-2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Spaghetti with Butter, Egg and Cheese
1 pound spaghetti
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan)
Pineapple Orange Green Smoothie
1 cup plain kefir
1 1/2 cups packed baby spinach
1 peeled seedless Navel or Cara Cara orange
1 cup fresh or frozen cubed pineapple
1 ripe frozen banana
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cowboy Cookies
1 stick (4 ounces) butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup almond butter (or cashew, peanut or sunflower)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled or quick oats
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
3/4 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons hemp (or chia or flax seeds)
1/2 cup dried cherries (or dried cranberries or dried apricots)