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!
Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs are satisfying, easy to make, and on the lighter side. Serve them with crusty baguette to swipe in the sauce. Alternatively, spoon over cooked vegetables or spaghetti.
Spring Vegetable Flatbread Pizza
It’s high time to make this pizza now that asparagus and peas are in season. It’s quick to pull together (especially if you use store-bought pesto) and marries fresh mint, lemon zest, goat cheese, and plenty of veggies.
Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps with Ginger Lime Dressing
These lettuce wraps are made with pork tenderloin, crunchy vegetables, and a ginger lime dressing. Since they’re pretty light on the appetite, you might want to add a side of brown basmati rice or a favorite Asian noodle tossed with fish sauce, sesame oil, and sliced scallions. Swap chicken thighs for pork, if you like. Vegetarians could use firm or extra-firm tofu.
Warm Spinach Salad with Crispy Prosciutto 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.
Weeknight Spaghetti with Clams
This is the spaghetti and clams I grew up on. It’s relies on canned clams, lemon, and lots of garlic. If you like a kick of heat, add a big pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the clams.
Basil Lime Edamame Toast
Whirl together this nourishing spread, made with avocado, edamame, lime, and herbs. It’s terrific on toast and doubles as a tasty dip for veggies.
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
Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
1 pound ground turkey
1 link uncooked spicy Italian turkey sausage (~1/4 to 1/3 pound)
1/3 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon dried oregano
One 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoons dried garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
Spring Vegetable Flatbread Pizza
6 scallions (about 1 bunch)
1 1/3 cups asparagus
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2/3 cup fresh or frozen English peas
Pinch salt
Two 8×10-inch pieces whole-wheat or white lavash bread
¼ cup basil pesto
3 to 4 ounces fresh goat cheese
1 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh mint
Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps with Ginger Lime Dressing
1/2 cup lime juice (4 to 5 limes)
1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce or other favorite hot sauce
2 tablespoons fresh ginger
1 pound pork tenderloin
1 1/2 cups mung bean sprouts
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 English cucumber
1/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1/3 bunch fresh cilantro
1 large head butter lettuce or Romaine lettuce
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 and Clams
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
Four 6.5 ounce cans chopped clams in clam juice
1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Zest of 1/2 lemon plus 2 tablespoons juice
Big pinch red pepper flakes
Basil Lime Edamame Toast
1 cup shelled edamame 5 ounces
1 scallion
1 medium ripe avocado
6 large fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 to 6 thick slices crusty bread such as whole-grain levain
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)