I’ve got my eye on several of the recipes in this week’s line up, most notably the chicken smothered in yogurt sauce, the lentil tacos, and the Big Chewy Molasses Cookies. I hope you find a few recipes that grab your eye, too. Enjoy!

Instant Pot Farro Risotto with Mushrooms

This is a nourishing and very tasty vegetarian dish that you can make in the Instant Pot if you have one or on the stove top if you don’t (instructions are in the headnote of the recipe).

Tomato Soup and Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese

If you need something simple and comforting, this is it. Get the kids to help with the sandwiches, since making them in the waffle iron is pretty fun. The soup recipe makes just enough for four bowls, but feel free to double it for lunches the next day..

Afghan Chicken in Creamy Yogurt Sauce

This recipe comes to me by way of my friend, Humaira, who is from Afghanistan and skilled in the kitchen. You braise chicken legs and thighs on the stove in a generous amount of turmeric, onions, garlic, and coriander, then stir yogurt in at the very end and top with a heap of fresh cilantro. It’s a real keeper.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowls

White bowl with sweet potato black beans avocado and a green sauce with a blue napkin

A relative newcomer to the blog, these nourishing bowls are a fan favorite in my house. Roasted sweet potatoes, brown rice, black beans, and avocado get dressed up with a tangy, slightly spicy cilantro sauce. Add pickled jalapeños, Cotija cheese, toasted pepitas or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos with Indian Spices

Get lentils going in your slow cooker with Indian spices and you’ve got a mega nourishing filling for a twist on traditional tacos. Pile the lentils onto corn or flour tortillas and finish with yogurt, cilantro, and if you have some on hand, a favorite Indian chutney.

Thick Roasted Sweet Potato Slices

sheet pan with roasted sweet potato slices

Last week I quickly tossed together a pan of sweet potatoes to roast one morning and then tucked them on the side of my lunch salad. So tasty and so easy to prep.

Big Chewy Molasses Cookies

I’m ready to fill up my kitchen with cinnamon and ginger and all the requisite smells of the season. These cookies are an excellent way to do that…big, chewy molasses discs…a favorite from my childhood.

Shopping List

Instant Pot Farro Risotto
1 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion
3/4 pound cremini or white mushrooms
½ cup dry white wine (substitute low-sodium vegetable broth, if preferred)
2 sprigs thyme
1 ½ cups farro
3 to 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 cups stemmed, chopped hearty greens, such as kale, collards, or chard
1 small chunk Pecorino or Parmesan cheese to grate over the top

Tomato Soup and Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 large yellow onion
1 large clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch red pepper flakes
One 28- ounce can diced unsalted tomatoes
One 3/4- inch thick slice crusty French or Italian bread that’s about 4 inches long (stale is fine)
8 slices whole-grain sandwich bread
6 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese (or other favorite cheese)

Afghan Chicken in Yogurt Sauce

1 1/2 cups full-fat Greek yogurt
3 pounds skinless, bone-in chicken legs and/or thighs
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 very large or 2 medium yellow onions
4 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
2 1/2 cups brown or white basmati rice

Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowls with Glossy Green Sauce
2 medium to large sweet potatoes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
11/2 cups cooked black beans (one 15-ounce can)
1 large ripe avocado
1 bushy bunch cilantro (2 cups chopped)
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes
Optional additions: pickled jalapeños, crumbled Cotija, roasted pepitas

Slow Cooker Indian-Style Dal Tacos
1 ½ cups French green lentils
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion
2 medium carrots
2-inch piece fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic
1 small jalapeno pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
8 Corn or small flour tortillas
Garnishes: roughly chopped cilantro, plain yogurt, favorite Indian chutne

Big Chewy Molasses Cookies

6 ounces butter (12 tbsp, salted or unsalted)
1 packed cup light or dark brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour), spooned into the measuring cup and leveled
1 scant teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
Several tablespoons sugar for finishing the cookies

Thick Roasted Sweet Potato Slices
2 large sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons favorite herb or spice, such as rosemary, thyme, chili powder, chipotle powder, or paprika (optional)

Weeknight Rescue//Week 45//Fall 2023