Let’s all say a prayer for Tom & Rita.
Thank you.
I got so many thoughtful responses to my pandemic rant—I think I’ve responded to everyone. If I missed you, please know that your note meant a lot to me. I admit, I was nervous to veer into politics in a meal-planning newsletter. There are thousands of you out there, and I’m sure not everyone shares my views. I did lose a handful of subscribers, but that’s ok. If someone’s going to get offended by my anger at a president who just made it clear he’ll hold back support for states whose governors don’t kowtow, well, see ya.
But you’re still here, and I appreciate that. I’m late getting this out today because I wanted to hit the farmers market and supermarket early, before the crowds. Things feel strange out there now. People don’t make much eye contact on the street, and social distancing means there are fewer opportunities to help each other. When I was checking out at the supermarket an item fell off the far side of my cart, and I just assumed the person standing nearby would pick it up. But he recoiled as if I’d thrown something radioactive at him. Fear makes people behave strangely.
I have an article coming out on WebMD on Monday that goes into all the precautions we really should take, and which ones are optional. Given what I learned while researching it, I would have picked up that package if someone else had dropped it. I had hand sanitizer in my pocket, so I would’ve just used a squirt. I’ll give that gentleman the benefit of the doubt and assume he didn’t have any on him.
Meanwhile, if you’re losing sleep over whether you forgot to wipe down the Doritos after watching that over-the-top video (I won’t link—it’s the one that says you need to scrub each individual apple with soap and water for 20 seconds), please take a breath. Here’s a smart take on what’s realistic, from a food microbiologist.
And now, on to next week.
Sunday
Brown the ground meat.
This is entirely optional, but it’ll save you some time on Monday and again on Thursday. Divide into two packages and refrigerate.
Monday
5-Ingredient Instant Pot Chili
Photo courtesy Stacie Billis
Stacie’s recipe is super-straightforward, so I won’t add any tips. If you browned the meat yesterday, you can add it in step 2 and move right on to step 3.
Vegetarians, you’ll use the can of kidney beans instead of meat and lower the cooking time to 4 minutes. Forgive me for not covering this on the shopping list, but if you have a bell pepper or sweet potato to chop and add, it would be lovely here.
Serve with chopped scallions, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and tortilla chips. (Other options, if you have them: cornbread or corn muffins, chopped onion, chopped tomato, pickled jalapeños, shredded cheddar, rice or another grain, or whatever makes you happy. We’re living through a goddamned pandemic.)
Tuesday
Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
This “recipe” walks you through so many options, you don’t need me at all. Use your imagination and your pantry, and I’ll bet you come up with something amazing. If you still have some tortilla (or any other) chips, serve them alongside.
Wednesday
Spinach and Cheese Strata
Photo courtesy Smitten Kitchen
Bust out whatever kind of bakery bread (not sliced bread) you have for this. As long as it’s not one of those dense, seedy, whole-grain types, it should work. Same with the cheese: As long as it’s mellow-ish in flavor and melts nicely, give it a shot.
Thursday
Instant Pot American Chop Suey
Since this recipe isn’t online, I’ll write it out here. You need:
1-2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper or celery, or both
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
2 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the oil and cook the vegetables until softened, 3-5 minutes. Add the meat and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go (or just add the pre-browned meat). Add the macaroni and cook another minute or two. Add the remaining ingredients and turn off the machine. Set it to Manual for 3 minutes, or half the cooking time listed on the macaroni package. Use quick release, stir, and serve.
Vegetarians, your recipe is here. (American Goulash is the same thing as American Chop Suey. It’s a regional thing, apparently)
Friday
Pantry Grain Bowl
Photo courtesy Food Network
This is hardly a recipe—think of it as more of a guideline. As I said the other day: Use whatever grain you’ve got, whatever vegetables you’ve got, whatever protein you’ve got. If you have the ingredients for the mustard dressing, great, but if you don’t, reply to this email and I’ll help you figure out an alternative.
That’s it. We’ve made it through another week of coronavirus cooking.
Take care of yourself, wash your hands, and stay six feet away from other people.
Debbie