Shopping List: Honey-Soy Chicken (or Tempeh), Easy Black Bean Burgers, and Gnocchi Soup
The Family Plan #62
How many times did you cry yesterday? I started just after 8AM, when The Previous Occupant left the White House, and finally ran out of tears when Madam Vice President entered the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. I’m writing this on Wednesday evening, trying to imagine what it’s going to feel like to wake up in the morning. I’m hoping for… normal. Like, I won’t feel compelled to grab my phone and check Twitter to see if the earth has been shaken off its axis again.
I know, we’re nowhere near what we used to think of as normal. But I really think we’ll be able to sleep.
Here’s the menu for next week:
SUNDAY: Cook a pound of black beans (optional—you can also use cans). You’ll need them for Tuesday and Thursday.
MONDAY: Honey-Soy Baked Chicken Thighs from She Wears Many Hats or Basic Oven-Baked Marinated Tempeh from Epicurious, with quinoa and roasted vegetables. These easy recipes will give you dinner tonight and leftovers for Wednesday—make a double batch, no matter which you choose. If you opt for the tempeh, match the seasonings to the ones in the chicken recipe. Since you’ll be using the oven, plan to roast some vegetables alongside. Broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans would be great, but it’s totally up to you.
TUESDAY: Southwestern Polenta Lasagna from my cookbook, Parents Need to Eat Too. Turn a roll of prepared polenta into dinner with some of Sunday’s black beans (or a can), a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, and some cheddar cheese. This dish is so easy you almost don’t need a recipe, but you’ll find basic instructions in an article I wrote for The Kitchn. If you’re feeding a family of four or larger, I’d plan on making a double-recipe in a 9 x 13 baking dish—I’ve included those amounts in the ingredients list.
WEDNESDAY:
Asian Chicken (or Tempeh) Salad from Damn Delicious. This is the classic not-really-Asian salad you’ll find on restaurant menus. Definitely not authentic, but kid-friendly thanks to crunchy chow mein noodles and sweet mandarin oranges. Using Monday’s leftover chicken or tempeh gets it on the table super-fast.
THURSDAY: Quinoa Black Bean Burgers from AllRecipes, with fixings and potato chips. Monday’s leftover quinoa and more black beans get used tonight. If your kids don’t like hot food, leave out the hot sauce and pass at the table.
FRIDAY:
Vegetable & Gnocchi Italian Soup from A Couple Cooks, with crusty bread. Ready in less than half an hour, this is a delicious and unexpected way to use a package of prepared gnocchi.
Here’s the shopping list:
Ingredients marked with an asterisk * are for the vegetarian option.
Produce
14 cloves garlic (M, W, Th, F)
1 small + 2 medium onions (Th, F)
Vegetables for roasting, such as broccoli, cauliflower, green beans (M)
8 oz. green beans OR 1 package frozen cut green beans (F)
1 head romaine (W)
1 small head red cabbage (W)
1 (5-oz.) package baby spinach (Th, F)
2-3 carrots (W)
1 bunch cilantro (T, W)
1 bunch basil OR prepared pesto (F)
1 bunch green onions (T, W)
1 yellow OR red bell pepper (Th)
1 tomato (Th)
2 tempeh cakes (16 oz. total)* (M, W)
Pantry
Olive oil (M, W, Th, F)
Soy sauce (M, W)
Honey (M, W)
Ground ginger (M, W)
Ground cumin (Th)
Red pepper flakes (F)
Rice vinegar (M*, W)
1 cup quinoa (M, Th)
2 rolls prepared polenta (T)
1 lb. dried black beans OR 3 (15-oz.) cans black beans (T, Th)
1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas (F)
2 (10-oz.) cans diced tomatoes & green chilies (T)
3/4 cup crunchy chow mein noodles (W)
1 (11-oz.) can mandarin oranges (W)
1/2 cup roasted cashews (W)
Peanut butter (W)
Brown sugar (W)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Th)
Hot pepper sauce, optional (M, W, Th)
Mustard, mayo, or your favorite burger condiment (Th)
1 bag potato chips (Th)
1 quart vegetable OR chicken broth (F)
1 (28-oz.) can diced fire roasted tomatoes (F)
1 (15-oz.) can diced fire roasted tomatoes (F)
1 lb. prepared gnocchi (F)
Meat Counter
12-16 chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless (M, W)
Dairy
8 oz. shredded cheddar or Monterey jack cheese (T)
1 egg (Th)
Parmesan cheese, optional (F)
Bakery
4 burger buns (Th)
Crusty bread (F)
Freezer Case
1 package cut green beans OR fresh green beans (F)
On Saturday, paying subscribers will get the details on how it all comes together.
Stay safe, be kind, wash your hands, and wear a mask.
Debbie