Valentine’s Day falls on Thursday this week and I haven’t even pulled my decorations out of the attic yet. I love holiday decor, but the setup and takedown feel like a lot of work. Are you with me, or have you been displaying paper hearts since the first of the month? Since it’s also a school night, I’m planning a quick dinner that feels a little special — details below. Wishing you a week filled with the love of family and friends.
SUNDAY
We’re watching the Grammys tonight because the kids want to tune in. For awards shows we treat it like an event: we pull a small table in front of the TV, arrange extra seating, and eat while we critique the outfits. It’s rare we eat in front of the television, so it feels like a treat. We’re ordering takeout by special request for soup dumplings — I’m not making them from scratch. If you’d like to cook instead and crave tangy Asian flavors, try an easy lo mein or lightning-fast Sichuan-style noodles loaded with vegetables and heat.
MONDAY
It’s Meatless Monday and we want something low-carb and satisfying. I’ll make a big batch of arugula, basil, and avocado pesto — the avocado gives a creamy texture if you skip the Parmesan. Kale or spinach can substitute for arugula if needed. I’ll serve mine over roasted spaghetti squash and mix in some whole wheat spaghetti for the kids. My family likes spaghetti squash, but they prefer pasta, so I often combine squash and pasta 50/50 to hide the veggie component.
TUESDAY
There’s a speaker at school tonight, so dinner needs to be quick. I’ll leave taco filling in the Instant Pot. Use a homemade taco seasoning with ground grass-fed beef or dark turkey. To make seasoned ground meat in the Instant Pot: use the sauté function, heat a tablespoon of oil, sauté a cup of chopped onion until softened, add a pound of ground meat and brown while breaking it into pieces. Stir in 1–2 tablespoons taco seasoning and a cup of red salsa. For extra vegetables, add a cup of riced cauliflower. Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to high manual for 15 minutes, then quick-release. If the meat clumps during cooking, break it up with a potato masher or pastry blender. Serve with tortillas, chopped veggies, cheese, and your favorite taco toppings.
WEDNESDAY
I’m hosting a private cooking class today focused on recent favorites that work well for a dinner party. Email me if you’d like to join the newsletter at [email protected]. For dinner we’re keeping it simple with sheet pan sausage and peppers. I like to toss broccoli or zucchini on the pan when I need to use up produce. Use a pre-cooked sausage such as Teton Waters Ranch or Pederson’s, and serve with grainy mustard and sauerkraut. Add a baked potato if you want a starchy side.
THURSDAY
Houston locals: I’ll be on live TV today cooking a quick Valentine’s dinner on HoustonLife — a little nerve-wracking but exciting to cook start-to-finish in real time!
For Valentine’s dinner we’ll make simple roasted salmon served with chermoula, perfectly roasted potatoes, and a large green salad. Keep the salad straightforward with mixed greens and a super-simple dressing, or make a spinach salad with pesto and peas for something a bit different. For dessert, prepare a fruit crisp (apple or berry) in the morning, or make a favorite flourless chocolate cake if you want a grain-free option.
FRIDAY
End the week with something easy and stress-free. I’ll toss a roast or beef into the slow cooker for French dip sandwiches and call it a day.