Weekly Menu Planning - March 2026

Hi everyone

My palm is healing slowly, though still painful (especially when I forget and do something normal), but with a bandage padding, a glove, and prepped helper ingredients, I’ve been able to get around the kitchen. Having a few things marinated or cooked and ready to use also made the first few days easier.

This extended bitterly cold weather has had me craving warm and rich things that I don’t usually eat. I loved a COTM Diana Henry recipe for Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pie enriched with sour cream. I succumbed to pork ribs at the butcher (because I’ve been craving char siu and not letting myself buy it) — Filipino-style bbq hit the spot! And I also bought a giant slab of chuck roast because I’ve been craving short ribs :face_savoring_food: — now trying to figure out what to do with it!

Some thoughts for the week:
Pongal (lentils and rice) + papad + roasted squash or cauliflower.
— Eastern European-style sautéed mushrooms, onions, and potatoes + frozen Pelmeni (from this market, which I need to visit again soon).
— Big Winter Salad: some combination of arugula, fennel, roasted squash, roasted cauliflower, roasted or pickled red onions, and pita chips or homemade focaccia croutons.
Beef Rendang + gai lan + coconut rice.
Pork Ribs with Naga chillies + bok choy + rice.
Lobster Pie (using Argentinian shrimp) or Smoked Fish Pie from COTM Diana Henry to use up things buried in the freezer.
— Curry Chicken Noodle Soup — double-concentrated homemade broth, red curry paste & curry powder, leftover chicken, greens.
— Chicken Quesadilla or Kathi Roll — leftover chicken, flour tortilla (possibly coated with egg), pickled onions, zhoug or salsa.

.

I also need to use up or freeze the remaining (many) wonton wrappers from my viral recipe experiments last week. Top contenders at the moment are mini lasagne and some version of spinach pie / borek / spanakopita, both likely for the freezer rather than for immediate consumption.

And I need to make a tiny dessert for tomorrow — my friend who recently lost her mom has a birthday, so something sweet but low-key (because I remember my first birthday after losing a parent wasn’t exactly festive). Maybe the water chocolate mousse, or a simple hot milk cake.

Take care and stay safe.

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Just when I got my cooking mojo back after a really extended period, I have been struck down with a diverticulitis flare. :face_with_symbols_on_mouth: So soft, bland, non-fibrous food for the next few weeks, here on the Maine mid-coast.

Homemade chicken noodle soup, Jose Andres one-egg microwave omelets, pasta with plain tomato sauce (no onions or garlic) and maybe the Julia Turshen ricotta and potato chip salmon cakes (no peas) will feature, sigh. I dropped off a sack of avocados, artichokes, andouille, ham steak, and pomegranates to a neighbor because I can’t eat them and they won’t keep. At least she was happy…

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sorry to hear this. hope you feel better soon

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Oh, no! How awful! Hope you get better very soon! At least you seem to know how to handle it. My PIC had to have surgery almost 20 years ago (and almost died) bc of a serious diverticulitis attack.

He still feels sore most of the time, regardless of what we eat, but alcohol and meats seem to be the biggest triggers for him. When it gets really bad he basically goes on a liquid diet (no, not alcohol :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:).

Your neighbor is very lucky indeed. Sorry you had to give all that delicious stuff away :frowning:

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I’m so sorry to hear this. Hope you feel better soon.

Are you near Blue Hill? My best friend moved to that area over last summer, and I visited her in November. What a lovely place!

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That is a lovely place! Not so far up - near Rockland.

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So sorry you are going through this. Hope it settles soon.

(And if you get bored of your food options, maybe we can be of help with ideas that conform with what you’re allowed.)

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Greetings, People.

An unordinary week as DH will be out of town for a couple of nights mid-week. I’m torn whether to take advantage of those to nights to either 1) cook or bake something I love, or 2) don’t cook at all. We’ve plenty of supplies on hand - including leftovers - to accomplish either. Decisions, decisions…

All other nights, cooking for two adults in the PNW.

FRI: Peri peri chicken on the grill (I’ll use Nando’s sauce). Air-fried potatoes. Coleslaw.

SAT: Italian Wedding Soup with chicken-zucchini meatballs. Leftover focaccia.

SUN: Old school tacos with leftover grilled chicken. Pico de gallo. Avo.

MON: Pizza? Caesar? Tex Mex? Popcorn? None (or all) of the above?

TUE: TBD

WED: TBD

THUR: Happy homecoming. Steak and Caesar.

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Spring break is upon us, which we usually spend at a dear friend’s house on the Satellite Coast with other friends (who all met through my CH diaspora Facebook group) — but finances combined with life circumstances are keeping us in dreary PA for the first time in 7 years :sob:

Many of our friends are headed to more interesting locales for the week as well — like NYC or Bonaire while we are stuck here, but we’ll make the best of it. We always do :blush:

And so, here’s what’s cooking for two w̶i̶l̶d̶ ̶&̶ ̶c̶r̶a̶z̶y̶ mildly interesting adults in Happy Valley.

Today is another Sichuan jour fixe with/for my fellow chile heads. A couple of friends just sold their house here to permanently live in the city, and they requested we get together for some málà. Always happy to oblige, and it looks like we have a solid group of 11 for tonight.

Tomorrow my band has a gig at a popular watering hole to ring in townies week — the students are basically gone already to get wasted in warmer climes. Hopefully it won’t be too dead. I’ll try to get there a little earlier than 20 min before showtime :smiley: so my PIC and I can share their luscious double stack cheeborger.

Saturday is going to be warm but rainy — might turn on the grill for the first time this year. Not sure what we’ll throw on it, but maybe we’ll cash in a bday gift coupon at the local fishmonger for something fancy.

Sunday it cools down again, which would be a great opportunity to make up those duck breasts we’ve had in the freezer, along with some traditional German braised red cabbage and probably crispy roasted potatoes.

Monday, then, might require a ssssspicy dinner yet TBD

Tuesday looks to be sunny. If my friend is working at the brewery that day & the food truck appeals we might swing by there for a sundowner & a bite.

Wednesday I’ve really been wanting to make pork adobo and garlic fried rice as per this thread. Could Wednesday be the day? We shall see.

Thursday we might splurge on takeout sushi, since we’re not even traveling anywhere :pouting_cat:

Take care of yourselves, fellow HOs, and eat all the good tings :black_heart:

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Hi, all! Cooking for 2 in Chattanooga, where I’ve come down with Covid (I had sort of forgotten about that until they tested me at urgent care), so trying to make low-effort food…

Friday, March 6: Thai-style ground beef, probably with a simple slaw rather than lettuce cups
Saturday: Rosemary lemon tart from the Silver Palate
Sunday: Beer-braised short ribs, noodles, side dish/dessert depending on energy level
Tuesday: Spinach and feta egg wraps (gift link)
All other days are set aside for leftovers and takeout.
I hope many of you on the East Coast are taking advantage of the warmer weather! Happy cooking!

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Oh no! Hope you feel better very soon!

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Hope you feel better soon! Here is the old “stupid easy, fast and hot” thread if you need more ideas.

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Hello friends it’s finally Friday and I’m gearing up for a one week staycation. My cough continues however I am now using a couple of inhalers that seem to be helping. I am now trying to find activities to do while I’m off where my coughing won’t interfere too much with whatever activities I planned. It’s been going on for so long :frowning: This is what’s on tap for this week:

Today: My take out lunch was a salade nicoise. I will have a Greek salad for dinner because one can never have too many salads in one day :slight_smile:

Saturday: Off to a gallery visit with a friend in the morning then a late lunch at a seafood restaurant. The resto we are going to has a resto on one side of the establishment and a store on the other. I haven’t been to the resto yet but I’ve bought fish from the store and they sell some of the freshest fish I’ve ever tasted. Dinner will be another Greek salad.

Sunday: Off to the farmers market. I need meat of all kinds since I ran out a few weeks ago and haven’t been feeling well enough to go for a stroll around the market but I’m starting to get my energy back so today’s the day. I will have a shrimp risotto for dinner.

Monday: My birthday. I’m not sure what I will do during the day since everything seems to be closed on Mondays. I might pick up a prepared dinner during yesterday’s trip to the farmers market or maybe take out from a favourite resto. Either way, dinner will be a surprise!

Tuesday: One of the churches downtown has noon hour organ recitals on Tuesdays so I think I will take it in this week then maybe a museum visit after. I will have a hamburger casserole for dinner.

Wednesday: I am hoping to see a matinée screening of Marty Supreme if my cough has subsided enough by then. Dinner will be linguine with zucchini and mint and a tomato cucumber salad on the side.

Thursday: An afternoon art gallery visit then a screening with the Ottawa Film Society. I might have a quick bite to eat before the show or maybe the pub after to listen to some live music. I haven’t done that in awhile…

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Aw, man. You’ve been dealing with this cough for far too long, but I’m glad the inhalers are giving you at least some relief!

And I really, really, REALLY hope you feel better for your birthday! Fingers and toes are crossed!!!

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Thanks. I had to go for an xray last Tuesday so it isn’t over yet :frowning: I may have to go on another round of medication next week… I don’t mind being sick for a few days or a week but this is crazy.

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I’m sorry to hear you have Covid and I will keep my fingers crossed that you have a quick recovery.

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Early happy birthday wishes!!!

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Thank you :slight_smile:

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hope you feel better soon.

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Cooking for 3 in southwestern Ontario.

My DC’s gout that struck after Fat Tue jambalaya leftovers came back.

I already have given away the sausage in our freezer.

We have been keeping cured meats and shellfish to a minimum since then.

I didn’t realize Coke and chips could contribute. I had started buying mini Cans of Coke and they had been a once a day treat with some chips and dip for my one DC.

My cousin had let me know about spinach.
My DC loves spinach, and she didn’t think it could contribute to a flare, but maybe it has this week.

Didn’t know canned tuna could be an issue. The UK, Cdn and US sites have slightly different lists of which foods to avoid, so I looked at them all, to get a better idea of how I can try to prevent it going fwd.
So, continuing to tweak the DCs’ meal plans.

Fri: Maple ginger salmon tonight with rice. Veggie Beet Borscht. Maybe also a small Mac and Cheese , for weekend lunches.

Sat: Wed’s leftover roast pork and Thu’s leftover roast chicken for the DCs.

Sun: DCs will scrounge. I will do take-out out-of-town.

Mon: I was going to do roast beef but my DC should be avoiding red meat and turkey. (turkey and goose have the purine that can lead to uric acid that causes gout, chicken has less). The same DC really gets tired of chicken, and likes variety. Many veggie mains won’t work for the same DC. I guess I’ll play it by ear. Probably pasta.

Hope you guys have a nice weekend.

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