Saturday, December 14, 2019
Menu Inspiration
One Great Meal
ne Great Meal gives you one complete meal plan every week... complete with sides, main, and a dessert. Let someone else do the menu planning for a change!
Lindsay Evans
One Great Meal is a complete menu developed by Lindsay Evans. Lindsay is a food stylist, recipe developer and food writer who lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. Lindsay is currently working on a cookbook with her twin sister (stay tuned!) but in the meantime, bookmark this page to see what other great meal plans she develops for our community of Canadian cooks. They'll be a new menu uploaded here every week.
-
The "Comforting Old Classics” Menu
I absolutely love to create and try new recipes. But, sometimes the most comforting thing in the world is to make one of my old favourites. Some of these recipes are classics passed down from my mom or grandma, while some are recipes that I have been inspired to create along the way. This particular recipe was inspired from a dinner party in England where a dear friend served us a delicious spinach and vegetable lasagna. I loved it so much that I re-created my own version once we were home - and I have been making it ever since. My Spinach, Veggie and Buffalo Mozzarella Lasagna is so easy to make and it is chock-full of yummy veggies including mushrooms, spinach and eggplant. The addition of Buffalo Mozzarella takes this from an everyday meal to something really special. I always serve this with my Simple Arugula Salad – but a good Caesar Salad would be awesome too. My Rosemary Bread is the perfect compliment to both. It is a must-try that I serve with many of my favourite recipes.
-
The ‘Fiesta-in-your-mouth” Menu
We love Mexican food, but often get stuck in a rut of making either chicken or beef fajitas. They are a family favourite for sure, but I was ready to try something new and different. Enter my new Spicy Black Bean Tacos with Mango Salsa. I am happy to say that this scrumptious ‘fiesta-in-your-mouth’ meal is rapidly becoming a family favourite too! Not only are they delicious, but they are a cinch to make, and very economical too. Pair them with my go-to Chunky Guacamole and dinner will be a sure-fire hit! Finish off with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Crushed Maltezers. Ok, its not necessarily Mexican-inspired, but I can assure you, your kids will LOVE it.
-
The ‘Let the Kids Help” Menu
My little guy, Ellis, who is three, loves to prepare and ‘cook’ food. We just have a hard time getting him to eat a lot of what he ‘makes’! He’s what I like to call a ‘selective eater’. In an effort to get him more interested in food and in particular, eating, my husband and I constantly try to come up with dinner ideas that he can help make. This weekend he has asked for pizza, popcorn and cookies. So here’s my ‘kids can help’ menu!
My Pita Pizzas are a perfect kid-friendly food. They are a hit to make - use whatever toppings that your kids love - and an even bigger hit to eat. My Spiced Popcorn is a great Friday night treat, perfect for when you are all cozy on the couch watching a movie. Finally, my No-Bake Choco Granola Clusters are soft and chocolaty. Now, I know Ellis will eat these!
-
The "Powerhouse Breakfast" Menu
I love breakfast. I really do believe it is the most important meal of the day. And I like to get a lot of bang-for-my-buck with breakfast because I have to admit I tend to graze my way through lunch until dinner and, well, my favourite time of the day, wine o’clock ;) My Best Ever Granola is the ultimate powerhouse breakfast. It is chock-full of so much goodness like oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit, all sure to keep your belly happy and full for hours on end. I like mine served with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and some fresh cut fruit. Pair it with my Berry Banana Smoothie and a spiced vanilla latte for a truly perfect start to any morning.
-
The "Be My Valentine” Dinner Menu
So, I know I like to try to keep things quick and easy when it comes to meals, most of the time. But sometimes, A.K.A on VALENTINES day, it's OK to step-it-up a bit. For me, the notion behind Valentines Day has changed a great deal since my two little wonders came along. Sure it is still about love, but now it is about loving not only my hubby, but also my kids as well. The hubby and I still try to sneak away for a special meal, but now we also make a special family kid-friendly Valentines meal too. Here’s what we are making this year...
Penne, Tomato, Basil and Buffalo Mozzarella Pasta Bake is quick and easy but also decadently delicious and very kid-friendly. Serve with a Simple Arugula Salad – mostly for the adults. Finish off with White Chocolate Blondie Sundaes. Simply follow my recipe to make the blondies – they can be made a day or two before – and then allow you kids to build their own sundaes using ice cream, berries, sprinkles and chocolate sauce. It will be an ooey-gooey end to the perfect family V-day meal.
-
The "Better than Take-Out" Dinner Menu
Let's be honest, we all crave take-out food at times. But sometimes we also want to avoid the heavy, high-calorie and fatty foods that are typical of many of these joints. Well, toss the delivery menus aside and instead create these easy-to-prepare, healthy and delicious, Asian-inspired dishes, all from the comfort of your home kitchen.
My Thai Red Prawn Curry is a quick and easy version of a Thai classic. Bursting with fragrant flavours and healthy vegetables it will have you reaching for more. Serve it with my Coconut Steamed Rice for a simply healthy and delicious dinner. Craving something sweet afterwards? Try my Mango Sorbet with Toasted Coconut. It is a perfect end to a flavour-packed Asian-inspired home cooked meal.
-
The "Back at It” Dinner Menu
So I was down for the count with the flu, for what seemed like an eternity. It steam-rolled through my whole family, taking us down, one by one. My poor kids got hit the worst, with not only the flu, but also a hefty dose of croup. I must admit, I cried a couple of times - felt my inner resolve to be positive this January being ripped away.
But I’m back and feeling stronger then ever. Maybe it was the week-long hiatus from coffee, wine and, well... food, but after I finally recovered I actually felt healthier then I have in a while. So, I am dedicated once again to bringing you flavour-packed, nutritious and easy meal solutions! My Soba Noodle Salad with Spicy Asian Greens is the perfect accompaniment to my Asian Roasted Salmon, both bursting with nutrients to keep us strong and healthy. Finish off with Berry Skewers with Frozen Yogurt for a special, but healthy, treat.
-
The "Mom is Too Sick to Cook Dinner" Menu
It's hard to pull dinner together when your family is down for the count with the flu, isn't it? That's why this week I'm strongly suggesting parents have a batch of this traditional chicken noodle soup in their freezers, ready and waiting for when and if taken out by a bad bug. It's healthy, it's healing, and it covers all the food groups. Now pardon me while I go crawl back into to bed...
-
The "Here's to a Brighter January" Family Dinner Menu
So we are moving into the middle of January – a typically bleak time when we are settling into the long and dark winter months. A time when resolutions are forgotten and healthy eating gets put to the wayside. But hold on, does it really have to be this way? I say let’s transform this image of a dreary January and instead look at winter cooking with a fresh and optimistic perspective. I am a firm believer that the start of a new year can be the best time to create fresh and healthy eating habits. The following recipes will help you do just that.
My veggie and bean Ultimate Chili Con Carne is crammed full of warming, hearty and nutritious ingredients that will have your taste buds screaming for more – good thing it makes a big batch! The kids will love helping you make my simply delicious Chunky Guacamole; perfect served with healthy Baked Pita Chips to scoop up all the deliciousness. Finish off with a winter delicacy, clementines and bananas dipped in gooey chocolatey goodness. Yum.
-
The "Calm AFTER the Storm" Dinner Menu
So the holidays are behind us, and if you are anything like me, you are feeling like you over-indulged maybe a bit too much this year – ok, every year. But never fear. I am here to give you a month of delicious, simple and healthy, winter-inspired meals that can help get you and your family thru the dreary month of January. An added bonus? Many of them easily make enough for leftovers, covering you for tomorrow’s dinner as well, or you can choose to freeze half for a later date.
This week my Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Smoked Chili Soup is light, healthy and packed with vitamin A. With a hit of spice, it will surely warm you up after a chilly winter walk or a bout of tobogganing with the kids. And speaking of kids, they will LOVE the Rosemary Croutons, perfect for crumbling overtop. My Winter Green Salad with Feta and Pomegranate – a reigning superfood - is a quick and easy side. Finish off with this Fruit Salad With Vanilla Yogurt Dip and your no-longer bloated belly will say thank you.
-
The "We Are Still In Holiday-Mode" Brunch Menu
With the holidays just behind us, we are all scrambling to create delicious meals for our families that are healthy and, above all, easy. I love to create meal ideas that are sometimes a bit off-the-cuff, like serving something that is traditionally thought of as a brunch dish, for dinner. The fabulous thing about this meal is that it is perfect for a light and healthy lunch or dinner, or any holiday breakfast or brunch, so we’ve got you covered this season.
My Spanish-inspired Feta, Chorizo and Pepper Frittata is packed with veggies and has a hit of spice which perfectly combines with the cool flavours of my Tomato, Bocconcini and Basil Salad. This is a complete meal on its own, however if you are looking to add a little something something to it, my Quick Oven-Roasted Home Fries are the ideal accompaniment. Finish off with a cheat’s dessert using a store-bought staple. My Chocolate Poundcake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Iced Berries is the Simplest. Dessert. Ever.
by : jamal bintang