Savory Breakfast Oats
Mornings during the pandemic are a scramble to get everyone up, in front of laptops, and ready for a day of remote learning and work. I usually realize at some point mid-morning that I never ate anything, and I’m now starving.
Sugary breakfasts aren’t helpful, so lately I’ve been craving something more savory. This filling bowl of oatmeal is ready in minutes, keeps me going for hours, and is delicious, once you get used to the idea that oatmeal doesn’t have to be sweet.
I’ll use name-brand ingredients here, since the directions for preparing oatmeal are specific to the brand and style of oats, and because the saltiness of the dish depends on the type of broth and salt used. If you’re using different brands, follow the oatmeal’s package directions (adding the egg two minutes before the end), and season according to your own taste.
Crab Rolls / Crab Melts
Unable to eat out, we began to look for easy meals that were still a bit of a treat. This crab salad, perfumed with lemon zest and a tiny punch of minced shallot, is a small luxury we can prepare either as crab rolls or crab melts and enjoy in minutes.
Guy & Leesa’s Iced Coffee
Now that we’ve learned how to easily make our own iced coffee at home, we no longer brew hot coffee in the morning. We go through a batch of this iced coffee every day and a half.
Leesa’s Pressure Cooker Charro Beans
A pressure cooker makes this classic Tex-Mex dish of pinto beans stewed with bacon, onion, jalapeño, garlic, and onion easy to serve alongside chicken fajitas.
(If you’re looking for a vegetarian recipe cooked on the stovetop, check out this recipe for vegetarian charro beans.)
Leesa’s Chicken Fajitas
I keep an eye on my smoke detectors when I cook these fajitas, but they’re worth a little unexpected excitement if you’re having friends over for dinner. Chicken marinated in lime and seared on the stovetop until juicy and delicious perfectly rounds out tortillas filled with shredded cheese and grilled peppers and onions.
To speed things up you can sauté the peppers first, while the chicken is marinating. They’ll have a little less chicken-y goodness, but if you’re hungry, you won’t miss it.
We make these fajitas all the time at home, but the pinnacle was grilling the chicken over a wood fire on our last vacation with friends to Big Bend National Park. I’ve never been so proud of a meal.
Serve with charro beans.
Simple Butternut Soup
Roast a halved butternut squash, lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil, and then blend it in a food processor with a bit of chicken broth, miso paste, and a small amount of butter. It’s warm and satisfying, perfect for a cozy lunch at home.
Leesa’s Sheet Pan Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, & Broccoli
I love the current “sheet pan supper” trend, which combines desire to roast everything with the need to get a healthy weeknight dinner on the table quickly. Cooking everything on the same sheet pan allows the veggies to roast in the meat’s juices, which amplifies the flavor.
Gin & Tonic
This light, refreshing, bubbly cocktail is a welcome addition to girls night, book club, or any hot summer evening. We always start with chilled ingredients for a frosty drink.
Leesa’s Hawaiian Rainbow Jello
During my junior high years, we lived in Hawaii, and I spent most of my time at my BFF Kim’s house. Her mom often made this layered rainbow Jello, and I though it was pure magic.
Now that I have a child, I want to add a little magic to his and his friends’ lives, so I’m excited to have found the recipe.
Leesa’s Favorite Side Salad
Delicious salads must be made with the freshest ingredients that are chopped into bite-sized pieces (especially the greens!). This is my favorite side salad to serve at a dinner party, and contains green and red romaine, sugar snap peas, apples, avocado, slivered almonds, and a high-quality prepared dressing.