Seasonal Sundays (Week 18)

Just when things are seeming a tiny bit ... um ... normal, they're about to change. Are we ready?
Seasonal Sundays ♥ KitchenParade.com, a seasonal collection of recipes and life ideas in and out of the kitchen.

Welcome to Seasonal Sundays ...

Hey, All. How're you holding up? Really, how are you?


And maybe it's just me but is all this all beginning to seem a little too ... normal? In our homes, our individual bubbles, our jobs ... if we still have jobs :-( ... we've figured out how to make this all work, imperfectly perhaps, but yeah it works. We've got this. When we wake up in the morning, we know it's going to look a lot like yesterday.

And I so stand in awe and appreciation of those who have found such meaningful new purpose serving others. Is anyone else still looking for that purpose? Me too. I know that "staying home" is its own contribution to the common effort. But could I do more?

But in the next days and weeks, the next set of challenges and uncertainty await, as individual states and communities begin to slowly open up and families decide to venture out.

It's all reminding me of the months my dad, sister and I did hospice for my mom. We would figure things out and rock along for a few days and even weeks ... and then BAM, things turned upside down and there was a whole new set of stuff to figure out. For those of us who thrive on routine ... arrrgh, we are managing but still.

Will the books that get written call this Our Pandemic Summer? Pandemic Year? Pandemic Decade? Even this alliteration lover shudders at the idea of this last ...


Stay Well, Stay Safe, Stay Strong ...


About the Photo By Popular Request, a Little Insight into the Top Image: Hello from this household's chief cook and bottlewasher and as of this week ... barber? It was such a pretty spring morning when we set up outside to have a go at my husband's scruffy head. A few weeks ago, I ordered this men's haircut kit (affiliate link) and it worked great. The next day? He got up early, showered, put on slacks and a sportcoat and headed to work in his home office ... such is the power of even a mediocre haircut!

We're all taking on new roles, if only they were all so easy as this.


PS The photo itself was taken on my phone but the "watercolor look" comes from an app called Waterlogue from Tinrocket which turns even so-so phone photos into works of art. I love this app! It works right on your phone, works in seconds and is easy to save to your photoroll. Not sponsored but much recommended!




PICK ONE

Pick One is for those of us overwhelmed by life's unending choices. If that resonates, then check out this one recipe and then call it a day. It's one that I think could make the most difference, the one I hope will become a regular in your kitchen, as it is in mine.


Smitten Kitchen's Avocado-Cucumber Salad ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, addictively good, so many variations. Low Carb. Gluten Free.

A hearty salad to make again and again, especially if you're looking for a lunch that's quick and fresh and will hold. But once I also made an enormous batch (bulked up with honeydew and blueberries) for an day-after wedding brunch. So good!


Compliments!

Carrot Cake Cupcakes ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, a cupcake adaptation of Cook's Illustrated's carrot cake recipe. It's made in the food processor!
  • "Great recipe--second time making it and we devoured the first batch!" ~ Libby
  • THE RECIPE Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Shhh Banana Bread ♥ KitchenParade.com, healthy low-fat banana bread, just 1 tablespoon oil and whole wheat flour. Weight Watchers Friendly!
  • "I made this yesterday and it was wonderful!" ~ QuiltingAgain
  • THE RECIPE Shhh Banana Bread Delicious, low-fat banana bread

Armenian Easter Bread (Choereg or Choreg) ♥ KitchenParade.com, a rich buttery braided yeast bread spiced with mahleb (or mahlab), a slice is perfect with a cup of coffee.
  • "I'm Armenian from Armenia but choereg isn't as popular in modern Armenia as I wish it were, people tend to imitate foreign cuisine rather than revive the lost Armenian recipes. So I had to search the internet for the best recipe and this one looked trustworthy! Besides, I'm all new to yeast dough, I needed a recipe so that I could stick to the instructions. In my opinion, they turned out awesome." ~ dejavu
  • THE RECIPE Armenian Easter Bread The buttery sweet bread called choereg or choreg.

Zucchini Mushroom Tacos, another Meatless Monday or Taco Tuesday idea ♥ A Veggie Venture, easy to adapt with what's on hand or just what sounds good. Weight Watchers Friendly.
  • "My family has made this for Taco Tuesday night at least 4 or 5 times and it’s always a hit! The flavors are great together! Absolutely delicious!" ~ Anonymous
  • THE RECIPE Zucchini Mushroom Tacos

Cook. Eat. Repeat.

Here's my appeal for mealtime minimalism, the idea that you don't have to think up a new breakfast or a new lunch every day. It's a way to think less about food rather than more. It's maintains that the ritual of healthy satisfying staples can fill you up in a way that the new and the novel cannot.


How to Steam Broccoli, step-by-step photos ♥ AVeggieVenture.com.

For those of us who cook every day, even before "This Moment", it's still easy to overlook the most basic of the basic. Just this week, I had a big bunch of broccoli and racked my brain on what to do with it.

You know what didn't come to mind? Simple steaming!


Cinco de Mayo Meal Prep

I know, I know, it's still a good ten days until Cinco de Mayo. But groceries take some planning, right? And besides, these are things to make ahead of time.

Meal prep for the win!

PS Get a few avocados and Roma tomatoes too. We have My Guacamole to make!


Lime Crema ♥ KitchenParade.com, a simple way to upgrade tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and more.

  • THE RECIPE Lime Crema A DIY Mexican crema for tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more.

Quick Jalapeño Pickles ♥ KitchenParade.com, easy homemade refrigerator pickles, no canning required. Great for Mexican Meal Prep.


Spiced Pickled Red Onions ♥ KitchenParade.com, a game changer for tacos, salads, eggs and more.

Back-Pocket Recipe

We all keep certain recipes in our virtual back pockets, right? We might not need them right this minute but recognize their usefulness in our recipe repertoires.


African Pepper, Tomato & Spinach Stew, another easy weeknight one-pot supper ♥ AVeggieVenture.com. Just Five Ingredients. Vegetarian. Vegan.

Our fridge is rarely without a gigantic bag of fresh spinach, not delicate baby spinach to save for salads, but a sturdy spinach that does work for salads but is mostly cooked. This is one of our favorites!


What's New?!


Weeknight Comfort Food

Easy Skillet Stroganoff (Beef or Chicken), more weeknight comfort food ♥ KitchenParade.com. Budget Friendly. High Protein.

What's your idea of comfort food? Here's one of mine, weeknight easy and budget friendly. It starts with a pound of hamburger meat.

Unless you'd prefer chicken? This chicken stroganoff is very Weight Watchers friendly, just 1 point on the purple plan, 3 points on the blue plan and even 5 points on the green plan.



The Spring Classic

Asparagus Risotto, the spring classic ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, except lighter, with more flavor, thanks to a gorgeous Aspargus Stock that uses the whole spear. Weeknight Easy, Weekend Special. Gluten Free.

The asparagus in the stores is sooo pretty right now, this recipe uses an unusual technique that uses the whole spear, not just the tender tip. I've made this twice in two weeks, so good!



And Another!

Everyday-to-Elegant Asparagus Soup ♥ KitchenParade.com, one recipe for either rustic or refined asparagus soup, a spring classic. Weight Watchers Friendly. Rave Reviews!

Just Updated!

Easy Summer Recipes ♥ KitchenParade.com, a collection of easy-to-remember and memorable recipes especially for summer. Less cookin'. More livin'. It's the summer's motto!


Old-Fashioned Homemade Lemonade ♥ KitchenParade.com, how to make real lemonade using the oil from the lemon peel for extra zesty flavor.


Finnish Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake ♥ KitchenParade.com, layers of sponge cake, fluffy whipped cream and strawberries, a real celebration cake.


Autumn Pumpkin Bread ♥ KitchenParade.com, moist, flavorful pumpkin bread, my forever-favorite recipe.

Text Me Back!

I'd love to hear from you. Comment, send me a quick e-mail via recipes@kitchen-parade.com, dot-dash in Morse code, build a fire for smoke signals, launch a message in a bottle, send a Christmas letter, get the dog to yip, toss me a note wrapped in a rubberband, write a message in the sky, scratch a note in the sand, listen to a seashell, whatever.


Kitchen Parade is written by second-generation food columnist Alanna Kellogg and features fresh, seasonal dishes for every-day healthful eating and occasional indulgences. Quick Suppers are Kitchen Parade favorites and feature recipes easy on the budget, the clock, the waistline and the dishwasher. Do you have a favorite recipe that other Kitchen Parade readers might like? Just send me a quick e-mail via recipes@kitchen-parade.com. How to print a Kitchen Parade recipe. Never miss a recipe! If you like this recipe, sign up for a free e-mail subscription. If you like Kitchen Parade, you're sure to like my food blog about vegetable recipes, too, A Veggie Venture. If you make this recipe, I'd love to know your results! Just leave a comment below.

© Copyright Kitchen Parade
2020

Alanna Kellogg
Alanna Kellogg

A Veggie Venture is home of "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.

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