CHRIS’S FAVORITE DINNERS
If you are making dinner at home for a special occasion or you just want to try Chris's (my husband) fave dinners that I make at any point - here are some current faves!
CRISPY HONEY GINGER SALMON BOWL BY HALF BAKED HARVEST
This is to die for! The quality of the salmon and the perfectly ripe, sweet mango is what makes the dish. If the timing isn't right to source these items, then don't make it because it will be meh. You want a nice thick piece of salmon, not thin tail pieces. We make it with plain white rice and it is perf. Also, the salsa calls for peaches and when those are not in season, I double up on the mango. It's mouth watering.
CRISPY CHICKEN WITH LEMON ORZO BY INA GARTEN
This is a terrible pic, so I want you to imagine perfectly seasoned, crispy, juicy whole roasted chicken. This can be homemade or maybe you love the ones at Costco. LOL. This is so much easier and less of a cluster than roasting a whole bird. Chris always says if I made this chicken before we were married he would have proposed. You have to add ALL the butter. That gives the crisp and juice. You will have a bunch left in the pan you don't have to consume, so don't let that scare you. You DO need a good oven proof skillet, such as cast iron.
VEGAN NACHO CHEESE BY EARTHY ANDY
This recipe will take you to her instagram reel where the recipe is in her written caption. Whether you are looking for plant based recipes, or you are a nacho cheese loving freak (like my whole family) this is mind blowingly good and all veg. Follow the recipe measurements to a T. You add any remaining water from the pot to the blender FYI, and when it's in the blender I add a few dashes of hot sauce + 2 T of miso paste (sounds random but good) to add some depth. To reheat the next day you need to add some water to thin, but it's even better.
SPICY TURKEY MEATBALLS BY INA GARTEN
I don't know who doesn't like meatballs. Chris requests them for as many special occasions as he can LOL. Honestly, they are kind of a huge pain in the ass, but they are good. Don't you dare try to make these on a week night or you will curse my name. You can control the spice, by using less or omitting the red chili flakes. Use Rao's marinara it's the best. Don't sleep on the bread soaking in milk, it's what makes the texture fluffy as opposed to dense rocks.
BUCATINI ALL'AMATRICIANA BY CJ EATS
So easy and weeknight friendly. Tastes like you worked really hard and you didn't! My cheat is to pick up a salad bar salad and a baguette and serve with this. So fast. It is a simple recipe, but you MUST follow it exactly. I use pancetta, and don't forget to snag the pasta water before you drain the pasta. Speaking of pasta, if you can't find bucatini, spaghetti works just fine. Double the batch if you are making for your family!
SUN-DRIED TOMATO PASTA BY HALF BAKED HARVEST
This is a rich dish for sure, and I lovingly refer to it as a bit of a triple bypass waiting to happen. LOL. Aren't most of HBH like that anyway? This is a one pot meal, which we are talking pasta included in the one pot. Yes please! SOOOO good. Don't skip the lemon ricotta. I personally like the chopped parsley and dill on the side, because my kids love this, but don't like the “weeds on top!” Tastes like you got Italian takeout.
CRISPY CHICKEN TACOS BY HALF BAKED HARVEST
I'm obsessed with how easy and delish these are. I have a lot of notes. Both ground chicken or ground beef work. I like the lighter ground chicken. The enchilada sauce you add to the meat is key. I LOVE Trader Joes brand in the glass bottle. I bust these out in huge batches on the pancake griddle with a light mist of cooking spray. I love using Siete tortillas. I skip the cheese on the inside. Serve with guac! SO YUMMY.
FOR THE KIDDOS: DO YOU HAVE A PANCAKE PEN? (UNDER $15!)
This is my jam right here. The pancake pen. You make your normal batter (perhaps a tiny bit more runny) and I pour from a glass measuring cup, neatly into this. You can use in so many ways! You can do XO or hearts for Valentine's, you can write the kiddos names, you can bust out many options. Add some fruit and a dollop of whip cream and you crushed it!