Menu Plan Monday, 8/4 – 8/10
August 3, 2008
It was a great week for cooking — lots of variety, lots of success with new recipes. We enjoyed a Swiss Chard & Gruyère Frittata, Basil Green Beans with Tomatoes, and Strawberry-Coconut Muffins. I need to try making the Hoisin & Ginger-Glazed Chicken & Onions again, this time with the sriracha.
One of the best parts of writing this blog is the e-mail I get from people I’d never otherwise have met. Several weeks ago, a gentleman named Dara (it’s a name with many origins) wrote to me from India. He has taken over the cooking in his household as his wife is ill, but he tells me she was a wonderful cook while she was still able. He had stumbled across my site while searching for recipes, and since our names are the same (our last names are similar too) and we both cook, he e-mailed me to ask if I’d like some of his wife’s recipes. I’m going to try my hand at their vegetable jhalfrezi later this week — the measurements and some ingredients are very different than what I’m used to, but we’ll see what I come up with. I hope I can do the other Dara proud.
Monday: Spicy Sauteed Chickpeas, Beef & Cilantro, pita, celery sticks
Tuesday: Baked Tofu with Garlic Chard, noodles (so the boys don’t revolt)
Wednesday: I’m out to dinner with friends; Annie’s mac & cheese + crudite for the boys
Thursday: Slow Cooker Italian-Style Turkey Meatballs, whole wheat spaghetti, farm share veggies (sauteed greens or salad?)
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: The Other Dara’s Vegetable Jalfrezi (recipe sent to me straight from India!), paneer (if I can find it), brown basmati rice
Sunday: Eat out
For more menu planning ideas, check out Laura at Organizing Junkie.
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Filed under: Meal Planning, Memes
I'm Dara, the Chick in the Kitchen. Living in the suburbs of Manhattan with my two boys, ages 4 and 6, and husband. Trying to feed my family something more diverse than a different shape of pasta each night. Read more 
12 Comments
1.
Angela | August 3, 2008 at 10:03 pm
WOW – how cool is that – someone from the other side of the world with a name so similar – exchanging recipes with you! Hope it turns out well.
2.
Jodi | August 3, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I liked vegetable jalfrezi while living in England…that’s how it was spelled there I think…so good luck with that! Neat.
3.
Sandra | August 3, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Wow you got good food on the menu
My Menu Plan
4.
sherry | August 3, 2008 at 11:29 pm
The beef and chickpea recipe looks INCREDIBLE! Definitely a keeper! One question —- is there something I can substitute for Spike seasoning? I’m not familiar with it and I’d like to make this soon!
Have a wonderful week,
Sherry
Sherry, no problem using something else other than Spike. If you have a general seasoning blend like Mrs. Dash, that would work. Otherwise salt and pepper are really all you need. — Dara
5.
Kim | August 4, 2008 at 5:19 am
Your menu looks really great! I hope to try the beef and chickpea recipe in the next couple of weeks =)
6.
merrie | August 4, 2008 at 6:43 am
I, too enjoyed vegetable jalfrezi in London. Can’t wait to hear how it is.
I totally forgot about the beef and chickpeas, it is one of my favorites, I might have to make it this week as well.
7.
Angela | August 4, 2008 at 7:46 am
Meatballs in a slow cooker? I am intrigued! I now have that down as next week’s slow cooker recipe experiment! Thanks!
8.
Nessa | August 4, 2008 at 8:13 am
Yum! I will be trying those meatbalss! Thanks for sharing!
9.
Beth | August 4, 2008 at 9:17 am
Very cool how the other Dara found you. The internet can really be a fun place!
The beef and chickpea recipe looks great. Can’t wait to try it.
10.
Grammy | August 4, 2008 at 5:16 pm
This is a heartwarming story. I know you’ll love authentic Indian recipes.
11.
Ranee @ Arabian Knits | August 4, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Your menu looks great! I love the story of your new friend finding you. We adore Indian food at our house.
12. chickinthekitchen.com &ra&hellip | August 9, 2008 at 8:05 pm
[...] on a recipe e-mailed to me by an Indian reader, Dara. (More of the story in the second paragraph of Menu Plan Monday, 8/4 – 8/10.) I wanted to be respectful of and as true to the original recipe as possible, but at the same time [...]
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