I hesitate to say we are getting back to normal, because LA will not be back to normal for years, if ever.  But we have to live our lives and move ourselves forward in whatever capacity we can.  Kids need to return to school, we need to eat and get back to work.  We are all worried about air quality and seem to be receiving conflicting information about air safety right now.  I’ve done a lot of cooking in the last couple weeks – mostly soups and casseroles because those are easy to make for a crowd and they’re really comforting.  Monthly online cooking class subscribers, we have a new February class coming your way soon.  Going forward, we will upload the class on the first of the month unless that falls on a weekend.  If that is the case, we will upload the class the following Monday. That’s basically an announcement that the class will be up by February 3rd at the latest!  

Here’s your dinner planner for the week:

Meatless Monday: Spicy Gnocchi with Fennel and Mushrooms from The Modern Proper (omit chopped Calabrian chili peppers if you don’t like spice) + spinach for extra veg

Tuesday: Turkey (or beef or tempeh) tacos + Fiesta salad with salsa vinaigrette

Wednesday: Super Greens Soup with Lemon-Tarragon Cream + Chickpea Burger

Thursday: Shrimp and mixed vegetables with coconut-basil sauce, Cauli-Rice + avocado 

Friday: Slow Cooker Pulled Barbecued Chicken, Creamy Cabbage and Avocado Slaw, Roasted smashed potatoes

Saturday brunch: Kale, mushroom and brown rice bake + Winter fruit salad

Sunday: Homemade ramen noodle soup with topped hard-boiled eggs (you could also do cooked shrimp, shredded chicken, or tofu) + steamed bok choy