A Meal Plan for a world on fire

Right now there are two Minneapolises: the one that is burning and the one where everything is exactly the same. It is a beautiful, clear day. My neighbor is watering her lawn. My kids are angling to play portal nights and get out of their chores. But as I make my meal plan I am aware that my grocery store is gone; closed due to looting and heavy vandalism. The buildings around my Aldi—a Wendy’s and an affordable housing development—have burned to the ground. Last night we were planning on take out, but our local restaurants, already limited to take out by the pandemic, are closed in fear. As I make my meal plan I wonder, what do you cook when your City is on fire?

Pretty sure the answer is you keep it simple.

Saturday: Stir fry chicken and broccoli

My mom taught me that stir fry is often the answer to “what can I make?” This recipe had an unual cooking method that made it super easy.

Sunday: Lasagne Bolognese and salad

Comfort food if there ever was. I warn you: this is a project, but maybe you need a distraction? And the sauce recipes make extra, so you will see pasta bolognese show up later in the week. A good way to cook once/ eat twice, and frankly it was delicious (though rich!)

Monday: Brats and corn on the cob

Tuesday: Chicken thighs and roasted brussels sprouts

Wednesday: Salmon burgers and steamed broccoli

We literally used the recipe on the can of salmon

Thursday: Chopped chicken and vegetable salad

An old favorite. The sharpness of the arugula and freshness of the parsely make it interesting, but clearly you can sub in mixed greens and skip the parsley based on what you have on hand. Even the kids like this.

Friday: Pasta bolognese (leftover sauce) plus grape tomatoes and fruit

Heading out to check on the studio and see about clean up. We are bracing for another night of terrible unrest.

Be safe.