Archives | Grownup Kitchen

Falafel with Tabbouleh and Grilled Vegetables: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Sep 6, 2025 | beans/lentils, Middle Eastern, Recent Recipes, Recipes

Cucumbers are still in season, and that makes me think of Tzatziki Sauce. And tatziki sauce makes me think of the Middle Eastern street food, falafel. So I’m thinking it’s time to make some of both. It’s like having fried chicken, only better! What a great meal to share with dinner guests! Mix the falafel ingredients early in the day as the flafel dough needs to chill for 2 hours before cooking.

 You will need to have soaked 2-1/2 C. dry chickpeas (garbanzo beans) overnight to make this meal today. (Canned beans don’t work here…too much moisture.)

It’s Saturday, September 6th. We can already take a look at mid-September!

Sep 5, 2025 | Recipes

It’s Saturday, September 6th

We’re back into Fall schedules!

Menus and shopping lists for September 7 – 12 and 14- 19

Another great week of dining awaits. It’s time to make some plans and go grocery shopping.

* A special cooking note: Soak 2-1/2 C. dried garbanzo beans in 8 quarts of water overnight tonight. You’re making falafel tomorrow!

Open-faced Chili Burgers: Friday, September 5, 2025

Sep 4, 2025 | Comfort Food, Ground Meat, Recipes, Soups

Tonight, you’ll serve a refreshing meal utilizing leftover veggie chili. All hail! Behold the open-faced Chili Burger!   “Open-faced” is just a nice way to enjoy any sandwich that might be too difficult to pick up. In this case, the sandwich is impossible to pick up so you’ll welcome a knife and fork.
It’s actually an old-fashioned way of serving a sandwich. The French call this stylish sandwich a tartine and often serve it for breakfast. This is not breakfast, however!

Add a crisp green salad to the mix, and you’ve got a refreshing meal.

Hot Chicken Salad: Thursday, September 4, 2025

Sep 3, 2025 | Chicken, Dinner Salads, Recent Recipes, Recipes

Here’s a lovely light meal for a fall evening. Is it possible that a dinner salad can be comfort food? There’s a simple answer. Yes!

Tonight you’ll top fresh salad greens with crisp apple and dried tart cherries. Finish the salad with warm broccoli, Chick’n Strips and quinoa. It’s all dressed with a homemade Cilantro/Lime Dressing.

Finish the presentation with some warm artisan bread or rolls and you’ve got a hit!

Baked Salmon with Dill and Arugula Salad: Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Sep 2, 2025 | Fish/Seafood, Recent Recipes, Recipes

You’ll splash a nice piece of salmon with a homemade Ponzu sauce and bake it with fresh dill tonight.
A dressed arugula bed with sliced almonds and Mandarin orange sections serves as a presentation platform for the salmon. Finish the plate with a tasty Herbed Couscous Pilaf.

Dark Greens with Pear , Toasted Pecans and Gorgonzola: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Sep 1, 2025 | Chef's Favorites, Chicken, Greens Recipes, Recent Recipes, Recipes

Let’s highlight some seasonal fruit again. Pears are still in season so use ‘em while you can. Kale’s a great choice for this meal, but if you’d prefer, chard is always available.
We’ll add umami* with some toasted pecans and a sprinkle of Gorgonzola. The greens and pear are arranged over nutritious quinoa with Chickenless Tenders. Oh Mamma!