When the schools closed in March and we all began working and learning at home we all had to find ways to fill our time will social distancing. We spent a lot of time in the kitchen doing some COVID cooking and we have been eating very well since all this began. We have had old favorites and new dishes on a regular basis. I enjoy cooking almost as much as I love my kids cooking for us.
COVID Cooking in Our Kitchen
Here are a few of our favorite COVID Cooking dishes from our kitchen that we have been enjoying during our social distance time at home. I would love to try some new recipes so please leave your favorite dishes in the comments below so I can expand our menu rotation!
Chicken Pesto Stir Fry: This recipe is in our regular rotation, but during COVID cooking times Michael has been working from home a great deal of the time, so he has been grilling the chicken instead of stir-frying it like we usually prep it. I like the change! Chicken Pesto Stir Fry Recipe
Slow Cooker Poutine: If I had to pick a favorite slow cooker recipe this is it! It is super easy and delicious! Slow Cooker Poutine Recipe
Steak & Herb Roasted Potatoes: Sometimes weekends called for cookouts and Steak & Potatoes is our go-to. I always try to buy a little more steak than we need so we can use the leftovers for Philly Cheese Steak Pizza.
Gnocchi with Truffle Brie Sauce: This right here was my proudest cooking with kids moment during the past few months. Ella and I tackled homemade pasta for the first time. Really, Ella did most of the work and I assisted. It was a new process with the most amazing results! Gnocchi with Truffle Brie Sauce Recipe
Sam’s Birthday Cupcakes: We made fifty some cupcakes to give to friends and family for Sam’s birthday in May. We used a white cake mix, but made some phenomenal Buttercream Icing using a Facebook tutorial from Scratch Hand-Crafted Desserts. Buttercream Icing Tutorial
Easy No Knead Bread: This crusty bread takes hours of sitting around time but very little work to prep it. It pairs well with pastas, soups and more! Easy No Knead Bread Recipe
Skillet Red Beans and Rice: I love love love this recipe served with Cajun Andouille Sausage and Wild Rice. It is from one of my beloved cookbooks, The Kentucky Fresh Cookbook. We make this so often, and if there’s extra it freezes well too! Skillet Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Katie’s Birthday Cheesecake: Ella outdid herself with my birthday cheesecake this year. I requested that it have toffee in it and she found the perfect recipe. Excuse me now while I wake her up and ask her to make more cheesecake…. English Toffee Cheesecake Recipe from Yummly
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff: This is usually a winter favorite of mine, but we made it one cool day with Grandma’s biscuits made my Ella and it was perfect comfort food. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Recipe
Grilled Tilapia & Squash with Black Diamond Watermelon: Summer time is grilling time! I love that you can throw almost any veggie on the grill and it comes back tasting amazing! I have been picking up Black Diamond Watermelons at C.P. Reeves Market in Ludlow and they are so sweet and delicious! Grilled Tilapia with Mango Salsa Recipe
Homemade Soft Pretzels: Pay no attention to how wonky these pretzels look…they were yummy, and totally made by the kids. I have been wowed by their baking adventures while we’ve been at home. These pretzels are a good lesson in science and math and freeze well to enjoy later! Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe
Homemade Meatballs: About once a year Ella and I spend a few hours making about a million meatballs. We stick them in the freezer for Spaghetti & Meatballs, Meatball Pies and more! Homemade Meatball Recipe
Crispy Parmesan Baked Chicken Milanese & Veggies: Sometimes I struggle with one sheet meals, but this one from Cafe Delites turned out great! I put it on our regular menu rotation! Crispy Parmesan Baked Chicken Milanese & Veggies Recipe
Peach Salsa: This is my ALL TIME favorite summer snack! There is a lot of chopping involved in this recipe, but the end result is totally worth it. Peach Salsa Recipe
Truffle Fries: One night Michael made grilled hamburgers and pulled out the Fry Daddy to make french fries. We got a gourmet fast food fix at home and I fancied mine up by tossing them in Truffle Oil & Truffle Salt with shredded parm on top. How to Make Truffle Fries at Home
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala: I admit, that it is rare for us to find a recipe that all six of us like. This Chicken Tikka Masala recipe is a crowd pleaser at our house! It is super easy to make and I pair it with frozen Naan from Trader Joe’s. Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
