Have you noticed Fridays have been a bit more savory lately? I like to spoil you with desserts during the week, and then beg for your forgiveness on Friday with a dinner for two recipe. I figured you seriously needed those Bananas Foster baby cakes to get you through the mid-week slump. Gooey upside down banana cakes will make you lose your mind so you forget how many days 'til the weekend. And the sweet tea fried chicken? That was just a distraction for those of us who didn't have President's Day off. I'm placating with food. I hope you don't mind.
I share 2 to 3 dinner recipes each month in my Cooking for Couples column over on Food Fanatic, but I will be sharing even more right here in the future.
Even though I just took a bath in a chocolate fondue pot for Valentine's Day, I've been craving more savory fare lately. Plus, I've been making more of an effort to photograph our meals for two.
My typical week looks like this: I cook one big dinner that serves 6-8 on Mondays, and use the leftovers for hot lunches throughout the week. Then, for dinner on Tuesday-Friday nights , I always cook for two. And maybe you'd like to see more of that? Maybe? Is this thing on?
For me, minestrone soup has to have a few things: dark red kidney beans, dark greens of some sort, and gobs of Parmesan cheese. The amount of Parm that I used to pour on Minestrone was taking this vegetable-packed soup to the dark side---the unhealthy side. So, I scaled back on the cheese and added flaky phyllo dough for crunch. Now, I have a light, healthy soup topped with a bit decadence. That's just the way I like it.
Head on over to Food Fanatic for the recipe for Skinny Minestrone Pot Pies.
There's also a bonus recipe for creamy cauliflower puree that puts mashed potatoes to shame. I swear to it! Plus, it's made entirely in the microwave.
Check out both recipes below, or head over to Food Fanatic.
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Welp, now I know what I'm making for dinner this weekend. And probably faceplanting into. ;)
Beth @ bethcakes says
These pot pies look like the definition of comfort food! I cook for just myself a lot, so I'd love to see more dinner for two meals. :)
Deb says
Gosh I Luv this blog and look forward to it every day ....today's Skinny Minestrone Pot Pie look marvelous and hoping to make tonight /..... any suggestion on size of the casseroles ??
Keep those fabulous recipes coming !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you
Christina says
Thanks so much for writing, Deb! The mugs hold about 2 cups each. It's a hearty soup :)
dishing up the dirt says
Heading over to check out your recipe. I'm also loving the cauliflower puree and totally agree that it puts regular mashed potatoes to shame!!!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Just saw your fried chicken on buzz feed - that's awesome!!! These pot pies look so comforting. We've been experiencing -40 weather pretty much all winter, and I'm craving nothing but hearty food.
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
Great idea and a choccy fondue bath sounds kinda awesome :)
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
Why hasn't anybody thought to do this before?!?!?! Minestrone is my fave soup, I am so excited about this recipe.
Arthur in the Garden! says
Nice!
Heather says
Where did you get that mug?! I must have one!
Christina says
Hi Heather! I'm afraid you're not going to like the answer...I bought it from a lady who makes pottery in her basement in Missouri. She doesn't have a card of anything, it was a random meeting and I left with pottery. Sorry :( If I see anything similar at a store, I'll let you know :)
Heather says
Bummer, thanks anyway! :)