Menu Planner Week of May 22

I know it’s almost Memorial Day but I am circling back to my New Year’s Resolutions. Remember those?

This year, I created a very different list. Instead setting myself up for failure, I decided to focus on things that make me happy. I don’t want to feel deprived by cutting out certain foods or habits. I want to feel fulfilled and successful. Instead of taking things away I want to add to my life. I want to explore new things and learn new skills.

Top of my list was learning to decorate beautiful cakes. This week, I took the first step in checking that box off of my resolution list. I had the opportunity to work with a baker whom I admire immensely. It was a thrill to get back in a classroom kitchen and create stunning cakes. We leveled, we crumb-coated, we piped, and we decorated! By the end of the class, my right hand ached from piping endless rows of florets and dots, but it was truly one of the best afternoons I’ve had in a long time.

Learning something new that I have always been curious about was inspiring. It opened up my world creatively and was truly a joyful experience. We are almost midway through the year but I am going to think about what else I would like to learn. I’ve always wanted to draw, take better photographs, and be better on the computer. Creating edible art projects like cake may not be your thing but I would love to know what is. What’s on your list?

Feeling inspired nourishes the soul in the same way good food does. Lucky for all of us, I have a great week of dinners planned for us and I’m excited to get to it! Check out this Nobu inspired Miso Glazed Fish from the NYTimes, a seasonal one-pan wonder of Braised Chicken with Artichokes by Amanda Frederickson, a lemony-Lawry’s rubbed Pan Fried Ribeye from Ree Drummond, and my classic and delicious Lentil Soup.

Enjoy!

-xo