channeling my frustrations by becoming a domestic goddess

I don’t know about any of the rest of you but sometimes when I get good and pissed off I need to do something that’s kind of destructive but in reality is very productive. And, sick and this is, I often find that to be cleaning. Or making a plan for something. Or purging things from the house that we don’t need. You get the gist.

So last night after my work holiday Zoom party cocktail wore off I got to work. I had told Lancelot earlier in the week that I want the grocery run this morning to be the last we make until after the first of the year. (might have to go for milk but that’s a really quick trip)

With the upcoming holiday turning stores into battlefields in a normal year, and the rising positivity rates with Rona, and the fact that this is December in the Midwest so we could have major snow any fucking day now, I just want to have a well stocked arsenal of snacks and booze pantry and freezer.

As such I’ve been working on a rather massive undertaking to see what we have on hand already, what recipes I have most of the stuff for, and what other bits do I need to complete those. Lists are how I function.

I now have a list of THIRTY meals, just dinners, and I’ve split them into things I can make during the week and a few that would have to be done when L is home to eat at the same time with me. My grocery list (which is organized by what stuff is geographically close to what other stuff so hopefully I don’t fucking forget anything this time!) is kind of massive but a lot of it is either canned goods or things that start as frozen or things that will go in the freezer until I need them.

I’m not planning to do a ton of prep ahead of time but I know if I have my plan and I have all of the necessary components on hand I’m much more likely to actually make dinner.

I don’t know about y’all, but when I get to feeling down one of the very first self-care type things that goes out my window is cooking for myself. And I know that’s not healthy, so here I am trying to solve that problem. I feel good about this.

Not that I’m going to assume anyone is really all that interested, but in case you find yourself needing some kitchen inspiration, here’s my list.

• CP tortellini w/ Alfredo
• CP penne w/ Italian sausage and marinara
• roasted veggies and sausage
• goulash
• CP roast w/ potatoes and carrots
• spaghetti w/ meat sauce
• CP chicken enchilada casserole
• chicken noodle bake
• CP pork tenderloin w/ pineapple
• CP sweet and sour chicken
• rice casserole
• spam fried rice
• veg fried rice
• CP chicken curry
• CP shrimp curry
• CP pork chops w/ apples and kraut
• cheddar sausages w/ mac and cheese
• meatball soup
• barley and beef soup
• quick skillet lasagna
• cranberry chipotle pork ribs
• italian pork w/ sweet potatoes
• beef stroganoff
• spanish rice
• gyros
• tempura shrimp w/ rice pilaf
• chicken legs in the air fryer w/ veggies
• nachos
• chicken sandwiches w/ chips
• burgers w/ tater tots

CP is my abbreviation for crock pot, just FYI. Some of these I have actual recipes for and some of them are things I’ve been making for so long I just do it. I will happily share my chicken curry recipe with you. The original recipe came with my pressure cooker thing but then I modified the hell out of it.

Chicken Curry

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely diced
• Small onion, diced
• Assorted veggies – we commonly use diced bell pepper, sliced zucchini, frozen green beans, and baby carrots – whatever suits your mood

Toss all of that in a slow cooker.

The sauce is:

• 2 cans of coconut milk
• 1 Tbs dried basil
• ¾ tsp grated ginger (I often use the fresh stuff in a tube, either works)
• 1 ½ Tbs curry powder (Penzeys makes the most amazing curry powder ever)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

I let all of that simmer at low until the chicken is cooked through, usually a good 6 hours. Serve with rice and naan.

Trust the little chubby chik to know some good food.

Proof that it is not all doom and gloom right now. And yes, there are cats on my t-shirt. That is my Meowy Christmas shirt. My sweater has sparkly snowflakes. My leggings are red with white snowflakes. And that is a big ass flower on my head. And that was all yesterday for the party. ❤