One of my 2020 resolutions was to use more annual leave. While that has been a huge fail thus far, this trash year has at least forced me to think a little bit more creatively about how to make time off feel like an actual day off instead of a day where I’m just inside my house and thinking about my to do list. A key element of this for me is eating and drinking delicious things I wouldn’t have on a normal day but that can be prepared without an inordinate amount of cooking effort. This is where this post comes in!
Some recent eats that you should make on a staycation:
- Vegan crunchwrap supremes: This was in my last post from forever ago. Just as amazing as I hoped, and incredibly simple to make. I didn’t follow the recipe for the tofu– I used Goya sofrito sauce from the grocery store and added Goya sazón seasoning, salt, and taco seasoning to taste. The tip about letting the tofu sit and caramelize a bit is key to delicious tofu for this recipe. For the queso, I omitted taco seasoning and added a chipotle pepper. I also used storebought guac and salsa, though I can imagine this would be even more amazing if those were homemade. Very customizable if any of these ingredients aren’t your jam, and there is also a non-vegan version from the same blog.
- The best easy Italian pasta salad: A new-to-me-in-2019 recipe. You might read this and think, “hmm, just another pasta salad.” Wrong. I want to lick this dressing out of the bowl.
- Caprese sandwiches: This is “duh” recipe. My combo: sourdough, store-bought sun-dried tomato pesto, portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, arugula, mozzarella, basil, balsamic glaze. I am also a big fan of Caprese salads where you swap the tomato for peach.
- Ice cream sandwiches: Make cookies such as these chocolate chip cookies (have made them a million times- love them and love the no chilling, though they’re usually not crispy as advertised) and buy some yummy ice cream. Sandwich.
- Embarrassingly easy sheet pan s’mores: Just do it. We used peanut butter cups.
- 3-ingredient pina coladas
- Fresh salsa verde: I’ve wanted to make green salsa for a while as I particularly hate the jarred kind. This was awesome and very fresh. The lettuce made a difference.
- Watermelon salad: One of my favorite simple sides of all time. Neither my mom nor I can remember where we got this idea from, but I think we started with something like this and then put our own spin on it. We don’t think this needs seasoning or dressing. We just chop up watermelon, mint, onion (I prefer red and or sometimes skip it), and sprinkle on feta.
- Spa water: Filled my infuser water pitcher with cucumber and mint. Easy but fancy.
Other recipes on my to do list:
- Cucumber elderflower gimlet
- Mojito margaritas: Also from my last post.
- Peanut chipotle salsa
- Shrimp tacos: These similar recipes (one and two) both look great
- Easy elote dip
- Grilled sausage and peppers with garlic aioli: We went simple this weekend and grilled cheeseburgers instead, but I will try this sometime this summer.
- Restaurant-style salsa: Have made this probably hundreds of times and love it. I suggest draining the tomatoes a little to make the salsa a bit thicker.
- 4 popsicle recipes in one: peach strawberry yogurt, minty watermelon, blackberry lemon, and orange mango coconut
- 3 ingredient strawberry banana popsicles
- 3 ingredient blueberry yogurt swirl popsicles
- Peanut butter pudding pops
And finally, some other assorted recipe reviews because who knows when I will post again:
- Caprese chicken with smashed potatoes: I didn’t love the potatoes in this recipe, but the chicken was simple, fresh, and delicious. I buy balsamic glaze from the grocery store instead of making it myself because cooking vinegar on the stove is not my idea of a good time.
- Instant Pot Hawaiian chicken tacos with jalapeno slaw: This was a really interesting flavor combo and I will definitely make again. Next time, I’m making more chicken. Broiling is also super important.
- Clean eating Instant Pot summer soup: I love this soup and it has a ton of veggies. I have made it twice and omitted the chicken both times, but it’s still really delicious and filling. I topped this with fresh dill, lemon, and parmesan. I think the dill really took this over the top. So good.
- Cold brew iced coffee: I’m still playing around with my preferred ratio, but this is a solid starting point.
- Homemade Gatorade: I loosely used this recipe for inspiration, using the ratios for water and salt but then using 1 lime, 1 orange, half a lemon, and a little under 1 Tbsp maple syrup. This was good after a long sweaty day outside.
- Red pepper cashew pasta with roasted cauliflower: Not a mind-blowing recipe, but a good choice when you don’t feel like cooking. I really liked this sauce.