What's Good This Week

Hey friends, hope you're doing well this fine Sunday!

Last weekend we spent our Sunday out in the archipelagos at one of Niko's classmate's summer houses. They decided to have his friend's birthday party out there this year, and invited a small group of his friends together with their families for a full day out there. 

We had lunch, then spent some time on the beach. The day was nice but the water was FREEZING and other than a few kids who seemed impervious to the cold, most of us just dashed in and directly back out. 

We went back to the house for some games and then cake, along with a platter of cookies and cinnamon buns. At one point one of the kids walked around with a bowl of oreos, offering one to every adult. 

I took one even though I didn't really feel like eating one, sniffed it and caught a whiff of mint. Hmm, mint oreos? It seemed a bit stale but otherwise fine so I ate the whole thing.

Well. Turns out the kids had this idea to prank the adults, and replaced the oreo filling with children's toothpaste. And I ate it. The entire thing. They got me good.

But it left me with so many questions. Like, who decides to serve their guests oreos filled with toothpaste?! And what adult helped the kids painstakingly remove the regular oreo filling and replace it with children's toothpaste? I mean, these things were prepared well in advance of us arriving out there, so they definitely planned it out. 

Paul also ate his entire toothpaste oreo without noticing anything was too strange about it, whereas all of the other parents just sniffed at theirs or took a tiny bite and then rejected it. Maybe it's because mint oreos are a thing in North America that we fell victim to this prank while the Swedish parents didn't? I dunno. 

Breath was sure fresh and minty though!

It's been a busy week over here, but I feel like I'm getting my blogging mojo back finally. I got back behind the camera for the first time since April, and remembered that I do actually really enjoy styling food and taking photos. 

This weekend I re-shot two recipes from the archives that are in need of a glow-up. One of them is from back in 2014 and is now SUPER trendy thanks to TikTok. Any guesses? It'll be coming next week so you won't have to wait too long to find out.

I'm hoping that being back in the photo game I can find the time and motivation to hammer through some autumn and winter recipes before we lose the light. Come November it's borderline impossible to take photos because it gets dark so early here. 

Speaking of blog stuff, last week I got a question about where the What's Good Around The Web section has gone, with links to nutrition and wellness articles from around the web. 

To be honest, I just don't have time for it right now. Curating a good list of articles each week takes hours of my time, and over the past 18 months I've found it harder and harder to find good stuff because health and wellness news is overwhelmingly related to covid.

The Twitter lists I created of food and health authorities that reliably shared good content has gone that way as well, so I find that I spend hours scrolling and come up empty handed again and again. 

For a while I had a gal on contract to, among other things, find articles for me to share each week, but when she gave her notice due to starting a new FT job, I didn't end up replacing her. If there's anyone out there who is interested in picking up that work, shoot me an email - it's not a lot, but I'd be happy to give the work to someone who is keen on it. 

ON HEY NUTRITION LADY THIS WEEK

First up this week, another easy dump-and-bake dinner! These Sheet Pan Halloumi Tacos come together on one pan, and are as delicious to eat as they are easy to make. Loaded with cauliflower and black beans, it's one of my favourite recipes right now.

Next, since lunch packing season is upon us, I updated and re-published this handy list of 25 Vegetarian Lunch Ideas. This roundup is full of meal bowls, sturdy salads, and other satisfying vegetarian lunches.

WHAT’S TRENDING ON HNL

Yeah, yeah, we all know that Mung Bean and Coconut Curry and How to Cook Mung Beans are in the top spots. Yes, still! So let’s look at what else is trending.

1. Black Bean and Quinoa Freezer Burritos. In the top spot for the second week in a row!

2. 10-Minute Vegetable Ramen Noodles. Always so good. 

3. Turmeric Latte Mix. Latte season is definitely on the way.

4. Indonesian Black Rice Pudding. I make this in the Instant Pot!

5. Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter. A great alternative to peanut butter for back to school time!

COMMENT OF THE WEEK

JoF left the following comment and 5-star review on my Vegetarian Gnocchi Bake recipe:

Made this tonight for the first time – amazing! I threw in a bit of broccolini and baby spinach at the halfway point. Also added capers and black olives. So delicious with the ricotta. Quick and so tasty with no salt or pepper needed. Will definitely be making this again. 

Love the idea of adding baby spinach to this dish, it's so versatile!

THIS WEEK’S MENU

School and work and activities are definitely back in full swing now, so it's good to be planning out simple meals that make weeknights easier. 

HERE’S WHAT’S ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

Monday - Big salad! 

Tuesday - We had tacos on the weekend so I'm using leftover taco filling to make Taco Quesadillas.

Wednesday - Niko has football (soccer) on Wednesdays now, which makes for a late night so I totally phone it in and get the kids hot dogs from the kiosk beside the football field, then a quick snack when we're home. 

Thursday - Omelet night! Going to make a riff on this Vegetarian Frittata with Corn and Tomatoes. 

Friday - I have a work event Friday evening that I assume we will be fed at. 

Saturday - Family dinner. Not sure what will be on the menu yet.

Sunday - Pizza night! I have a bunch of Spelt Pizza Dough in the freezer.