Everything potato gratin

Everything Potato Gratin | This easy side dish is the perfect way to make something that seems fancy (gratin!) while using all the shortcuts (barely any chopping!). #meandthemoose #potatoes #gratin #everythingbagelspice #easysidedishes

This easy side dish is the perfect way to make something that seems fancy (gratin!) while using all the shortcuts (barely any chopping!).

Take me to the recipe!

Everything Potato Gratin | This easy side dish is the perfect way to make something that seems fancy (gratin!) while using all the shortcuts (barely any chopping!). #meandthemoose #potatoes #gratin #everythingbagelspice #easysidedishes

Everything Potato Gratin | This easy side dish is the perfect way to make something that seems fancy (gratin!) while using all the shortcuts (barely any chopping!). #meandthemoose #potatoes #gratin #everythingbagelspice #easysidedishes

Everything Potato Gratin | This easy side dish is the perfect way to make something that seems fancy (gratin!) while using all the shortcuts (barely any chopping!). #meandthemoose #potatoes #gratin #everythingbagelspice #easysidedishes

So, I used Jamie Oliver’s method for a quicker potato gratin. Gratin’s usually need up to an hour in the oven, but by combining cooking methods, you can get a creamy, crunchy, crispy dish in less than 30 minutes. Also, using everything bagel spice means that you don’t have to chop any onions or garlic or really measure much of anything.

Everything Potato Gratin | This easy side dish is the perfect way to make something that seems fancy (gratin!) while using all the shortcuts (barely any chopping!). #meandthemoose #potatoes #gratin #everythingbagelspice #easysidedishes

Just a quick word of warning: Use oven mitts to secure the tin foil over your skillet or tin on the stove. You want a tight seal so that the potatoes steam a bit before going into the oven. ALSO, use caution when removing the foil as the steam is plentiful and HOT.

A note about SALT: I don’t add any in this recipe because most of the pre-made Everything Bagel spice mixes are pretty salty. Check your labels and then decide if you want to add more salt. I would recommend a sprinkle of sea salt over the top of the finished gratin if you feel like it needs more.

Everything Potato Gratin | This easy side dish is the perfect way to make something that seems fancy (gratin!) while using all the shortcuts (barely any chopping!). #meandthemoose #potatoes #gratin #everythingbagelspice #easysidedishes

Everything Potato Gratin

1½ lbs russet potatoes (about 2 very large), peeled and sliced thinly 
½ cup heavy cream 
½ cup water 
2½ Tbsp everything bagel spice, divided
5-6 sprigs of fresh thyme
1½ cups grated cheese (mixture of gruyere, asiago, gouda)  

Time: about 30 minutes, mostly active
Yield: 5 side servings

Preheat the oven to 425. 

In a large oven-proof skillet or tin, spread the thinly sliced potatoes. 

In a large measuring cup, combine the milk, water, and 1 1/2 Tbsp of everything bagel spice. Pour over the potatoes in the skillet. Add the fresh thyme and stir well to combine and to spread out the dried and fresh herbs.

Over a medium-high flame, bring the liquid to a boil. The liquid around the edges of the pan will boil quickly. Look for the first few bubbles in the middle of the pan and turn down the flame to medium-low. 

Carefully wrap a piece of tin foil over the top of the skillet or tin. I wear oven mitts to do this because I want a tight seal, but I don’t want to burn myself. Let cook over a medium-low flame for 6 minutes.

Turn off the flame and CAREFULLY remove the foil being sure to wear oven mitts and to remove the foil away from you to avoid the hot steam.

Top evenly with the grated cheese.

Cook, uncovered, in the oven for 15 minutes. Top with the remaining 1/2 Tbsp of everything bagel spice.

 Let cool slightly and serve.

Avocado toast with a twist

Try a new take on the quick, easy, and healthy classic avocado toast with chickpeas, harissa, feta, tzatziki, pesto, arugula, eggs, and dukkah! #meandthemoose #avocadotoast #lunch #easyrecipes #breakfast

Refresh your breakfast and lunch avocado toast routines with these three quick and healthy spins on the classic sandwich staple.

Try a new take on the quick, easy, and healthy classic avocado toast with chickpeas, harissa, feta, tzatziki, pesto, arugula, eggs, and dukkah! #meandthemoose #avocadotoast #lunch #easyrecipes #breakfast

I know, I know. Who really needs a recipe for avocado toast? Well, here’s the thing. I’m SO BORED with the standard base and toppings. I love everything bagel seasoning, but if I eat one more avocado smashed with it sprinkled on top, I’m going to turn into an everything bagel. Which might sound okay, but trust me, I would make a VERY SALTY bagel.

Anyway, here are some fun options I’ve been incorporating into the rotation!

Egg, pesto, and arugula liven up the classic avocado toast. #meandthemoose #avocadotoast #pesto #eggs #breakfast #lunch

Egg, pesto, and arugula liven up the classic avocado toast. #meandthemoose #avocadotoast #pesto #eggs #breakfast #lunch

Egg, pesto, and arugula avocado toast

1 piece of bread (your choice!)
1/4 large avocado, smashed
2 Tbsp pesto
1 egg, cooked using your preferred method
1 large handful arugula
flaky sea salt
drizzle of olive oil

Toast your bread.

While the bread is toasting, cook your egg however you like. I’ve used fried, poached, hard-boiled, and scrambled eggs in this and they all taste great.

Prep your other ingredients. I linked to my basic, kid-friendly pesto above, but there are loads of pesto recipes on this site OR feel free to use your own favorite recipe or a store-bought version.

Smash the avocado onto your bread with a fork and spread pesto on top. Add the egg and the arugula. Top with a sprinkle of salt and a drizzle of olive oil.

Crispy chickpeas, dukkah and harissa are a fresh vegan take on the classic avocado toast. #meandthemoose #veganrecipes #veganlunch #chickpeas

Crispy chickpeas, dukkah and harissa are a fresh vegan take on the classic avocado toast. #meandthemoose #veganrecipes #veganlunch #chickpeas

Dukkah, crispy chickpea, and harissa avocado toast

1 piece of bread (your choice!)
1/4 large avocado, smashed
1 can of chickpeas
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
pinch of sea salt
1 Tbsp dukkah seasoning (I used a Trader Joe’s mix, but dukkah recipes and pre-made mixes are easy to find)
1/4-1/2 tsp harissa spice
flaky sea salt
drizzle of olive oil (I used roasted garlic oil)

Preheat the oven to 400. Spread the drained chickpeas out on a sheet pan and pat dry with a paper towel. Drizzle with the olive oil and a large pinch of sea salt and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the chickpeas are crispy.

While the chickpeas are baking, toast your bread.

Smash the avocado on top of the bread and sprinkle with the dukkah seasoning. Top with about 1/4 cup of the crispy chickpeas. Sprinkle on your desired amount of harissa, flaky sea salt, and olive oil.

Quick-pickled cucumbers and onions add a lightly sweet and tangy bite to the salty feta and creamy, garlicky tzatziki of this new version of avocado toast. #meandthemoose #feta #tzatziki #avocadotoast #lunch #breakfast #quickpickles

Quick-pickled cucumbers and onions add a lightly sweet and tangy bite to the salty feta and creamy, garlicky tzatziki of this new version of avocado toast. #meandthemoose #feta #tzatziki #avocadotoast #lunch #breakfast #quickpickles

Tzatziki, feta, and pickled cucumber avocado toast

1 piece of bread (your choice!)
1/4 large avocado, smashed
1 English or hothouse cucumber (use 3/4 for the pickles and the other 1/4 for the tzatziki if making yourself)
1/2 large white onion
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1-2 Tbsp tzatiki (recipe here or use a premade version)
1-2 Tbsp crumbled feta

Thinly slice 3/4 of the cucumber and 1/2 of the onion. Combine with the white vinegar, salt, and sugar in a container with a lid. Shake well and leave to marinate for 5-10 minutes.

Make the tzatziki, if necessary.

Toast your bread. Smash the avocado on the bread and top with pickled cucumbers. Add the tzatziki and top with the crumbled feta.

Cheap and easy chicken meal prep

If the idea of “meal prepping” makes you roll your eyes, then this post is for you! A mostly hands-off process yields lots of rich chicken stock and shredded chicken that allows you to be flexible with your week’s meals while also being prepared for busy weeknights.

Take me to the chicken!

October is Hunger Awareness Month and it’s honestly kind of embarrassing that we even need an “awareness” month for a problem that’s so huge. According to the USDA, in 2019, over 13 million households experienced food insecurity including 2.4 million households with children. On top of those stats, unemployment in the US hit an all-time high in April 2020, so that’s a lot more people facing food shortages this year.

To that end, over on Instagram, Chelsea from The Dancer’s Pantry has created a new account which highlights original meals from different food bloggers, each costing less than $10 and aiming to serve at least 2 adults, but most serve 4 or more. There are vegetarian and carnivorous meals; breakfasts, lunches, and dinners; and I’m contributing this meal prep strategy! Check out Feed for 10 to see more.

I finally wrote down the ratios and cooking times for my favorite (and basically only) weekly meal prep. I don’t like rigid meal planning because, while I’m a devoted rule follower most of the time, when it comes to food rules, (even ones I make for myself!) I have a real “burn it all down” vibe.

Also, with kids it’s important to be able to pivot when suddenly they HATE something that was previously a favorite.

Enter: This easy, cheap, and mostly hands-off meal prep strategy. You come away with a huge amount of rich chicken stock that is so much more delicious and filling than the boxed stuff or a bullion cube. It freezes well and lasts frozen for 6 months. It also makes soups and stews much richer, which is helpful when you’re trying to make things stretch. I use this stock in any recipe that calls for stock, obviously, but also to cook these super easy and fast one-pot pastas because it really boosts their flavor.

The shredded chicken is also a lifesaver on busy nights. Throw it into tacos or enchiladas (if you’re feeling ambitious), stovetop mac and cheese or any other simple pasta dish, or smother it with your favorite BBQ sauce and have some messy but delicious pulled chicken sandwiches. The chicken also freezes well if you want to save it for later dinners.

$10 Meal prep (chicken stock and shredded chicken)

Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes, mostly hands off +15 minutes for straining 
Yield: 11 cups stock, 4 cups cooked, shredded chicken

1 chicken, cut into pieces (about 3½-4½ lbs) $11.95 from Trader Joe’s (I bought a pre-cut chicken, but there were whole chickens available for $7-$9)
1 large bag frozen veggie and aromatic leftovers (save everything from the previous week’s cooking in a large bag in the freezer including onion skins, garlic skins, tiny cloves of garlic, leek and fennel fronds, lemon rinds, dried up fresh herbs, unused parts of celery, carrot peels, potato peels, etc)
14-18 cups water (enough to cover the chicken and veggies entirely, but the full amount will depend on how much chicken and veggies you use) 
3 Tbsp kosher salt

Place everything into a large stockpot and bring to a boil over a high flame, about 20 minutes. 

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low or just high enough to achieve a low rolling boil. Cook, uncovered, until the water has reduced by ¼, about 1 hour. 

Add enough water to return to roughly the original amount (about 4 cups) and turn the flame back to high. Stir the mixture and check the seasoning. Add more salt if necessary.  Bring the mixture back to a boil and then reduce back to a low rolling boil.  

Boil for 20 more minutes. Let cool.

Remove the large pieces of veggies and chicken bones. Strain the broth into a large container. Save all of the cooked chicken meat.