Weekend Recap and What is on the Menu This Week
What we’ve been up to and what’s for dinner
Hi Friends!
We spent the weekend at the glorious Marriott in Melville, Long Island for Little B’s lacrosse tournament. I didn’t want us to all be a part so I packed up Grace and William and we all tagged along. The weather was calling for rain for what feels like the 800th time this month, so I figured… let’s turn it into an adventure.
It turned into one of those perfectly imperfect weekends, indoor pool, hotel snacks, cleats, one too many laps to the ice machine, and all of us piled into one room. The kids had fun, we laughed a lot, and it felt good to do something different.
Now that we’re home, I’m planning a simple week of meals — Brian’s famous grilled chicken, my go-to taco bowls, blistered tomato pasta, and homemade pizza on Thursday. Low effort, high reward dinners. That’s the goal!!
xx, Liz
Monday: Brian’s Famous Grilled Chicken
The go-to summer dinner at our house — simple, flavorful, and always a hit.
Ingredients:
1.5–2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
Juice of 1 lemon
2–3 tbsp olive oil
Salt + pepper
Quick Rice Pilaf:
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup white rice
2 cups chicken or veggie broth
Pinch of salt
How to make it:
- Filet chicken breasts or use thin cuts. Toss into a Ziploc with all marinade ingredients and let sit 10–20 minutes. Grill over medium-high heat for about 3–4 minutes per side.
- For the rice pilaf, sauté onion in butter or oil. Stir in rice and toast slightly. Add broth and salt. Cover and simmer for 15–18 minutes.
Serve with a green salad or grilled veggies.
Tuesday: Ground Beef Taco Bowls
A lighter take on Taco Tuesday that’s still super satisfying.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper
2 cups cooked white or brown rice
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 head romaine, chopped
Toppings: shredded cheese, guac, salsa, sour cream etc
How to make it:
Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown the beef with spices, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until fully cooked. Build bowls with a base of lettuce and rice, then layer on beef, beans, and toppings. I usually set everything out family-style.
Wednesday: Blistered Tomato Pasta
This is one of my favorite summer pastas — simple, fresh, and full of flavor.
Ingredients:
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes
8–10 garlic cloves
Olive oil
Salt
Pasta of your choice (I use spaghetti or penne)
Optional: handful of spinach, grilled chicken, or fresh basil
Grated Parmesan
How to make it:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Add tomatoes and garlic to a baking dish, drizzle generously with olive oil, and season with salt. Roast until blistered and jammy, about 35–40 minutes.
Blend in a Vitamix or food processor. Toss with pasta and add spinach while the sauce is hot so it wilts. Top with Parmesan and fresh basil.
Thursday: Homemade Pizza Night
Everyone builds their own, and it’s always a hit.
Ingredients:
Store-bought pizza dough
Jarred marinara or pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella
Toppings: pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, etc.
Olive oil, garlic, and herbs for crust
How to make it:
Preheat oven to 475°F. Roll out dough on a floured surface. Add sauce, cheese, and toppings. Bake for 10–12 minutes on a hot pizza stone or sheet until bubbly and golden.
Brush crust with olive oil mixed with minced garlic and herbs after baking if you’re feeling fancy.