The Steam Oven Meal Plan for real people #18

I am under the weather, following on from my kids who’ve had seemingly endless colds and coughs and sniffles for weeks now. And all of that means I need a meal plan that’s gentle and easy this week.

I hope this week’s steam oven plan will give you plenty of your own steam oven cooking ideas. Follow my lead and cook the same dishes, or pick the recipes which appeal most to make your own weekly meal plan.

Happy cooking, see you here again soon.

I have a whole chicken waiting to be cooked, and I’ve been meaning for weeks to test out a sous vide chicken idea that’s floating around in my head. I’m going to use my turkey breast with herbs and garlic recipe as a starting point. Instead of the turkey breast I’ll partially debone a chicken, and I’m going to play around with how to finish it for excellent crispy skin without too much butter. I’ll report back on that if it’s successful!

Sous Vide Turkey Breast with Herbs and Garlic

Sous vide seems hard if you haven't done it before, but it's actually simple! Just follow the directions and you'll have juicy, perfectly cooked meat every single time.

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Risotto! Purists may cry but I love a no-stir steam oven risotto. You can make this as written with mushrooms, pancetta and zucchini, or add in different things to take it in a million and one other directions.

Risotto with pancetta, mushrooms and zucchini

Steam oven risotto is ridiculously easy and can be tweaked and turned to whatever flavor profile you want it to have! It's relatively hands off and super nourishing, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.

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I am on meal train duty this week for a local friend and her kids who need a little extra help. They’re vegetarian, and I’m going to drop off all the makings of sweet potato tacos for their dinner. It’s a great vegetarian meal for all ages. Adults get all the good bits like lime, cilantro and whatever sauces they want, while the kids can mix and match gently spiced sweet potato chunks with less ‘bits’ while still having a nutritious and filling meal.

Sweet Potato Tacos

Earthy spiced and roasted sweet potato makes such a great taco filling! Use crunchy shells or soft, and mix and match whatever 'fixings' you like so everyone's happy with this delicious vegetarian dinner.

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Pulling a favorite from the freezer tonight and having combi steam chili con carne. I know it makes it kinda-Mexican two nights running, but they’re such different dishes that I don’t think anyone will mind. I’ll serve the chili with steamed rice and a big green salad.

Cheat’s Chili Con Carne

It feels like cheating when this dish is so easy to make but gives back such deeply flavored, soft and shreddy meat, just begging to be served over rice or folded into a tortilla.

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The leftovers of last night’s rice become tonight’s dinner, running the ‘easy’ theme right through the week! Egg fried rice is a brilliant Friday night feast; I’ll steam greens to go alongside but if I’m honest, I’ll be the only one who eats those!

Egg Fried Rice

Better than a Chinese takeout, this fried rice is the only one I ever make. I think it'll become a go-to for you, too, once you try it.

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I found cheap and plentiful cauliflower during my weekly shop, so Saturday dinner is my favorite roasted cauliflower salad with dates and yogurt dressing.

As for weekend baking, my newest lemon scones recipe has been a huge hit with all three kids, so I promised them we could have another batch.

On Sunday I’ll serve any leftovers of the salad with some sous vide steaks simply finished on the grill, and a rustic fruit tart using rhubarb and pears instead of stone fruit.

Cauliflower Salad with Pomegranate, Dates and Yoghurt Dressing

This salad is fresh and light enough for a heatwave, but equally hearty enough for a warm midwinter dinner. Something for everyone! Plus, dates and yogurt and, if you can get them, pomegranate seeds, and really I don't know how you could not enjoy it.

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