Weeknight Dinner Ideas for the Tail End of Winter

Winter, it's been real. We're sending the season off this week with cozy weeknight dinners to please any palate.
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Monday: Spicy Pork Miso Soup

Spicy Pork Miso Soup

Try our Spicy Pork Miso Soup

Tuesday: Cornish Hens, Horseradish-Cheddar Potatoes & Cress Salad with Apples

Cornish Hens, Horseradish-Cheddar Potatoes & Cress Salad with Apples

Try our Cornish Hens, Horseradish-Cheddar Potatoes and Cress Salad with Apples

Wednesday: Shrimp, Mexican Chorizo & Pineapple Tacos with Tequila & Lime

shrimp mexican chorizo pineapple tacos with tequila lime

Try our Shrimp, Mexican Chorizo & Pineapple Tacos with Tequila & Lime

Thursday: Mushroom-and-Kale Barley Soup

mushroom-and-kale barley soup

Try our Mushroom-and-Kale Barley Soup

Friday: Brown Butter & Cream Orecchiette with Cremini Mushrooms & Kale

Brown Butter & Cream Orecchiette with Cremini Mushrooms & Kale

Try our Brown Butter & Cream Orecchiette with Cremini Mushrooms & Kale

Shopping List: 

For the spicy pork miso: 

  • 3/4 lb. ground pork
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • Star anise pods
  • Szechuan peppercorns
  • Granulated onion
  • Chicken stock
  • Red miso
  • Fresh egg noodles
  • Baby spinach
  • Fresh cilantro

For the Cornish hens: 

  • 2 Cornish Hens
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh thyme
  • Granulated onion
  • Granulated garlic
  • 3 starchy potatoes
  • Grated white sharp cheddar
  • Half-and-half or cream
  • Fresh chives
  • Prepared horseradish
  • Butter
  • Upland cress or watercress
  • 2 scallions
  • 1 apple
  • 1 small lemon
  • EVOO

For the tacos:

  • Olive oil
  • Fresh (Mexican) chorizo
  • 3/4 lb. medium shrimp
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh pineapple
  • 1 bunch spring onions or scallions
  • 2 jalapeños
  • Cilantro or parsley
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 shots of (3 oz.) silver tequila
  • 2 limes
  • 12–16 6-inch corn tortillas
  • White or red cabbage
  • Hot sauce, preferably Green Tabasco or Frank’s RedHot

For the barley soup:

  • Pearl barley
  • EVOO
  • 1 pound cremini or mixed mushrooms
  • 1 onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 bunch cavolo nero 
  • Salt and pepper
  • Nutmeg
  • Chicken or vegetable stock
  • Porcini or mixed wild mushrooms
  • Shaved pecorino-romano cheese

For the orecchiette: 

  • Orecchiette (“little ears”) pasta
  • Hazelnuts (I like Buon’Italia’s, which are from Piedmont, Italy)
  • Butter
  • 1 1/2 lbs. cremini mushrooms
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • White pepper
  • Fresh thyme leaves
  • 4 large cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 bundle Lacinato kale
  • Heavy cream
  • Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano