Your February recipes are here
Comfort food for the depths of winter
Did the first 6 weeks of 2025 feel like 6 months to anyone else? I usually end up packing a LOT into the first couple of months of the year, so by this time in February I am definitely running out of steam. Well, I had a much needed beach getaway to Mexico over the long weekend so I’m writing to you, refreshed, rejuvenated and sun-kissed.
For those who have been toiling away getting the snow out of their driveway without the prospect of a beach (and possibly hating me a little bit right now), I have two silver linings for you. One is that the days are definitely lengthening: in NYC it is now bright enough to qualify as twilight at 6pm. So spring is around the corner, don’t you despair! And two, your February batch of Weeknight Simple strikes the perfect balance between nourishing and cozy to help you banish those winter blues.
First up, we are revolutionizing the winter salad game with a cooked salad that will have you eating an absurd amount of produce. Then, for those nights when you need comfort food in a flash, I've got a clever butter bean chili that tastes like it's been simmering all day (spoiler: it hasn't). And finally, because I love a good twist on a classic, I'm applying the French Onion technique to lentils. Read on to see what’s on the menu this month.
PS: if you’re looking for February’s free recipe, I sent it out last week for Valentine’s day.
But first, I need your feedback!
Many of you asked for live cooking classes, so I’ve been working on some ideas for virtual workshops. Please take this survey to tell me what topics are of interest to you and I’ll plan these out over the course of the year.
Warm Winter Salad w/ Cheezy Chimichurri
You asked for another 30g protein salad so here it is! While I get that salad is not exactly what you’re reaching for in the depths of February, you will want to keep this warm salad in your arsenal. Lightly sauteed kale, cabbage and mushrooms make up the base, with edamame and cashew adding texture, protein and crunch. Nutty, chewy farro rounds it out and my impossibly green Cheezy Chimichurri Dressing adds that bright acidity while still somehow keeping it creamy and comforting.
Butter Bean Chili Nourish Bowl
Did someone say ‘chili in a jiffy’? Because here it is. A warm, nourishing chili with melt-in-your-mouth butter beans that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, but uses a nifty store-bought hack to make it weeknight-friendly. I serve it over Greek yogurt or my Tofu Ricotta to add more protein and wont mind if you scoop it up with some bread too.
French Onion Lentils w/Harissa Tofu
What’s more comforting than a warm pot of lentils? French Onion Lentils, that’s what. Take 15 minutes to caramelize onions and you will be rewarded ten-fold with sweetness and umami that warms the soul. I forgot to save some onions for garnish when I took this photo but I promise you they’re inside. Then, because every good lentil dish needs a hook, I layer it with ready-to-eat silken tofu and top it with a spicy, tangy harissa-balsamic dressing.
