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Simple Solutions to the Dinner Dilemma

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By Julia Howard

While there are usually easy meal solutions for breakfast and lunch, simple, healthy dinner ideas are no easy feat. Finding a recipe that your family will enjoy is only a part of the struggle. We crave a quick fix for dinner, something that doesn’t take hours to prep and cook, and something that won’t take an hour to clean up. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market has meal motivation and locally sourced ingredients to get you through these dinner difficulties.

Photo from iStock.

Sheet Pan Dinners

For an effortless, delicious meal with minimal cleanup, sheet pan dinners are one of our favorite approaches to dinner. Choose your favorite seasonal vegetable(s) and pair it with a protein like chicken, pork, or beef. Think steak with Brussels sprouts and potatoes, sausages with apples and carrots, chicken with mushrooms and tomatoes (tomatoes will return to the market in Feb.). The internet has many ideas, and finding the right ingredients is super simple between your pantry and the farmers’ market.

Photo from iStock

Farmers’ Market Frittatas

Frittatas can be very easy to make and are a great way to clean out your refrigerator. Ingredients include eggs, vegetables, fresh herbs (optional, and returning to the market in Feb.), cheese, and bacon or sausage – or omit for a vegetarian option. Simply sautee the vegetables, add cooked bacon and herbs, pour whisked eggs over the mixture, top with cheese, and broil for 3-4 minutes. We love M&A Farm’s recipe and remember that you can put just about anything in your frittata.

Photo of carrot and ginger soup by Pattie Garrett.

Simple Soups

Soups are one of the most satisfying, healthy, and easy one-pot meals to make. Simply chop up your vegetables, sautee the aromatics (leeks, onions, carrots, garlic, but the list goes on), add chicken or vegetable stock and simmer, then puree or leave chunky depending on the soup and your preference. Some ideas are vegetable soup, potato and leek soup, mushroom soup, and butternut squash soup.

Photo from iStock.

Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Meals

Slow cookers and Instant Pots have turned complicated, time-consuming meals into one-pot wonders. A quick Google search can reveal recipes for anything from tacos to pot roast to soups and stews. Once your ingredients are in the pot, you typically don’t need to pay attention to them until the meal is cooked and ready to serve. 

This weeks recipe: Farmers’ Market Frittata

A smorgasbord of open-face sandwiches

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Recipe by parchment

Top thinly sliced pieces of Rugbrød with local produce, spreads, cheeses, or other products to prepare Scandinavian-style open-faced sandwiches.

Suggested pairings

*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

  • Lightly salted potatoes* with sour cream and chives
  • Pork rillettes with pickles*, mustard, and pea shoots*
  • Goat cheese* with roasted root vegetables*, herbs*, and pepper
  • Hummus* with red onion* and capers
  • Butter and jam* or honey*
  • Tomato with mozzarella* and basil and a dash of flavorful olive oil
  • Olive tapenade with arugula and roasted peppers
  • Honey* with apple* and cinnamon
  • Nut butter spread* with dried fruit

Shepherd’s Pie

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Shepherd’s pie, photo by Pattie Garrett

“One of my favorite post-holiday meals is Shepherd’s pie. It’s still a comfort food and one that reminds me of being home for the holidays to this day. The recipe is simple, delicious, and helps use up some holiday leftovers” – Ariel Garland of Hebron Valley Veal

Recipe shared by Hebron Valley Veal
Serves 6-8
Prep & cook time: 40 mins

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 2 pounds ground veal*
● 1 large sweet onion*
● 1/4 cup ketchup
● 3 cups frozen sweet corn
● Leftover mashed potatoes*

Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground veal with the diced onion. Once cooked through and the onions are translucent, add the ketchup. Put the mixture in the bottom of your desired baking dish.

Top that with the frozen corn (you can add more or use less depending on your preference). Spread that out evenly over the meat. Next, layer the mashed potatoes over the corn at least an inch thick. Put a few dabs of butter over the top. Bake until warmed through, about 30 minutes.

Beer Mashed Potatoes

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Beer Mashed Potatoes, iStock

Recipe by Craft Beering
Yield: 6 servings
Prep & cook time: 30 min

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 3 lbs starchy potatoes* (such as Russet or Yukon Gold)
● 2/3 cup beer* (such as pilsner or lager)
● 1/2 cup butter*
● 1/2 heavy cream
● 2 cloves garlic*, minced (optional)
● salt & pepper (to taste)
● 1 tsp fresh parsley*, finely chopped, for garnish

Instructions
1. Peel the potatoes, rinse and cut them into uniform pieces, as needed for even cooking.
2. Place the potatoes in a large stockpot, add 1 tbsp salt and enough cold water to cover them by about 2 inches. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and boil until the potatoes are very tender.
3. While to potatoes are boiling, in a small saucepan over medium heat bring the beer to simmer. Temporarily remove from the stove and add the butter. As soon as it begins to melt add the cream. If using minced garlic, add it now. Stir to combine, place back on the stove and keep warm using the lowest setting available.
4. Drain the boiled potatoes and break them down using a masher. Add the beer mixture as you continue to mash. Optional – once the liquids are fully incorporated you can whip the mash for about a minute to make it extra creamy.
5. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, stir well. Serve on a warm plate and garnish with parsley.

Notes:
*Be sure to use heavy cream – its higher fat content will ensure that it does not curdle in contact with the heated beer. Always add it after you’ve added the butter for the same reason.
*Adding the garlic to the warm mixture will significantly mellow its sharp taste and bring out its sweetness.

Sheet Pan Chicken with Carrots, Potatoes, & Carrot Top Pesto

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Recipe by Marisa Kerkvliet
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market

Photo by Marisa Kerkvliet

Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables
● 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and legs*
● 2 bunches rainbow carrots*
● 1.5 pounds red or gold potatoes*, cut in half
● 2 tablespoons olive oil
● 2 teaspoons kosher salt
● 1 teaspoon paprika
● ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Carrot Top Pesto
● 2 cups packed carrot tops*
● ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil*
● ½ cup walnut halves, plus extra for serving
● ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
● 2 cloves garlic*
● ½ lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
● ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
● ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Arrange the chicken, carrots, and potatoes on the sheet pan and drizzle on the olive oil. Sprinkle on the salt, paprika, and black pepper. Use clean hands to toss all of the ingredients together and rub the spices into the chicken and vegetables. Arrange in a single layer with the chicken skin facing up.
2. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165 degrees F and the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
3. While the chicken and vegetables are roasting prepare the carrot top pesto by combining the carrot tops, olive oil, walnuts, parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth.
4. Transfer the cooked chicken and vegetables to a serving platter, and drizzle on the pesto. Top with additional chopped walnuts if desired and serve immediately.

Photo by Marisa Kerkvliet

Potato Salad with Pickled Cucumbers

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Photo by Pattie Garrett

Recipe by Smitten Kitchen and Bon Appetit, Shared by My Saratoga Kitchen Table
Serves: 8

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the farmers’ market
● 6 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar
● 4 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
● 2 English cucumbers*, very thinly sliced
● a few branches plus 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill*
● 3¼ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes*, about 10 medium, peeled
● Additional coarse kosher salt
● 1 cup very thinly sliced white onion*
● 8 radishes*, trimmed, thinly sliced
● ¾ cup mayonnaise

Instructions
1. The day before, make the pickles: Pour vinegar and 4 teaspoons salt into a bowl with a cover. Add the cucumbers and dill branches. Stir gently to coat. Refrigerate overnight. Stir occasionally.
2. Cook the potatoes by boiling them the night before. Refrigerate to ensure they are very cold.
3. The next day, drain the cucumber mixture in a colander for an hour. Discard the brine and dill.
4. To assemble the salad, Cut the potatoes crosswise into ½ inch thick slices. Place the potatoes in a large bowl. Sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper. Add the drained cucumbers, onion, sliced radishes, and remaining 3 Tablespoons dill. Toss to blend.
5. Add the mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Serve cold.

Options: Cook the potatoes with the skins on and remove them after cooking, or leave the skins on.