A Week of Dinners // Winter

I struggle to stay inspired with my cooking during the winter. It's easy to get stuck in a rut of buying the same oranges, apples, bananas, bread, milk, and eggs every week. Nothing is about to come into season or go out of season--it's just the same old, same old. We eat lots of spaghetti and lots of breakfast for dinner. 

When I asked for advice mid-winter, a few friends recommended sheet pan dinners. I started with Kelsey Nixon's recipe for Greek Sheet Pan (linked below). Chicken thighs, potatoes, and peppers tossed with seasoning and topped with a tangy dressing. We devoured it! And I wondered what other kinds of seasonings I could use to get similar and yet completely different results. How many variations on this theme could I come up with? Because clearly we were onto something here. 

Below is a sheet-pan dinner strategy and our seven favorite variations from this winter. Sure to spice up your winter weeks and add some flavor to your life again!

Sheet Pan Strategy

1. Whisk together seasonings, salt and pepper to taste, and 2 T olive oil in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add protein and use tongs to toss and coat.
3. Place protein on an extra-large baking sheet lined with parchment.
4. Add vegetables to mixing bowl and toss to coat with remaining marinade.
5. Place vegetables around chicken on baking sheet.
6. Bake at 425℉ for 25-30 minutes.
7. Serve with fresh herbs and rice, tortillas, or flatbread

Variations

1. Kelsey Nixon's Greek Sheet Pan
        -Seasoning: Greek
        -Protein: chicken thighs
        -Vegetables: bell pepper, potatoes, red onion

2. Sarah Wilson's Crunchy Chicken Satay
        -Marinade: peanut sauce
        -Protein: chicken thighs
        -Vegetables: broccoli, asparagus, snap peas

3. Cajun with Andouille Sausage
        -Seasoning: Cajun
        -Protein: chicken thighs and sliced andouille sausage
        -Vegetables: bell pepper, onion, potatoes

4. Chicken Fajita
        -Seasoning: chili powder, lime
        -Protein: chicken thighs
        -Vegetables: bell pepper, onion

5. Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken
        -Seasoning: jerk 
        -Protein: chicken thighs
        -Vegetables: bell pepper, onion, pineapple

6. Classic Roast Chicken
        -Seasoning: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme
        -Protein: chicken thighs
        -Vegetables: carrots, onions, potatoes (squeeze of lemon before serving)

7. Tikka Masala
        -Marinade:
            6 garlic cloves
            1 T grated fresh ginger
            1/4 cup tomato paste
            1 T garam masala
            1 T curry powder
            1 1/2 T salt
        -Protein: chicken thighs, can of chickpeas
        -Vegetables: cauliflower