It’s the start of a new lockdown in Melbourne and I feel pretty surrounded by uncertainty. But we’ve done it before and can do it again. I’m trying my best to adjust to times like this being part of the future, as focusing on the hope that things will magically return to ‘normal’ seems unhelpful (for me personally).

I’m also trying to avoid the blame game going on in Melbourne at the moment as blaming any one person, or group of people strikes me as a way of absolving our personal responsibility. And that feeling of responsibility is so important as part of a learning process and to get through the next stint. That said, I know loads of Victorians have been absolute champs about adhering to strict rules and I’m endlessly impressed with our willingness to work together on this.

My little way of cheering you all on is to offer these little meal plans as cooking projects for the time ahead. This weekend has actually been a pretty great start to a lot of time spent at home, we got a new sofa and had loads of successful cooking experiments. This is the stuff that makes my lockdown weekends ‘exciting’. Having nothing to really look forward to is what I find mentally taxing right now so I’m creating stuff, like date night’s in, to look forward to!

I’m still waiting on a new oven so new recipes are a once a week occurrence for the time being…. hopefully I’ll have one soon and creating reliable recipes for you won’t be quite as difficult!

Breakfast

This Chickpea Flatbread is the perfect way to mix it up at breakfast, I have it with avocado and mushrooms.

Carrots are plentiful and cheap right now so Carrot Cake Chia Pudding seems like a great idea.

Lunch

Twice Cooked Soy Poached Mushrooms, are some delicate and satisfying, the perfect work from home lunch.

Warm Cauliflower, Green Bean and Chickpea Salad, this is lovely warm but great room temp too if you have to go into work right now.

Dinner

Miso and Ginger Tofu Curry, is such a satisfying winter meal with immune boosting ginger to boot.

Slow Cooked Pomegranate Lamb, this served with golden potatoes or wrapped in flatbread with salad, hummus and pickles. So good.

Prawn Pasta with Chilli and Blistered Tomatoes, my favourite thing to make. I’d usually save it for summer but screw it, I need stuff to look forward to.

Sesame, Miso and Ginger One Pot Ramen, I’m so into noodle soups at the moment and this sesame laced one is a winner.

Dessert

More things to look forward to: Triple Chocolate Coconut Slice.

HH. x