13 Comments
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Emily Zicherman's avatar

This is so helpful. Will be saving as a reference guide - we often host big family meals and it can feel overwhelming. Embracing simple meal plans and “scruffy hospitality!”

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Julia Turshen's avatar

love this term!!

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Leu2500's avatar

Julia, those menu ideas sound yum!

2 other substackers with family dinner ideas, when the weather starts to cool: Alexandra Stafford of Pizza Every Friday has a baked pasta recipe that feeds adults + soccer/hockey playing kids. Anything Noodles + red sauce + cheese is usually a hit.

And Jenny Rosenstrach of Dinner: A Love Story has some ideas for what she calls “Operation Dinner Party.” (No, the menus aren’t as involved as the Normandy invasion). One revolves around a big pot of beans baked with sausages. Another around pork shoulder ragu.

& I see that you suggested baked potatoes in one of your ideas. But as a side, not a star. What about a baked potato/baked sweet potato *bar.* one dinner topped with chili. Another with your chicken spinach artichoke topping from class.

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Julia Turshen's avatar

yes to all of the above!

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Meaghan Carey's avatar

Julia:

Thank you so much for taking my question and then providing such amazing answers! I’m overwhelmed (in the best way) with the great choices.

I think I’ll start with the pineapple pork or the fried fish and then when the zucchini starts coming in the garden I’ll do the beef and zucchini meatballs, and then to celebrate my nephew’s return from camp I’ll make the raw tomato baked ziti and Italian chopped salad.

Thanks again for this incredibly thoughtful answer. It has been a time of intense grief for our family and coming together over meals has been a way to support each other.

Xo,

Meaghan

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Julia Turshen's avatar

Lots and lots of love xoxoox

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Marcus Powers's avatar

I make the Green Chile Braised Chicken Thighs with Pinto Beans on a regular basis, and there's only two of us. We eat the first part of it for dinner, typically with torn-up tortillas (I saw you suggest that somewhere, like a southwestern-ish chicken and dumplings) and copious amounts of sour cream and hot sauce. For lunch the next day, I reduce down the liquid a bit and we turn the whole thing into tacos. It's truly the best!

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Julia Turshen's avatar

awww i love knowing this <3

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Buck's avatar

I love these ideas! So helpful. I get stuck in a rut but I find that your posts get me trying new combinations.

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Julia Turshen's avatar

Awww yay!

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Katherine Goldstein's avatar

Thanks so much for mentioning my work on deep casual hosting!

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Julia Turshen's avatar

Thanks for writing it!!

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Michelle's avatar

This is amazing. Thank you!

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