Ease in the New Year STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY NATALIE FINDLAY
of year when we could use some extra TLC. Barely a recipe is needed, and most meals take less than 30 minutes to cook. Fundamentals: 1. Sheet pan with sides. 2. Parchment paper for easier clean up. 3. Mix of vegetables. 4. Quick cooking protein of choice. 5. Spices and herbs for flavour enhancements. This is not the time to be stressing about perfection. The main consideration is to neither overcook or undercook your meal. Toss in whatever vegetables you enjoy in whatever quantities that you want. Choose quality proteins and fats to bring the meal together for a satiating and easy dinner. These recipes below are just a few examples of what is possible.
Sausage and Cannellini Beans Serves 2
H
ow did your holiday season go? Did you manage to get all the presents wrapped and under the tree? Were the cards mailed out so they would be received on time? Did you have house warming gifts ready? Extra festive treats for last minute guests? Did you trim the tree, decorate the house, make all the meals, put up the lights? Clean up, take down all the decorations, have enough energy to stay up for the midnight ball drop to ring in 2024? Whew! December is a lot. And no matter how minimalist you make the holiday
26 Culinaire | January/February 2024
1 head broccolini 1 sweet pepper 1 can cannellini beans ½ tsp dried rosemary ¾ tsp sea salt 2 - 4 spicy Italian sausages (or flavoured as desired) ½ lemon, cut in wedges Drizzle olive oil ¼ bunch parsley, rough chop
season, there is still much to do and many people to see. And then comes January. The month of resolutions. Both to make and to break. We’ve eaten a lot throughout December, and we could use a break in January. Not from eating! From the hoopla around eating. Give yourself a respite and let the new year ring in with ease. It’s time for sheet pan cooking. Sheet pan cooking couldn’t be simpler, and yet still warming and comforting at the time
1. Preheat oven to 375º F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper. 2. Trim broccolini and remove stem and seeds from the sweet pepper and chop into strips. 3. Drain and rinse cannellini beans and add to the sheet pan. Add the sweet pepper and broccolini. Sprinkle with rosemary and sea salt. 4. Add the sausages and lemon and drizzle everything with olive oil. 5. Roast for 18 to 23 minutes. Remove sheet pan from oven and sprinkle with parsley and serve.
