Ease in the New Year

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY NATALIE FINDLAY

How 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 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 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

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

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.

Pork Chops with Apples and Cabbage

Serves 2

4 wedges cabbage

2 small apples, cored

4 sprigs thyme

2 pork chops

To Taste sea salt, pepper

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika Drizzle olive oil

2 Tbs (30 mL) mustard, grainy or smooth

1. Preheat oven to 375º F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper.

2. Cut cabbage and apples into wedges and place on baking sheet.

3. Remove the thyme leaves from the sprigs and sprinkle over the cabbage and apples along with sea salt and pepper if desired.

4. Season the pork chops with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.

5. Place on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake 18 to 23 minutes (depending on thickness of pork chop). Serve with mustard.

Lamb Chops and Potatoes

Serves 2

10 fingerling potatoes

10 mushrooms

1 red onion

6 lamb chops

Handful green beans, trimmed

To Taste sea salt and pepper

Drizzle olive oil

10 sprigs fresh mint, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375º F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper.

2. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and place on the sheet pan with a drizzle of oil and salt, and toss in the oven. The potatoes need a head start compared to the other items. Roast 20 minutes.

3. Cut the mushrooms in half. Cut the red onion into wedges. Season the lamb chops with sea salt and pepper.

4. Remove sheet pan from oven. Carefully add the mushrooms, red onion, lamb chops, and green beans to the pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt.

5. Place sheet pan back in oven and cook another 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from oven, top with mint and serve.

Natalie is a freelance writer, photographer, and pastry chef. A graduate of Cordon Bleu’s pastry program, she manages her own business too to create custom-made cakes.