Everything-But-the-Kitchen-Sink Bowl

A true “what’s left in the fridge” dinner.

Some nights, dinner is less of a plan and more of an improvisation.
This was one of those. We had a bit of everything leftover, the bean salad from earlier in the week, roasted summer squash (from that massive one we couldn’t finish), Yolele fonio for a base, a quick spicy tomato sauce on top, and a scoop of guacamole because, why not.

It’s the kind of meal that reminds me how forgiving real food can be. Not every dinner has to be curated; sometimes it just needs to come together.

BBQ Phase Dinner

Because toddlers have opinions, and sometimes they win

This one’s the definition of un-aesthetic and simple.

We were deep in my toddler’s BBQ sauce phase, so dinner followed suit: roasted chicken and zucchini tossed in BBQ sauce, baked sweet potatoes, a little rice, and sautéed bok choy on the side.

No plan, just a mix of what everyone would actually eat that night. And honestly, it worked. Sometimes the simplest dinners are the ones that keep the peace (and still taste great).

Almost Kimchi Jigae

Our family’s mellow take on a Korean comfort meal

We wanted something warm but didn’t feel like making a full stew or testing toddler spice tolerance.
So this was our middle ground: soft tofu with rice and a little kimchi mixed in for flavor. Our toddler’s bowl skipped the kimchi but still got the tofu and rice, plus carrots, mango, and canned chicken with mayo (the “mayo phase” continues).

We also had a leftover bean and mango salad, because you can take the girl out of the Caribbean, but you can’t take away her mangoes, especially when they’re in season.
It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t pretty, but it hit the spot.

Nothing Beats Rice & Beans

Because nothing really beats rice and beans.
This one started with tomatoes and culantro from my mom’s garden, or as we’ve always called it, chadon beni. I remember being a kid at the farmer’s market asking for chadon beni and wondering why no one knew what I meant. It turns out that it just had other names, like many things that travel across cultures.

Growing up, chadon beni showed up in everything from soups to Sunday lunches. It’s one of those flavors that instantly evokes a sense of home.
So here’s my take: refried beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, salsa, culantro, cilantro, lime, and red cabbage. Real food, made from what’s on hand, no rules, no tacos, just good flavor.

The Salmon Breakfast Situation

Not pretty, but it worked

Sometimes you just need to keep things simple. This breakfast is simple for our family.
This one was about using what we had: canned salmon, mayo, hummus, sourdough, and a few minutes before the morning chaos kicked in.

My toddler had salmon with mayo, grilled cheese on sourdough, blackberries, and a bit of carrot kinpira from the night before. I had the same salmon mixed with hummus and seasonings, spread over toast with cheese. Not pretty, but it worked, and it got us both fed.

Matcha Morning & Mini Onigiri

A breakfast made from what we had, and what we actually wanted.

Some mornings, you just must keep it simple. This was simple for us.

My breakfast was roti with cabbage, mustard, and turkey sausage, paired with mango and coconut yogurt with cinnamon and cardamom, kind of a deconstructed mango lassi situation. And a matcha latte with plant-based milk.

My toddler had turkey sausage too, along with salmon and seaweed onigiri, grapes, and mashed mango. Nothing fancy, just breakfast that worked for both of us.

Summer Squash Soup with Salmon & Bean Bowl

Sometimes the best meals start with a little improvisation.
This soup began as frozen summer squash from my mom’s garden. It thawed into a soggy mess, but after a quick drain and a blend with roasted peppers, carrots, chicken broth, and coconut milk, it turned into something really good.

The salmon was tossed with sundried tomatoes, capers, olives, onions, garlic, navy beans, oregano, and a touch of red wine vinaigrette, then roasted.
I served it over rice and spinach for my partner, kept the spinach separate for my toddler (because, opinions), and skipped the rice for myself. The beans were plenty.

Meals like this remind me of how I grew up, making the most of what was and turning it into something that tasted good.

Un-aesthetic? Maybe.
But definitely nourishing, adaptable, and honest.