Japanese-Style Meat and Potatoes

This recipe is from “Keepers: Two Home Cooks Share Their Tried-and-True Weeknight Recipes and the Secrets to Happiness in the Kitchen,” by Kathy Brennan and Caroline Campion. I’m pretty certain most of us don’t need too many ideas for potatoes, but since we’ve had an abundance (yay!) this year, I figured one new recipe couldn’t hurt.

From the authors of the cookbook: This recipe is based on a popular Japanese stewed dish called nikujaga (niku means “meat;” jaga means “potato”), which Kathy’s mom often made when she was growing up. It’s home cooking at its best, the kind of food you want to eat when you’re tired or in a funk or under the weather.

Unlike in America, stewed dishes in Japan tend to be very light and contain only a small amount of liquid, which is more of a flavorful broth than a “sauce.” Like most stews, though, it reheats wells and tastes even better when the flavors have had time to meld, so don’t hesitate to make it in advance or to double the recipe to ensure leftovers. This is also a good dish for nights when people will be eating dinner at different times; just leave it on the back of the stove and spoon it out when needed. Serve with steamed rice, if you like.

Potato and Chorizo Tacos

Chances are you also have a favorite taco recipes – but do you ever think about using potatoes? This recipes is from “Tacos, Tortillas and Tamales” by Roberto Santibanez. Mexican chorizo is the fresh variety, not the smoked and cured kind of chorizo. You could substitute it though, just maybe adding a little oil if necessary so the onions, etc. don’t stick to the skillet when you’re sautéing.

Slow Cooker Red Curry Soup with Chicken and Greens

I’ll be making this recipe adapted from one on seriouseats.com because I have some red curry paste leftover from testing recipes and am delighted to have yet another use for it. Not to mention, what’s not to love about a slow cooker recipe? Easy, and dinner is done while you’re off doing other things. You could use the Swiss chard or the bok choy if you have another plan for your kale, and vary the other vegetables by what you have on hand.