How many bookmarks of recipes do you have, that you want to make? How many magazine cut outs or screenshots on your iPhone? If you’re anything like me there are a lot. Like waaaaayyy to many to ever have a chance of being made. Whilst there is nothing wrong with collecting recipes, it can get quite overwhelming when it comes to making up your mind about what to actually cook. So. Many. Choices.
To counteract this overwhelm, and because autumn starts today, I have put together our autumn capsule recipe collection!
What is a capsule recipe collection?
In short, a capsule recipe collection consists of meals your family loves and you enjoy cooking. It’s like your personal menu in your favourite café! You can see at a glance what you eat (or plan to eat) often.
Ideally it is seasonal and has a good variety of ingredients. BUT if you are just starting out there is no need to make it complicated. This is not meant to be an exercise like ‘in an ideal world my family would eat xyz…’ that you have to try and live up to.
It’s meant to take away some mental clutter so you find it easier to focus. If you lead a full life, clarity is very soothing.
Start by choosing the meals that you already eat often. You can worry about what to add to them later. For now, it’s more important to have a list of meals that you know you enjoy cooking or can throw together at a moments notice.
How do I create my own then?
It’s not set in stone, but I settled on:
5 breakfast dishes
20 meals
5 sides
5 snacks
This will give you a core set of meals that you can mix and match. They will nourish you, without stress or guilt.
It doesn’t have to be all homemade if that’s not possible for you!
It doesn’t have to be all cooked from scratch everyday either.
You are not stuck with this list for three months and not allowed to eat anything else! In fact it may even make it easier for you to try out something new.
When you have your capsule recipe collection set up there will be less time needed to put together your weekly menu and shopping list. And less time spent planning and feeling stressed makes for more room to cook new things occasionally.
Clarity is everything.
How to get started:
- Make a list. The aim is to have a list of meals that you feel good about. Just where you are at in life right now. What’s possible. What you like. What your family likes. Get them to help you with this!
- Take a closer look. Got 20 variations of pasta bakes? Hmm, maybe switching it up a little might be good ;).
- Amend where needed. For example check how many dishes have a good amount of vegetables and whole grains in it. No need to be perfect, just what stands out for you and is an easy switch.
- Hang it up somewhere in your kitchen, for everyone to see. This way you can remind yourself that you have to think less this season, because you have already figured out A LOT.
Erm, I don’t know where to start, what’s in yours?
So, below is the one I have created for us. BUT this is not meant to be something you need to aspire to. You do you.
You might also like to download my seasonal fruit and veggie guide here.
Because there is always room for more veggies :).
Much love,
Katrine x
Breakfast
oat and almond breakfast cakes
Meals
brown mushroom and spinach soup
lemon and oregano roasted chicken
mirin glazed salmon with asian greens
soba noodles with bok choy and miso
eggplant and broccoli soba noodles
baked pumpkin with feta and spelt couscous
tomato, porchini and eggplant penne
Anchovie, broccoli and chilli penne
spaghetti with zucchini and spinach
Sides
Snacks
Cranberry, oat and Tahini Bliss Balls
Cover photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash
