A Must-Try Japanese-Inspired Cold Noodle Salad & Mediterranean Lamb Burgers
Sunday Meal Prep | Week of April 13th
I’m so happy to hear that you all loved the turkey, kale, and mushroom pasta bake last week! I received so many messages and photos, and they truly made my day. Thank you for letting me know I’m not just cooking and talking about these dishes on my own—we’re in this together. 🤝
This week, I’m extra excited about two dishes. Normally, I’d highlight one, but I just couldn’t decide! It’s been beautifully warm with a cool ocean breeze on the West Side of Los Angeles, and I was craving a light, crunchy, and flavorful cold noodle dish—cue the sunomono, that vinegary cucumber salad from your favorite Japanese restaurant. I used edamame noodles for extra protein (24 grams of protein and 7 grams of net carbs per serving!) and added poached prawns—I liked it to much that I rearranged the whole meal plan to include it. Order your edamame noodles today (they can be tricky to find) so you can make this on Wednesday! You could also swap for soba noodles, but may want to add some edamame beans in there for extra protein and fiber.
I’m also super excited about these Mediterranean lamb burgers with herbed tahini sauce. I made two mini burgers (as you can see in the photo), but feel free to make them a little bigger if you prefer. They’re bursting with flavor and pair wonderfully with a bright salad, a little grain, and that creamy, herby tahini sauce. Make these tonight so you have leftover grain, roasted asparagus and tahini sauce for the week.
Happy cooking!
Here are a few meal prep-adjacent things I’m loving these days:
On bedtime rituals
Last week, my friend Lacey asked about my nighttime wellness rituals, and I was a bit embarrassed to admit that my go-to wind-down routine involves watching a show (what am I going to do tonight without White Lotus?!) and sleeping with my phone way too close. I swear I’m way more wellness-y in the kitchen! That said, I have to vouch for my Hatch Restore alarm clock. I much prefer waking up to its peaceful tone over one of my kids crying, and it helps me get a shower in before the morning chaos starts (most of the time, anyway). It also has an app with great meditations and sound baths for winding down—something I could definitely use more of.
Speaking of sleep, I also just got the coziest pair of washable silk (!) pajamas from Lunya, who also makes my ride-or-die eye mask. Ozzie told me that I should wear them for pajama day because they’re really soft and everyone would like them, ha.
New beauty finds
A few new product launches from some of my favorite brands, plus a couple new-to-me products I can’t believe I haven’t tried before:
Ursa Major Forest Water Hyaluronic Serum: A deeply hydrating serum with ultra-clean ingredients, and plastic-negative packaging.
Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil: I’ve been on the hunt for a new scent, but I don’t like anything too strong or perfume-y. This is woody and earthy and kinda sweet, as if I might just naturally smell like this.
True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil: I told you all about my obsession with True Botanical’s bronzing oil, so I had to try the og favorite Pure Radiance oil, and all I have to say is that it lives to the hype (and then some). Plus, Tru Botanicals is just a great company (and from my home town!)—for every purchase of this oil in April they will plant a tree,
Corpus Santalum Deodorant Stick: This is nothing new, but I still have people telling me that “nontoxic” deodorant doesn’t work. This one does. And you’ll smell like a shaman, so that’s a big plus.
Westman Atelier Eye Want You Mascara: How did I not know about this? I don’t really wear makeup and I hate chunky mascara—this is just perfect. I also do really love their complexion drops as well.
Alright, friends, let’s cook!
Tonight, we’ve got these lamb burgers, and wow, they’re good. Of course, you can swap in chicken, turkey, or beef, but the lamb just feels extra special. This week also brings back my favorite halibut puttanesca, a simple Greek chicken bowl with socca flatbread, a must-try Japanese-inspired cold noodle salad, and a quick 15-minute pasta with sausage and broccoli. Enjoy!