Simple, Flavor-Packed Meals + What Herbs to Grow This Season: Basil 🌿

View this email in your browser Hi Friends 👋🏼  If your week is already filling up with busy schedules and spring activities, this lineup is here to make mealtime easier (and more delicious). From juicy, flavor-packed chicken thigh recipes to quick 30-minute meals that come together in a flash, dinner is officially stress-free. Plus, with gardening season kicking off, we’re sharing the best herbs to plant at home—along with simple ways to use them in everyday cooking. Fresh flavors, easy recipes, and a little inspiration to grow your own ingredients—it’s all right here for the week ahead. Have a great week! featured recipes Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Soy Ginger Grilled Flank Steak Garden Macaroni Salad No Bake Limoncello Pie   To get the recipe ingredients and directions, click on the recipe name or image; which will take you to the original post.  Blueberry Baked Oatmeal is a warm, wholesome breakfast made with oats and juicy blueberries-perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy mornings. Flank steak marinated in fresh ginger, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar; then grilled to perfection. A must-try on your summer grilling list. Garden Macaroni Salad made with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, carrots and onions in a creamy mayonnaise dressing.  No Bake Limoncello Pie in a graham cracker crust is deliciously light and lemony.  chicken thigh recipes Chicken thighs are one of the most versatile, flavorful, and budget-friendly cuts of chicken you can cook with. Whether you prefer them roasted, grilled, braised, or slow-cooked, their naturally rich flavor and juicy texture make them nearly impossible to mess up. This collection of 20 of my favorite chicken thigh recipes highlights just how adaptable this cut can be, with options that range from quick weeknight dinners to more elevated, dinner-party-worthy dishes. 30 minute meals When life gets busy but you still want something homemade on the table, these top reader favorite 30-minute meals are here to save the day. Quick, simple, and full of flavor, these recipes are designed to get dinner on the table fast without sacrificing quality. From one-pan favorites to speedy pastas and satisfying skillet meals, each dish proves that delicious doesn’t have to mean time-consuming. Perfect for weeknights, last-minute plans, or anytime you need a reliable go-to, these are the meals you’ll find yourself making again and again. Skillet Shrimp and Tortellini Mongolian Beef Italian Ground Chicken Pasta Skillet Jagerschnitzel Linguine Positano Lemon Basil Chicken Cutlets Balsamic Pork Chops Asian Style Chili Garlic Chicken Parmesan Rosemary Pork Cutlets Tortellini with Creamed Spinach and Tomatoes Herb Crusted Chicken Caprese Shrimp Stuffed Tomatoes Check out our 30 Minute Meal Category under the Recipe Index for more inspiration! best herbs to plant at home: basil 🌱 There’s nothing quite like stepping outside and snipping fresh herbs to finish a meal, and spring is the perfect time to start your own home garden. Whether you have a backyard, patio, or just a sunny windowsill, herbs are one of the easiest and most rewarding things to grow. This week our herb shining star is basil.  Basil is one of those herbs that instantly makes a dish taste fresh, bright, and a little more special. Whether you’ve got a full garden or just a small bunch from the store, here are some of the best ways to use it: Pesto – Blend basil with garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and nuts for pasta, sandwiches, or dips Caprese salad – Fresh basil + tomatoes + mozzarella + balsamic Pasta dishes – Toss into marinara, creamy sauces, or pasta salads Pizza topping – Add fresh basil after baking for a burst of flavor Salads – Chop into green salads or grain bowls Chicken & Seafood – Pair with lemon, garlic, and olive oil Stir-fries – Especially in Thai-inspired dishes Soups – Stir into tomato soup or vegetable soups at the end Sandwiches & Wraps – Adds freshness to anything from turkey to veggie Basil Butter – Mix chopped basil with softened butter for bread or steak Infused Olive Oil – Great for dipping or drizzling Herb Spreads – Blend into cream cheese or ricotta Cocktails & mocktails – Muddle into lemonade, spritzers, or margaritas Fruit salads – Especially good with strawberries, watermelon, or peaches Desserts – Basil pairs beautifully with citrus and berries in syrups or sorbets Tips Add basil at the end of cooking to keep its flavor bright Tear instead of chop to avoid bruising Store stems with roots in water on the counter (short-term) or in the fridge wrapped in a damp paper towel.     weekly meal plan #208 Gluten Free (gf); Dairy Free (df); Low Carb (lc) For serving suggestions, please visit our Recipe Index by Category.  Click on each title or image to get to the recipe where you can print or instantly add grocery items into your own Instacart account!  ➡️➡️Click here to Download Blank Weekly Meal Plan Monday, April 13 Pork Scaloppine with Lemon Cream Sauce Tuesday, April 14 Tex Mex Chicken and Rice  Wednesday, April 15 Sausage, Artichoke and Sun Dried Tomato Risotto  Thursday, April 16 Caprese Stuffed Chicken Thighs    Friday, April 17 Spinach and Artichoke Flatbread Saturday, April 18 Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers  Sunday, April 19 Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Marinated London Broil  Dessert Cinnamon Apple Chips  comments "This blackberry barbecue sauce is delicious! I used one of those smaller jars of seedless blackberry preserves - worked out to be exactly one cup. The only thing I did differently was, I finely chopped one small sweet onion, and a red pepper and added it to the sauce. Highly recommend your sauce, it's so good!😋 "~Debi Coming Next Week.... Zucchini and Corn Skillet Website Email Pinterest Facebook X Instagram LinkedIn If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please send us an email and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.   Copyright © 2026 Carrie's Experimental Kitchen, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via Carrie's Experimental Kitchen website. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s owner is strictly prohibited. Please contact the owner for any licensing inquiries for commercial use, publication and/or general distribution.  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  subscribe