What to Cook the Week of May 11 - 17: 10 Dinner Ideas from a Chef

Every Sunday I write one week of dinners: five Classic and five Plant-Based, chosen around what is actually good at the market that week. This is the plan for May 11 - 17, 2026. Take the ideas, cook the ones you want, or let SEASON hand you the whole week with the shopping list already done.

The Classic five

• 1
  Lemon Rosemary Roasted Chicken Thighs

  Asparagus · Lemon · Rosemary · Garlic

  This is a one-pan dinner where the oven does the heavy lifting.

  Sheet Pan, 30 Minutes · serves 4 · full recipe below
• 2
  Tokyo Shrimp Bowl

  Sesame Green Beans · Cucumber · Jasmine Rice

  This is a weeknight bowl built on high heat and a glaze that comes together in the pan.

  Skillet, 30 Minutes · serves 4
• 3
  Pan-Seared Halibut

  Farmers Market Succotash · Romesco · Fresh Basil

  This is a fish dinner built on separation.

  Skillet, 40 Minutes · serves 4
• 4
  Meatloaf

  Tangy Glaze · Mashed Potatoes · Spring Peas

  Meatloaf rewards patience and restraint.

  Oven, 70 Minutes · serves 4
• 5
  Enchiladas Verdes

  Tomatillo-Poblano Salsa · Cotija · Avocado · Lime Crema

  This dish works when the salsa is built from charred tomatillos and poblanos, not poured from a jar.

  Oven, 30 Minutes · serves 4

The Plant-Based five

Fully plant-based, every week, built to stand on its own rather than as a substitution.

• 1
  Brothy White Beans

  Artichokes · Blistered Tomatoes · Grilled Sourdough · Charred Lemon

  This is a one-pan brothy bowl built on blooming aromatics in good olive oil and letting the beans warm through in a flavorful broth.

  Skillet, 40 Minutes · serves 4
• 2
  Thai Noodles

  Shiitake · Snap Peas · Carrots · Chili-Lime

  This dish rewards high heat and organized mise en place.

  Wok / Skillet, 30 Minutes · serves 4
• 3
  English Pea & Cashew Ricotta Lasagna Roll-Ups

  Cashew Ricotta · English Peas · Mint

  This dish rewards quiet preparation.

  Oven, Slow Cook · serves 4
• 4
  Charred Corn & Black Bean Bowl

  Sweet Potato · Avocado-Lime Crema · Pepitas · Cilantro

  This bowl works because you build layers of flavor in separate pans, then bring them together at the end.

  Skillet + Oven, 40 Minutes · serves 4
• 5
  Cauliflower Steaks

  Lemon-Tahini · Pomegranate · Pine Nuts · Fresh Herbs

  This dish works because you build flavor in stages: sear first for crust, then roast to finish.

  Skillet + Oven, 40 Minutes · serves 4

The full recipes we have published from this week

Lemon Rosemary Roasted Chicken Thighs

Asparagus · Lemon · Rosemary · Garlic

Classic · Sheet Pan, 30 Minutes

See every SEASON weekly dinner plan → · More May dinner ideas →