It’s NaBloPoMo. I can’t crap out on the second day, but I’ve been at a Board of Directors retreat all day, haven’t eaten anything but complimentary mints, and am incapable of thinking about anything other than PowerPoint and budget projections.
So: help.
Here is the motley collection of items currently residing in my fridge:
- Potatoes
- Acorn squash
- Cod
- Heavy cream
- Chorizo
- Orzo
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Carnival squash
- Bananas
- Bacon
- Napa cabbage
- Scallions
- Onions and garlic
- Jalapeños
- Farro
- Assorted dried herbs and spices
What’s for dinner?
I’m going to watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and I assume someone will have posted a genius idea by the time I return.
Thursday Night Smackdown 
Chorizo Potato Soup
Saute sliced chorizo and chopped onion. Add sliced potato. Cover with water, stock, and cream in whatever combination you like or can afford (I like water-only, plus I am cheap). Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender. Season to taste with plenty of salt, pepper, and thyme if you have it. Mash up a few potatoes to thicken or add the cream at this point.
For a side dish — Slice up a bunch of the cabbage. Chop a couple slices of bacon and fry. Add a tbsp or so of sugar (mmmm, candied bacon) and then a couple of tbsp or so of apple cider vinegar. Wilt the cabbage in this and add a little salt and pepper. Yum.
Or just put the cabbage in the potato soup.
Well. Hmm. You’ll have to use the cod up pdq (otherwise, there’s the Doom of Fridge Fish Stink) so make chowder, of course.
Roasted squash stuffed with a combo of chorizo, scallions, cabbage, orzo, and bacon
I’m not going to be able to suggest anything very original here, but I vote for ANYTHING that uses an ingredient named “Carnival squash.”