Sunday Morning Mayhem
Another Sunday, another unexpected storm—literally. I woke up to electrical issues and a mini flood that needed urgent attention to prevent disaster. These country homes are charming until the circuit blows and the floors are underwater before breakfast.
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I had also soaked the dried peas and seasoned the chicken from the day before. But anxiety crept in. We’ve agreed in previous weeks—plan ahead, avoid uncertainty. Yet, there I was, pot on the stove and still undecided: Curry or stew the oxtail? Add channa and aloo? Make it into a curry lunch with roti?
And would three pounds of oxtail even be enough for our three workers? Would they even like curry? Probably not. So I ran to the deep freezer and added two pounds of beef to the plan. I seasoned both together (you’ll see that in the reel), but in a last-minute decision, stewed the beef separately and curried the oxtail—and thank goodness. The oxtail took over two hours to cook. The beef would’ve gone dry waiting for it.
Despite the chaos, I had a head start: the curry oxtail was already simmering, and the stewed beef had begun cooking. I left instructions with my younger daughter to stir the pots every 10–15 minutes to prevent sticking or burning. The beef would take about an hour, and the oxtail, over two hours. We hoped to be back before the oxtail finished cooking.
Saturday’s Chicken Plan & Daughter’s Request
I knew what I wanted to do with the chicken on Sunday—I had made jerk chicken seasoning and seasoned the chicken on Saturday. That same day, I called my older daughter to ask what she wanted me to prep for the week. She requested jerk chicken, rice and peas, and fried plantains, so those were added to the menu.
The Whatever Formula
This week’s menu also came together thanks to what I’ve unofficially dubbed The Whatever Formula. It goes something like this:
- First, I ask my husband what he wants to eat. His answer? “Whatever.” But his whatever really means: no bhaji, no caraille, and definitely nothing too spicy.
- Then I ask one daughter. Her whatever translates to anything loaded with sugar, carbs, or cheese—basically, whatever contradicts a balanced diet.
- Then there’s my responsible daughter, whose whatever means whatever she can take to work or reheat for dinner—chicken teriyaki, grilled chicken, BBQ chicken.
- From there, I check whatever is in the fridge and pantry.
- I compare it to whatever I feel like eating.
- I filter it through whatever energy and patience I have left.
- And then factor in whatever time I actually have to make it all happen.
That’s how we landed on this week’s final lineup: curry oxtail, stewed beef, jerk chicken, and rice and peas. Because honestly? Deciding is more exhausting than the cooking.
Stir Fry Side & The Rush
I planned to make a cabbage stir-fry to round out the meal, but since I only had green beans and bell peppers, I made a quick stir fry with those.
After starting the oxtail and beef, I headed out on errands with my husband and left my younger daughter in charge of the pots.
We returned at 11:30 a.m., and I still had to cook the rice, put the already seasoned jerk chicken in the oven, make the stir fry, and prepare the jerk BBQ sauce. I totally forgot about the fried plantains, but my daughter rinsed a few leaves of lettuce and cut up a cucumber to serve as a simple salad—my husband cannot eat without cucumbers, so that was essential.
Peanut Punch Craving Satisfied
I’d been craving peanut punch for two weeks, and my husband finally remembered to pick some up at the grocery store. I whipped it up quickly and will be posting that recipe soon as well.
I didn’t film a full YouTube prep video this time because it would have added another two hours to prep, and I had to serve lunch by 1 p.m. At that time, the rice was done but didn’t get a chance to rest. I was literally throwing food on plates, trying to take pictures for this blog post and the curry oxtail recipe I plan to post.
After the Storm: Wrapping Up
Later that evening, I returned to clean the kitchen, prep my husband’s weekly lunches, and mentally close the chapter on yet another wild Sunday. Here’s what I packed for him:
- Curry Stew Chicken – To be paired with dhalpuri, paratha roti, or leftover stewed red beans and rice
- Stewed Beef with Rice and Peas
- Curry Oxtail with Roti
- Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas and Stir Fry Veggies
Normally, I also prepare a seafood or vegan dish for dinner, but this week, there were plenty of leftovers—and no complaints from him!
This Week’s Sunday Lunch Menu
- Curry Oxtail – Slow-cooked, richly spiced, and deeply satisfying
- Stewed Beef – Tender and flavorful, simmered separately to perfection
- Jerk Chicken – Baked and brushed with homemade jerk BBQ sauce
- Rice and Peas – Coconut-infused, soft, and comforting
- Green Bean & Bell Pepper Stir Fry – Quick and colorful
- Fried Plantains – Sweet and golden (last-minute save!)
- Cucumber & Lettuce Salad – Simple, fresh, and necessary
- Peanut Punch – Creamy, nutty, and indulgent (recipe coming soon!)
This Week I Learned
- Choosing what to cook before Sunday morning really is the way to go
- Not all meats belong in the same pot (timing matters!)
- Simple sides can still complete a meal beautifully
- My husband’s loyalty to cucumber runs deep
- Craving + grocery trip = peanut punch dreams come true
What I’ll Do Differently Next Week
With Father’s Day coming up, I’ll be planning the menu today instead of waiting until Saturday night. No last-minute stress. No frozen meats. And definitely, no forgetting the plantains.
Join the Conversation
👉 What’s on your Sunday lunch table this week? Do you plan in advance or go with the flow? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Did You Love This Post – Leave a Rating and Comment
If this story made you smile, nod your head, or feel a little more seen in your own kitchen chaos, please leave a comment or give this post a rating above. It means so much to me and helps others find inspiration for their own Sunday meals. Stay tuned for the Peanut Punch recipe coming soon.
Questions or Concerns—Write Me!
If you have any questions, concerns, issues, or suggestions about this recipe or any other recipes, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or reach out via email at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you and am here to help make your cooking experience as enjoyable and successful as possible. Happy cooking!
🗓️ Looking for more weekly inspiration?
Check out the full 2025 series here: 52 Sunday Lunches of 2025 – Weekly Meal Inspiration for Your Table
