The weekend before the 4th of July is always one of the busiest of the year in my home—second only to Thanksgiving. With visitors on their way and a major cooking day ahead, this Sunday was all about preparation: deep cleaning, grocery shopping, organizing, and trying to get ahead of the inevitable rush.
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I kept Sunday lunch simple and comforting, something that wouldn’t demand too much attention but still felt like a warm hug in the middle of the chaos. I went with a true Trini classic: Curry Chicken, Dhal, and Rice.
I doubled the dhal and let the Instant Pot do the heavy lifting—ready in 20 minutes, no stirring, no fuss. The curry chicken simmered away outside on the stovetop in the intense heat, filling the air with the familiar aroma of garlic, geera, and curry—everything that says “home.”
My sister and her family came over as planned—my brother-in-law had to finish some plumbing work he started earlier. Since he doesn’t eat rice or chicken, I made sure to prep vegan soup the day before. He enjoyed a bowl, fueled up, and got to work while the rest of us navigated lunch, chores, and the usual weekend mayhem.
Meanwhile, the dogs—Leo, my sweet dachshund, and Zeus, my sister’s playful husky—had their own tension unfolding. Zeus has a habit of sniffing Leo and then bouncing around him, often slapping a big paw down in a playful gesture that Leo absolutely does not appreciate. It’s not just about keeping the peace—Leo’s long back needs protection, and all that excitement can be dangerous for him. So between cleaning and cooking, I played referee to a canine standoff.
After lunch, I escaped to the basement to chip away at a limewash painting project. There’s something soothing about the rhythm of it—brushing on those chalky layers in a quiet space helped me reset, if only for a few minutes.
Of course, as things tend to go on days like these, the water ran out by early evening. Again. We’ve since learned that a nearby church conference pulls heavily from the water table during their summer gatherings, often leaving us bone dry by the end of the day. So cleanup was paused until the well was refilled.
Still, despite the interruptions, barking dogs, painting, and the heat, it was a good day. The menu was humble but perfect, allowing me to focus on what mattered most: family, preparation, and progress. Some Sundays are about big spreads. Others, like this one, are about keeping it simple to make space for everything else.
Want the Recipes?
- Curry Chicken
- Dhal
- Vegan Soup (Recipe Coming Soon)
- 52 Weeks of Sunday Lunches Series
Did You Love This Recipe – Leave a Rating and Comment
If this Sunday lunch of curry chicken, dhal, and rice brought comfort or inspiration to your table, I’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a comment in the recipe card for the respective recipes. Your feedback supports the blog and helps others discover simple, flavorful meals they can rely on. You can also catch the behind-the-scenes video for this specific Sunday lunch on Instagram & my YouTube channel(coming soon).
This meal is part of my 52 Weeks of Sunday Lunch series, where I share what’s really happening in my kitchen each week—wins, flops, last-minute changes, unexpected guests, and all. Each post is an honest reflection of the joys and challenges of preparing meals for the people we love. Whether you plan your menus carefully or figure it out on the fly, I hope these stories and recipes give you food for thought, a few laughs, and maybe even a shortcut or two to make your own Sundays more manageable. If you’ve missed any weeks or want to catch up on the full series, click here to explore more.
Questions or Challenges with Sunday Lunch? Let’s Talk!
Do you ever struggle with what to cook each week? Wonder how to simplify your prep, balance tradition with new ideas, or just keep it interesting for your family? I’d love to hear how you approach Sunday lunch. Drop your thoughts, tips, questions, or challenges in the comments below—or email me directly at [email protected]. Let’s keep the conversation going, learn from each other, and continue celebrating the love and labor behind every homemade meal. Happy cooking!
