Jenn’s Recovery Kitchen

Real Food. Real Simple. Real Good.

Deliciously Simple, Made With Love

We’re cooking up something special! Jenn’s Recovery Kitchen is your home for simple, satisfying recipes made with real ingredients and no unnecessary steps. Whether you're navigating brain injury recovery or simply looking for feel-good food without the overwhelm, you’re in the right place.

Every recipe here uses minimal ingredients and is personally Jenn-tested and approved. Each one is scored on our 1–5 Brain scale: 1 Brain means super easy and low effort, while 5 Brains means a bit more work and coordination. No matter the rating, our goal is the same — to help you cook safely, feel confident, and enjoy good food.

Be sure to check out our Cooking Basics before you get started to set yourself up for success in the kitchen.

Shrimp Alfredo

This Shrimp Alfredo is a quick, satisfying dinner that feels special but comes together in about 20 minutes. Tender pasta is coated in creamy Alfredo sauce and topped with lightly sautéed shrimp that are perfectly pink and seasoned with a touch of pepper. It’s simple, comforting, and easy to double for a larger group. With minimal prep and straightforward steps, this 2 Brain recipe keeps things manageable while still delivering big flavor.

Shrimp Alfredo 🧠🧠

Estimated time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Recipe Serves 3 people
Can be doubled

Equipment:
Large strainer
Large pasta pot with lid
Large saute pan
Heat-resistant spatula
Tongs or a pasta serving spoon
Plates and utensils for serving

Ingredients
1- 12-ounce bag of frozen Shrimp (peeled, deveined, tail off)
½ of a box (½ pound) of Fettuccine or spaghetti
1 jar of your favorite Alfredo sauce (we like Rao’s garlic alfredo)
Drizzle of Olive oil
Salt (for pasta water)
Pepper (for shrimp)

Instructions
Thaw shrimp according to package instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to the directions on the box.
Once cooked, turn off the burner, drain the pasta, and add it back to the pot with half of the jar of sauce.
Warm a saute pan on medium heat. Add olive oil and shrimp, and sprinkle with a little pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes, making sure they are pink on all sides
Add shrimp to pasta and stir.

Optional Step 6:
Add more sauce if desired.

Notes & Tips:
Water boils faster with the lid on.
Salting your pasta water can enhance the flavors in your meal.
The hot pot should warm the sauce without the burner. If it needs to be hotter, turn the burner on low for 5 minutes.
Make sure all burners are off.

Tofu & Peas

This Tofu & Peas bowl is a fast, flavorful vegetarian dinner that’s ready in about 15 minutes. Crispy, golden tofu cubes are seasoned with warm garam masala and tossed with sweet peas and creamy feta for a savory, satisfying bite. Served over fluffy rice, it’s a simple, balanced meal with minimal prep and big flavor. This 2 Brain recipe keeps things manageable while still feeling fresh and nourishing.

Tofu & Peas 🧠🧠

Category: Dinner, Vegetarian
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Recipe Serves 2-3 people
Can be doubled

Equipment:
Cutting board
Medium chef’s knife
Large saute pan
Large heat-resistant spoon
⅓ cup measuring cup
Bowls and spoons for serving

Ingredients
1 package Extra firm tofu
1 bag Steamable frozen peas
1 package 90-second microwave rice
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
1-2 teaspoons Garam masala seasoning
Drizzle (about a teaspoon) Vegetable or Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Chopped cashews (optional topping)

Instructions
Prep the tofu. Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into large cubes.
Microwave peas and rice separately according to package instructions.
Heat oil in saute pan on medium-high heat.
Add tofu to hot pan, season with garam masala and salt and pepper if desired. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
Turn off burner and stir in peas (do not drain) and feta into the tofu until the cheese begins to melt.

Serve tofu mixture over rice and enjoy!

Optional Step 6:
Chop ¼ cup of cashews and sprinkle on top before serving.

Notes & Tips:
If garam masala is not your thing, try curry powder or just salt and pepper.
Feta is usually found in the “fancy” cheese section at the grocery store. You can typically buy feta already crumbled in a plastic container. Or skip the feta if it’s not for you.
Stove tops vary. If the oil is splattering, either cover the pan with a lid or reduce the heat. Remember, cooking should be healthy AND safe!

BBQ Chicken Sausage Wraps

Enjoy a quick and easy meal with these BBQ Chicken Sausage Wraps, ready in just 15 minutes. This simple recipe involves slicing and browning pre-cooked chicken apple sausage, then stirring in your favorite barbecue sauce until the sausage is evenly coated and warm. The savory filling is then spooned into tortilla wraps along with crisp shredded lettuce and optional cheddar cheese, creating a delicious and convenient lunch or snack that can be easily enjoyed at home or on the go.

BBQ Chicken Sausage Wraps 🧠🧠
Estimated time: 15 minutes
Category: Lunch, Snacks
Recipe Serves 2-3 people
Can be doubled

Equipment

Cutting board
Medium knife
Medium saute pan
Heat-resistant spatula (metal, wood, silicone)
¼ or ⅓ C measuring cup
Plates or Aluminum foil for serving

Ingredients

Filling

1 package Chicken apple sausage (we recommend Aidells)
¼ cup (or more) of your favorite Barbecue sauce (we recommend G Hughes Sugar Free, Hannaford Inspirations Boss Sauce, or Sweet Baby Ray's)
Drizzle (about a teaspoon) Vegetable or Olive Oil

Toppings

Tortilla wraps
Pre-shredded lettuce (found in the produce section)
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

-Slice sausages in half length-wise, then slice into half-moon pieces.
-Heat oil in saute pan on medium heat.
-Add sausage to hot pan, saute until browned, stirring occasionally.
-Once browned, turn off burner, and stir in the barbecue sauce until warmed.
-Remove from heat, let cool slightly, and build your wraps with lettuce and cheese.

Notes & Tips

-Sausages are fully cooked, so they won't take long to saute.
-On the go? Avoiding more dishes? Wrap it up with foil and take it with you!
-For more nutrition, consider swapping out the shredded lettuce for spring mix.
-You can skip the wrap! Just toss the sausage, cheese, and lettuce in a bowl.
-Wrap any extras in foil and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Sweet Potato Tacos

Sweet Potato Tacos bring together roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and spices for a hearty and flavorful filling, all tucked into warm taco shells. Add your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, or cheese, and you’ve got a delicious meal that’s both satisfying and easy to make. Perfect for three, this recipe doubles easily, making it just right for family dinners or sharing with friends.

Sweet Potato Tacos 🧠🧠🧠

Equipment

Cutting board
Vegetable peeler
Large knife
Large roasting pan or cookie sheet with edges
Large heat-resistant stirring spoon (metal, wood, or silicone)
Strainer (optional for draining the beans)
Plates and utensils for condiments and serving

Ingredients

Filling:
2 Large Sweet potatoes, peeled* and chopped into bite-sized pieces (can use pre-chopped, plan on ⅔ cup per person)
½ cup Diced onion (fresh or frozen)
¼ cup Taco seasoning
2 Tablespoons Vegetable or Olive oil
1-15 oz. can Black beans
Toppings:
Taco shells (soft or crunchy)
Salsa (optional)
Guacamole (optional)
Shredded taco cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400℉
2. In a large roasting pan, combine the sweet potato, onion, oil, and taco seasoning.
3. Roast for 45 minutes, stirring partway through. At the end of the 45 minutes, a fork should slide easily into the biggest chunk of sweet potato. If it doesn’t, roast for an additional 10 minutes.
4.Drain black beans and stir into sweet potato mixture. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and build your favorite taco!

Notes

It is safe to eat the skin of a sweet potato; it provides fiber and a variety of nutrients. Many people remove it due to its toughness, but you can leave the skin on to save brain space!
Don’t forget to turn off the oven.
Recipe Serves 3 people.
Can be doubled.

Lasagna Bake

This Lasagna Bake is a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner that delivers all the comfort of classic lasagna without the extra layering steps. Tender pasta is tossed with rich meat sauce, blended with seasoned ricotta, and topped with a generous layer of melted Italian cheese for a golden, bubbly finish. Perfect for potlucks or family dinners, this hearty dish serves 5–8 people and can easily be doubled or halved to fit your needs. With straightforward steps and familiar flavors, it’s a satisfying, low-stress recipe that’s both recovery-friendly and guaranteed to please.

Lasagna Bake 🧠🧠🧠🧠

Estimated time: 45 minutes
Category: Dinner
Serves 5-8 people, great for a potluck
Can be doubled or halved

Equipment:
Large strainer
Large pasta pot with lid
Medium bowl
Small spoon
Teaspoon measuring spoon
Large spoon
Casserole dish (9in x 13in recommended)
Plates and utensils

Ingredients
1 cup Ricotta cheese
1 box (1 pound) of Penne or Elbow noodles
1 jar of Spaghetti sauce with meat (we like Rao’s bolognese)
1 12-ounce bag of shredded Italian cheese blend
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons Salt (for pasta water)
Pepper (to taste for ricotta)

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and salt, cook according to the directions on the box.
While the pasta cooks, with a small spoon, mix ricotta, Italian seasoning, and pepper in a medium bowl.
Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the burner, drain the pasta, and add it back to the pot with the jar of sauce and stir with a large spoon.
Add the pasta mixture to the casserole dish. Using the small spoon, add scoops of ricotta on top of the pasta. Stir in ricotta with large spoon.
Top with shredded cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melty and golden brown on the edges.

Notes & Tips:
Water boils faster with the lid on.
Salting your pasta water can enhance the flavors in your meal.
This is a 4 Brain recipe! Stay calm, breathe, have support on standby and remind yourself that you got this!
You may want more or less cheese; adjust appropriately.
Make sure the oven and all burners are off when you are done cooking.

Our Mission

Empowering Middle People to navigate their unique path with resilience, recognition, and community support.

Contact Us

We'd love to hear from you!

Contact Us Here>>>

Quick Links

About Us
Resources
Get Involved

The Middle People Project is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

United States Federal Tax Identification Number: 33-4954413

IMPORTANT -This site does not dispense medical advice. Brain injury is a serious medical condition requiring treatment by medical professionals. Please consult your physician immediately if you have concerns about your health.