Weekly meals Dec. 18 – Dec. 23

Meal updates from last week:
We loved both of the soups and the chicken taquitos.  The noodle salad was good, but I found it a little salty.  We liked the tofu bowls, but I have made better recipes.  This weekend was quiet, I still had a sick kid at home so we didn’t end up doing much.  Friday night we ordered food from Cactus Club, Saturday I made a simple tomato sauce pasta with salad and Sunday we had family Christmas.  My mom made the majority of the food: turkey, stuffing with Italian sausage, turnips and gravy.  I took a broccoli and cauliflower bake and there were also mashed and baked sweet potatoes as well as salad.  If you are looking for any Christmas dinner recipes just use the search engine.

This week we are eating at home Monday-Thursday, Friday we will order in, Saturday night we are going to a party and then we are hosting Christmas Eve.

• Creamy cauliflower soup from @nytcooking, you need a subscription for this site but I found a similar recipe here.
• Baked salmon from @cremedelacrumb I will serve it with some steamed rice and a green veggie.
• BBQ sausage with fries and a fall salad from @dianemorrisey.  You can find all of her recipes on her IG account.
• Pork stir fry from @theendlessmeal I will serve this with some steamed rice.
• Taking sausage stuffed dates to the party on Saturday night
• Christmas Eve: wine-braised short ribs, mashed potatoes and harvest salad.  Cookie tray for dessert.  I am thinking of serving a winter Aperol spritz, I found this recipe and this one.
• Christmas morning: cinnamon french toast muffins with fresh fruit and coffee.
• Christmas dinner: pesto stuffed shells with vodka sauce, fresh bread and house salad.

Today I baked Swiss Mountain Shortbread, the entire tray will go to my husband’s office with coffee for his staff to enjoy.  I think that means that I am finished baking for the season!  You never know if I will make another recipe, but as of today I feel like I’m done.  My grocery shop today was a huge one!  I shopped for my entire week, and then also tried to buy for the weekend including Christmas Eve and Day.  It took me a long time to make my list, and I only missed a few things that I will pick up tomorrow.  The grocery list 31 23 is really long, but includes all meals up till Christmas Day.  This will be my last post of 2023 as I am going to take a break and spend time with my family during the holiday season.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Sara

Happy Holidays!

Meal updates from last week:
We really enjoyed the Greek bowls and loved the BBQ chicken a grilled veggie bowls.  I made the chicken and all of the veggies in my oven.  It’s way too cold to grill here!  We didn’t like the noodles with shrimp, but I think that it had to do with the noodles that I used.  As always we devoured the classy chicken as well as the parmesan and herb salmon.  This weekend we ordered pizza takeout on Friday and then my husband and I went to a holiday party on Saturday.  My girlfriend made the most amazing Christmas cocktail called the grinch.  Sunday was family Christmas, everyone brought a dish or two and my mom cooked the turkey, stuffing and potatoes.  She tried some new recipes this year that I will share with you:

• Best turkey from @jamieoliver
• Get ahead gravy and another gravy recipe both from @jamieoliver
• Perfect roasted potatoes from @jamieoliver
• Turnips
• Maple soy roasted Brussels sprouts from @skinnytaste
• Sausage and herb stuffing from @inagarten
• Simple winter salad
• Cranberry streusel bars, peanut butter kiss cookies and cookie bars

Everything was delicious, we will not be having another Christmas dinner as we are trying to have a low key Christmas day.

This week we will be eating at home Monday-Thursday, we will be out Friday and then hosting Christmas Eve Saturday.  

• Air fryer salmon bites from @dessertfortwo you can access this recipe via her Instagram account.
• Greek chicken with cucumber feta salad from @nytcooking you do need an account to view this recipe, but you can get a free trial for 7 days.
• Shake and bake chicken drumsticks, tater tots and raw veggies (keeping it simple!)
• Asian pork tenderloin from @laughingspatula I will serve this with steamed rice and green beans
• Breakfast for dinner at our friend’s house, I am going to take fresh fruit with a yogurt dip: plain yogurt, honey and strawberry jam.

Christmas Eve we are having a mixed charcuterie board from Peasant Cheese shop, our friends are bringing a veggie and fruit board as well.  Christmas morning I am making baked eggnog french toast from @fraicheliving I will serve fresh fruit on the side, there is not a solid dinner plan for Christmas but I did buy all of the ingredients for a baked sausage and pasta dish.   This will be my last post of 2022 as I am going to enjoy some family time for the next few weeks.  I will be posting some pictures on my IG account, so stay tuned for some new content.

Wishing you happy holidays, and a healthy 2023!
Sara