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

Weekly meals Dec. 12 – Dec. 16

Meal updates from last week:
The chicken Milanese and shepherds pie were a hit last week.  I love the BLT salad and didn’t get a chance to make the chicken with udon noodles.  This weekend we did waffle dinner for the kids Friday, the adults ordered sushi, and Saturday night we were out for another holiday party at the Fairmont Palliser.

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Thursday, we don’t have Friday plans, but are heading to another party Saturday and then heading for family Christmas Sunday.

• Classy chicken from @bestofbridge this was exactly what everyone needed after a busy holiday weekend.
• Greek turkey rice bowls from @greensnchocolate to save time I will buy tzatziki instead of making my own.
• Shrimp and rice noodle stir fry from @weelicious I will be using the udon noodles from last week’s shop.  I may just make this a veggie stir fry instead of adding the shrimp.
• BBQ chicken bowl with grilled veggies from @playswellwithbutter I am going to cook everything in the air fryer.
• Parmesan herb baked salmon from @skinnytaste I will serve this with steamed rice and green veggie or salad.  This is an amazing salmon recipe!

I would like to do some more holiday baking this week, I am thinking of making these peanut butter blossoms (kiss cookies) as well as these holiday sprinkle bars.  I am also taking these Rolo pretzels to our party on Saturday night, I will be making them GF.  On Sunday we are having our family Christmas, I am taking two side dishes and dessert.  Sides will be: turnips, roasted Brussles sprouts with butternut squash and for dessert cranberry shortbread bars from @stir.taste.smile.  You can access the recipe through her Instagram feed.  It will be a busy cooking and baking week, but I am looking forward to spending time time in my kitchen.  There won’t be a grocery list this week as my computer is down.  It will be back next week for our Christmas week list!  

Stay healthy,
Sara

Weekly meals Dec. 20 – Dec. 24

Meal updates from last week:
We really enjoyed the turkey stir fry and then slow cooker chicken cacciatore.  My husband and kids devoured the broccoli and cheese soup, I didn’t make the buffalo chicken Milanese because my mom invited us for beef stew.  This weekend we ate at home Friday, I made a family favourite of Thai chicken and broccoli with noodles.  Saturday we went to a small gathering and I took turkey pesto meatballs from @weelicious.  Last night we had a store bought rotisserie chicken with a large salad.  

This week we will be eating at home Sunday-Friday, for Christmas Eve I will be hosting my parents.  Christmas Day will be spent at my parent’s house.  I will share my eve, morning and dinner menus below.

• Greek sheet pan chicken souvlaki with potatoes from @halfbakedharvest
• Out for a family dinner
• BLT salad with buttermilk dressing from @marthastewart and cheese quesadillas for the kids.
• Stuffed pepper soup from @saltandlavendar

Christmas Eve Menu

• Charcuterie for an appetizer
• Air fryer baked ham
• Cabbage rolls (my mom’s making these)
• Waldorf inspired winter salad from @nocrumbsleft
• Lemon posset for dessert (I wanted to keep dessert on the lighter side)

Christmas morning menu

• Wife saver breakfast bake using: shredded hash browns, peppers, onions and mushrooms.  Adding eggs and cheese and baking.  This is a made-up recipe from my mother-in-law, but you can find a similar recipe here.
• Christmas morning muffins from @nigellalawson
• Fresh fruit

Christmas dinner menu

• Roasted turkey
• Mashed potatoes
• Turnips
• Maple soy Brussels sprouts 
• Large salad, usually we make hail to the kale
• Sausage and herb stuffing
• Gravy
• Buns and cranberry sauce from @empireprovisions
• Dessert: shortbread, tarts and a cranberry cake.

So far this holiday season I have baked four different types of cookies: chewy ginger molasses cookies, snickerdoodle kiss cookies,  Andes mint cookies (I couldn’t find the Andes mints so I used After Eight) and Turtle stuffed shortbread from @dinnerwithjulie.  I don’t think that there will be anymore baking for the rest of the season, I have been really happy with all of the cookies I chose.  I have been gifting small trays of them for the last week.  I like to add some chocolates and gummy candies to all of the trays.  

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and happy holiday!

Sara