Ah, that weird, disorienting period of time between Christmas and New Year’s — don’t we love it? If your world seems to be going in slow motion, add a bit of clarity to your week with this menu. These meals are perfect for “lazy” days when you just want to roll out of bed and check off tasks seamlessly.

Images of four different dishes with writing in the center.

Sushi Monday: Sushi Bake

If you’re craving sushi but don’t want to go through the effort of hand-rolling it (or the cost of paying for it), allow this recipe to change your life. Layer the ingredients in a casserole dish, then bake for 10-15 minutes — that’s it!

Sushi Bake with salmon in a pan.

Hot tips

  • Use sushi rice for the fluffiest texture.
  • Swap out the salmon with crab meat, cooked shrimp, or another of your favorite types of seafood.
  • Load up on toppings! Crushed nori, avocado, sesame seeds, fresh veggies — you name it.

Toasting Tuesday: Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

Another year has come to an end! Whether you’ll be staying up for the ball drop or crashing in bed asap, enjoy these luxurious red-wine braised short ribs to close out your year.

Pan with short ribs and mashed potatoes.

Hot tips

  • Brown the ribs for five-star flavor!
  • Add your favorite veggies to the slow cooker for a more well-rounded meal. Carrots, celery, onions, and mushrooms are some of my faves.
  • Plan ahead — the meat will take about six hours to cook. Keep hungry guests satisfied with eggplant tomato bites, smoked salmon tea sandwiches, or deviled eggs in the meantime.
  • Don’t forget to marinate the duck tonight so it’s ready for dinner tomorrow!

New Year’s Day Wednesday: Roasted Stuffed Duck

This roasted duck makes such a stunning centerpiece — what better way is there to start off the year? A secret ingredient produces extra crispy skin, and aromatic rice is stuffed inside the bird to soak up all those yummy juices.

Roasted duck on a serving tray with greens

Hot tips

  • You can find duck in most grocery stores (I get mine from Costco)!
  • Marinate the duck for as long as possible — overnight is ideal, but aim for at least a few hours to ensure flavorful meat and crispy skin.
  • Dish up the rice stuffing and any leftover sides from yesterday to complement the duck.

Smoky Thursday: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts

All you need for this simple recipe is bacon, chicken, and a few spices. Throw it in the oven for 20-30 minutes, and you’ve got a perfectly delicious dinner!

Sliced up Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts.

Hot tips

  • Don’t skip the homemade seasoning blend! That’s what gives the chicken all the flavor.
  • Use thin-cut bacon to allow it to crisp up properly in the oven.
  • Serve the chicken with any of your favorite sides — use the leftovers from New Year’s, or cook up some cilantro lime rice, air fryer asparagus, or oven-roasted potatoes.

Fresh Friday: Cobb Salad

Brighten up your day with this fresh and filling Cobb salad. It’s loaded with protein, so easy to throw together, and bursting with flavor!

Hot tips

  • Throw the leftover chicken and bacon from yesterday on top of your salad.
  • Check out the “Ingredient Variations” section for tons of customization ideas!
  • Wait to dress the salad until you’re ready to dig in. The lettuce gets soggy if it sits in the dressing for too long.

Appetizer of the Week: Cheesy Baked Tiger Shrimp

Who doesn’t love finger food? These tiger shrimp are stuffed with garlicky mayo and cheese for the perfect bite-sized treat.

Baked cheesy shrimp

Side of the Week: Shuba (Fur Coat Salad)

You can’t celebrate the New Year without shuba! This classic Slavic dish features stunning layers of pickled herring, cooked veggies, and mayonnaise.

Shuba Salad on a tray

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Weekly Menu items for all week.

About Author

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Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.