Roll up your sleeves and get ready for a “food made with love” week! These meals evoke the nostalgia and comfort of home-cooked meals from your childhood. Whether you’re getting your hands dirty making gnocchi or grilling up salmon kebabs, you’ll know that love was the first ingredient in all these meals.
Traditional Monday: Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls
You guys, I truly think these are the BEST cabbage rolls (aka holubtsi). They’re stuffed with ground meat, rice, and veggies for a flavorful and hearty meal that everyone loves!
Hot tips
- For easy rolling, find a medium-sized head of cabbage that is very firm. Boil the entire thing for a few minutes to soften up the leaves.
- Use your favorite protein (or, go vegetarian with this recipe). I’ve had success with ground pork, beef, chicken, and turkey.
- To ensure the cabbage rolls stay together, roll them up tightly and avoid overfilling them. Here’s an awesome video showing you two ways to roll!
Kabob Tuesday: Grilled Salmon Kebabs
Infuse the salmon with an irresistible lemon marinade, then thread it onto skewers and grill until smoky and crispy. My mouth is already watering thinking about the flavors!
Hot tips
- Buy the thickest filet of salmon you can find to decrease the chances of overcooking.
- Check out the recipe post for a bunch of flavor variation ideas!
- If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them for at least a few hours to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Serve the kebabs with crispy grilled potatoes in foil, arugula salad, or cilantro lime rice.
Handheld Wednesday: Messy Burgers
If “messy” is in the name, you know these burgers will be good! I love topping the patties with caramelized onions and mushrooms, but you can add any other favorites you have.
Hot tips
- Get even messier and look for topping inspiration in the recipe post.
- Make fluffy brioche buns to take these burgers to the next level.
- Cook the patties in the same skillet you used to sauté the veggies for maximum flavor.
- Assemble a “burger bar” with all the toppings displayed separately for a fun DIY family dinner night!
Italian Thursday: Potato Gnocchi
February 13th is “National Italian Food Day,” and today we’re celebrating one of my favorite cuisines with homemade gnocchi. You only need four ingredients, and the sauce options are endless!
Hot tips
- Scoop out the potato flesh and save the skins for crispy potato skins!
- Use a potato ricer or box grater to finely shred the cooked potatoes.
- Serve the gnocchi with marinara, Alfredo sauce, or basil pesto.
V-Day Friday: Broiled Lobster Tails
Fire up the oven, snag a pair of kitchen shears, and get ready to make restaurant-worthy lobster tails in the comfort of your own home. It’s romance in a dish!
Hot tips
- Look for fresh lobster tails in the seafood counter of your grocery store.
- Serve the lobster with leftover gnocchi from yesterday, Parmesan risotto, guilty mashed potatoes, or a Caesar salad.
- Don’t forget a side of melted butter and lemon wedges!
Lunch of the Week: Turkey Focaccia Sandwich
Sink your fingers into a batch of fluffy homemade focaccia bread, then layer on a few simple ingredients for a satisfying lunch.
Dessert of the Week: Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
These luxurious truffles are the perfect way to show love to that special someone in your life. If you’re a choc-o-holic like my husband Tim and I, you’ll need to make a double batch!
Click Here to Download the Menu and Shopping List!
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