The middle of December signifies frosty mornings, blazing fireplaces, bundled-up shopping, and quality time with family. This week’s menu features a few of my family’s favorite meals to reflect the sentimentality of pre-holiday gatherings (the calm before the storm!).
Meal Prep Monday: Pelmeni
These meat-filled dumplings are one of my husband’s favorite meals ever. For anyone who grew up in the Slavic culture, get ready for a nostalgic taste. And for anyone who’s never tried pelmeni, get ready to fall in love!
Hot tips
- Use ground pork, chicken, turkey, or beef for the filling. Or, keep it vegetarian with potato and cheese pierogi.
- Make a big batch and freeze the extra raw pelmeni for up to three months!
- Serve pelmeni with plenty of melted butter, sour cream, and fresh dill.
- Throw leftover cooked pelmeni into this easy and delicious soup.
Sheet Pan Tuesday: Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
I love firing up the oven on a cold day, especially when the aroma of caramelized sausage and veggies wafts through the house. This sheet pan dinner is SO easy and tasty, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner.
Hot tips
- Use any (and all!) of your favorite vegetables. If you don’t feel like making an extra grocery run, now’s the time to use up those forgotten veggies in your fridge!
- I like spicy Andouille sausage, but if you want to keep dinner more kid-friendly, use kielbasa, turkey sausage, or mild Italian sausage.
- Line the sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for even easier cleanup.
Nostalgic Wednesday: Homemade Pizza
When my boys were younger, D-I-Y pizza nights at our house were famous. All my friends’ kids (and the adults) had so much fun picking out pizza toppings and baking their customized creations. If you’re looking for quality bonding time with your family, this will do it!
Hot tips
- Overnight pizza dough or sourdough pizza crust takes homemade pizza to the next level. It’s easier to make than you think!
- Throw any leftover sausage and veggies from yesterday onto your pizza.
- The more toppings, the better! Choose from classic marinara, pesto, or Alfredo pizza sauce to get started. Then, load up on mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, ham, chicken, pineapple, and/or all your favorite veggies.
Comfort Food Thursday: Parmesan Risotto
The week’s winding down, and you deserve a creamy, comforting meal. This risotto uses simple ingredients and simple techniques for a perfectly satisfying dinner.
Hot tips
- Make sure to use short-grain rice like arborio rice — it has a much higher starch content than jasmine or basmati, which creates the creamy texture of risotto. You can find arborio rice in most grocery stores.
- Add the broth slowly, allowing the rice to fully absorb it before adding more.
- For more veggies, mix in sautéed mushrooms, roasted butternut squash, asparagus, or eggplant. To get your protein in, top the risotto with baked salmon, air fried pork chops, or grilled lobster tails.
Fiesta Friday: Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
It’s Friday! I snuck another sheet pan meal in so you can kick your feet up and enjoy minimal cleanup today. My family loves these steak, pepper, and onion fajitas, and I know yours will too.
Hot tips
- The seasoning is key here. My fajita seasoning is called “crazy good” for a reason!
- Don’t overcook the steak — if it’s done before the veggies are tender, remove it from the oven and continue cooking the veggies.
- Stuff the steak and veggies into homemade tortillas, then add your favorite toppings and sauces.
- Save the leftovers for weekend rice bowls!
Drink of the Week: Sparkling Cranberry Punch
Four ingredients, and you’ll have a fizzy non-alcoholic drink that packs a punch with cranberry flavor!
Dessert of the Week: Drunken Cherry Cake
Vodka-soaked cherries are the star in this Slavic classic. If you love the combo of chocolate and cherries, you’ll be swooning over this cake.
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