Early December Menu Plan
If we’re being totally honest, winter isn’t necessarily our favorite season for home cooking. Sure, everyone loves a cozy pot of soup, but without the abundance of in-season produce and all those zesty summer citruses, winter meals can feel a little dull in terms of freshness and flavor. Our solution? Shake things up by intentionally stepping outside our cooking comfort zone. This week, we’re embarking on a food tour around the world with meals inspired by Italian, Thai, Greek and Latin cuisines. Variety is the spice of life, and we’re determined to make winter weeknight dinners anything but boring.
WEEKNIGHT MENU FAVORITES
recipe & photo via Butter Be Ready
Easy Skillet Lasagna
Quin of Butter Be Ready’s skillet lasagna recipe is an ode to Italian flavors, but it’s also insanely easy. No complicated layering, no endless hours in the kitchen — just simple, delicious food that gets dinner on the table in 45 minutes flat. There’s a good chance you already have all these ingredients on hand, so consider this a pantry meal go-to.
recipe & photo via Eat Well 101
Keto Tuscan Soup
Italian food often means decadent meals rich in carbs, but this Tuscan soup is quite the opposite. It’s a Keto-friendly meal that’s made in just one pot, and includes a hearty serving of kale to keep things healthy. PS: this soup also freezes really well for easy leftovers down the line.
recipe & photo via Half Baked Harvest
Thai Black Pepper Chicken and Garlic Noodles
We can always count on Half Baked Harvest to help replicate our favorite takeout dishes, often with lighter ingredients and way more flavor. Sure enough, she did it again with this Thai Black Pepper Chicken that we’ve already made no less than 4 times. The garlic noodles soaked in coconut milk are delish, but this would also be fantastic served with a side of steamed rice.
recipe & photo via Creme de la Crumb
White Chicken Enchiladas
Whenever our weeknight meals start to feel a little blah, some Latin-inspired flavors help to turn things around. These white enchiladas are some of our favorites, made with diced green chilis to give a nice kick. Top with avocado slices, jalapeño (if you can handle the heat), and always extra cheese.
LUNCH
recipe & photo via All the Healthy Things
Greek Chickpea Salad
When busy work days mean eating lunch at our desk, a quick and EASY salad is an absolute must. This one brings tons of Greek flavor, with the addition of chickpeas for some plant-based protein. Word to the wise: don’t skimp on the feta and fresh herbs — dill or parsley will both do the trick!
BAKE
recipe & photo via King Arthur Baking
Classic Vanilla Biscotti
Holiday baking season is officially underway, and we’re kicking things off with these vanilla biscotti cookies inspired by our favorite Italian bakeries. These crunchy, twice-baked sweets are perfect for dipping in your morning coffee or a steamy cup of tea any time of day.
TO SIP
recipe & photo via Jessica in the Kitchen
Spiced Mulled Wine
Mulled wine is a wintertime must, but you don’t have to wait for a big party to make it! Instead, just make a batch on a Friday night for date night at home, and you’ll have the perfect drink to sip all weekend long. Jessica’s recipe calls for sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks and simple syrup, but the flavor combinations are truly endless.
BY: ANASTASIA CASEY