Tis the season for list-making, even if you're not Santa Claus. Sure, you can have a list to keep track of holiday gifts (I often do this), but if you celebrate the winter holidays with at least one celebratory meal, and/ or host friends/ family, you'll be glad you took the time to make a list of upcoming meals now so you don't go crazy when you really want to be enjoying time with loved ones later.
I often find myself hosting family/ friends during these winter holidays, and have figured out how to do so while still being able to spend quality time with THEM rather than with my stove. The key is making a meal plan/ list with the dinners (and any other special meals) a week or more in advance so as not to be straddled with the age-old "what am I going to make for dinner" quandary while also knowing that the key ingredients are on-hand and therefore there is no need to head to the store AGAIN.
And, yes, I do build in dinners out as part of the plan -- I'm not a glutton for punishment, after all.
So, with about a week before the cooking frenzy begins, I write up the full shopping list and purchase the products which will keep until the last minute. I will also place any special orders to ensure they are available when I necessarily brave the pre-holiday crowds to pick up my perishables (like fruits and veggies).
For me, the biggest challenge is figuring out what to make for the meals. Writing up the shopping list just requires time to check recipes and ingredients already on-hand. I strongly suggest you tackle that meal plan now!
If you do not host or care or cook for whichever holiday you may or may not celebrate, then perhaps think now about a lovely host(ess) gift or treat for yourself -- homemade or purchased. Self-care is very important, after all.
Wanna know what's on my meal plan this year? (If you are reading this and coming for any of these meals, pretend to be surprised, lol.)
Holiday 2024 Dinner Plan:
Sunday: bring in pizza
Monday (family arrives): special meal delivered from a favorite family restaurant via Goldbelly (this is a family holiday gift for all of us)
Tuesday: baja fish tacos (recipe coming in a future blog post)
Wednesday (Christmas): Artichoke dip to start; roast beef, creamed spinach (family tradition) and latkes; then chocolate cake for dessert (defrost -- already made and in freezer).
Thursday: shrimp orzo
Fri: garlic soup and chicken souvlaki
Sat: leftovers
Sunday & Monday: regular dinners
Tuesday (New Year's Eve): smoked trout dip & latkes with crème fraîche & caviar (to start); Chili, Ina’s Spinach in puff pastry, Corn bread, & salad (for sit-down dinner); and, to nosh after dinner/ for fireworks: Maple cheddar popcorn (Cabot's -- THE BEST!) and cookies (choc chip, probably)
Wednesday brunch (January 1): potato boursin frittata, cinnamon rolls, fruit salad -- before guests leave.
NOTE: there will be plenty of sandwich, salad, and brunch-type offerings for breakfasts and lunches.
There you have it. I hope that my menu plan is helpful for anyone needing ideas (notice seafood before and after roast beef for a change of heaviness), and that you write down the plan so you don't forget it -- I keep mine on my calendar so it's always handy (and I remember what I served to whom when). Gotta run now so I can start the shopping list!
Wishing you a happy holiday season (or at least happy eating during the holiday season)!
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