New year, new menus!
Hello!
While I hesitate to call this a strict meal plan, this weekly post highlights favorite seasonal recipes to try over the coming days. I have an extensive archive of recipes—some shared nearly a decade ago—that I love to revisit. Each week I’ll pull together a few favorites to inspire dinners (and sometimes lunches and breakfasts) for the week ahead. I get so much inspiration from a weekend email I receive from the NY Times recommending weekend meals, and I’ve wanted to do something similar here for months. Now we’re finally doing it!
p.s. this month I’m cooking one of my favorite meals every day on Instagram Stories and sharing extra breakfast and lunch ideas there too.
Start the week on Monday with a hearty sweet potato chowder. It’s comforting and warming for cold January nights and simple to reheat for leftovers. If you want to get ahead, you can prep the soup on Sunday. Just before serving, sprinkle roasted, salted pepitas on top for a pleasant crunch.
On Tuesday, try the cheeseburger chopped salad. It’s packed with flavor and ideal for packing for lunch if you cook the beef ahead and store components separately. The tangy, pickle-forward dressing is especially addictive.
Midweek, celebrate citrus season with winter citrus butter salmon. It’s bright and easy, and any leftovers make a tasty addition to salads or sandwiches.
For a weekend vibe in the middle of the week, make buffalo cauliflower lettuce cups. They feel indulgent and are great when you’re craving something flavorful. You can prepare the cauliflower ahead of time, though it will lose some of its fresh oven-roasted crispness.
As the weekend approaches and a burger craving hits, these asiago portobello burgers are a satisfying option. I like to use English muffins as buns for a quick finish. These work well as an approachable meatless meal for anyone easing into less meat, and the mushrooms can be prepped in advance and refrigerated.
With winter in full swing, kick off mornings with an immunity-boosting smoothie. Citrus adds brightness and vitamin C when it’s most welcome. For an easy make-ahead lunch, I’ll be making my lemon almond roasted chicken salad on Instagram Stories this week — it’s versatile on crackers, toast, in wraps, or over greens.
I’d love to hear what’s on your menu this week! xo