Happy New Year! I’m excited to kick off the season with the first “crushing on” roundup — I found so many wonderful things online this week and can’t wait to share them.
On the blog this week I published my annual list of healthier dinner ideas, featuring more than 250 meal suggestions that translate into roughly 36 weeks of menu planning. I also posted a new favorite salad: the emerald kale salad, which has quickly become a go-to. If you haven’t tried the hot honey buffalo chicken wraps yet, they’re receiving rave reviews from readers, and our sour cream banana bread has been on repeat in our house.
There’s a fresh weekly menu available alongside the first weekly photo diary of the year, both great places to find meal inspiration and a peek into everyday life. I also shared everything I read in November and December — a helpful list if you’re looking for your next good read.
Exciting news: you can order your copy of Everyday Dinners now. It’s currently on a major sale, so it’s a great time to grab a few copies for gifts while the price holds. If you pick up the book, consider joining the Everyday Dinners Cookbook Club — it’s been thriving since The Pretty Dish launched in 2018 and is a fun space to share photos, try challenges, and enter giveaways. I love seeing your creations on Instagram and in the cookbook club; the new challenge just started this week and there’s been lots of community activity.
Wishing you a lovely weekend — here are the things I’m loving right now.
What I’m loving this week
Stuffed shells soup — yes, you read that right. Combining the comfort of stuffed pasta with the cozy warmth of soup makes for an irresistible bowl.
Pesto carbonara with crispy prosciutto is a brilliant flavor mash-up: bright herb pesto, silky carbonara sauce, and crunchy cured meat for texture. Yum.
Four-ingredient peanut butter cookies are a timeless, simple treat. Minimal ingredients, maximum comfort and nostalgia.
Angel biscuits caught my eye — tender, flaky, and perfect alongside soups and salads or with a slather of butter and honey.
Cauliflower and sweet potato chowder offers creamy, vegetal richness with a hint of sweetness. It’s a hearty, nourishing option for cool evenings.
A really good veggie dip can elevate any snack board. Fresh herbs, tangy components, and a smooth texture make one worth bookmarking.
Champagne-marinated olives and feta are a festive, savory addition to an appetizer spread — vibrant, salty, and sophisticated.
Whole wheat crepes are an elegant, wholesome twist on a classic. They’re versatile for sweet or savory fillings.
Everything Gruyère crackers make for irresistible nibblers — crisp, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned for entertaining.
A truffle chip and prosciutto appetizer blends salty, umami-rich flavors with crisp texture — simple to assemble and delightfully decadent.
Blueberry cranberry meringue pie is visually stunning and seasonally delicious, combining tart fruit with airy meringue topping.
A favorite chili crisp recipe is always worth sharing — the spicy, crunchy condiment that transforms noodles, rice, or roasted veggies.
Salted caramel cashew latte offers a cozy, nutty coffee option with a sweet-salty finish — perfect for a weekend treat or an afternoon pick-me-up.
If you’d like more details on any of these recipes or links to the originals, I can summarize or suggest alternatives tailored to dietary preferences. Enjoy exploring these delicious finds!