This is it! The week my kids (well the 5 year old at least) have been waiting for all year! The holidays mean more eating, more drinking, more celebrating, more weight gaining, and best of all… more family time. I grew up celebrating holidays to the max, and I love continuing that tradition year to year.

Despite the weight gain, my favorite part of the holidays is the eating. The in-laws always do a great snack-y spread for brunch. Then we’ll head to my parents for more hors d’oevres, probably involving shrimp cocktail, and dinner with both sides of the family. I love it!

So this week’s dinner menu is what I have in the kitchen ready to go. We obviously won’t use all of them, but when my husband gets home from work he’ll check out the options and make the one that’s calling to him most.

Dinner Menu Week 50

This is How We Do It:

Black and Blue Steak Salad

I got a New York strip – that’s the best part about this salad, you can get a good cut of meat since one steak will work for two salads. Sprinkle both sides with blackened seasoning, sear it and slice it. Fan the sliced steak over a bed of lettuce topped with crumbled blue cheese, tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Simple and delicious.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Put a couple chicken breasts or thighs in the crockpot with a jar of Tikka Masala sauce, then put over white rice. I like to throw some peas in there for color and to beat the scurvy.

BFD

Uh, ya… Spiked Cinnamon Eggnog French Toast! And maybe something else like sausage links or ham steak to round it out.

Jambalaya

We’re using my dad’s recipe, but this one would work if you were wanting to make Jambalaya!

Chicken Philly Cheesesteaks

Slice some chicken breast very thin. Season with steak seasoning, then sear in a hot pan along with mushrooms, peppers and onions. While the chicken is still in the pan, stir in a few slices of American cheese until it’s all melty and mixed in. Serve on a toasted hoagie roll.

Ham and Brie Rosemary Grilled Cheese

I like to use the Foreman grill for this. Trader Joe’s has a yummy rosemary french bread this time of year. Just put a few slices of brie on one side, and sliced ham on the other. Grill until melted.

Potato and Kale Soup

I saw this recipe on Simple Acres Blog and it looked delicious!

What We Really Ate Week 49

Sunday – We went to the ballet and had lunner (the lunch/dinner version of brunch) at Squatter Pub, per my daughter’s request.

Monday – Leftovers

Tuesday – Porchetta (yep, no side, no veggies, just nibbled on bacon wrapped herb stuffed pork loin).

Wednesday – Tuna melts and tomato soup

Thursday – Take out pizza

Friday – Zoodles topped with marinara meat sauce

Saturday – Chicken tortilla soup