It's Week 48 of Dinner Plans and we are basking in the afterglow of leftovers!
If you were able to gather together with your loved ones this past Thanksgiving, I hope the holiday was everything you needed it to be in this season of gratitude and giving thanks. My daughter ended up catching a cold right at the start of the holiday break which meant we stayed home to avoid passing the cold bug along to my family. We ended up enjoying a small dinner at home and I finally made a batch of the Kellar family recipe, Carrots on Parade, which comes from the Kellar family cookbook we were gifted from my husband's late cousin several years ago. It's a treasure trove of family history and simple recipes that I've spent the better part of this year cooking through. Excited to share the carrot recipe on the blog next month.
The holiday cooking and baking season is well underway and there are so many seasonal delights we get to enjoy. When I think about the amount of time spent in the kitchen with family and friends, I also tend to think about ways to make our time enjoyable and... efficient!
Seasonal Cooking Tip: Home Holiday Baking with Ease
When the calendar turns to December, there are certain holiday treats that make their way back to our weekly rotation. Cookies, cakes, and pies all find their way into the oven. Whether to warm the house, indulge in seasonal treats, or prep holiday gifts for neighbors and loved ones, it's easy to see how much time can be spent in the kitchen. To maximize the time this holiday, here are 3 things I'm doing to work smarter, not harder when it comes to baking treats all season long:
- Make a List, Check it Twice: Just like the song suggests, making a list and checking it often helps us to see what's been made and schedule what is still yet to be prepared. I make a list for gift boxes for Christmas cookies I'll give to neighbors and family. The kids and I also make a list of "winter bucket list" items they want to make, like the Kellar Family Gingerbread House for instance.
- Prep Ahead and Freeze as Needed: This is especially true for cookie dough and pie crusts. For cookie dough, you can prep and pre-slice as desired. Freeze portioned dough on a parchment lined baking sheet and until firm. Store in a resealable, freezer-safe bag for the month. I like to prepare the cookie dough I'm making for our annual Christmas Cookie Box ahead of time. This helps to save time during busy weeks at work.
- Embrace the Batch Bake: As I outline our calendar for December, I take note of family gatherings and parties. Then, I'll map out days where I'll have a good chunk of time open to bake all the goodies. This helps me keep everything more manageable and not feel overwhelmed by a long list of recipes to work through.
PS: don't forget to check out Part I and Part II of my Pantry Essentials Series for more tips and recommendations for keeping a well stocked pantry ahead of the holiday season.
Dinner Plans for the Week
I am making my way through recipe tests using the persimmons and pomegranates we've received in recent weeks. We have plenty of leftovers to enjoy while making sure the last of the greens are used in soups and salads. It's definitely a week for leftovers! To keep meals simple, we're using up what we have on had for easy and delicious dinners.
Our Game Plan for Dinner this Week:
Sunday: Leftover Turkey Noodle Soup (adapted from this simple recipe I shared on IG)
Monday: Maple Harissa Roast Carrot Soup with Crispy Mushrooms
Tuesday: Easy Pantry Beef Chili with the Poblanos from our CSA Box
Wednesday: Simple Turkey Chili
Thursday: Roast Tomato Soup served alongside my Fall Harvest Salad
Friday: Mexican Fish Soup (Caldo de Pescado)
Saturday: Pizza with Camembert, Fig Jam, Prosicutto, and Marinated Kale & Chard
From favorite recipes to new things with a wide variety of ingredients, cooking delicious food with our CSA definitely gets us out of a dinner rut and reduce food waste. I share meal ideas for our busy weeks with our weekly newsletter. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to be in the know when they’re live. 😉
Wishing you a nourishing week ahead. 🧡
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