Happy New Year, everybody!  It may be New Year’s Eve, but it’s still the last day of the month, which means it’s officially time to post the January meal plan here on Red, Round, or Green.  This one comes from a collective brain trust of me, J., and my sister, D., who was sitting around with us when I asked the question: “J., what do you want to eat next month?”  My father also chipped in every once in a while, offering such helpful suggestions as kielbasa, Velveeta, peanut butter, and ramen noodles.  He may not have been taking me seriously.

Anyway, the last meal we’ll be eating in 2010 is tonight’s feast, which will be prepared by my wonderful mother — J. and I are spending New Year’s Eve with my folks, D., and possibly D.’s longtime S.O., if he’s able to make it into town.  The kids will eat earlier in the evening; L. has requested, among other things, that I make him “Kai-Lan dumplings,” something I tried once many months ago.  They’re Chinese-inspired dumplings filled with vegetables, tofu, and ground pork, and for some reason, he’s convinced that they are the best way to ring in the New Year.  Anyway, after the kids are in bed, Mom’s making the rest of the family a feast of filet mignon, her special baked stuffed shrimp, and tomatoes stuffed with pesto vermicelli.  Washed down with prosecco.  We do things big in this family when we get the chance!

After tonight’s highfalootin’ fare, it’s back to reality.  Here’s the lineup for the first month of 2011.  Hard to believe it’s here already!

Saturday, 1/1: Fend (inauspicious, but necessary after all the food we’ve cooked and eaten lately)
Sunday, 1/2: Spaghetti with peas and pancetta, salad
Monday, 1/3: Roasted tomato soup and panini
Tuesday, 1/4: Slow cooker — chicken soft tacos with avocado
Wednesday, 1/5: Skillet pork chops with mustard sauce, brown rice, veggies
Thursday, 1/6: Shrimp oreganato, salad, bread
Friday, 1/7: Fend
Saturday, 1/8: Homemade mac and cheese, roasted veggies
Sunday, 1/9: Sunday Roast Chicken dinner
Monday, 1/10: Salmon fingers with avocado dip, cous cous, veggies
Tuesday, 1/11: Slow cooker — West Indies chicken over brown rice
Wednesday, 1/12: Spinach and mushroom enchiladas, beans, corn
Thursday, 1/13: Skillet chicken with goat cheese and marinara, gnocchi, spinach salad
Friday, 1/14: Fend
Saturday, 1/15: French onion soup, bistro salads
Sunday, 1/16: Steak and Guinness pie, veggies
Monday, 1/17: Sesame noodles with broccoli, fruit
Tuesday, 1/18: Slow cooker — chicken sausage and pepper sandwiches
Wednesday, 1/19: No-fuss chicken, brown rice, veggies
Thursday, 1/20: Baked potato soup, salad
Friday, 1/21: Fend
Saturday, 1/22: Chicken with sage and mozzarella, garlic noodles, veggies
Sunday, 1/23: Spoon roast, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables
Monday, 1/24: Pasta with sweet potatoes and red peppers, salad
Tuesday, 1/25: Slow cooker — lentil stew, bread
Wednesday, 1/26: homemade pizzas, salad
Thursday, 1/27: Fish dinner
Friday, 1/28: Fend
Saturday, 1/29: Roast lamb with chickpeas, couscous, veggies
Sunday, 1/30: Lasagna, salad, bread
Monday, 1/31: Pumpkin risotto, salad