I usually have some insights or observations to offer in preface to my meal plans. Even if it’s just a little reflection on the season, an anticipatory commentary on ingredients that are about to become available, or a half-hearted lament about the jam-packed schedule that’s led to a certain method to the madness, I always have something to say.
Not so for January 2015. Not so.
Honestly, right now, I’m just rolling with it. Rolling with what? Life. Family. Work. Routine. There’s plenty to think about on a daily basis, and plenty to do. Making (and planning) dinner is, as always, one of the cornerstones. So I wrote a meal plan without giving it much thought or effort, just off the top of my head. I took into account a visit from my parents and a couple of social obligations, and of course the celebration of the New Year. But really, this is just a meal plan that happened almost spontaneously, something written easily when I was feeling pretty chilled out and not concerned about much in the world. It’s a good place to be. 🙂
WEEK ONE:
New Year’s Eve: Beef tenderloin, asparagus, soft rolls, and salad with crispy prosciutto for the kids. Later for me and J., tenderloin mini-sandwiches with arugula and mustard sauce, bay scallops with garlic butter and wine, asparagus wrapped in phyllo with hollandaise, and crackers with goat cheese and sour cherry jam.
New Year’s Day: Double-cut pork chops with tarragon mustard crust, mashed sweet potatoes, and brussels sprouts
Friday, January 2: Fend night
Saturday, January 3: Hosting friends for dinner – Chicken parmigiana, pasta, salad, and garlic bread
Make it GF: Omit the breading on the chicken, or use almond meal for breading; use your favorite gluten-free pasta and omit the bread.
Sunday, January 4: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Monday, January 5: Monte Cristo sandwiches, sweet potato fries, and fruit
Make it GF: Use polenta in place of the bread for the French toast portion of the sandwich (like in my Pumpkin Polenta French Toast Sticks)
Tuesday, January 6: Slow cooker – Turkey chili
Wednesday, January 7: Honey mustard skillet chicken and rice
WEEK TWO:
Thursday, January 8: Broccoli alfredo and salad
Make it GF: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta or make zucchini “noodles”
Friday, January 9: Kids cook/Fend night
Saturday, January 10: Chicken tikka masala and baked samosas
Make it GF: Use teff flour for the samosas, or omit the pastry and make potato cakes out of the samosa filling
Sunday, January 11: Pork schnitzel with pickled red cabbage and dilled green beans
Make it GF: Use almond meal for the breading, or a mixture of pure oats and ground puffed rice
Monday, January 12: French onion bread pudding, salad
Make it GF: Make a crustless caramelized onion quiche instead!
Tuesday, January 13: Slow cooker – Mom’s meat sauce over spaghetti
Make it GF: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta or serve the meat sauce over baked potatoes with a sprinkle of cheese
Wednesday, January 14: “No fuss” chicken and roasted vegetables
WEEK THREE:
Thursday, January 15: Clam chowder and salad
Friday, January 16: Porchetta, herb stuffing, and vegetables
Make it GF: Use gluten-free cornbread for the stuffing, or serve potatoes instead
Saturday, January 17: Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic, mashed potatoes, asparagus
Sunday, January 18: Eating out with family
Monday, January 19: DIY Salad
Tuesday, January 20: Slow cooker- chicken soft tacos
Make it GF: Use corn tortillas
Wednesday, January 21: Pasta with roasted brussels sprouts and mushrooms
Make it GF: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta
WEEK FOUR:
Thursday, January 22: Homemade pizzas
Make it GF: If you don’t have a favorite gf crust option, try making my gluten-free crepe recipe and making pizza crepes – or use polenta for the base!
Friday, January 23: Fend night/Kids cook
Saturday, January 24: Bracciole
Make it GF: Omit any bread crumbs from the stuffing. It’ll still be great.
Sunday, January 25: Sunday roast chicken dinner
Monday, January 26: Breakfast for dinner
Tuesday, January 27: Chicken noodle soup and homemade bread
Make it GF: Use gluten-free noodles or substitute rice; serve cheese fricos instead of the bread
Wednesday, January 28: Cheeseburgers
Make it GF: Make Cheeseburger salads or lettuce wraps
WEEK FIVE:
Thursday, January 29: Autumn stir-fry and rice
Friday, January 30: Fend night/kids cook
Saturday, January 31: BLTs and butternut squash soup
Make it GF: Make BLT rollups in corn tortillas, lettuce leaves, or slices of turkey
Looks great! Do you have a recipe for the honey mustard chicken? Thank you!
Sure! I keep meaning to post this one – it’s dead simple and so good! Roughly, it goes something like this:
Cut up 1 lb. of boneless skinless chicken (could be either breasts or thighs) into small cubes and toss them with a little flour, salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet and brown the chicken cubes. Remove them to a bowl and set aside. Slice a large onion thinly and add it to the pan; add a little more oil if needed. Cook until the onion is soft and slightly caramelized. Add the chicken back in, pour in 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock, and stir well to get all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan.
Add 1/4 cup each honey and dijon mustard and let the whole thing simmer gently for 20-25 minutes to thicken and let the flavors come together. It’s good over rice or even in sandwiches!
Thank you! I will try it.
Wanted to be added to your email list. Need to cook more meals for family 🙂