Monday (Christmas Day): My mom hosts Christmas dinner and we’ll start off with a big cheese board with nuts, salami and crudites.  Plus I’ll make the Italian 7-layer dip, Baked Feta from QTQ, cheesy pull apart bread or broccoli and roasted tomato stromboli wreath from Quicker than Quick. My mom always makes chicken soup with tortellini and beef tenderloin or onion-braised brisket, and a recent tradition is the vegan lentil shepherd’s pie. Last year the Cheesy Broccoli Casserole was a mega-hit. I am also making roasted carrots with mint salsa verde + a basic green salad.  I will be making the Sticky Toffee Cake.  And the kids will make loads of cookies and bars that we’ll eat on Christmas as well.  I know Anna wants to make Magic Bars, Emma will make Molasses Ginger Cookies, and my niece is making Peppermint Bark Shortbread.  Although this Chocolate Bundt Cake with Peppermint Ganache has been a hit in the past and so has Pear-Cranberry Gingersnap Crisp .  Hubs requested the Apple Amaretti Crisp, so I’m not sure what I’m going to do! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tuesday: Because Christmas was on Monday this week, we are doing Tofu Tuesday! Make these stir-fried soba noodles with vegetables and tofu or enjoy some delicious Christmas dinner leftovers. 

Wednesday: Ranch Chicken Fingers p. 227 from Quicker than Quick, coleslaw, baked chipotle sweet potato fries

Thursday: Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta, cooked rice, sauteed spinach

Friday: Weeknight cassoulet, roasted cabbage

Saturday Brunch: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – I think these might be the most delicious pancakes I have ever made! Add flax meal or hemp seeds for extra fiber.

Sunday (New Year’s Eve): Appetizer ideas – Polenta Crostini with Spinach and Capers, Buckwheat Blinis with Smoked Salmon and Lemon Creme Fraiche, Mini Spanakopita, Zesty Potato Skewers, Mini Risotto Cakes, Brussels Sprouts Sliders, Endive with Grapes, Hazelnuts and Roquefort, Hen of the Woods Mushroom Toasts, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Provencal Goat Cheese Gratin, White Bean Dip with Roasted Garlic, Butternut Squash, Beet and Apple Skewers, or a Cheeseboard (method here).

I have LOVED seeing all your creations of my recipes on Instagram. If you make any of my recipes, please tag me @pamelasalzman #pamelasalzman so I can check them out! I have a free Monday newsletter with my thoughts, new recipes, and things I’m loving lately. Subscribe here!

Order my cookbook, Quicker Than Quick!  If you have 1 minute, would you mind leaving a review on Amazon?  I would be so grateful, thank you! Take a peek at my first cookbook “Kitchen Matters”!