Day #7 or maybe day #8 of Duffy family quarantine. We’ve played every board game we own, watched a million movies, been on umpteenth bike rides all in between and after remote learning and work. The four of us have been cooped up in our not large enough home for way too long. Even Clare is over us being home 24/7.
Thankfully both girls recently tested negative so they can go back to school next week. Patrick and I opted against spending $200 on rapid tests so our results will roll out next week. All of us feel 100% (physically) and expect to be good to go within a few days.
At this point in December, I start to get really basic about what’s for dinner. Between work, kids, decorating for the holidays, creating Christmas lists and ordering gifts, my brain is completely fried and I’m sure yours is too. I find we eat out a little more between now and the start of Christmas break or family and friends pop over unexpectedly and our dinner plans change on a dime. So with that in mind, I’m sharing a much more adaptable and basic meal plan for the upcoming week.
What does that mean exactly? Well, I’m providing recipes that don’t require a lot of focus and ones you can change easily if you decide you aren’t in the mood for that particular meal. Steak and salad, Greek chicken and couscous, pre-made tortellini bake – you get the idea. This is a great week to remind all of us of a common meal planning misconception – meal planning doesn’t equal complicated; it’s simply a map of what you will be cooking for the upcoming week.
Back to Basics Meal Plan 12/6 – 12/11
Sunday, December 6th | Easy Cheesy Baked Tortellini | Everyone in your family will love this recipe, especially you. Pre made tortellini, cream cheese, ground beef, jarred marinara and lots of cheese baked together until ooey and gooey. No brainer.
Monday, December 7th | The Best Greek Chicken Marinade | Such a simple and versatile recipe. My suggestion – make this marinade on Sunday and let the chicken sit overnight. You can absolutely cook on the stove if the grill isn’t your thing. Serve with asparagus, a side salad, a box of couscous – keep it simple. MEAL PREP – cook extra chicken to put over salad for a quick lunch!
Tuesday, December 8th | Balsamic Turkey and Green Bean Skillet | Four ingredients plus a few spices. Crazy simple. If you decide you aren’t in the mood for this easy skillet recipe, patty a few turkey burgers and serve with a side of green beans.
Wednesday, December 9th | Rotisserie Chicken, Zucchini Casserole | Not crazy healthy but at this point in the year, who cares? We all know January means salads. Even your picky eater will be able to pick thru the zucchini in this recipe to eat the creamy chicken and stuffing mix. MEAL PREP – Pick your chicken when it’s warm on Sunday and store in fridge until ready to use. I love these Stasher storage bags and have asked Santa to bring me a few more!!
Thursday, December 10th | Steak with Garlic Herb Butter and Roasted Potatoes & Carrots| Ava turns 11 today and all she requested for her birthday dinner was mashed potatoes – a girl after my own heart. Mashed potatoes aren’t necessarily week night friendly but an easy skillet steak recipe with roasted veggies are! Great for husbands and picky eaters!! If you are looking for a new roasted veggie recipe, try this awesome roasted okra!
Friday, December 11th | Pizza Bar | Finish the week off right with simple homemade pizzas! Purchase the pre made dough, let the kids roll it out then pop the dough onto the grill for a few minutes and get to making your own delicious creations. Great for a fun family Friday!
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