Weeknight Rescue//Week 52//December 2020 – Mom’s Kitchen Handbook

Week 52! The last Weeknight Rescue meal plan for 2020. Pat yourself on the back for feeding yourself and your family during a challenging year. And since this line-up brings us into 2021, Happy New Year!

I figure this very delicious and mega nourishing roasted broccoli might be a welcome break from heavier holiday dishes. It’s not exactly a main dish, but if you add another salad or side dish (such as roasted root vegetable, these lentils or this tabbouleh salad), it will be enough to make a meal.

A lighter spin on a Greek-style spanikopita, this is an excellent make-ahead dish that doubles as a leftover for lunch. Don’t worry, filo dough is pretty easy to work with and seeing that golden puff come out of the oven is darn satisfying. As for sides? Maybe start with a cup of tomato soup  or your favorite store-bought boxed soup.

I’m always game for sandwich night and this recipe works great with whatever you have on hand — a rotisserie chicken from the market or any meat or poultry leftover from the holidays. Clear out your produce drawer to make a salad or cut up crunchy vegetables (use extra muhammara as a dip!).

The Instant Pot makes quick work of a dish that is traditionally cooked low and slow. The results won’t disappoint. The beef and butternut squash make a winning pair and using taco seasoning mix just means fewer ingredients to worry about.

If you’re looking for a recipe to ring in the new year, this might be a good fit. The potatoes are addictively crispy and the chimichurri — a combination of cilantro, parsley, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil — is magic spooned onto steak. If you want a leaner, quicker cooking (and possibly cheaper) cut, go for flank instead of strip steak..

Here’s another idea for a New Year’s Eve nibble that you can practically make with your eyes closed. Pour a glass of bubbly and you have an instant party. 

Since it still feels like holiday season, shuffling around in the kitchen over a stack of pancakes might be in order. These are super nutritious, all done and then poured from a blender, and excellent embellished with maple syrup and anything you have in your fruit bowl.

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Roasted Broccoli with Tahini, Hazelnuts, and Raisins

1 ½ pounds broccoli crowns
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or melted ghee
1/3 cup tahini
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 garlic clove
1-2 teaspoons honey or pure maple syrup
¼ cup roasted hazelnuts
¼ cup unsulphured green raisins or currants
¼ cup capers
1 cup fresh dill leaves
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Spinach and Feta Pie

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ large yellow onion
1 pound frozen chopped spinach
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ cup low-fat cottage cheese
6 ounces feta cheese
2 eggs
6 sheets whole wheat or regular filo dough
3 tablespoons butter

Chicken Sandwiches with Spicy Muhammara

One 12-ounce jar roasted red bell peppers (7 ounces of peppers)
2/3 cup pecan halves
¼ cup panko or other unseasoned bread crumbs
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses, or 1 ½ tsp balsamic vinegar + 1 tsp honey
8 slices crusty bread, such as whole-grain levain
8 ounces shredded rotisserie chicken (3 cups or so)

Instant Pot Beef and Butternut Squash Chili

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion
1 pound ground beef (or turkey, lamb, venison, or a combination)
One 1 1/4-ounce packet taco seasoning mix
2 cups uncooked, cubed (1/2 inch) butternut squash
1 1/2 cups cooked pinto beans (one 15-ounce can, drained)
One 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Favorite chili garnishes, such as sour cream, avocado, cilantro, scallions, cheese, and salsa

Skillet Steak with Chimichurri and Potatoes

2 New York strip steaks that are about 12 ounces each (about 1 ¼-inch thick)
1 1/2 pounds small thin-skinned potatoes (red, yellow, or yukon gold)
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro
1/4 cup roughly chopped Italian parsley
3 medium cloves garlic
Big pinch red pepper flakes
2 ½ tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons canola, grapeseed, or avocado oil

Potato Chip and Smoked Salmon Canapés

16 Crinkle cut potato chips, such as Kettle or Ruffles brand (or 16 slices English cucumber)
4 ounces smoked salmon
3 tablespoons crème fraîche or sour cream
2 tablespoons capers
2 sprigs fresh dill

Whole-Wheat Kefir Blender Pancakes

1 ½ cups plain kefir
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter (I use salted butter)
1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
¾ cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda

 

source https://betterweightloss.info/weeknight-rescue-week-52-december-2020-moms-kitchen-handbook/