Welcoming the New Year with a New Weekly Menu

 

It is hard to believe that 2022 is coming to a close and in less than 12 hrs we will be welcoming in the New Year.  

A Meal to serve when someone comes home from the hospital after being smashed by a truck #CooktheBooks

 Our Cook the Books Club December/January Selection was a delightful novel about accepting yourself, taking care of yourself and believing in yourself.  

The Weekly Menu starting with Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone and Happy Holidays to those who observe this time of year in other cultures and religions.  May Peace on Earth and Goodwill Among Men be with you throughout the Holiday Season.

I know that I certainly have a lot to be grateful for, not the least of which is that I am able to write and share this post with you after having been hit by a Ford 250 while on my daily walk the day after Thanksgiving.

I can't believe that it will be one month to the day tomorrow and I am well enough to not only post my Christmas and Weekly Menu but I am able to help prepare the food as well.  God is very very good.

So without further ado, here is what we are serving up for Christmas with a lot of help from Frank's sister and our eldest daughter.  Frank took on the bulk of the prep but I was able to get into the kitchen to prep the Kapusta.  The ham is from Costco and is ready to serve.  The Stuffed Cabbage and Smoked Sausage is being provided by Roz.  Frank is in charge of the Cheezy Potatoes.  Amy is bringing the desserts.  

We are having dinner tonight at Frank's brother's house.  Monday and Tuesday we will be working with leftovers.  Wednesday we are hosting a gathering for my side of the family as I was in the hospital when I was supposed to be having the Annual Santa Party.  Keeping it simple with ordered in Pizza and Salad.

Thursday, Frank is taking me to Firestarter Casino.  We will stop and see our friend, Sister Maryann for lunch before the Casino where we have dinner reservations prior to a concert honoring Michael Jackson called MJ Live.  We may do a little gambling while we are there.....wish us luck.

Saturday-Christmas Eve

Dinner at Dan and Rebecca's

Sunday-Christmas Day

See large Menu above

Monday

Ham and Cheese Strata (featuring leftover ham)

Tuesday

Leftover Plate

Wednesday-Dubrul Christmas

Pizza and Salad

Thursday-Overnight Trip

Friday

Bean Soup (using leftover ham bone)

Copy Cat In and Out Burger and a Book Review

We don't have In and Out Burgers in Michigan but I have heard of them and when they were mentioned several times in the final Eve Ronin novel, Movie Land, I had to do a Google search and see what all the fuss was about.

Sourdough Grilled Cheese and a Book Review of Gated Prey

Three cheese shredded blend and provolone cheese sandwiched between sourdough and grilled to a melted, gooey goodness.

This sandwich was inspired by Gated Prey, the third novel in the Eve Ronin Series.

A Birthday Celebration featuring Yellow Cake for the Final 2022 #CakeSliceBakers

Last month we celebrated Little Miss M's 2nd Birthday.  This simple but delicious yellow cake made the perfect birthday cake for the celebration.

This is the final bake from Zoe Bakes Cakes, the  choice for the Cake Slice Bakers in 2022......

Orange Hot Chocolate #SundayFundayBloggers

Every holiday season I look forward to buying those Chocolate Oranges that they sell wrapped in foil.  You crach them on the table and they break into segments.  I think chocolate and orange is one of my favorite flavor profiles.  

So I decided to ask Frank to jazz up my hot chocolate with a splash of Grand Marnier last night.  

Broccoli Cheese Soup in a Bread Bowl #SoupSaturdaySwappers

This Broccoli Cheese Soup served up in a bread bowl is perfect for the holidays.  It can be made ahead of time and kept warm, allowing your guests to serve themselves from a luncheon buffet that can also contain meat and cheese trays and salads for a casual, comfortable get together.

It's time for Soup Saturday Swappers.............

J Baldwin's Calamari #FishFridayFoodies

There is a restaurant here in Michigan owned by Chef Jeff Baldwin.  All of their food is wonderful but we ALWAYS order the calamari because it is the best we have ever eaten.  When Baldwin's first opened in 2004 he offered cooking classes and shared the recipe with us.  I am happy to share it with you today

It's time for Fish Friday Foodies.............

Instant Pot Pork Adobo #EattheWorld

 Delicious, tender, flavorful pork adobo in less than an hour.  

We are traveling to the Philippines this month as we Eat the World......

Tuscan Tortellini Soup #ImprovCookingChallenge

This hearty and delicious soup is perfect as a warm comforting meal with a nice slice of bread and is ready in less time than it would tae to order carry out.

It's time for the Improv Cooking Challenge.......

A Taco Tuesday Recipe and a Book Review

German Chocolate Pie #ChristmasSweetsWeek

 German Chocolate Cake collides with Brownie Pie in this scrumptious, decadent dessert.

It is the final day of Christmas Sweets Week......

A Perfect Start to a Perfect Evening #ItalianFWT

Start your next gathering with a Cheese and Wine platter.  I am featuring Italian Wines with my cheeseboard today.  I opened 3 of these bottles to serve as guests arrived and saved the Cecchi Riserva to pour with my main course.

It's time for the Holiday Edition of Italian Food Wine and Travel.......