We’re heading into a big holiday week, which means it’s time to step our home cooking up a notch. Think meals that feel elevated for a special occasion but don’t require cooking in the kitchen for hours on end.  To start, we’ve sourced four weeknight dinners all worthy of a spot on your holiday menu, plus the yummiest eggnog cinnamon rolls practically made for Christmas morning.  Just FYI: we’ve heard a rumor that holiday calories don’t count, and we couldn’t agree more.

 

WEEKNIGHT MENU FAVORITES

recipe & photo via Butter Be Ready

 

Classic Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

 

Nothing says ‘special occasion’ like short ribs braised in a full-bodied red wine. You’ll start by searing your ribs stovetop and let the dutch oven or crockpot take it from there. Pair them with the creamiest side of mashed potatoes or polenta. Either way, it’s going to be a meal to remember!

 

recipe & photo via Inspired With a Twist

 

Braised Chicken Thighs with Grapes and Burrata

 

Braising is one of the most delicious (and easiest) cooking methods, and it’s not just for red meat. Inspired With a Twist is showing us how it’s done with savory chicken thighs, topped with burrata, grapes, and drizzled with honey. Once we tried this one ourselves, it immediately went down as a family hit.

 

recipe & photo via Damn Delicious

 

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

 

A huge bowl of steamy soup is a necessity on every holiday week menu. Not only does it save tons of hands-on cooking time (thank you, slow cooker), but it makes plenty for leftover lunches, late-night snacks, and everything in between. Damn Delicious has deemed this a “set it and forget it” meal, and she’s speaking our language.

 

 

 

recipe & photo via Half Baked Harvest

 

Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Salmon

 

What if you could take all the flavors of your favorite spinach and artichoke app and translate that into a wholesome dinner? Half Baked Harvest has done exactly that, and it’s all made in a single skillet. Just add garlicky browned butter and a dose of fried sage, and you have a meal everyone will love.

 

 

SNACK

 

 

recipe & photo via The Baker Mama

 

Candy Cane Caprese Board

 

We’ll only be gathering with our nearest and dearest this year, but that doesn’t mean our menu can’t pull out all the stops. Kick things off with this Christmas-inspired Caprese board that’s equal parts pretty and delicious. Just layer your sliced tomatoes and mozzarella, drizzle with olive oil, and serve with fresh basil, toasted baguette, and a slide of balsamic. 

 

BRUNCH

recipe & photo via Butter Be Ready

 

Brown Butter Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls

 

Quin of Butter Be Ready recently developed this cinnamon roll recipe for the holidays, and it might be some of her best work yet. It involves nutty brown butter, rich and creamy eggnog, plus tons of gooey cream cheese frosting to tie it all together. If you’re brand new to cinnamon rolls, fear not! Quin walks you through all the steps, including the difference between instant vs. active-dry yeast and why you need bread flour to bake these like a pro.

 

TO SIP

 

recipe & photo via The Sweetest Occasion

 

Blueberry & Thyme Champagne Cocktails⁣

 

The holidays always call for cocktails, and this one is both easy and delicious. Just pour chilled blueberry juice into a champagne flute, add your St. Germain, top with chilled champagne, and finish with fresh blueberries + thyme sprigs to garnish.⁣ 

 

 

Click here to view all our past IDCO Menu Plans!

 

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