Cooking is one of my love languages (second only to books, which explains why I keep buying my husband books I know he’ll never read). I love to be creative in the kitchen, to try new delicious recipes, and use spices and techniques I’ve never heard of before.
This is not that season. I have been in an autoimmune-induced haze for months (if not years), where I end the day clawing my way of a pit of utter exhaustion and despair at 4 pm each day, scrambling to get something, anything, on the table.
Enter the Summa Domestica, a beautiful and prized collection of wisdom I received this Christmas. In the spirit of Lawler’s sage advice, I am creating our go-to list of meals and creating a menu of simple family favorites that are mostly hands-off no brainers for me to cook (and teach the children to cook!).
I hope the simplicity of these full flavor recipes delights and inspires you. Bon appetit!
Week 1
Sunday
Breakfast - Breakfast burritos (prep Saturday, reheat Sunday)
Lunch - Leftovers/dinner anticipated
Dinner - Beef Stew and biscuits
Monday
Breakfast - Sausage patties, eggs, and hash browns
Lunch - Turkey patties, carrots, applesauce
Dinner - Grilled chicken thighs, baked potatoes, and salad
Tuesday
Breakfast - Waffles, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Chicken tenders, cucumbers, blueberries
Dinner - Nachos, rice and beans, chips
Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Taco leftovers
Dinner - Shoyu chicken, rice, and broccoli
Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins and eggs
Lunch - Leftovers with apples + PB
Dinner - Salmon, mashed potatoes, salad
Friday
Breakfast - Smoothies
Lunch - Veggies, crackers, and hummus
Dinner - Date Night! (frozen pizza or mac with frozen veggies for kiddos)
Saturday
Brunch - Pancakes, bacon, eggs (prep Sunday burritos)
Dinner - Greek meatballs and salad
Week 2
Sunday
Breakfast - Breakfast burritos (prep Saturday, reheat Sunday)
Lunch - Leftovers/dinner anticipated
Dinner - Chili and cornbread
Monday
Breakfast - Sausage patties, eggs, and hashbrowns
Lunch - Turkey patties, carrots, applesauce
Dinner - Spaghetti, sourdough, roasted zucchini
Tuesday
Breakfast - Waffles, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Chicken tenders, cucumbers
Dinner - Taco Bowls, rice and beans, chips
Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Taco leftovers
Dinner - Kalua pork, rice, and stir fry veggies
Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins and eggs
Lunch - Leftovers with apples + PB
Dinner - Sautéed shrimp and cajun rice, salad
Friday
Breakfast - Smoothies
Lunch - Veggies, crackers, and hummus
Dinner - Date Night! (frozen pizza or mac with frozen veggies for kiddos)
Saturday
Brunch - Pancakes, bacon, eggs (prep Sunday burritos)
Dinner - Steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus
Week 3
Sunday
Breakfast - Breakfast burritos (prep Saturday, reheat Sunday)
Lunch - Leftovers/dinner anticipated
Dinner - Pot pie (filling instant pot, cover with biscuits and bake later)
Monday
Breakfast - Sausage patties, eggs, and hashbrowns
Lunch - Turkey patties, carrots, applesauce
Dinner - BBQ chicken, roasted broccoli, cornbread
Tuesday
Breakfast - Waffles, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Chicken tenders, cucumbers
Dinner - Street tacos, rice and beans, chips
Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Taco leftovers
Dinner - Beef roast, crockpot veggies, and sourdough
Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins and eggs
Lunch - Leftovers with apples + PB
Dinner - Sauteed mahi mahi, rice, and salad
Friday
Breakfast - Smoothies
Lunch - Veggies, crackers, and hummus
Dinner - Date Night! (frozen pizza or mac with frozen veggies for kiddos)
Saturday
Brunch - Pancakes, bacon, eggs (prep Sunday burritos)
Dinner - Meatcakes*, mashed potatoes, and salad
*meatloaf rebranded (as a plus, it cooks faster in a cupcake pan)
Week 4
Sunday
Breakfast - Breakfast burritos (prep Saturday, reheat Sunday)
Lunch - Leftovers/dinner anticipated
Dinner - Pumpkin soup and grilled cheese
Monday
Breakfast - Sausage patties, eggs, and hashbrowns
Lunch - Turkey patties, carrots, applesauce
Dinner - Cauliflower gnocchi, shrimp, lemon sauce, salad
Tuesday
Breakfast - Waffles, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Chicken tenders, cucumbers
Dinner - Chicken enchiladas, rice and beans, chips
Wednesday
Breakfast - Oatmeal, eggs, and fruit
Lunch - Enchilada leftovers
Dinner - Pulled pork, salad, and cornbread
Thursday
Breakfast - Muffins and eggs
Lunch - Leftovers with apples + PB
Dinner - Mediterranean shrimp, olives, tomatoes, and pasta
Friday
Breakfast - Smoothies
Lunch - Veggies, crackers, and hummus
Dinner - Date Night! (frozen pizza or mac with frozen veggies for kiddos)
Saturday
Brunch - Pancakes, bacon, eggs (prep Sunday burritos)
Dinner - Pork Chops, mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach