Dinner time feeling a little tired and boring? We’re putting the fun back into family dinners this week! Sometimes the easiest way to get everyone around the table at the same time is to make dinner casual, even snack-y. Throw in a game or a puzzle, and, all the sudden, you’re sharing more than just the same space and a bite of food.
Table of Contents
- This Week’s Secret To Success
- Swaps For Your Family
- Getting The Most From This Menu
- How I’m Setting My Table
- Monday Menu #326
- Dessert This Week
- Breakfast Made Easy
- Snack of the Week
- New To Monday Menu?
This Week’s Secret To Success
To get out of the “dinner rut,” serve something unexpected.
- Winter doesn’t have to be all cheese and pasta and Sunday dinner favorites. Go “off season” and pull out a summer fave or too. A little disruption is just what mid January calls for.
- I pulled from our picnic archives for Menu 1 (pulled pork, potato salad and corn maque choux). Still has plenty of comfort, but it’s not as “formal” as pot roast. Plus, there’s a crockpot recipe, so convenience is up there!
- Next, we’re changing up the idea of what “family dinner” can be. How about nachos and dip? Throw in a puzzle or game. Even in the middle of the week? Yes.
- Make it easy, make it fun. That’s when everyone will want to get around the table.
Swaps For Your Family
- Do Gumbo Nachos seem way too out of the norm for your group (they really are soooo good)? Use leftover Cherry Cola Pulled Pork to make BBQ Sheet Pan Nachos instead.
- Don’t need 2 dips + 2 sides this week? Corn Maque Choux goes great with both meals (and you could dip it if you wanted to). So skip the salsa and have one less thing to do.
Getting The Most From This Menu
- Instead of purple onion for guacamole, use the leftover white onion from your gumbo recipe. Buy less and waste less.
- When you chop green onions for one recipe, go ahead and chop the whole bunch so you’re ready for the next recipes too.
- The same goes for any other chopping, slicing or cheese grating you have to do this week.
- If you make both menus this week, use the leftover pulled pork, any leftover dips (freshen them up?) and potato salad to serve pulled pork sandwiches. Throw in your buffalo snack mix and I’m seeing a full Saturday game day spread!
How I’m Setting My Table
Tasty & convenient recipes are only half of any dinner equation!
Having a few things that you really love to set the table with is THE KEY to making meal time enjoyable and being able to invite others over stress free.
Monday Menu #326
Menu 1- Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork
Cherry Cola BBQ Pulled Pork is a simple recipe that can be thrown together and cooked low and slow in the oven or in the crock pot. A little salt and pepper, BBQ sauce and our secret ingredient of cherry cola make for a “fall apart” tender pork roast that you’re going to want to eat all the time! Serve it this week with Loaded Potato Salad and Corn Maque Choux for a picnic menu in the winter. Make sandwiches with the leftovers.
Menu 2- Gumbo Nachos (a house special)
The ultimate in nachos, Louisiana Gumbo Nachos are made with crisp tortilla chips smothered in a shrimp and sausage gumbo topping, melted colby jack cheese and jalapeño slices. They've got all the feels of comfort food on the crunch of a chip. Serve it with a bowl of guacamole and a bowl of fresh salsa for more chip action!
Dessert This Week
Creole Moose Munch Popcorn is a classic treat made with popcorn, pecans, peanuts, butter toffee and chocolate caramel candies, covered with a golden caramel coating that has just a hint of a savory Louisiana kick! Movie night, anyone?
Breakfast Made Easy
Creamy, smoky gouda cheese grits and spicy sausage come together to make the perfect brunch or dinner in this Easy Sausage & Cheese Grits Quiche recipe.
Snack of the Week
This easy Buffalo Ranch Snack Mix is loaded with bold, spicy flavor. There are no hints or sprinkles of taste here. Just in your face, tasty buffalo heat that’s perfect for ball game snacking, tailgates, weekends, movie watching and more. Just toss, bake & serve!
New To Monday Menu?
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