On the Menu December 5th

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Need a little dinner inspiration this week? I’ve put together 7 delicious dinner menus and 36 tried-and-true recipes that are just right for the season.

The Tanglewood House is full of Christmas cheer as I work my way through the things I can prepare ahead of the holiday. From stocking the freezer to adding the finishing touches around the house, I’m making lists, checking them twice, and doing a little bit each day so I can enjoy the season as it comes.

If you’re in prep mode too, turn on your favorite Christmas music, light a candle, and let the joy of the season guide your time in the kitchen. It’s a lovely way to make even the simplest meals feel special.

Here’s what’s On The Menu for the week of December 5th…

What a great way to start a Monday. We love Tex-Mex flavors, and this soup is perfect for an easy dinner on a busy day. You can make it on the stovetop or let it simmer in a slow cooker. I’ll make it on the stovetop, double the recipe, and freeze a few containers to have ready over the holidays. My house is going to smell delicious today.

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Chips and Salsa

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I think every home cook should have a great roasted chicken in their culinary lineup. It is not hard to make, and a scrumptious roast chicken is even company-worthy. I have been making this same chicken for more than a decade. It is my go-to recipe, and nothing I have tried comes close to the taste of this one.

Depending on the size of the chicken, we enjoy it for dinner, then use the leftovers for lunches, and the carcass goes right into a pot for homemade chicken stock.

Perfectly Roasted Chicken

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower

Best Roasted Asparagus

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This is such an easy-peasy recipe, and it is another meal that is company-worthy too. Salmon cooked in an air fryer has a slightly crispy exterior and a beautifully tender interior. Tonight I’ll marinate the salmon in teriyaki sauce, then pat it dry before it goes into the air fryer.

We are also having a beautiful pan of oven-roasted root vegetables. I will be serving these during the holidays, so I want to give them a trial run for just Bobby and me.

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I am using the leftover ham from a company dinner last week to make tonight’s scrumptious-looking casserole for Bobby and me.

Now, Bobby has a bit of a jaded past when it comes to ham. He claims he ate it for twenty-one days straight as a child. That might be a slight exaggeration, but I understand his sentiment. My lovely mother-in-law, Marge, was many wonderful things, but she was not known for her cooking. She was also a career woman long before that was common, so her mealtime strategy was simple and practical.

Every Sunday, she roasted a large ham or a leg of lamb and then reinvented the leftovers in as many ways as possible until every bit was gone. So Bobby is not exactly a leftovers enthusiast, and he is certainly not a “ham more than once or twice a month” kind of man.

But tonight’s casserole is different. It is creamy, comforting, and full of fresh flavor. And do not worry, my darling Bobby, you will love this ham dish, and you will never know it started as leftovers.

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Tonight’s dinner is super easy and a kid pleaser. Our son and his family are coming for dinner and a Christmas movie, so it’s pizza from our favorite Italian pizza shop, air fryer wings, and a big salad. When our kids were little, we started Friday Family Movie Night, and now we get to enjoy it all over again with the grandkids. What a sweet tradition!

Pizza

Air Fryer Wings

The Best Caesar Salad

A roast makes the whole home smell delicious. Tonight we are having a few friends for a casual dinner, and whenever I serve something like this, everyone’s eyes seem to light up. I love this recipe because it’s so easy to make, and the oven does all the work. It roasts the chuck roast low and slow until it’s melt in your mouth tender. A perfect cozy meal for a winter evening.

I’ll make the cake early and freeze it. Then thaw it and make the glaze and the delicious sugared cranberry and serve it with vanilla ice cream.

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There’s something so special about a good crab cake, especially when the recipe is simple, classic, and lets the sweet crab shine. These Maryland Crab Cakes are just that. They’re full of tender lump crab meat, lightly seasoned, and held together with only what’s needed so every bite tastes fresh and rich without feeling heavy.

I love recipes that feel restaurant quality but are still easy to make in an ordinary kitchen. These crab cakes come together quickly, cook beautifully, and make a lovely dinner any night of the week. Add a squeeze of lemon and a little tartar sauce and you have a dish that feels elegant and wonderfully familiar.

If you are craving something special without the fuss, these Maryland Crab Cakes are a delicious place to start.

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Peanut Butter Blossom cookies are a timeless Christmas treat, and they always seem right at home on Santa’s cookie plate. These little cookies are perfect for holiday baking days, cookie swaps, or taking to festive gatherings because everyone loves them.

There’s something magical about making these during the Christmas season. Rolling the dough, dipping it in sugar, and pressing that chocolate kiss on top brings back the sweetest memories. They are simple, charming, and full of nostalgic holiday flavor.

Whether you are setting out a plate for Santa or sharing them with friends and family, Peanut Butter Blossoms are a classic that makes the season feel extra special.

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

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This cozy mulled cider is filled with warm spices and is perfect for sipping all day long.

This festive Pull-Apart Christmas Tree is a fun, easy appetizer that’s always a holiday crowd-pleaser.

These Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders make a warm, delicious bite that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or easy entertaining.

This Veal Marsala with Rosemary Mushrooms is a rich, elegant dish that’s wonderful for a special dinner at home.

I serve CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE every Christmas morning. Thank goodness it is a make-ahead recipe.

These Pomegranate-Glazed Christmas Ribs are a festive, flavorful twist on a holiday main dish.

These Favorite Christmas Cookies are timeless treats that bring classic holiday flavor to every cookie plate.

This Baked Salmon in Foil is a simple, flavorful dish that makes weeknight cooking easy and delicious.

These Gourmet Boursin Mashed Potatoes are creamy, flavorful, and a delicious addition to any dinner.

This Christmas Salad is a fresh, festive mix of seasonal flavors that brightens any holiday table.

This Christmas Cookie Box is a charming way to share homemade treats with friends and family.

This Christmas Candy Crunch is a fun, irresistible sweet treat to make and share all season long.

These Pecan Stuffed Mushrooms are a savory, bite-sized appetizer that’s perfect for gatherings big or small.

This Classic Italian Tiramisu is a timeless, creamy dessert that always feels special on the table.

This Cabbage Soup is a cozy, nourishing bowl that’s wonderful for chilly days.

More Recipes To Enjoy

Easy Dinner Recipe Roundup– Get 45 quick and delicious recipes in our easy dinners roundup. From one-pan wonders to 30-minute meals, simplify your cooking while savoring mouthwatering flavors.

Happy cooking, friends…