WEEKLY MENU 12.10.23
We’re working towards Christmas during the Weekly Menu 12.10.23, making sure traditions continue~
We’re starting a new tradition during the Weekly Menu 12.10.23, and continuing a family tradition that we started many years ago when the Boysies were little. Both revolve around books!
The Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition of Jólabókaflóð, or “Christmas Book Flood,” is a unique and cherished cultural practice in Iceland, deeply rooted in the nation’s love for literature and storytelling. In Iceland, ‘book flood’ is celebrated on Christmas Eve and revolves around giving and receiving new books, often accompanied by delicious treats like hot cocoa, Icelandic chocolates, or even a special beer. The night is spent in the company of loved ones, reading and sharing stories, creating memories that last a lifetime.
adventures.is/blog/iceland
As far as I know, we don’t have any Icelandic genes, but that’s a practice I can get behind! We’ve always celebrated Christmas Eve together as a family. Back in the day, when the boys were little, we’d get together with my parents and siblings (along with all their people) for a special dinner. When we got home, each of the boys received new PJ’s to wear to bed so they’d look nice for the pictures in the am. Once they were ready for bed, Bert would read to them. (Affiliate links follow – see Disclaimer page for details.)
Did I ever mention that Bert was on on-air radio personality when he first got out of college? He has an awesome voice and can read a book like nobodies business. What does he read, every year?
As the boys got older, Bert began crafting a topical version of the story. Of course Covid was detailed for a couple of years, as is some of the other big news of the day. Bert starts early in December to make sure that he is ready for the big night. The cadence matches that of the original, but that’s the only thing that does. I can’t wait to hear this year’s version!
Our new tradition is based on a book too~
Dinner Sunday is heavily influenced by Doctor Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s my all time favorite Christmas book, and the only Christmas Special that is worth watching over the Christmas holiday. The original, animated version. None of those goofy Hollywood movies. The nice thing about the show is that it’s only half an hour. The book (like most of Suess’s books) goes on for sixty-four pages. Tough for bed-time reading, unless one is super stealthy about turning multiple pages at a time. Ahem.
Sunday dinner, is, of course, Roast Beast.
Weekly Menu 12.10.23
We’ll start with Grinch Margaritas. They’re green, and you’ll notice that theme throughout dinner. We’ll also have Dill Dip with celery (and some other veggies), plus a Green Salad with Walnuts and thinly sliced Green Apples. Along with the Roast Beast (standard roast beef) we’ll have some chive sprinkled Twice Baked Potatoes and Scalloped Onions. The onions don’t really match the theme, but they sure do go great with roast beef. Green Beans will round out our plates. Who-Pudding is White Chocolate Instant Pudding that I’ll add a couple of drops of green food coloring to and layer it with Oreos in Small Mason Jars. Pistachio Pudding would work too, but no one here would eat it except for me.
We’re making medallions out of a budget friendly pork tenderloin and sauteing them simply in a little bit of butter. We’ll make sandwiches on brioche buns with a little smear of mayo on the bottom bun and a healthy spoonful of Chimichurri Sauce on top. Fresh, simple and tasty – and cheap. The Black Bean and Corn Salad combines a can each of black beans and corn with red onion and bell peppers. It gets tossed with a little bit of olive oil, some vinegar and a little honey.
Ravioli in Broth is another easy meal perfect for midweek. For years Baby Boy thought it was Ravioli in straight up butter, which would also be very tasty.
WEEKLY MENU 12.10.23
