Shopping my cupboards/freezer/fridge! Menu plan – 4 January 2022

Happy first Tuesday of 2022! It doesn’t matter if it’s June or January…Tuesday is the day I plan my menu and plan some “play”! We had a wonderful Christmas – very quiet, just the family (hubby and I are now Empty Nesters but our son and daughter came to stay for a couple of days) – and sadly we weren’t able to travel to Edinburgh to see my Mum. But we are moving onwards and upwards and, as usual, I’m reaching out to a couple of my friends in Copenhagen to arrange dates for us to connect in January. Winters are long and dark here, so I find that a weekly “check-in” with a friend helps to lighten my spirits and keep the winter blahs at bay. It can be meeting up for a winter seaswim, a quick chat over a cup of coffee or a “walk and talk” in the park together. Anything goes!

I’m “shopping” my cupboards/freezer/fridge in January!

In food news, we are working through what we have in our fridge/freezer/pantry this month and I am only buying absolute necessities. I’m always a “canny Scot” but I enjoy being creative in January and using up what we already have – “shopping my cupboards/freezer/fridge”. Saves money and saves food waste! So, without further ado, here’s what’s on the menu this week at Casa Copenhagen!

Mazarinkage – easy peasy Danish marcipan cake – recipe video below…

will be making a big pot of carrot soup as we seem to have a huge backlog of them (usually make it with a little orange/ginger but will be trying this recipe which is made in the Instant Pot with coconut milk, sriracha and coriander)
scallops (from the freezer) with chili sauce and green asparagus served with rice
honey/mustard glazed ham (frozen leftovers from Christmas) with a veggie stir fry
homemade Chicken Parmesan (chicken fillets from the freezer, breaded with breadcrumbs and parmesan, baked in the oven on a bed of tomato sauce) with tagliatelle and spinach
homemade build-your-own-beef-burgers (minced beef from the freezer) with oven baked potato wedges/sweet potato wedges for me and salad
risotto made in my Instant Pot with butternut squash, sage and parmesan (I froze a bag of chopped butternut squash the last time we made it)
gnocchi with mushrooms and bacon (both from the freezer) in a garlic cream sauce and topped with rucola
as was the case before both of our kids moved out into their own flats, one day of the week for us is usually leftovers, a frittata/quiche made with any veggies which need using up, risotto or Danish smørrebrød (rye bread open sandwiches with various toppings) or the very occasional takeaway
and I’ll be making this yummy Danish cake – mazarinkage – at the weekend because I stocked up on marzipan when it was on offer in December! Very easy to make (using a mixer). Keeps for days and is great in small slices with a cup of coffee or along with some fruit salad…

Remember to K.I.S.S. – Keep it simple, Sweetie! And remember when you’re planning your menu this week to plan a little bit of fun for yourself and your family!