Real Life Advent Menu (for all 6 Weeks!)

Real Life Advent Menu

 Okay- it's easy to design a perfect menu. But, sometimes the best laid plans collide with real life!

You know - sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Like maybe the oven catches on fire or something. Not that I'd know anything about that ; )

So, I thought for this seasonal menu, I'd offer a glimpse of what we ACTUALLY ate for Advent last year. I usually only plan or record one meal a day (occasionally two) - so this is not an exhaustive list of every bite that went into our mouths, just a snapshot of dinners.This is real life, every day eating - occasionally repeating a recipe more often than I'd like, or having yet another "quick meal" of pasta this week - and includes dinners out and dinners at friends houses or at Church. Just the authentic schedule.

For us Orthodox Christians, Advent starts November 15 and runs through Christmas Eve. Ideally our menus do not contain meat, dairy or eggs during that time. 

November:

15  Lemony Dal

 

Lemony Dal

16  Asian Noodles

17- Claire's Southern Delight

Claire's Southern Delight

18 – Penne with Marinara

19 – Peas & Artichokes Yachni

Peas & Artichokes Yachni

20 – Leftovers for Lunch: Peas & Artichokes,  

Dinner: Family Favorite Lentil Soup

21 – Stuffed Manicotti

22 – Fill Your Own Tortilla Night,  

Greek White Beans, Easiest Ever (Fasolia Vrasta)  & Tuna (for omnivores)

23  - Split Pea Soup, Whole Wheat Rolls, Veggies, Hummus with Capers

Split Pea Soup

Caper Hummus Tray

24 – Thanksgiving at Friends' Home – brought dinner roll assortment
Whole Wheat Rolls 

Dinner Rolls, Vegan, Soft & Fluffy, No Knead, Refrigerator 
Easy, No Knead, Greek Olive Crescents (Eliopites) 

Soft & Fluffy Vegan Dinner Rolls

Greek Olive Crescents

 

25 – St. Catherine’s - Leftovers

26 -  Stir Fry Veggies Over Rice

Stir Fry Veggies over Rice

27 – Black Bean Soup (Slow Cooker),
Dinner: Spaghetti with Marinara

28 – Greek Green Beans ( Fasolakia Yachni )

Fasolakia Yachni

29 – Chili, Rice, chips, Salad

30 – Chinese Buffet with Friends

1 Dec- Pasta & Sauce (Kids' meeting night)

2 - Spinach & Mushroom Calzones

Spinach & Mushroom Calzones

3 – Leftovers – mainly Pasta & Sauce, Spinach & Mushroom Calzones

4 - Greek Bean Soup, Favorite (Fasolia Yachni) ,Homemade Yeast Bread, Smoky Hummus , Dolmades (from can)
Eve: St. Nicholas Concert & Reception

Fasolia Yachni

5 – Greek Bean Soup, Favorite (Fasolia Yachni) ,
Dinner: Asian Noodles

6 – Brunch after Church: Pancakes,

Pancakes

Dinner: Claire's Southern Delight over Rice

7 – At Friends for Lunch – they served Lentil Soup,
Dinner brought by another Friend Pasta Salad, Bean Dish, etc

8 – Sausage Patties, Vegan & Tater Tots (from Grocer's Freezer)

Vegan Sausage

9 – Chinese Restaurant for my Nameday

10 – Indian Spiced Blackeye Peas over Rice

Indian Spiced Black-Eyed Peas over Rice

11  – Spaghetti With Marinara Sauce, Quick and Easy.
Oven Caught on Fire when Preheating to bake cookies.
We would not have a replacement oven for 11 days!

12 – Chinese Buffet with Friends

13 – Greek Bean Soup, Favorite (Fasolia Yachni)  made in Slow Cooker, Garlic Toast, Dolmadakia (from Can), Olives

14 – Greek Style Black-Eyed Peas ( Louvia ) made in Slow Cooker, Veggies, Dolmades, Garlic Toast

15 – Red Lentil & Artichoke Stew  Made in Slow Cooker

Red Lentil & Artichoke Stew

16 – Easy Yeast Bread in the Slow Cooker , Leftovers, Hummus, etc

17 – Lunch at a Class at Church provided by Friend: Spanakorizo, Spinach & Potatoes, Bread 

Dinner: Black Bean Burritos (Black Beans in Microwave, Rice in Rice Cooker), Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls (Recipe under construction!)

18 – Lunch at Friends' – Fasolia Yachni, Black-Eyed Pea, Rice & Spinach Salad, French Fries, Green Salad, Etc. Dinner: Leftovers

19 – Black Bean Soup (Slow Cooker), Rice in Rice Cooker, Tomatoes, Tortilla Chips

Black Bean Soup

20 – Stuffed Manicotti in the Slow Cooker

Stuffed Manicotti

21 – Chili in Slow Cooker, Rice in Rice Cooker, Tortilla Chips

22- Riblets (Purchased from Freezer Section of Grocery, heated in Microwave), Rice, Corn, Edamame

23- Family Get Together – bringing Hummus with Capers tray, White Bean Salad

24- Christmas Eve Brunch after Church:
Vegan Sausage Patties

Vegan Sausage

Cinnamon Rolls 

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad

Dolmades
Cucumbers & Tomatoes
Dinner:
Family Favorite Lentil Soup

Family Favorite Lentil Soup

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