Fourth Edition

New year's recipe inspiration

Author

Christina Chen
January 16, 2025

Welcome back to Kiki’s!

I hope everyone is staying warm and healthy! Read on for some cozy recipe inspo 🙂

Breakfast

Snow days call for pancakes, right? I’ve included two options here. One “healthier” version but still delicious and satiating. The second recipe is my go-to, fool proof pancake.  

Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

  • Full recipe here - also found in The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook by Monique Volz

  • Love these with fresh blueberries and raspberries 

  • I like to place cooked pancakes on a cooling rack stacked on top of a sheet pan (helps preserve that golden crispy crust) and put the entire setup in a warm oven (~200 degrees)

Fluffiest Blueberry Pancakes

  • Full recipe here 

  • Admittedly I sub ¾ cup buttermilk rather than mixing milk and vinegar to avoid the extra step 

  • The key is NOT to overmix! Also, if you can make the batter a bit ahead and let it sit you can get some extra bubbles to form that result in extra fluffy pancakes 

  • Blueberry pancakes are my favorite but I can confirm the recipe works great without the blueberries too 

  • Note that the recipe says to add the blueberries after pouring the batter into the skillet. I don’t like doing it this way. I find the blueberries stick to the pan when you flip it if not coated in batter and then burst and you lose so much of that blueberry goodness (and get blueberry all over your pan). I recommend mixing them into the batter before pouring into your skillet 

  • Try with a smear of lemon curd (a little goes a long way) to take these to the next level 

Lunch 

Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs

  • Full recipe here

  • A hug in a bowl. Perfect comforting lunch for getting you through the work week 

  • Don’t skip the pesto!

Dinner 

Pastrami Roast Chicken with Schmaltzy Onions and Dill

  • Full recipe here and in Cook This Book by Molly Baz 

  • Never roasted a whole chicken before? Neither had I before this recipe and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. Pleasantly surprised with how easy (and delicious) it was

  • This note is in the cookbook but not in the online version - “adjust salt for the rub based on the size of your chicken. Generally 1 tsp per lb”

  • I did have to tent with foil to prevent it from getting too dark so keep an eye on it!

  • I don't think it needs the dill or dijon - just personal preference!

If you like this recipe, I highly recommend checking out Cook This Book! It includes QR codes with helpful educational videos throughout. Here’s the one included with this recipe on how to carve a whole roasted chicken (you got this!)

Orzo al Limone

  • Full recipe here and in Cook This Book by Molly Baz 

  • Pairs perfectly with the roast chicken but would be great on its own!

  • Simple recipe that comes together quickly! It will seem like a lot of lemon but trust the process! 

Football? 

Between the national championship and superbowl, we still have some watch parties ahead of us! If you’re like me, you’re really there for the food. Here are some of my favorite things to make/bring: 

Ina Garten’s Guacamole (my favorite guac)

  • Recipe here 

  • I no longer add the hot sauce, just personal preference 

  • I know you’re tempted to use the crusty lemon juice in your fridge but just buy the lemon, ok?  

  • Go easy on the red onion. It’s easy to add too much and it will ruin it! Trust me!

  • I like these chips best. Nothing worse than a chip that crumbles in your guac

Dan’s Salsa

  • Eight years later, this is still my favorite salsa

  • Must be made in advance so it can chill in the fridge

  • Make the larger version and thank me later! 

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

  • Full recipe here 

  • I’ve shared these before but they’re the perfect game day food to feed a crowd. So good and for such minimal effort 

  • Pair with Salt + Smoke’s Mac and Cheese and you got yourself a bangin’ meal 

    1. I take back what I said about using pre-shredded cheese, shred it yourself (promise it’s worth it)

Grinder Sliders

  • Full recipe here 

  • More effort than the slow cooker sandwiches but SO GOOD

My Favorite Brownies

  • Want to bring a dessert? I got you. Full recipe here and in 100 Cookies by Sarah Kieffer

  • Once you try these you won’t want any other brownie, apologies in advance

Thank you so much for continuing to read and share!

As always, I’d love any feedback, pictures of things you make, or what you want to see in future editions!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Christina