Second Edition

Welcome back to Kiki’s! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In addition to recipe inspiration, I’ve included some kitchen staples and gift ideas for anyone Black Friday shopping 🙂 

Breakfast: 

Maple-Cinnamon Apple + Pear Baked Oatmeal

• Full recipe here 

• I make this with 3 apples rather than 2 apples and a pear (just personal preference). We also usually opt for pecans instead of walnuts!

• It’s not mentioned in the recipe I linked but it is in the cookbook - you can sub the 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar with brown sugar 

Lunch: 

Stuffed Peppers

• Full recipe here

• I use brown rice for this 

• Often have to double this recipe because it’s one of Erik’s favorites 

Dinner: 

Salmon, whole roasted cauliflower and/or sweet potatoes

• For the salmon we typically alternate between two different variations

  • Rinse salmon under cold water and pat dry. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously (our favorite seasoning). Heat oil and a little butter (oil keeps butter from burning) on med-high heat in an oven safe pan and sear flesh side down for 4 minutes. Flip and place into 400 degree oven for 7 minutes. This seasoning is savory and pairs nicely with the sweet potatoes

  • Favorite salmon marinade - bake in 400 degree oven for 8-10 min and then broil for an additional 3-4 minutes. Marinade is a bit sweeter - pairs nicely with cauliflower

• For the cauliflower: wash, remove stem/leaves and dry, slice in half and place cut side down on foil lined baking tray. Season GENEROUSLY with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for about 45 minutes (until fork tender/falling apart). You can roast the whole head too but I’ve found it takes much longer and the bottom that gets caramelized is the best part, so cutting in half = more surface area for caramelization  :)  

• For the sweet potato, I usually keep it pretty simple - wash, stab a few times with a fork, and roast whole at 400 degrees for 45 min-1 hour until fork tender and flipping half way through (great served sliced in half with a sprinkle of brown sugar on top :) )

Crispy Broccoli Sweet and Spicy Sesame Tahini Noodles

• Full recipe here

• I’ve added chicken breast to this when we’ve had extra and it was great, loosely followed this recipe for the chicken

• I was shocked at how delicious the broccoli was after just sautéing in a little sesame oil, and I will definitely use that as a side dish in the future!

• Recommend topping with chopped green onion too :) 

Crockpot Chipotle Honey Pot Roast Tacos

• Full recipe here

• Me 🤝 my crockpot this time of year. These tacos are amazing for a more indulgent meal (just a heads up - this does make a lot!)

• My #1 tip for any taco is to brown the tortillas on the stove top in a little olive oil and a sprinkle of steak seasoning on both sides. I swear this makes all the difference! I use this steak seasoning 

Black Friday: 

In honor of Black Friday, I thought I would share some cooking-related items that are either staples in my kitchen and/or items I think would make great gifts!

• Dutch oven - this gets heavy use in our house this time of year. We’ve had for several years and it’s still like new

• Green Pan Ceramic Non-stick Skillet Set - recently made the switch from Teflon non-stick and have been happy with these so far!

• Immersion Blender - received for Christmas last year and don’t know how I survived without it before

• Silicon Ladle - if there was one item I think everyone should get, I’m obsessed with this ladle. It’s the best!

• Mini spatulas - if there were two items I think everyone should get… we use these all the time and have gifted them to everyone in my family

• Pyrex 

• Scale 

• Graza - delicious olive oil and makes a great gift 

• Measuring cups and spoons - they actually fit in spice bottles

• Kitchen shears 

• Glass Tupperware Set - daily use for years and have held up very well!

• Stasher Bags 

• Espresso Machine

  • Gave this to Erik for his birthday this year and he said it’s the best gift he’s ever received! A little hack for bigger ticket items like this, you can buy in “open box” or “damaged box” condition for significant savings. I believe the one I got had “damaged manufacturer’s packaging” and it was over $100 less than new 

• Oh She Glows Cookbook - one of my most used cookbooks 

• Ravioli spoon rest - Erik’s parents liked it so much they got one for his sister :) 

• Fish cups

• Candle warmer - makes my candles last so much longer

• Fish juicer - (citrus juicer, shaped like a fish 🙂 )

• Staub Tomato Enamelled Pot

Thank you so much for reading! As always, please let me know what was helpful and any ideas of things you would like to see in the future. 

If a featured recipe made its way to your Thanksgiving table I would love to know! 

Christina 🤍