Another Christmas cooking question - what to serve the rest of the week?

[Anonymous]

For some ridiculous reason we invited both my parents (dad and stepmom) and DH's parents. They are staying with us from Tuesday - Sunday and I'm exhausted just thinking about it. We do our big meal on Christmas Eve and I've got that covered. I'm looking for relatively simple dinners to feed everyone the other nights. No dietary restrictions except nothing too spicy. I especially need side dishes and veggie ideas. Our family is in a rut of roasted broccoli, kale chips and salad. MIL must have something green on her plate every night. Please help!

[Anonymous]

--Cauliflower, roasted, or smashed like mashed potatoes
--Sauteed zucchini w/ garlic
--Roasted butternut squash
--Spinach salad with oranges, red onion, and avocado
--Green beans with butter, lemon, S&P
--Raw finely shredded Brussels sprouts with dried cranberries, pecans, goat or bleu cheese, and a Dijon vinaigrette -- so much more refreshing than roasted sprouts
--sauteed tri-color peppers

For easy entrees, pasta with olive oil, garlic, sauteed shrimp and peas (and bacon if you eat it) is easy and satisfying. You don't need much cream or butter. You can make a pan sauce with some pasta water and a bit Parmesan.

Roast salmon with lemon and dill, or soy sauce and ginger. Serve with any veg and rice or potatoes.

Shredded chicken tacos don't have to be spicy. Sautee some onion and garlic, add a bit of chili power and cumin, a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Add chicken breasts, cook through, shred, then mix with the tomato mixture. Serve with tri-colored peppers or the spinach salad, chips, salsa, guac, topping, etc.

What about burgers? Most people love a good juicy burger with lots of topping options, roasted herb potatoes wedges, and a vegetable.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Very helpful. I've come up with the following entrees:

Tuesday - Frozen lasagna from TJ's...we'll be rushed...getting home from work, pick them up at airport, etc... and salad

Wed (Christmas Eve) - lamb and all our traditional fixings

Thurs (Christmas) - Honey baked Ham, mac and cheese, green beans, rolls, maybe salad (Christmas is casual in our house)

Friday - slow cooker chicken/kale soup or veggie chili, garlic bread and roasted broccoli

Saturday - Coq Au Vin (my dad offered to cook one night and he makes an awesome version of this), salad, crusty bread

How does this sound?

[Anonymous]

Sounds good, but for Friday you could probably just do leftovers, open-faced sandwiches and a big green salad.