Weekly Menu Plan – Feb. 19 to 25

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Weekly Menu Plan – Feb. 19 to 25

a graphic showing a weekly menu plan

We’ve heard you loud and clear! You want family friendly, quick and easy weeknight dinner recipes. This week we are checking all the boxes! Starting with the always popular chicken taco salad and ending with our mega popular stove top chili recipe for Sunday dinner. Enjoy!


Monday: Chicken Taco Salad


Tuesday: Potato Broccoli Corn Chowder


Wednesday: Ukrainian Pancakes


Thursday: Instant Pot Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole


Friday: Bottom of the Jar Chicken


Saturday: Leftovers


Sunday: Best Chili

READ: Weekly Menu Plan – Feb. 19 to 25

Swedish Pancakes [+Video]

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Swedish Pancakes [+Video]

a photo of four swedish pancakes rolled up and sitting next to each other on a white plate topped with diced strawberries.

Swedish Pancakes are a cross between a crepe and a pancake. They have a delicate texture and my gosh, they are delicious!

I honestly think that Swedish pancakes are superior to every other crepe-like recipe. I’ve said it, I’ve done it, I’ve angered the world. But truly, other than our buttermilk brown butter crepes (would you like the recipe?!) these are the best breakfast from around the world. In my humble opinion. Most Swedish pancake recipes call for only milk but their milk seems to be more full fat so adding sour cream achieved that extra flavor we lack in the states, but you can totally use all milk instead.

Culinary Heritage

I’ve been really intrigued by the idea of getting to know your heritage and ancestors lately. There are so many amazing stories that we are learning, like pulling handcarts across the United States and being trapped in horrendous snow storms with no food or even shoes, yet writing faith-filled journals about trust in God and His love. Amazing!

Recently I decided that if I was ever truly wanting to get to know someone I’d visit them where they live and eat what they eat and walk where they walk. So, I’ve decided I need a trip to Europe. 

It’s settled. I need to go. 

And in the meantime, I’m discovering recipes that my ancestors used, like these Swedish Pancakes!

What is a Swedish Pancake?

A Swedish pancake is a thin, crepe-like, pancake is that is lacy and tender and traditionally served with lingonberries or lingonberry jam. In fact, they are even sometimes called Swedish crepes. They can be rolled up for folded into quarters and eaten with whatever toppings you love.

What is the Difference Between Swedish Pancakes and Regular Pancakes?

Swedish pancakes are lighter and thinner than regular pancakes, or “American pancakes” we will call them. We are no strangers to the best pancakes on earth, and if you dig in and compare the two recipes, you will see that Swedish pancakes have more milk than flour and more eggs and butter. The batter for Swedish pancakes will be thin and pourable where the batter for American pancakes is quite thick and almost has be to spooned onto the pan or skillet to cook.

Are Swedish Pancakes the Same as Crepes?

Though similar, they are not the same thing. Swedish pancakes are lighter and fluffier and don’t hold us as

Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe

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Dutch Baby Pancake Recipe

A photo of a baked dutch baby pancake topped with whipped cream and fresh berries.

It’s the dutch baby pancake that brings all the family to the table. Throw on whipped cream and beautiful berries and they might not ever leave!

I honestly don’t know why we differentiate between German Pancakes and Dutch Baby Pancakes. It’s pretty much the same thing but one is in a pan and the other a skillet.

Am I right?

When I met Cade, his roommates in college would make these pancakes on the weekend and I love that a bunch of boys had some random cooking tradition together. Isn’t that the cutest?

What is a Dutch Baby Pancake?

A dutch baby pancake is a fluffy pancake that bakes in the oven and puffs up around the edges and leaves the bottom custardy and delicious. Like I mentioned, it’s pretty much the same thing as a German pancake except it is baked in a cast iron skillet instead of a casserole dish.

It’s basically a combination of a pancake, crepe and popover that is usually served for breakfast and can be sweet or savory. I’ve always gone sweet with mine, but they would be delicious topped with ham, cheese and chives! I’m totally doing that next time.

It also makes a big enough pancake to feed the whole family at the same time. No waiting for pancakes to be done or getting a cold pancake that has been sitting a while.

Are Dutch Baby and German Pancakes the Same?

I mean, the Dutch Baby pancake is basically the same thing as a German Pancake but you’ll see a small difference between the two recipes.

What Ingredients are Needed for Dutch Baby Pancakes?

All you need is 6 simple ingredients to make dutch babies and you’ll probably have most, if not all, of them already on hand. That makes them perfect for a Saturday morning or for a last minute breakfast for dinner.

  • Flour
  • Milk
  • Lemon Zest
  • Salt
  • Eggs
  • Butter

The exact measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Dutch Baby Pancakes

This is one of my daughter’s favorite recipes to make. It is easy enough for a child to make and delicious enough for everyone to devour. Here are the basic steps:

  1. Preheat oven.
  2. Put all the ingredients except the butter in a blender and pulse until combined.
  3. Place the butter in the cast iron skillet and stick the pan in the oven until the butter is melted.
  4. Remove the skillet from the oven and pour the batter into it.
  5. Return it to the oven and bake.
  6. Remove from the oven and top with your favorite pancake toppings.
The detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

What to Serve with a Dutch Baby?

These are a few of our favorite toppings for a sweet dutch baby pancake:

  • Fresh Fruit
  • <

Pina Colada Smoothie

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Bursting with the sweet, juicy flavors of pineapple and coconut, this Pina Colada Smoothie brings a bit of vacation sunshine, no matter the weather.

a tall glass of a white colored smoothie in a clear glass on a wooden tabletop.

Pina Colada Smoothie

Years ago, when I first put this recipe on the blog, I had just made this piña colada smoothie and churned it into ice cream. I can still remember how my little boys jumped up and down with excitement.

They loved the sweetness of this refreshing ice cream treat during the heat of a Phoenix summer. I loved that it had no refined sugars.

I had been on a bit of a smoothie kick, back then. But, I’d never tried freezing a smoothie recipe before that. The result is a creamy texture that is more like soft-serve ice cream.

The twist of lime in this Pina Colada Smoothie gives it a unique taste that is more complex than the simple combination of coconut and pineapple. And, the tiny pinch of sea salt likewise enhances all of the flavors.

two servings of pina colada smoothie in clear glasses with metal spoons in them.

Be aware that different manufacturers produce their coconut milks at varying levels of creaminess and thickness. My favorite is the canned coconut milk from Thai kitchen.

I typically use store-bought frozen pineapple chunks for smoothies, but you can also freeze fresh pineapple chunks with the banana. Also, the honey could be swapped out for another natural sweet

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

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Buttery, nutty cookies are topped with the sweet jam of your choice in these simple, gluten free Pecan Thumbprint Cookies.

gluten free, jam-filled pecan thumbprint cookies are arrayed on a white plate.

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

I’ve been making thumbprint cookies for as long as I’ve been baking. From the classic peanut butter cookies with Hershey’s kisses, to every kind of jam and jelly-filled goodie you can think of. They inevitably remind me of Christmas.

These pecan thumbprint cookies are rolled in crushed nuts before baking, adding an irresistible nutty crunch to these cookies. This recipe is very gently adapted from these vegan cookies on my friend Gina’s blog.

This recipe has become a tradition for us over the past couple of years, as it gets absolute RAVE reviews from my friends who avoid both gluten and dairy. It was past time to save the recipe here for future baking, but all credit goes to Gina for the original awesomeness.

It’s always fun to make thumbprint cookies with kids, as we all get to use our favorite jams. My nieces opted for strawberry or raspberry jam this time. While apricot jam is almost always my preference. We all win.

gluten free, jam-filled pecan thumbprint cookies are arrayed on a white plate.

Gluten Free Thumbprint Cookies

Yes, you’re reading this correctly. There is no flour in this recipe. These cookies are gluten-free and positively delicious, made with almond and coconut flours.

If you’re looking for a few more naturally gluten-free dessert options, I’ve got your dessert needs covered for any occasion. From sweet snacking and cookie munching to an elegant (and EASY TO MAKE) dessert, it’s all right here.

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