Weeknight Meal Planner: Week of January 2nd

Top fried rice with rich, runny egg yolk and creamy Sriracha mayo for added texture and flavor. You don't need a wok for perfectly cooked fried rice, simply preheat a sheet pan, add oil, and use day-old or microwavable rice. Make sure the rice kernels are separate so that they are evenly toasted and won't glob together. Serve this dish along with Veggie and Tofu Stir Fry or Slivered Vegetable and Tofu Stir Fry for Meatless Monday. 

This recipe is a play on chicken cordon bleu that's far easier to prepare and kid-friendly. Instead of stuffing chicken breasts with ham and cheese, broil cutlets until done and top them with ham, cheese, and a touch of jam. The recipe developers used cheddar cheese, but experient with whatever cheese you'd like. 

We apply the risotto cooking method to pasta instead of rice for an easy, comforting main dish. It also saves time--just 15 minutes compared to the 20 to 30 minutes required for risotto. We recommend serving this main with Caramelized Baby Carrots.

If fast and flavorful is your goal, try these sliders. A mix of meats, buffalo and brisket, make a juicy and rich- tasting patty. Pressing each patty once it hits the hot pan develops a great savory crust. Drizzle each slider with a special sauce made from mayo, jelly, onion, garlic, and lemon for a restaurant-worthy meal. 

Bulgur is a great go-to grain because of its quick cook time and neutral flavor. Add pork tenderloin and crisp-tender broccoli and you have a satisfying bowl of goodness. Fresh meets filling with this balanced combination of vegetables, grains, and pork flavored with honey, basil, lemon, and garlic.

Still have company in town for the holidays? Make your holiday mornings and chilly afternoons complete with warm, gooey cinnamon rolls. If you want to make them for breakfast, you can make the rolls the night before, cover them well, and refrigerate the unbaked rolls overnight. Just let them come to room temperature before baking them as directed. If you prefer a more gooey roll, bake for less time.