Christmas tree and garlands in the closet, January returns, but the wallet is exhausted.
The queen cake of January
Ah, January! His Epiphany, his galette des rois, his frangipane, his bean… How? All this refers to the same event which takes place on January 6 (official date) or January 7 (celebration date)? But this very essential event – during which we will taste one of the many 2024 king cakes offered by the greatest – is the enormous positive point of this month where we must, among other things, support the famous “blue Monday » (January 15), supposed to be the most depressing day of the year, but above all a fabulous marketing stunt from a television channel! But also the rain, the cold, the gray, the night falling early… and the wallet which looks gloomy after the holidays. If we add to this – icing on the cake – inflation, you will forgive us if this month, we will only talk/live on pancakes or brioches depending on taste. Besides, since it’s the season, do you know the difference between almond cream and frangipane? Yes, there is indeed a difference and yes, this important information will interest gourmets at the time of tasting. Promise!
Seasonal products
As always, to save money when shopping, it is better to buy raw products – January fruits and vegetables in the spotlight – that we prepare ourselves. This way, we can better control the dose of salt, sugar and fat in our preparations. And above all, at home, we rarely add additives, preservatives and other colorings… The advantage of choosing raw products rather than prepared meals is therefore a question of cost, but also of quantity – we often have more material with the first –, taste and health. And the money saved on prepared meals can be invested in other ingredients like cheese, which works wonders during the winter months. Also, remember to look at products with short dates, which allow you to get good deals.
Stop food waste!
Finally, last tip, and not the least, be careful of food waste which again allows you to save money. Do you have a little piece of bread left? Don’t throw it away, bread is an ingredient that does not expire (unless it is moldy), so keep it in a safe place and occasionally transform it into breadcrumbs or French toast. Do you always throw away leek greens? Why not, instead, slice them finely, brown them with a little oil and mix them with a little broth for a delicious vegetable cream? Do you have a small piece of chicken breast left, too dry to tenderize you? No matter, we slice it finely and mix with cream cheese, before forming balls, to roll in chopped peanuts (also leftovers from the last aperitif) or chopped herbs.
Leftovers are a wonderful playground that requires minimal effort to turn into a recipe. And above all, it is a shame to throw away food that is still perfectly edible.
To follow, 30 well-thought-out recipes to support January with a smile.
Mémé Cocard’s creamed chicken
© Rebecca Genet
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 30 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Mémé Cocard’s creamed chicken
Sweet potato, leek and coconut soup
© Jean-Claude Amiel
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Sweet potato, leek and coconut soup
Winter vegetable gratin with hazelnuts and Comté cheese
© Emanuela Cino
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 30 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Winter vegetable gratin with hazelnuts and Comté cheese
Beef meatballs, thyme potatoes
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Beef meatballs, potatoes with thyme
Baked cordon bleu
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 30 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Baked cordon bleu
Asian Caesar Salad
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 60 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Asian Caesar Salad
Trout conchiglioni, spinach, parmesan ricotta
© Emanuela Cino
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 30 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Conchiglioni with trout, spinach, parmesan ricotta
Shrimp and Chicken Pad Thai
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 20 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Pad Thai with shrimp and chicken
Polenta gratin like a croque-monsieur
© Emanuela Cino
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 25 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Polenta gratin like a croque-monsieur
Mushroom Burgundy
© Gunda Dittrich
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 10 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Mushroom Bourguignon
Gyoza with pork, miso, spring onions and ginger
© Marjolaine Daguerre
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 45 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Gyoza with pork, miso, spring onions and ginger
Cod curry with sweet and savory coconut milk
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Cod curry with sweet and savory coconut milk
Parmentier with lentils and caramelized onions
© Marie Laforêt, assisted by Noémie Gayon
- 8 people
- Level: Easy
- 25 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Parmentier with lentils and caramelized onions
Chorizo and sweet potato pan fry
© Eve Cardi
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Chorizo and sweet potato pan
Sweet potato, goat cheese and honey pizza
© Christl Exelmans
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 20 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Sweet potato, goat cheese and honey pizza
Leek cannelloni with goat cheese
© Eve Cardi
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 20 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Leek and goat’s cheese cannelloni
Fish balls with herbs and candied lemon
©
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 40 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Fish balls with herbs and candied lemon
Pasta, pumpkin sauce, sage, hazelnuts
© Caroline Lesguillons
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Pasta, pumpkin sauce, sage, hazelnuts
Beets, lamb’s lettuce and soft-boiled eggs
© Jérôme Bilic
- 6 persons
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Beets, lamb’s lettuce and soft-boiled eggs
Beetroot gnocchi, hazelnuts, feta
© Caroline Lesguillons
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 30 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Beetroot gnocchi, hazelnuts, feta
Tarte tatin with shallots and Provence herbs
© Caroline Lesguillons
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 20 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Tarte tatin with shallots and Provence herbs
Baked Lemon Chicken
© Emmanuelle Lubaki
- 2 persons
- Level: Easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Baked lemon chicken
Best latkes ever
© Annabelle Schachmes
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Best latkes ever
Carrot, coral lentil and spice soup
© Emilie Franzo
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Carrot, coral lentil and spice soup
Fennel and potato gratin with pastis
© Emanuela Cino
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 20 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Fennel and potato gratin with pastis
Potato salad with beets, hard-boiled eggs, tuna and orange supremes
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 20 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Potato salad with beets, hard-boiled eggs, tuna and orange supremes
Chickpea and sweet potato falafel
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 30 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Chickpea and sweet potato falafel
Vegetable gratin with cumin
© Christophe Roué
- 10 people
- Level: Very easy
- 15 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Vegetable gratin with cumin
Butternut cream soup with coconut milk
© Christl Exelmans
- 4 people
- Level: Very easy
- 10 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Butternut cream soup with coconut milk
Cod and haddock shepherd’s pie
© Valéry Guedes
- 4 people
- Level: Easy
- 35 minutes of preparation
- Cheap
- See the recipe: Cod and haddock shepherd’s mince