What's for dinner?
Our eighth Jernej Kitchen weekly meal plan brings together easy family meals, internationally inspired favorites, and comforting dishes for chilly November days. We’ll be making Spanish Tortilla, homemade doner kebab, vegetable fritters, and sesame-crusted tuna steaks. For the weekend, we’re turning to two hearty classics: Bean Barley Soup and Rabbit Stew.
Wednesday calls for something a little special as we celebrate St. Martin’s Day. Instead of the traditional goose or duck, we’ve chosen a Crispy Air Fryer Whole Chicken, served with our favorite festive sides.
And for a sweet finish? A moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting and fluffy Pistachio Chocolate Rolls.
Monday: Spanish Tortilla (Tortilla de Patatas)
Monday’s lunch proves that a handful of everyday ingredients can become something truly delicious. Potatoes, eggs, onion, and olive oil come together in a thick Spanish omelet with a tender center and a beautifully golden exterior.
Cut the tortilla into wedges and serve it with a seasonal salad. It’s lovely cold, too, so save a slice for lunch the following day.
Tuesday: Viral Doner Kebab
On Tuesday, we’re bringing a favorite street food into our home kitchen. Season ground beef generously, roll it thinly between sheets of parchment paper, and cook it to create a delicious homemade doner kebab.
Serve the meat in flatbread or a tortilla with fresh vegetables and your favorite sauce. We love placing everything in the middle of the table so everyone can build their own.
Wednesday: Crispy Air Fryer Whole Chicken for St. Martin’s Day
For St. Martin’s Day, we’re making a whole chicken in the air fryer. It’s a simple way to achieve beautifully crisp skin and juicy meat while keeping the oven free for side dishes.
Serve it with traditional Slovenian mlinci—thin baked flatbread softened before serving—and braised red cabbage, or choose roasted potatoes and an autumn salad. A wonderful festive family lunch for anyone who prefers chicken to duck or goose.
Recipe for Crispy Air Fryer Whole Chicken
Thursday: Easy Vegetable Fritters
After Wednesday’s festive meal, Thursday’s lunch is quick and meat-free. Grated zucchini, carrots, cheese, and herbs become tender vegetable fritters with a lovely golden crust. Add a yogurt dip and a salad for a simple lunch ready in about 20 minutes. Cook the fritters in a pan or use the air fryer—whichever suits your day best.
Recipe for Easy Vegetable Fritters
Friday: Sesame Soy Tuna Steaks
This Friday, we’re trying something a little different for our fish lunch. Coat tuna steaks in sesame seeds and sear them briefly in a hot pan for a flavorful crust and a juicy center. Serve with long-grain rice, fresh vegetables, and an Asian-inspired sauce. Quick enough for a busy weekday, yet special enough for a relaxed dinner for two.
Recipe for Sesame Soy Tuna Steaks
Saturday: Bean Barley Soup (Ricet)
Saturday is perfect for a big pot of Bean Barley Soup, known as ričet in Slovenia. Barley, beans, root vegetables, and smoked meat come together in a hearty, comforting meal that needs no elaborate sides.
Soak the beans and barley the night before, then let everything simmer until tender. Make a bigger batch and save a few portions for another day—having a homemade meal ready to reheat is always welcome.
Recipe for Bean Barley Soup (Ricet)
Sunday: Rabbit Stew
For Sunday lunch, we’re making Rabbit Stew. The delicate meat cooks in a rich, aromatic sauce, creating a comforting dish that feels a little different from the usual Sunday roast.
Serve it with good bread to soak up the sauce or a side dish of your choice. This is the kind of meal that invites everyone to linger around the table a little longer.
Two desserts to end the week
This week’s desserts offer two very different ways to indulge: an easy sheet cake full of warm flavors and a batch of generously filled sweet rolls for pistachio and chocolate lovers.
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
Freshly grated carrots, applesauce, walnuts, and warm spices make this sheet cake wonderfully moist. Once cooled, we spread it with cream cheese buttercream frosting and finish it with freshly grated orange zest. Cut it into squares and serve with afternoon coffee or tea. It’s also a lovely choice when you’re expecting guests and want a dessert that’s easy to share.
Recipe for Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
Pistachio Chocolate Rolls (Dubai-inspired)
For our second dessert, we’re making fluffy sweet rolls inspired by Dubai chocolate. The soft dough wraps around a filling of pistachio spread and toasted kadaif pastry, adding a delightful crunch to every bite.
Finish the baked rolls with rich chocolate cream and chopped pistachios. They’re at their best freshly made, so save this recipe for a slow afternoon when there’s plenty of time to enjoy them.
Recipe for Pistachio Chocolate Rolls
What's cooking this week?
We hope our eighth weekly meal plan makes planning lunch a little easier and brings some fresh inspiration to your kitchen. Keep things simple during the week, prepare something festive for St. Martin’s Day, and enjoy warming homemade dishes over the weekend.
Feel free to rearrange the meals around your schedule. Cook the barley soup ahead, save a slice of tortilla for the next day, and choose side dishes that help you use ingredients you already have at home.
For even more ideas, revisit our previous weekly meal plan. We’ll be back next week with another delicious selection of homemade meals.
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