Recipes for Your Weekend Table

Weekends are the perfect times to gather friends and family for home-cooked meals — especially for special occasions like ringing in a new year. We’ve gathered some of our favorite recipes of the season to inspire your menus, from a lively Friday evening to a cozy, comforting Sunday night.

Kir Royale Welcome 2012 by clinking festive glasses of Kir Royale, a sparkling cocktail featuring Champagne and crème de cassis, a black currant-flavored liqueur. Paired with oysters or individual-sized tarts, any gathering can take on a celebratory mood.

Cinnamon-Bun Filled Pancakes With their fragrant cinnamon-sugar filling and drizzle of cream cheese frosting on top, these pancakes evoke all the sweet flavor and nostalgia of that bakery favorite: warm cinnamon buns. The pancakes make a comforting dish on cold winter mornings. Serve with broiled grapefruit and a warm mug of coffee.

Braised Turkey Meatballs with Quick Tomato Sauce Start the new year on the right foot with this healthy entree, perfect for a Sunday night supper. Lean ground turkey and fresh herbs star in the dish, which takes less than an hour to prepare. Serve these meatballs on their own (with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the flavorful sauce) or spoon over spaghetti. Add a tossed green salad and dinner is served.