Meal Plan Ideas
My family meal plan for this week if you need some new ideas. I try to keep it simple and also gluten-free and dairy-free (my daughter and husband both have a dairy allergy). Some recipes I’m trying for the first time (since it’s part of my job to recipe test!) and some are tried & true.
When I meal plan, I think about the best way to use my leftovers. And often I’ll make a big extra of whatever I am cooking so I can have the leftovers. For example this week I’ll make a roast chicken. I’ll take the bones and throw them into the slow cooker to make soup stock and then use the leftover chicken in fresh veggie spring rolls the next day. Leftovers also make amazing breakfasts the next morning — heat up some leftover cauliflower, roasted carrots, and top with two poached or fried eggs.
I am a big believer in one family, one meal – my 5 year-old doesn’t get a separate meal, I just try and make sure she likes at least 1-2 things I’m serving that night.
Monday: Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Kale Brussels Sprouts Salad, and Smashed Potatoes (I’ve never made a raw brussels sprouts salad and plan on adding almonds and maybe some dried cranberries if I can find any without added sugar – you could add feta to the salad or parmesan to the salmon crust). – 20 min prep/20 min cook – Will share recipe if it turns out yummy.
Tuesday: Roasted Chicken, Baked Sweet Potatoes, and Sautéed Organic Broccoli Rabe (my new obsession). This is a great “throw it in the oven and walk away” kind of meal. 10-15 min prep/1-ish hour cooking time. You could also buy an already roasted chicken.
Wednesday: Mom’s Night Out for me. Take-out burritos for Ken and Eva. No cooking time for me, just a glass of champagne with friends!
Thursday: Using the leftover chicken from Tuesday night: make your own fresh veggie and chicken spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce. 20-30 minute prep time to chop veggies and make sauce.
Friday: Slow Cooker Balsamic Braised Short Ribs, Cumin & Coriander Carrots, Tumeric Roasted Cauliflower, Saffron Rice – I’ll put the ribs in the slow cooker on Thursday evening so I shouldn’t be in the prepping longer than 30 minutes on Friday evening.