Please forgive my tardiness on this week’s meal plan …I hope you can still put the recipes to good use. If you ask me, the two BONUS RECIPES are the star of the show this week. Enjoy!
LAMB SLIDERS WITH HERBED YOGURT SAUCE
This is a tasty alternative to a traditional hamburger. Feel free to swap in ground turkey for the pork in the recipe to make it a little lighter, if you prefer. If you have vegetarians at home, I’ve successfully made these using Beyond Burger in place of the lamb and pork.
BAKED TOFU PARMESAN
Here’s a good one for meatless Monday. The tofu is breaded and baked until crispy and then layered with sauce and cheese. Leftovers are tasty a day or two later. Make a double batch and freeze extras for a rainy day.
TUNA NICOISE PASTA
I’ve taken the flavors of a classic Nicoise salad and turned it into a pasta that’s got your starch, protein, and veg all right there in a single pan. Add a green salad and a bowl of cold cherries for dessert, and you’ve got a nourishing meal on your hands..
INSTANT POT CHICKEN IN SALSA VERDE
Pull out your Instant Pot and get a batch of this savory chicken going. It’s tasty tucked into blistered corn or flour tortillas with all your favorite taco fixings.
HERB CRÈME FRAÎCHE WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES
Gather up your favorite grilling vegetables, get them good and tender on the barbecue, and whip up a side of herb crème fraîche to go with. It’s on the light side, so sliced crusty bread, brushed with olive oil and burnished on the grill makes a nice addition. Alternatively, make the grilled vegetables the side dish and throw chicken or chops on the grill as well.
PEACH, TOMATO, CORN SALAD WITH JALAPEÑO, BASIL, AND MINT DRESSING
This bright, fresh salad is built for tinkering. Tuck slices of fresh Mozzarella or pieces of burrata amongst the peach and tomato slices, scatter roasted pistachios over the top, add a handful of good, salty feta, make it panzanella style by adding torn croutons of toasted baguette. Make it a main dish by serving skewers of grilled chicken, pork, or fish on the side.
Lemon Yogurt Icebox Cake with Berries
This is a lightened up twist on an old-fashioned dessert. It might be just the thing to make for a party while berries are still in season. All you do is fold whipped cream into Greek yogurt that’s been perfumed with lemon zest and sweetened with maple syrup. Then, layer the cream with fresh berries and graham crackers, and refrigerate for several hours. That’s it! If you’re looking for another simple, crowd-pleasing and kid-pleasing dessert, check out these Chocolate Fun Cones.
SHOPPING LIST // WEEK 34
Lamb Sliders with Herbed Yogurt Sauce
1 red onion
6 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp sugar
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp lemon juice
5 garlic clove
2 Tbsp finely chopped mixed herbs such as dill, parsley, and mint
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground lamb
8 oz ground pork (or ground turkey)
3 Tbsp finely chopped mint
2 Tbsp finely chopped dill
3 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
12 lettuce cups (6 large Romaine lettuce leaves, or 12 butter lettuce or little gem lettuce leaves for serving)
Oven Baked Vegetarian Tofu Parmigiana
14 ounces extra-firm tofu
¾ cup panko-style breadcrumbs
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
1 ¾ cups marinara sauce
1 cup lightly packed shredded Mozzarella cheese
Tuna Nicoise Pasta
8 ounces penne pasta
8 ounces green beans
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large cloves garlic
1 heaping cup cherry tomatoes
2 five-ounce cans tuna
½ cup chopped kalamata olives
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
Parmesan cheese for serving
Instant Pot Chicken in Salsa Verde
1/2 large yellow onion
1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large garlic cloves
1/2 small jalapeño pepper
3/4 pound tomatillos
1 lime
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup cilantro
Any optional ingredients for serving such as taco fixings or cooked rice
Herb Creme Fraiche with Grilled Vegetables
Heaping 1/2 cup crème fraiche
1 1/2 tablespoons chives
1 tablespoon fresh basil
1 tablespoon fresh mint
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Favorite vegetables for grilling such as bell peppers, onions, eggplant, and zucchini
Peach, Corn, Tomato Salad
2 cobs corn
2 barely ripe peaches
3 medium or 2 large tomatoes
1 jalapeño pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons chopped mint 3 tablespoons chopped basil
Optional: Add any of the following to the finished salad: 4 ounces fresh mozzarella or burrata, toasted pistachios, a handful of cherry tomatoes, a handful of crumbled feta, a crusty baguette torn into pieces and toasted, pickled red onion4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Lemon Yogurt Icebox Cake with Berries
1 cup low or nonfat plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons maple syrup
Zest of 1 large lemon
1 cup heavy cream
12 whole graham crackers (24 squares)
2 ½ cups sliced strawberries
2 ½ cups blueberries