Weekly Menu Plan

Last week, I decided to skip my normal grocery shopping trip in order to go to the library and plant nursery for spring seeds. We had some food left in the house, and my mom was coming, so I figured I could wing it for a day or two and then sneak out when she got there.

I ended up putting together a grocery list with a truly tiny amount (maybe 6 items?) of items to purchase, and it was all thanks to the huge amount of beans we had in our pantry.

I love beans and with my new instant pot (thanks, Janssen!), they are a cinch to whip up.

Here is what we ate:

Chickpea and Carrot Salad:  I make this almost every time my mom comes, and it is almost always a coincidence.  But it is a good one.  Quite easy to whip together, super tasty and really cheap.  I like to use peanuts, and only use cilantro half the time (and never use mint).

White bean and bacon soup: This was a new one, and it was GOOD!  I made a couple adaptations, and will post it later this week.

Pesto Pizza: Homemade pizza crust, store-bought pesto and cheese.  So easy, so yummy.

Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Cabbage Bowls:  When do I ever NOT make these?  I make them almost every week, because they are always a win, and so easy and healthy.  I have 3 or 4 variations of them on this website.

Hoisin Stir Fry: This is another go-to super easy meal of mine.  The sauce is so delicious.
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Weekly Menu Plan

It has certainly been a while since I posted one of these, so I decided since I have actually been cooking lately, I might as well.  My mom was here for 6 weeks (bless her!), and I did almost no cooking while she was here.  But now she is gone, so it is up to me.  I have done a lot of simple meals, and so far, I haven't felt too overwhelmed.

Honestly, it has been nice to be back in the kitchen, and making food for my family.  Well, until one or both of the twins starts crying.  So some days are better than others (and some days I want to call Adam to pick up food on his way home), but overall, the cooking is going okay!

Butternut Squash Soup - This had great reviews, but I was actually not a huge fan.  I have mixed feelings about butternut squash (I used to love it, and the last few years, my love has tapered off).  Overall, I didn't love it and will try a different recipe next time.  If you have a recipe you love, let me know.  I would love to try it.
Spring Pea and Quinoa Salad - This is one of my favorite salads.  We have been cutting back on meat again (after a pregnancy where meat seemed necessary to get the iron/protein for twins, plus having a freezer full of my in-laws meat to finish), so I splurged and bought some high quality bacon for us to put in it.  It was terrific.
Southwest Quinoa and Grilled Corn Salad - This was really good.  I would totally make this again.  Also, we really love bowls like this one, so it was right up our alley.  I also used frozen corn and cooked it in a skillet with cumin.
Lentil and French Onion Soup - I like the idea of onion soup, but it just had too many... onions... but really (Don't ask... mom brain/post pregnancy problems) Not sure if I will make this again. The flavor was great, but I just didn't love the texture and onions.  Lame, I know.
Black Bean Bowls - Fox requested these for his birthday this week.  I love that I can mix it all together for Adam and me, and Fox can eat all the things in little piles and dip them in ranch as he likes.  It is the perfect meal for us.  Cheap, vegetarian, delicious, customizable, and great for kids.
Leek, Bacon and Potato Quiche - I love quiche, and this one was delicious!  Good flavors, and somewhat easy. It was a liberal adaptation from this Smitten Kitchen tart.

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Weekly Menu Plan

I haven't posted one of these in a while.  Not because I haven't been cooking, but because I haven't been photographing my cooking adventures.  This house is really hard to take photos in, because the walls are sort of a green color, and makes everything a weird shade of yellow green, so I have had to play around until I finally found a place where I can take decent food photos.  

This is actually a mash of the last 3 weeks of cooking, because I didn't make everything on the list each week, but these were delicious and I enjoyed eating each one.  Hopefully this will give you some ideas of delicious things you can make with your family!  Some of them were really quick and easy.  

White Bean and Bacon Soup (vegetarian if you leave out the bacon) - I had made this in the past, and hadn't loved it, but then I made it again last week, and totally fell in love with it.  Even Fox ate it just fine (the bacon helped...).  

BBQ Chicken Salad (make some ahead of time) - I used a BBQ pulled pork on this, and it was delicious.  I love the dressing and having so many veggies in a meal.  

Ramen Cabbage Salad (vegetarian, vegan, 30 minute meal) - This is one of the cheapest meals you can make.  I keep a few Asian kitchen staples around (like sesame oil, rice vinegar and soy sauce), so I can make this most anytime.  It is delicious and super easy.  And Fox loved dipping the noodles in the sauce.  

Broccoli Potato Soup (vegetarian, vegan) - Nice and hearty for a cold night.  

Pesto Pasta with Peppers and Onions (vegetarian, 30 minute meal) - I LOVE this dish.  It is so good and really filling.  The pesto in the sauce is a win for sure.  

Sundried tomato soup (vegetarian) - A classic in our house.  Serve it with toast, and everyone goes wild.  

Vegetable Lasagna (vegetarian) - Not the most amazing lasagna I have ever had, but it was pretty decent.  I love a good melted cheese on top.  

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Weekly Menu Plan

End of summer means loads of vegetables from the garden (thanks to my MIL), and we are loving having so much fresh produce.

We had a few months of off eating once we moved here, because there was so much going on, but I feel like I have gotten back into a good rhythm, and am enjoying cooking.  I do have to pull a bar stool up to the stove these days, because being on my feet for long periods of time is uncomfortable, and occasionally brings on some Braxton Hicks contractions.

I have been meaning to post a menu list for several weeks, and it just kept escaping me.  So here is some of what has come out of my kitchen this summer!  Happy cooking!

Roasted Veggie Pitas - They may not look as pretty as they could, but they taste amazing!  I serve them with ranch dressing.  Also, the chicken for this recipe was seriously incredible.
Vegan Corn Chowder - This is one of my all-time favorite soups.  It is quick, easy and gorgeous.  I left off the cilantro sauce this time, and it still tasted great.
Scrambled Eggs and Smoothies - Because some nights just have to be quick.
Black Bean Bowls - Healthy and filling.  You could always add some grilled steak or chicken, if you needed it a little bulkier.
Zucchini over Rice - This cashew sauce is life changing.
Lentil and Bacon Salad - Adam ate it without the bacon (he has been mostly vegetarian lately, but I think the bacon make this tasty salad).
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Menu Post #11

Every few months, I stumble upon a cookbook where I want to make everything inside it.  This is definitely how I felt about the "Oh She Glows Every Day" Cookbook.  Everything she mentioned looked incredible, and had me wishing for an endless supply of organic coconut milk and gallons of maple syrup.  

I made a few things out of here the last few weeks, and was really quite impressed.  Lots of healthy, tasty dinners and treats.  Fox really enjoyed most of what I tried, too, which always makes me feel good.  

I have been stuck in a bit of a rut, making the same things over and over again (black bean soup, anyone?) and it was nice to have a few new things to try!  Hope you are having a good Tuesday!  

Fabulous:

Potato, Bacon and Leek Warm Salad - So yummy, and really easy.  

Sweet Chipotle Tacos - This chipotle marinade is amazing!  Go easy on the chipotle powder, though.  Even Adam said it was kinda spicy this time.   

Black Bean Soup - Obviously an old favorite.  Fox has started requesting it weekly.  

Chickpea and Feta Salad - Another old favorite.  

Worth A Try

Vegetable and Cheese Soup - I made this non-vegan and added cheese.  I loved all the veggies. 

Thai Crunch Salad (the sauce was TO DIE FOR! Also from Oh She Glows Everyday) - The sauce was great (obviously), and the salad was good and fresh.
Kale, Quinoa and Chickpea Salad (From Oh She Glows Everyday) - Really quite good, and very healthy!

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