Meal-Planning Mondays

Posted by BJ and Shalene in Meal-Planning Monday, Recipes

Happy Monday! Enjoy the beginning of your week, and get inspired for some meals with these menu ideas.

MONDAY
Grilled Cheese
Tomato, Watermelon Salad

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After having a similar salad at a local restaurant, I wanted to make it at home. So when watermelon, tomatoes and arugula were in my bi-weekly organic produce co-op share, this week was the perfect opportunity to try the recipe. Get it from Epicurious here. Pair the salad with a simple sandwich, like a grilled cheese.

TUESDAY
Pesto Pasta
Green Salad

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This recipe is my own creation, so I don't have exact measurements. Use quantities to your liking and have fun experimenting. This recipe is a great summertime one, since it makes use of fresh basil and summer-fresh tomatoes.

Pasta - 8 ounces or enough to serve your family
Cherry tomatoes - halved
Black olives - quartered
Pine nuts - toasted
Parmesan cheese, grated

Get the basil pesto recipe here.

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts, then heat a little olive oil in a pan. Add the tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes, then add olives and toasted pine nuts, remove from heat. Drain pasta and pour basil pesto over pasta. Mix in tomatoes, olives and pine nuts. Top with parmesan cheese.

WEDNESDAY
Mexican Quinoa Salad

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Quinoa, a perfect protein that is high in amino acids, is a great meatless option, and this recipe mixes lovely summer flavors with the grain. I'll also be adding black beans and avocado.

THURSDAY
Grilled Hamburgers
Potato Salad

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Grill up a hamburger and serve with potato salad. We like this potato salad recipe, via Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

4 cups potatoes, coarsely diced and boiled until firmly tender
3 hard boiled eggs, peeled and coarsely chopped
¾ cup dill pickles, finely chopped
2 tbsp dill
salt to taste
Mayonnaise – a few tbsp
Combine potatoes, eggs, and pickles. Add
dill and salt to mixture and combine thoroughly. Add just enough mayonnaise to
hold the salad together.

FRIDAY
White Beans with Chicken Andouille Sausage