August 20

WEEKNIGHT MEAL IDEAS*

Meals & tips for getting through the week & weeknight dinners …

also … find all these under “Weeknights” Tag at bottom right ..

some packaged grocery items (*) help reduce time …

I. Five Meals …

MAIN MEAL:

Lettuce Wraps – cooking.intexas

Lettuce Wraps – rinse, separate and dry lettuce leaves while stir fry ground meat & seasonings… (TIP: sides … frozen* pot stickers or spring/egg rolls … Lean Cuisine brand is less salt than some other brands … or with the Ramen Noodle Cole Slaw)

Microwave BBQ Meatloaf – cooking.intexas

Microwave BBQ Meatloaf – meatloaf in 15-20 minutes …BBQ sauce kicks it up … (TIP: serve with store-bought potato salad*, and ranch-style beans*)

One-Pot Mac & Cheese – 2 ways – cooking.intexas

One Pot Mac & Cheese (TIP: if using basic version, can top with packaged salad croutons* instead of making/browning bread crumbs)

Sausage & Tortellini Soup – cooking.intexas

Sausage & Tortellini Soup (can double amount of Tortellini*, great leftovers)

Dijon Chicken Thighs – cooking.intexas

Dijon Chicken Thighs – marinate for next day or even freeze for later. (TIPS: It does take 40 minute to bake, but worth it). Serve with Rice or try the Creamy Mashed Cauliflower.

II. 3 SALADS: (2 make-ahead & 1 quick)

Copper Pennies – cooking.intexas

Cooper Pennies – (TIP: make these on a weekend day and enjoy all week as salad or side … the crunchiness & sweetness goes with everything)

24-Hour Salad – cooking.intexas

24-Hour Salad – assemble Sunday night with weekend boiled eggs and a few fried bacon saved for this make-ahead. just toss on Monday night and serve, great side for the Tortellini Soup or Mac & Cheese main meal.

Ramen Noodle & Slaw Salad – cooking.intexas

Ramen Noodle & Slaw Salad – easy to “dump” packaged Slaw* with all the other crunchy ingredients and serve any night.

III. Sides

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower – cooking.intexas

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower (instead of Potatoes) – while the water is boiling, cut up cauliflower … get out your favorite gadget of choice … immersion blender or food processor to puree everything.

IV: while everyone is waiting … make ahead & enjoy spread on crackers …

Ida’s Hummus – cooking.intexas

Ida’s Hummus – homemade Hummus (without expensive Tahini) using Aguafaba * (from chickpea liquid)..make on the weekend and stores for 3 days. (TIP: dip for fresh veggies* or with crackers*)

Homemade Cheese – “Koch Kase” – cooking.intexas

Homemade Cheese – Koch Kase – just because – kids of all ages love to smear this on bread or crackers…Keeps for a week.