One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry.
This week’s menu is dedicated to gardens everywhere overflowing with zucchini. It is also dedicated to my love and my kids’ love for broccoli, but dressing it up just enough so those broccoli haters in the family (cough, Ole) will happily eat it as well. That means Ole’s back and we’re both alive. My alone time is over. In fact, don’t tell him, but I maybe even enjoyed it what with our afternoon trips to the beach and our farmers market outings. Plus, I even spent a solid hour of daylight completely alone as my youngest napped and the other three followed their aunt to the pool. (Thank you, Rachel!)
Monday – Sausage and Broccoli Breakfast Frittata
Tuesday – Zucchini and Almond Pasta Salad
Wednesday – Grilled Chicken and Broccoli Slaw Wraps
Thursday – Mint Pesto with Zucchini and Feta
Friday – Flatbread Pizza with Sausage and Zucchini
The Preparation Shortcuts:
1. Brown extra sausage on Monday and store in an airtight container for Friday’s pizza.
2. Shred the broccoli stems after using the florets on Monday so it’s ready to go for Wednesday.
3. Serve the zucchini and almond pasta salad with grilled chicken, making extra for Wednesday’s wraps.
4. While slicing zucchini for the pasta salad, also take the time to dice a few for Thursday’s meal so it’s ready to go.
The Shopping List:
1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage
1-1/2 to 2 pounds chicken breasts
1 red bell pepper
1 bulb fresh ginger
2 lemons
4-6 flatbread rounds or pitas
1 package rice paper wrappers
8 ounces fresh mozzarella
8 ounces Parmesan cheese
4 ounces cheddar cheese
6 ounces feta
Pantry Items:
olive oil
miso
rice vinegar
maple syrup
sesame oil
canola oil
almonds
pine nuts
garlic
pasta
salt
black pepper
eggs
milk
Garden Items:
basil
mint
zucchini
yellow summer squash
broccoli
red onionsLast week from Food for My Family:
Mediterranean Bean Salad and Chicken Gyros
How Your Pantry Can Save You Money: Impromptu Pantry Meals on Smithfield
Summer Berry Dutch Baby Pannekoeken on Lifetime Moms
On my beloved Babble:
10 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
S’mores à la Carte
The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone
10-Minute Hand Pies
Michelle Burgess says
Thanks for the shopping list – very useful. Some yummy recipes too.
Aimee says
We love zucchini around here, so this menu rocks!
So glad you survived your time as a single mom…Have a great week.
TheKitchenWitch says
We’re drowning in the green stuff, too, Shaina. I’m stealing some of these recipes to thin out our surplus!
FoodontheTable says
The wraps look so fresh! What a great dinner.
Katie @ goodLife {eats} says
I hope you liked the flatbreads! I love how you organize your week and even think ahead on the prep work to make it easier for yourself. That’s definitely something I could do better on! I have gotten pretty good at pulling from the pantry out of necessity (like when I haven’t made the time for shopping yet or the plan doesn’t work out)