So I have a funny story. My mother-in-law is a member of the Blue Star Mother’s Group, an organization for mothers of men and women serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. She is very active and it seems like a great organization. Several of the women in the group send my husband cards for no reason other than to say hi, thank-you, or to offer support. One of the moms sent a card about a week and a half ago. I was reading it aloud to Toby and she wrote a little note about how great military spouses are (which was very sweet) and also congratulating us on our upcoming anniversary. WHAT? “Oh my gosh, it’s almost our anniversary!!” we both exclaimed. We were laughing that SHE reminded US of our upcoming 8th wedding anniversary. Between Toby’s master program coming to an end plus the upcoming move, our minds have been full to the brim! I seriously don’t think we would’ve remembered! So we are hoping to get out to a nice dinner at the end of the week to celebrate.
So back to food and meal planning. We have so many mexican staples in our house on a regular basis- beans, guacamole, tortillas, salsa, tacos, quesadillas, you’d think we were a hispanic family. My go-to quesadillas make an appearance almost more than sandwiches do.
So remember how I was saying I was obsessed with something using my cilantro-jalapeno hummus? It’s so simple I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it sooner. It’s a hummus quesadilla and it doesn’t get any easier: stuff your hummus of choice into a corn or flour tortilla, add a little shredded cheese and grill on both sides until crisp and cheese is melted. I made them to accompany our Greek salads the other night. It was the perfect thing and using our favorite store-bought corn tortillas from La Tortilla Factory made it even better. I know it’s not the prettiest of food to photograph, but you’ve got to try this version of a quesadilla.
To make these vegan, just add a little of your favorite soy cheese. I know what you’re thinking, you thought I strongly disliked soy cheese, right? Well I do, but this was one instance where I really didn’t mind it (of course I prefer real cheese better). The hummus flavor dominates and the soy cheese can add a gooey goodness factor.
now onto meal planning for the week. I was hoping to get some new recipe from my readers and facebook fans. I’d love for you to share a vegetarian or vegan recipe with ME (in the comments section or on my facebook wall). I know you guys have some tasty, healthy recipes too!
Menu for the Week of April 16th
Sunday
Spring Penne Pasta (with asparagus, artichokes, cherry tomatoes and grilled chicken)
Monday
Tofu Scramble Tacos, Fruit, Salad
Tuesday
Leftovers or Quesadillas- soccer night
Wednesday
Breakfast Sausage Casserole, Sauteed Tomatoes with Herbs, Fruit Salad
Thursday
Leftovers
Friday
Anniversary Dinner Out
Saturday
Homemade Deep Dish Chicago-Style Spinach Pizza
Question: Do you have a good vegetarian or vegan meal to share with me? Link to it in comments or facebook! Do you have a meal plan for this week? Have you ever forgotten your anniversary?! Ha!
Frozen Chocolate Banana Bites
Tomato Kale Soup and Meal Planning
Roasted Acorn Squash with Cranberries, Goat Cheese and Balsamic Glaze
Cinnamon Mixed Nut Butter {Peanut Free}
Made a super yummy Thai vegan pizza last night.
Chebe pizza mix, made into a vegan crust. Spread on Pad Thai sauce, chopped cilantro, chopped peanuts, avocado chunks, a bunch of colored peppers, and broccoli (better without the brocc, but I wanted the nutrients). OH MY!! I want it again tonight!!!!
Sunday: Summer rolls!
Monday: Your soup, made vegan, by Gretchen
Tuesday: PW’s Asian salad made with rice noodles
Wed: tostadas
Thurs: Luck’s birthday! I am not sure what he wants yet. I have offered steak, but he said no!
Friday: gluten free fried shrimp to celebrate his birthday with my family. My dad makes the best friend shrimp!
Saturday: ALOHA!!!!!!!!! 😉
http://brittluck.wordpress.com/
There is a real recipe to share!
Mmmm, the thai pizza sounds awesome. I used to order one similar and haven’t thought to recreate at home! I can’t believe you will be Hawaii bound soon. Have a great trip and don’t hesitate to fb or text with questions!! I’ll make sure you have my #
This looks AMAZING! Is there anything hummus can’t make better? Yum!
OMG, this mexican food looks really good,
I’d absolutely kill for these tacos in the picture right now.
Now seriously, great post
oh that is too cute- happy anniversary! 🙂
My new favorite vegetarian recipe, it was my lunch all last week!
Quinoa Spinach Salad
1 cup quinoa, 2 tsp olive oil, 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 cloves garlic, 4 cups spinach rough chopped, 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/8 tsp pepper, dash salt (to taste-I didn’t add it)
Add olive oil to pan and heat, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add quinoa and cook until starting to brown. Add vegetable broth and quick until quinoa is cooked through and liquid is absorbed (about 15 minutes). Add in spices and spinach. Cook an additional 5-7 minutes until spinach is as cooked as you would like.
Just started to do menu plans on my blog this week, hoping it helps cut down on eating out!
Monday: Garlicky Bread Crumb Pasta
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Apple Sauce Chicken with brown rice and corn (Will probably use apple juice in place of apple cider vinegar because I don’t have any and won’t make it to the store before Tuesday. Did this last time I made this recipe and it tasted great!)
Wednesday: BRINNER!! Pancakes, low sodium turkey bacon, eggs and fruit
Thursday: Tuna Steaks with sesame ginger marinade, brown rice and broccoli
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: I don’t cook on Saturday so leftovers or we will order from somewhere 🙂
Sunday: Cranberry Pork Ribs (made a few edits to this recipe: no chili sauce and no red wine vinegar, add 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth and dash of red pepper flakes) with smashed potatoes and a veggie
Hi Meghan,
The spinach salad sounds awesome. I have half a box of quinoa I need to use up before our move so I will try this- thank you! I lOVE sauteed spinach so know I’ll enjoy this. What a healthy lunch! Thanks for sharing your meal plan! Sounds like a yummy week!
Monday- leftovers, made your yummy asian slaw last night & doubled the dressing to marinate my first batch of tofu. Loved the slaw, tofu will take some getting use to. I also made your new hummus today with some veggie fajitas- all of this on the menu for Monday.
Tuesday- making your black bean burgers with brittany’s cuban black beans, homemade fries, sauteed broc
Wednesday- rosted vegetables & quinoa
Thursday- make our own pizzas, last week I topped a premade pizza crust with the cuban black beans, diced tomatoes, avocado & cilantro. Very tastey
Friday-quesadillas
We are not hispanic either, but I often feel our regular meals (healthy or not) reflect otherwise.
Glad you liked the asian slaw. It’s my new favorite. Your pizza sounds yummy- I’ll have to try that combo! Have a great week!
Here our are plans for the week. Hubby is gone three days so hopefully it is stuff the kids will eat with little argument.
Sun-paninis. Turkey and cheese for the family, I am going to try and make a vegetarian Greek panini
Mon- I am hopefully going to no dishonor your grandmother by making a vegan version of the avgolemono soup. With a green salad for us and the Smiths. My fingers are crossed.
Tues- britts quinoa and bb tacos with fruit
Wed- this is my risk night I am going to try tofu stir fry. Not sure how the young ones will react to that.
Thurs- baked potatoes
Fri- we hav a birthday party although I will be fixing a gf pizza for son number two
Sat- going to snack night as my kids call it veggies hummus ( going to make your cilantro lime hummus) crackers cheese and a meat.
Ha! I love an adventurous cook! Let me know how the soup turns out. I think it will be good! Good luck with the tofu stir fry! 🙂
How do you make your tofu scramble? Used to make it with a mix years ago but the company is no longer making the mix. thanks
I don’t have the recipe in front of me, but it’s tofu, crumbled up and seasoned with garlic, cumin, tumeric and some other spices. Then sauteed with mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, onions…and I add jalapenos of course. Eat it like scrambled eggs in a taco!
Happy anniversary! We always have Mexican fixins’ too! The hummus on this quesadilla sounds perfect!
Thanks Bree! 🙂
I have to plan our meals weekly or I am lost when it comes to grocery shopping! We are not vegetarians, but we eat several vegetarian/vegan meals each week. This one has been a weekly occurrence on our menu: http://www.bakeyourday.net/quick-israeli-couscous-salad/. It’s so versatile, last night I added fresh asparagus, lemon juice, sun-dried tomatoes and it was so good.
Looks yummy- thanks for sharing Cassie! I will soon be living near a Trader Joe’s and I am SO excited!!!!