First official meal plan of the year! Let’s get the party started. It’s a veggie-packed line up with a few cozy options (soup and chai), a satiating salad (Tex-Mex Chop), and the yogurt-topped eggs I’m into right now. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Italian White Bean Soup
This is yumminess in a bowl that’s been a hit since I first posted it. For a vegetarian version, swap in a cup or two of cooked grains or pasta for added heft once the soup is done.
Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
Colorful, crunchy, and so full of flavor, this Tex Mex Chopped Salad is a satisfying way to do supper. Feel free to use other favorite vegetables you have on hand. This is a great one to make ahead and pack up for lunch. Wait to dress it until just before eating.
Spinach and Feta Filo Pie
I’m crazy about this spinach pie! It’s wholesome and tasty. The recipe calls for frozen spinach, which is one of the reasons it’s relatively easy to assemble (no washing, stemming, or cooking the spinach in advance). Leftovers are terrific the next day reheated in the oven.
Cauliflower Chickpea Shawarma
This flavor-packed sheet pan supper is a very distant cousin to classic shawarma. It has all the requisite flavors and is finished with a flavorful tangy tahini yogurt sauce. Serve it as a main dish or as a side along with roast chicken, fish, or lamb.
Salmon Burger Lettuce Wraps with Sriracha Lime Dressing
This is an easy one to pull together that makes use of mega-convenient frozen salmon burgers. They’re done in a lettuce wrap with crunchy veggies, avocado, and a tangy/spicy sauce. The meal is on the lighter side, so if you have hearty eaters, throw an extra burger or two in the pan or do up a side of steamed rice.
Easy Chai
Brewing a pot of cozy chai is my kind of self-care. This is a quick and easy version that I love to sip on chilly afternoons. Make it decaf and share with your kids.
Jammy Eggs on Savory Yogurt
This breakfast manages to feel luxurious and nourishing at the same time. Inspired by a trip through Turkey, it brings together so many wonderful flavors and ingredients. Although it is made up of breakfast basics, it also makes a wonderful lunch or light supper. Since we’re not in tomato season, look for cherry tomatoes still on the vine, since they’re pretty darn good.
SHOPPING LIST
Instant Pot Italian White Bean Soup
1 1/2 cup dried cannellini beans
1 small chunk Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion
2 large carrots
1 rib celery
3 cloves garlic
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
8 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3 links pre-cooked Italian sausage
1 large bunch kale
Spinach and Feta Pie
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ large yellow onion
1 pound frozen spinach
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ cup low-fat cottage cheese
6 ounces feta cheese
2 eggs
6 sheets whole wheat or regular filo dough
3 tablespoons butter
Tex Mex Chopped Chicken Salad
4 packed cups chopped hearts of Romaine lettuce
2 cups shredded red cabbage
1 medium red pepper
1 cup English or Persian cucumber, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1 medium avocado
3 scallions
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon taco seasoning mix
¼ cup roasted salted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
3 tablespoons lime juice
¼ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 cup roughly chopped cilantro
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Cauliflower Chickpea Shawarma
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 lemons
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon cayenne
3 large cloves garlic
1 medium cauliflower
One 15-ounce can chickpeas
1 medium red onion
¼ cup fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
Salmon Burger Lettuce Wraps
3 ounces dried rice stick noodles
1 heaping cup shredded carrots (use pre-shredded for ease)
1 1/2 medium ripe avocados
1 large head Romaine or butter lettuce
2 scallions
4 four-ounce frozen salmon burgers
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon sriracha
1 tablespoon lime juice
3 Persian or ½ English cucumber
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Jammy Eggs on Savory Yogurt
1 – 2 eggs
1 slice crusty bread or 1/2 pita
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (nonfat, low-fat, or whole)
Several cherry tomatoes, halved
10-ish thin slices Persian or English cucumber
1-2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt (Maldon or another flaky salt if you have it)
Seasonings of your choice (such as sumac, Aleppo pepper, za’atar, freshly chopped dill/mint/ basil/parsley/cilantro, everything bagel seasoning, and so on)
Easy Chai
One 2-inch piece fresh ginger, unpeeled, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups water
4 black tea bags, such as Assam or English Breakfast
2 cups 2 percent or whole milk (use coconut or coconut/almond milk for a plant-based version)
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