Welcome to the very first Meal Plan!
This week was inspired almost entirely by Costco. I did the cardinal mistake of going hungry, searching for samples, and ended up with a bounty of onions, peppers, Indian sauces, eggs, and ground beef so large I considered planting some for the Spring. Upon being visited, Scrooge style, by the ghosts of all of the plants I’ve killed, I remembered I suck at gardening. So, I had to make a plan.
Here’s what I came up with:
Dinner:
Gyros
Vindaloo Bowls
Snacks:
Paleo Nut Mix
Raspberry Protein Shakes
Breakfasts:
Sausage and Pepper Egg Bites
Moroccan Shakshuka
Lunch:
Lettuce Tacos
French Onion Soup
Tip: I took a few minutes and cut up a bunch of onions and peppers that I used all week in the egg bites, Vindaloo Bowls, tacos, and shakshuka to cut down on time!
Moroccan Shashuka
10 min prep, 20 min cook. Makes 3 servings
1. In a high walled pan, heat olive oil. Then, add diced onion, bell and spicy peppers, and 2 minced cloves garlic.
2. Once onions are translucent, add in 2 Tbs or tomato paste, cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add in generous shakes of cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Stir.
3. Add in diced tomatoes then let simmer for 3 minutes to begin thickening. Then, crack 6 eggs on top of tomato sauce, cover, and cook for 10-13 minutes. Sprinkle with Parsley and serve with crusty bread.
Sausage & Pepper Egg Bites
10 min prep. 20 min bake at 350F . Makes 24 Mini-Bites
1. Brown 1 lb of Breakfast Sausage in a pan. While that browns, dice 1/2 white onion, bell & spicy peppers
2. Whisk 10 large eggs with 1/3 half and half. Season liberally!
3. Using silicone mini muffin pan, assemble bites by layering sausage, onion, pepper, and cheese
4. Place pan in large, high walled dish and fill dish with boiling water. Then place muffins and water bath in oven, bake for 20 minutes or until set.
Lettuce Tacos
10 min prep, 10 min cook. 4 Servings
1. Brown 1 lb of ground beef in pan on stove. Add diced onions and peppers halfway through cooking
2. Make a crema by adding lime zest, the juice of two lime wedges, salt, pepper, and cumin to 4 Tbs of sour cream
3. Once beef and veggie have browned, add taco seasoning, salt, and pepper to mix. Add 1/4 c water, simmer for 3 mins until thickened.
4. Layer taco beef, crema, and shredded cheese in romaine leafs. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Basically 24 hours. Serves 16ish
1. Slice a mix of 8-10 white and red onions into slivers (goggles recommended) and place into large crock pot. Set Overnight for 10 hours on Low.
2. Stir onions, set on high for 4 hours
3. Add 1/3 cup dry white wine (I used Chardonnay), 4 springs of fresh thyme, 2 Bay leaves, and beef stock. Set on High for 1-3 hours. Salt and Pepper AFTER cooking.
4. Ladle soup into oven safe bowl, place piece of toasted break on top, cover in provolone cheese, and place under broiler for 3-4 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Greek Gyros
20 min prep. 45 min bake at 375F. Serves 6
1. Combine 1lb ground beef and 1lb ground lamb with 1 Tbs salt, 1/2 Tbs pepper, 3-4 Tbs dried oregano, 1/2 Tbs cumin, and 1/2 Tbs garlic powder. Seriously season the shit out of this. Put in a load pan and bake until center is 165*F
2. Make Tzatziki Sauce: Combine 2 cups Greek Yogurt, 1 cup Sour Cream, 2 shaved, halved, de-seeded, and shredded Cucumbers, 1 bunch of chopped Dill, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir and refrigerate.
3. Once meatloaf cooked, let cook, then slice into 1cm thick slices. Sear those slices in a dry, non-stick pan.
4. Warm up or toast pita bread, top with gyro meat, red onion slices, tomato, cucumber, and tzatziki and freakin’ devour.
Vindaloo Bowls
10 min Prep. 5 min cook. Serving Size Up to You
1. Cut and dice onion, carrot, zucchini, mushrooms, and broccoli to your liking.
2. Heat a medium sized pan with olive oil. Begin by cooking onion and carrot, give them about a 4 minute head start. Add the rest of your veggies, cook until done.
3. Add shredded rotisserie chicken, add vindaloo sauce. Stir, season, place in a bowl. Top with cashews, lime wedge, and green onion.
Raspberry Protein Smoothie
3 min Prep. 1 Serving
1. Add 1 cup almond milk, 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 tsp dark cocoa powder in a blender and blend. Enjoy!
Grocery List
Organized by Department because I’m Not a Monster
1 lb ground Breakfast Sausage
1 Rotisserie Chicken
2 lbs Ground Beef
1 lb Ground Lamb
18 ct Large Eggs
1 Medium Jug Half and Half
1 Jug Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 Pkg Provolone Cheese Slices
1 Pkg Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 cups Plain Greek Yogurt
1 cup Sour Cream
60oz Beef Broth or 1 cont. Beef Bouillon
1 Cont Vindaloo Sauce
1 Tube Tomato Paste
28oz Can Diced Tomatoes
2 Bottles Dry White Wine (you only need one but you deserve two)
Chocolate Protein Powder
1 Bag of Large Mixed Onions (10-12 total)
4 Bell Peppers
2-3 Spicy Peppers (I used Anaheim)
Fresh Thyme
1 lb Bulk Carrots (plus extra for good dogs)
2 Broccoli Crowns
1 Container Mushrooms (any kind)
2 Limes
1 Cluster Green Onions or Chives
2 Zucchinis
1 Garlic Clove
4 Cucumbers
1 Lg Bundle Fresh Dill
1 Lemon
1 Lg Romaine Head
4 Roma Tomatoes
1 bag Frozen Raspberries
6 ct Pita Bread
1 loaf crusty bread
Cashews
Pantry Items
Salt
Pepper
Bay Leaves
Cumin
Paprika
Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Dried Oregano
Dried Parsley
Cocoa powder
Final Thoughts
*but said in the tone of Wild Thoughts by Rihanna*
I really loved this week but it was a ton of cooking so make sure you have a pretty low key week if you’re wanting to do the full menu! The Gyros are definitely going to be in my permanent recipe book, they were absolutely delicious. I was really surprised by how delicious the Vindaloo sauce was and it’s the most delicious way to eat a huge bowl of veggies and chicken. The Shashuka was basically breakfast chili and I really liked it. Next time, though, I’ll let the tomato sauce reduce more and not over cook my eggs. That’s always a great start.
I’m really excited to hear how you guys like this meal plan! You don’t have to do it all but I hope it encourages you to try something new!
See you next week!
xoxo Gossip girl. Shit. Sorry, I mean, Becca.