Menu Monday – September 2, 2013
My kids start school tomorrow. I feel like this summer has flown by am am sad they are heading back. I’ll miss those cuties being around as much… I have a Senior, a Sophomore and a fifth grader this year. Where has the time gone?
Amanda at Gluten Free Detroit Metro is hosting the Gluten Free Menu Swap this week. The theme this week is 30 Minutes or Less. School starts for our family this week on Tuesday, so this theme is so timely! Of course, I like to use meals I have stashed in the freezer to help with my weeknight meals or tuck something into the slow cooker to have ready whenever we need to have dinner. But there are the days I have forgotten to thaw a meal ahead of time or to set up the crock pot, or have just found out that we have an activity that evening and I need to RUSH to get dinner on the table. Those nights require meals that cook up fast, such as a tasty stir fry (Beef and Almond Stir Fry, Ginger-Beef Stir-fry, Chicken and Kale Stir Fry) or a one dish meals (like Goulash, Chicken Sausage Broccolini Quinoa, Easy Ground Turkey Skillet Dinner, Tacos (Beef or Turkey), White Bean Spinach Ragout, Tostadas Salsa Verde and Egg-sadillas) or dinner salads (Steak and Potato Salad, Chicken Blueberry Mango Salad, Fresh Apricot Thai Salad). Easy and quick family favorites also include burgers (Mexi-Burgers, California Turkey Burgers, Spinach Burgers, Thai Chicken or Turkey Burgers) or yummy pork tenderloins that cook up quickly under the broiler (Apricot Glazed Pork Tenderloin). What are your favorite meals to get dinner on the table quickly?
Freezer cooking plan for the week: California Turkey Burgers and Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas will both be making their way into my freezer this week.
The week’s breakfast options: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Chai Spiced Coconut Quinoa Hot Cereal, scrambled eggs with garden veggies, and melon.
The week’s lunch options: Sandwiches made with Gluten Free Wholesome Multi-Seed Bread, veggies and fruit.
Printable grocery list for this week’s dinners.
Monday: BLT’s with Avocado on Gluten Free Wholesome Multi-Seed Bread, melon and romaine salad with Thousand Island Dressing
Tuesday: California Turkey Burgers with Apple, Bok Choy and Carrot Slaw) Updated ABC Salad)
For the freezer: Make a double batch of California Turkey Burgers, one batch for dinner and one for the freezer. While eating dinner, freeze the second batch on a baking sheet lined with parchment, plastic wrap or waxed paper. After dinner, place frozen patties into freezer bag separated with waxed paper. Remove as much air as possible, seal, label and freeze.
Wednesday: Shrimp Pad Thai with Broccoli
Thursday: Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas on toasted corn tortillas with salsa and avocado and mixed greens salad with Dairy Free Ranch Dressing
For the freezer: Make a double batch of Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas, one batch for dinner and one for the freezer. While eating dinner, allow second batch to cool. After dinner, place into a freezer safe container or freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, then seal, label and freeze.
Need more menu planning inspiration? Head over for Menu Plan Monday at Organized Junkie.
My menu plan is now sponsored by the great people over at Better Batter Flour. The menus will also be published at Start Gluten Free, an online resource made to welcome people into the gluten free living community and help them not feel overwhelmed by new dietary restrictions. I am thrilled to be a small part of this vibrant community! Stop by and say “Hi!
Yes, the time goes by fast. Our son is now 21 years old, attending college and working full time. But I still remember those fun back to school shopping trips.
Everything sounds so delicious.
I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.