Here's a vegetarian meal plan for the upcoming week. This week, the menu includes a couple of soups and salads for summer, mujadara, risotto made in the Instant Pot, and a weekend cocktail and dessert. Additionally, a side dish suggestion is offered for each main dish.
We're coming into summer here in the mountains, which means it's summer everywhere. And I'm craving summer food. Here's a menu plan for the week, and in the details are suggested side dishes.
VEGETARIAN MEAL PLAN
V = Vegan; GF = Gluten Free; DF = Dairy Free
MONDAY: Warm Farro Salad
TUESDAY: Simple Potato and Lentil Salad with Tomatoes (V, GF, DF)
WEDNESDAY: Avocado Soup with Tomatillos and Hatch Chile (GF)
THURSDAY: Mujadara (Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice) (V, GF, DF)
FRIDAY: Easy Vegetable Soup with Beans (V, GF, DF)
SMOOTHIE TIME: Orange Mango Smoothie with Ginger and Lime (GF, DF)
WEEKEND: Instant Pot Risotto with Charred Tomatoes (GF)
WEEKEND COCKTAIL: Classic Simple Margarita (V, GF, DF)
WEEKEND DESSERT: Angel Food Cake (DF)
M O N D A Y
Warm Farro Salad
This warm farro salad is a great lunch or dinner. Cooked farro is first tossed with Boursin soft cheese until the cheese melts and then mixed with asparagus and fava beans. The salad is finished with thinly sliced radishes, scallions, fresh herbs, and a vinaigrette.
The post includes suggestions for substitutions for fava beans if you can't find any canned, frozen, or fresh ones. And if you've never worked with fava beans, I've included a video on how to peel them.
Side Dish Suggestion
This stove top artichoke is a nice, light addition to the farro salad. There's no need to stuff it, as called for in the recipe. Just simmer it in the acidulated water per the instructions.
T U E S D A Y
Simple Potato and Lentil Salad
Make this potato and lentil salad with only four ingredients plus herbs and a vinaigrette for an easy, healthy weeknight dinner. The French green lentils and potatoes make this a filling dish and it's lightened with fresh cherry tomatoes and a bright vinaigrette. But the secret to this recipe is the fresh oregano.
This is also a great dish for parties since it can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Side Dish Suggestion
This hearty salad doesn't need more than a simple romaine and avocado salad with a lemony vinaigrette.
W E D N E S D A Y
Avocado Soup with Tomatillos and Hatch Chile
This avocado soup is a chilled soup of avocados, roasted tomatillos, white onion, and Hatch chili (or Anaheim chili), puréed in the blender with cilantro, Mexican crema and broth for a perfect summertime soup.
The Mexican crema makes this a slightly creamy soup, and feel free to adjust the amount to suit your tastes, as the avocado greatly adds to its creamy texture.
Side Dish Suggestion
This soup is perfect with this 15-minute corn and tomato salad.
T H U R S D A Y
Mujadara
The easy Middle Eastern lentils and rice dish, called mujadara, has three main ingredients: lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. A little ras el hanout spice mix and allspice are added for an extra Middle Eastern touch, along with a spray of mint.
Side Dish Suggestion
I like to combine this dish with a side that has acid. Chopped tomatoes tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette works well. Or do something a little different and make this pickled beet salad.
F R I D A Y
Easy Vegetable Soup with White Beans
This homemade vegetable soup with white beans recipe is packed with so much flavor you won't miss the meat. It's hearty enough for lunch or dinner, and is family friendly. Best of all, it's super easy to make and stores well in the refrigerator and freezer.
Side Dish Suggestion
Bread would be a great partner with this soup, and I often go with these quick Bisquick Cheddar Muffins. They're a cross between a muffin and a biscuit.
W E E K E N D
Instant Pot Risotto with Charred Tomatoes
This Instant Pot Tomato Risotto shows the best way to make any risotto IMO - in the Instant Pot. The tomatoes are roasted with a little balsamic vinegar for extra flavor.
Side Dish Suggestion
Blistered shishito peppers is perfect with risotto and pasta dishes. And they take literally only a few minutes to make with almost no prep.
S M O O T H I E T I M E
Orange Mango Smoothie with Ginger and Lime
As a bonus for this vegetarian meal plan, this orange mango smoothie is a fresh, healthy, light way to start any day. There's no need to cut up a mango since I use frozen mango chunks!
W E E K E N D C O C K T A I L
Simple Classic Margarita
A good classic margarita needs only three ingredients and very little time to make. This easy recipe always gets raves, and it's perfect to stash away in the freezer until the party begins.
W E E K E N D D E S S E R T
Angel Food Cake
Step-by-step instructions for baking a fool-proof angel food cake with tips for success, even at high altitudes.
For more vegetarian meal plan ideas, check out my vegetarian meal plan for May Week 4 and this vegetarian meal plan for May Week 3. Or go to the Meal Plan tab for this blog!
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