Happy Valentine's Day! I'm assuming if you celebrate, you've got your plans in order for today, but in case you don't, might I suggest one of these healthy desserts? If you're a DIY type of person, our Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Granola makes a great gift for just about anyone. We've also rounded up some tasty gifts for Valentine's Day on the Marketplace too--I'll take one of everything!
Here's this week's meal plan:
Monday
Stir-Fried Shiitake Mushrooms with Tofu and Bok Choy from Vegetarian Times // As I mentioned in my post about 15 basic recipes every vegetarian should master, it's good to have a solid stir fry recipe under your belt. Stir fries are quick, easy, and when served over rice or quinoa, they make a filling, well-rounded meal. We loved the spicy sauce and chewy cubes of pressed tofu in this recipe from Vegetarian Times.
Tuesday
Spicy Mango Pizza with Black Beans and Zucchini from Oh My Veggies // Mango on a pizza might sound a little bit strange, but it works in this recipe! Instead of a traditional sauce, the crust is topped with salsa, so this pizza is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors.
Wednesday
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos from Two Peas and Their Pod // Tuesday's pizza only uses ¼ cup of black beans, but this nacho recipe will use up the rest! It also uses leftover cilantro and green onions from the pizza too. We couldn't get enough of these nachos and they're great for picky eaters because they can be customized with your favorite toppings (no avocado for me!).
Thursday
Gnocchi with Roasted Cauliflower from Real Simple // I used sweet potato gnocchi for this recipe, but if your grocery store doesn't carry it, any kind of gnocchi will work well in this. Cauliflower lasts a long time in the fridge, so when I'm planning my meals, I usually include a cauliflower recipe towards the end of the week. To incorporate even more veggies into tonight's dinner, add a salad with a light vinaigrette on the side.
Friday
Middle Eastern Lentil and Rice Soup from Oh My Veggies // With lentils and brown rice, this hearty soup is sure to fill you up! You might have a little bit leftover--just enough for lunch on Saturday or Sunday.
Tips For This Week's Meal Plan
- The stir fry recipe calls for canola oil, but olive oil (light, not extra-virgin!), grapeseed oil, or sesame oil (not toasted, just regular!) will work too.
- Sometimes shiitake mushrooms can be a little pricey. Don't want to buy 3 packages? Just buy one package of shiitake mushrooms and one 8 ounce package of regular white mushrooms. If you use white mushrooms, be sure to slice them thinly so they don't take longer to cook than the shiitakes.
- The nachos call for shredded cheddar cheese; instead, I used shredded pepper jack, which I used on both the nachos and the pizza. Using the same cheese for both recipes will save you a little money; there are 2 cups of cheese in most shredded cheese packages, so just use ¼ cup less cheese on the nachos.
- Imported parmesan cheese isn't vegetarian; if you can't find vegetarian grated parmesan, you can substitute shredded parmesan like I did. I buy Organic Valley or Whole Foods 365 brand.
- The gnocchi recipe from Real Simple notes that you can add pine nuts to the cauliflower before roasting. I left the pine nuts off the list because they're expensive, but if you do decide to use them, please don't roast them in the oven! They will burn. Toast them on the stovetop instead.
- Toss carrot peels, celery trimmings, extra sage, and onion and garlic skins in a freezer bag for homemade vegetable broth.
Click here for a printable version of this week's meatless meal plan and shopping list, then click on the links above to print out each recipe. Now you're set for the week!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Okay, those sweet potato nachos have me seriously intrigued. They might just be added to our rotation for next week too now, ya little dixon!
Happy Valentines Day! 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
THEY ARE SO GOOD! You would love them! I want to eat them daily.
Martina @ snapshotsandwhatnots says
Mhhh sweet potato nachos sound amazing! Did you get a load of snow up in NC this week - would you believe we've been given our third snow day in a row today (there's layers of ice everywhere), it's nice ot be at home instead of in work but we're starting to get cabin fever......and now I have grocery shopping fantasies!!
Kiersten Frase says
Yes, we did! We got a few inches of snow, then ice on top of it, then more snow. We were all ready to stay in until the weekend and then our cat Mochi decided to get sick, so we had to drive to Raleigh to go to the emergency vet since our regular vet clinic was closed. Craziness! I was so sure we'd end up in a ditch. It was creepy driving there with hardly anyone else on the road and all these abandoned cars in the median. I hope you enjoy your time off--I agree, it's always nice at first, and then by the 2nd day, you start going a little insane. 🙂
Maria says
So glad you liked the nachos! I need to make them again!
Kiersten Frase says
Me too! When I was eating them, I was like, "I don't want this meal to end!" 🙂
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
I love how you find ways to maximize groceries bought in a week; I need to get better at that! I've had my eye on those sweet potato nachos too, they look amazing!
Kiersten Frase says
This is how much of a nerd I am, but I kind of get a kick out of doing that. It's like putting together pieces of a puzzle. 🙂 Oh, and you will love the nachos!
Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says
What a colourful week of meals. I look forward to my invitation for dinner on Thursday! 😛 I have such a craving for gnocchi now.
Kiersten Frase says
I need to make gnocchi more often. I always forget about it for some reason!
Laura @ Kneadwhine says
I love how your posts look like summer all year round - gorgeous pictures! I love roasted cauliflower - that gnocchi recipe looks great!
Kiersten Frase says
Well, sometimes it means I have to eat dinner at 3pm during winter. 🙂
Allison @ Clean Wellness says
I'm not even a fan of nachos and I want those! They look beyond amazing. I'll need to give them a try. I think sweet potatoes and black beans were made for each other -they also look really gorgeous together! Love the handy shopping list for the weekly plans -it appeals to my "type A" personality hehe.
Kiersten Frase says
Sweet potato nachos are miles better than nacho nachos. 😉
Ashley says
Can I just say thank you for offering your weekly meal plan and grocery list at no cost to your followers!!! I appreciate the hard work you take to out this together with tips for saving money!!! And when I can have cheese and sour cream again (baby with MSPI), the pizza and nachos will be at the top of my list!
Kiersten Frase says
I'm glad you've found them useful! 🙂 And yes, the pizza and nachos are totally worth waiting for.
Joanne says
Mango on pizza?! I'm officially in love.
Also, I've had those nachos bookmarked for FOREVER. Perfect reminder to make them.
Kiersten Frase says
Make them, make them! They are pretty darn amazing. 🙂
Connie says
Wow! Love the sweet potato nachos! Totally going to do that.
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
I love the pizza recipe! I had a very hard last week, I hope that this one will be much better.
Kiersten Frase says
What happened? I hope this week is better!