Meal Plan #9 | August 2024
Instant Pot rice & bean burritos + lemon soy sauce grilled tofu + salmon w/cilantro dressing + sheet-pan soy sauce chicken & broccoli + bean & corn salad
Hello Friends!
Wouldn’t it be great if I could stop by your house this week and cook all of the meals in this meal plan for you? Sadly, we can’t make that happen but maybe you can hand this meal plan off to your spouse or partner or teenager and they can cook for you? Just a thought.
My dear husband takes on dinner duty once or twice a week and he struggles with figuring out what to cook. AND HE’S MARRIED TO A WOMAN WHO HAS AN ENTIRE BLOG AND NEWSLETTER DEVOTED TO EASY DINNER RECIPES. Which is only to say that sometimes the people we live with need a recipe printed out for them and set on the kitchen counter.
Case in point? My mom printed out this maple pecan granola recipe and now my 77-year-old father who has never baked anything in his life is making granola! It’s never too late to encourage your spouse to take on more cooking duties!
Below are five simple and satisfying dinner recipes for your family. You can follow this entire meal plan next week (so you don’t even have to think about what’s for dinner!) OR just choose one or two recipes that sound good for your family.
Meal #1: Instant Pot Rice & Bean Burritos
Meal #2: Lemon Soy Sauce Grilled Tofu
Meal #3: Salmon with Creamy Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Meal #4: Sheet-pan Soy Sauce Chicken & Broccoli
Meal #5: Bean & Corn Salad with Lime Dressing with burgers or hot dogs
Where to Find the Recipes
This month, all five recipes link to bonus recipes that are only available to paid subscribers like you. You can view the recipes online, or there is a printable pdf at the bottom of each page if you want to print the recipe (and set it on the counter for someone else to cook!)
The Kitchen Skip recipe index page on Substack has links to all of the bonus recipes published throughout the year. Bookmark this page and visit often when you need dinner inspiration - It’s like a constantly updated virtual cookbook, just for you!
Meal #1
Recipe: Instant Pot Rice & Bean Burritos
Side Dishes: You’ll need to prep the toppings for burritos (grated cheese, shredded lettuce or cabbage, avocado, cilantro, etc.)
This was the very first bonus recipe I published over a year ago and I had forgotten all about it. I was so happy to re-discover this recipe in my own archives, because who doesn’t love a burrito?
In this recipe, brown rice and canned beans cook with spices in the Instant Pot, then you roll up a batch of burritos with toppings (or, you can serve this meal as burrito bowls without tortillas).
This recipe includes instructions for how to add meat to the burritos, how to properly roll up burritos and how to freeze burritos - all the information you need is here. Consider doubling the recipe so you can stock up your freezer for future dinners and after-school burritos!
Meal #2
Recipe: Lemon Soy Sauce Grilled Tofu
Side Dishes: Cold snap peas or defrosted frozen edamame, plus noodles
This grilled tofu is a filling vegetarian main course and it’s fun to grill tofu! I always crave a flavorful noodle salad alongside the healthy tofu to make the dinner more satisfying. Try one of the tasty noodle recipes below:
Trader Joe’s squiggly noodles (pre-made, easy and fast)
Cold noodle and cabbage salad (Dinner a Love Story)
Thai noodle salad with best ever peanut sauce (Feasting at Home)
15-minute sesame noodle bowls (Pinch of Yum)
Meal #3
Recipe: Salmon with Creamy Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Side Dishes: Orzo or steamed potatoes (served warm or cold), roasted asparagus
I sent this recipe out in July, so if you haven’t made it yet now’s the time! The zippy cilantro dressing is served on the side and can be poured over the salmon and side dishes like potatoes, orzo or almost any type of vegetable. This meal is fantastic served warm or chilled, making it a perfect make-ahead dinner or leftovers for lunch.
This recipe also includes instructions for how to pan-sear, grill or bake salmon.
Meal #4
Recipe: Sheet-pan Soy Sauce Chicken & Broccoli
Side Dishes: White or brown rice
Plan to marinate the chicken overnight (or at least 4 hours) in a soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and garlic marinade then pop it in the oven on a sheet-pan with broccoli. Honestly, the broccoli is my favorite part. It’s browned around the edges and meltingly tender, especially if you use bone-in chicken thighs that require a longer cooking time.
Meal #5
Recipe: Bean & Corn Salad with Lime Dressing with burgers or hot dogs
Side Dishes: Cubed watermelon with strawberries (or other sliced fruit)
This is like having a picnic for dinner! A cold bean and corn salad plus a thirst-quenching watermelon and strawberry salad is just what you need at the end of a long hot day. Fire up the grill and make burgers or hot dogs to round out the meal. There’s no shame in buying pre-made burgers at the store, especially if you’re in the mood for turkey or salmon burgers, which are easy to find in the freezer section.
Want to save this meal plan for later? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
All of the meal plans available to paid subscribers can be found on the Kitchen Skip Substack homepage under the “meal plan” link at the top of the page. Visit anytime for meal planning inspiration!