Hey everyone! Today marks the start of a special week in our household because it’s birthday week! We’re kicking off our meal plan with a mix of everyday meals and extra-special treats, all while keeping things (mostly) healthy. Let’s dive into what’s on our plates!
Sunday: Veggie Frittata & Protein Waffles
- Details: We’re starting the week strong with a veggie-packed frittata and protein waffles. The waffles are a twist on the Spice and Spirit cookbook’s cottage cheese pancake recipe, a delicious and protein-rich start to the day.
Monday: Fish Tacos (Round Two!)
- Details: With half the family out, it’s a perfect opportunity to use up leftover Instant Pot Mexican rice from last week. We’re marinating some fresh tilapia and enjoying another round of tasty fish tacos. (Thanks to Tastes Better From Scratch for the rice recipe!)
Tuesday: Burger Night!
- Details: Classic comfort food! We’re having hamburgers, air-fried fries, and a “make your own” salad bar with chopped veggies. It’s a great way to let everyone customize their meal.
Wednesday: Loaded Quesadillas
- Details: A fun and customizable meal! We’re filling quesadillas with fake meat, black beans, cheese, onions, mushrooms, and spinach. It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies.
Thursday: One-Pan Salmon, Gnocchi, & Broccoli (Detailed Instructions!)
- Details: We’re making an easy one-pan wonder!
- Instructions: We’ll preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss broccoli florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them on a baking sheet. Then, we will add gnocchi to the sheet pan, and lightly toss them in the oil from the broccoli. Place salmon fillets on the sheet pan, season with salt, pepper, and any desired spices (like lemon pepper or dill). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the gnocchi is golden. If desired, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salmon and gnocchi before serving.
- Tip: If you want your broccoli more tender, add it to the pan 5 minutes before the other ingredients.
Friday: Shabbat Birthday Meal!
- Details: Friday is all about celebrating our birthday girl’s requests! We’re having a truly special Shabbat dinner:
- Roasted Cauliflower Soup (Two Peas and Their Pod): Creamy and comforting.
- Drunken Salami (Busy in Brooklyn): A unique and flavorful appetizer.
- Pretzel Chicken: A crispy and fun dish.
- Meat Pie (Kosher Palate): A hearty and satisfying main course.
- Abba Fries (Air-fried Old Bay Potatoes): A family favorite.
- Tempura Veggies: A light and crispy side.
- Cranberry-Apple Crisp (Bais Yaakov cookbook): A warm and comforting dessert.
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts: A healthy side dish.
- Lotus Butter Cake (Erin Eats on Instagram): A decadent birthday cake.
- Birthday Highlight: It’s a feast fit for a birthday queen!
Saturday: Birthday Sushi & Ice Cream Cake!
- Details: The birthday celebrations continue with a sushi lunch (prepared fresh that day, with rice pre-made before Shabbat) and an ice cream cake for dessert.
- Birthday Fun: A perfect end to a birthday weekend!
This Week’s Takeaways:
This week is all about celebrating, balancing healthy meals with birthday treats, and making the most of leftovers!
What are your go-to birthday meals? Let me know in the comments!
