I know several of you mentioned you would love to see a round-up of lunch and dinner ideas.  These are just a few favorites I have made recently.  At the bottom I will share a grocery list of staples I buy to have on hand during the week.  If you have good items in your fridge and pantry it makes it easy to meal plan and whip some tasty and healthy meals.

A few things I pre make at beginning of each week to make meal prep easier.  I usually do my meal prep on Sunday or Monday:

I usually make a batch of some sort of grain to have on hand for salads etc.  This is usually quinoa, farro or tabbouleh.  I sometimes toss the quinoa or farro with pesto for extra flavor.  I love the Near East box of tabbouleh.  I add to that chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, mint, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil.  I also love the Trader Joe’s pre-made Tabbouleh.

I buy a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat.  I then toss it with Trader Joe’s everything but the bagel seasoning.  This is great to toss in with the quinoa, salads etc.

Homemade Pita Chips- I use multigrain flatbread or whole pita.  I toss with olive oil and everything but the bagel seasoning (can you tell I am obsessed with it).  Lay the pieces on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees 10 minutes.  I will say these are best the first day made but they will save ok for a day or two.

When I say roasted veggies of any sort- I toss them with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast at 350 degrees.

L U N C H + D I N N E R  I D E A S 

Roasted Broccolini + Farro tossed with pesto and parmesan cheese + Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato ribbons roasted

Tabbouleh + Hummus + Olives and Feta + pepperoncini + Homemade pita chips

Arugula + Quinoa tossed with pesto + shredded Rotisserie chicken + sauteed mushrooms + roasted sweet potatoes + pistachios- all drizzled with Annie’s shiitake Sesame dressing.

Greek Chicken Lettuce Wraps- recipe HERE

Chopped Greek Salad + Homemade Pita Chips

Arugula + cherry tomatoes + pine nuts + veggie burger + goat cheese drizzled with balsamic dressing.  I love the Dr. Praeger’s veggie burgers, they are so yummy.

Lacinato kale + hummus + provolone cheese + Peppered turkey + whole grain mustard

Sauteed kale + Roasted sweet potatoes + field peas + chicken and gouda sausages (the brand is Gilbert’s)

Lacinato kale + farro + cherry tomatoes + cucumber + red onions + kalamata olives.  Toss all together with olive oil and red wine vinaigrette and add a scoop of hummus.

Arugula + Crispy Prosciutto + blue cheese crumbles + pine nuts + Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash zig-zags roasted.    Toss with balsamic vinaigrette.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts salad + Tabbouleh + pickled beets + hummus + homemade pita chips

Taco Salad – shredded romaine lettuce + ground beef + shredded cheddar cheese + pico de gallo + mashed avocado or guac + jalapenos

Lunch box to go- Tabbouleh + farro + hummus + sea salt and black pepper pretzel thins + pepperonicinis

Arugula + pinenuts + cherry tomatoes + cucumbers + roasted beets + balsamic dressing

Quinoa + shredded chicken + cherry tomatoes+ cucumber + red onion and toss together with olive oil and lemon juice.  Scoop of hummus and tzatziki

Veggie Sandwich always a favorite.  Layer on any veggies with hummus and cheese on multigrain bread (I love Dave’s killer bread)

G R O C E R Y  S T A P L E S 

cherry tomatoes

baby cucumbers

hummus- I love Hope or Roots brands

red onion

lemons

Balsamic Dressing – I really like Stonewall Kitchen or Garlic Expressions

quinoa- Trader Joe’s has some in their frozen section that is indivIdually packaged and so easy to cook.

farro- I also buy this at Trader Joe’s

Tabbouleh- I buy either the boxed Near East Brand or the pre-made kind at Trader Joe’s

Arugula

Kale

roasted beets- I buy these at Whole Foods, the brand is called Love Beets (my favorite is the white wine and balsamic flavor)

goat cheese (I love the marinated herb kind from Trader Joe’s)

feta cheese with herbs

veggie burgers- I love Dr. Praegers California veggie burgers

toasted pine nuts

pesto

tzatziki – I like the Simple Earth brand or Trader Joe’s has one that is also good

chicken sausage- the brand I like is Gilbert’s and I love the caprese, smoked gouda flavors

Sweet potatoes

butternut squash ribbons from Trader Joe’s

Rotisserie chicken

Prosciutto