Disclosure: *This post may include affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the disclosures and terms for more information. |
Avocado salsa (recipe at bottom of post) |
Here is our meal plan for the coming week. I tacked another Monday on the end just as a buffer. If you’re interested in how I do planning, look here. You can also download a simple meal planner for your own use.
The recipe I’m sharing today is bean and barley taco soup and fresh salsa. I got the recipe from a friend and it’s a new favorite. See the end of this post for the recipe.
This week, I’m hoping to try out some new no-meat recipes:
– Quinoa and kale mini quiches
– Tuna casserole with wheat pasta and broccoli
– Mini sandwich rolls (large batch for freezing)
– Soaked oatmeal (I’ve never tried soaking before)
– Fettucini with homemade, healthier sauce
Monday
- Breakfast: Breakfast muffins and yogurt
- Lunch: Turkey sandwiches (made ahead for after family picture session) with carrots and cucumber
- Dinner: Tuna casserole with wheat pasta and broccoli, strawberries and blueberries with whipped cream (date night for Dad and Mom!)
- Notes: Family pictures in AM, swim lessons in PM
Tuesday
- Breakfast: Quinoa and kale mini quiches, smoothies
- Lunch: Baked potatoes with fixings, watermelon
- Dinner: Leftovers
- Notes: Make Mini sandwich rolls
Wednesday
- Breakfast: Soaked oatmeal with wheat germ and honey
- Lunch: Mini turkey hummus sandwiches with watermelon
- Dinner: Bean and barley taco soup with chips and fresh salsa (recipe below)
- Notes: BSF in AM, swim lessons in PM
Thursday
- Breakfast: Whole wheat Waffles and smoothies
- Lunch: Bean and cheese quesadillas, apples
- Dinner: Steak and veggie stir fry
- Notes: Playdate in AM
Friday
- Breakfast: Cereal
- Lunch: Mini turkey and hummus sandwiches, carrots and cucumber
- Dinner: Homemade pizza OR Leftovers
- Notes: Co-op in AM, swim lessons in PM
Saturday
- Breakfast: Soaked oatmeal with wheat germ and honey
- Lunch: Fruit, rolls and cheese platter
- Dinner: Fettucini with homemade, healthier sauce, salad
Sunday
- Breakfast: Waffles and eggs
- Lunch: Bean and cheese quesadillas
- Dinner: Sweet and sour chicken with stir-fry veggies and rice
- Notes: Make chicken salad for lunch the next day
Monday
- Breakfast: Cereal
- Lunch: Chicken salad sandwiches with fruit
- Dinner: Leftovers
Snacks for the Week
- Celery and carrot sticks
- Cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese and raisins
- Green smoothies
- Apple sandwiches with peanut butter and nuts
- Protein snack balls
Bean and Barley Taco Soup
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chiles
- 2/3 cup quick-cooking barley (or regular barley if you cook for an hour)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained (I used 2 cups pre-soaked beans I had frozen)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can no salt added diced tomatoes, undrained (I used a small can of tomato paste instead)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can or 1 quart home canned vegetable or chicken broth
- 3 tbsp cilantro
- For serving: Sour cream, lime wedges, tortilla chips, and avocado salsa (recipe following)
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté 3 minutes. Add chili powder and next 4 ingredients (chili powder through green chiles); cook 1 minute.
- Stir in barley and next 4 ingredients (barley through broth); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until barley is tender.
- Stir in cilantro. Serve with sour cream, lime wedges, chips, and Avocado Salsa.
Avocado Salsa
- 1/2 cup avocado, diced
- 1/3 cup tomato, diced
- 2 tbsp onion, diced
- 1 tbsp finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp cilantro
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (I used lemon)
- 1/8 tsp salt
This Post Has 2 Comments
Keri at Growing in His Glory
4 Feb 2013Yum! That avocado salsa looks divine. I have never added barley to my soups, usually just brown rice. Does it have the same texture as rice? I’m a texture person 🙂
Thanks for sharing your menu plan. You’ve given me some NEW ideas!
Proverbial Homemaker
7 Feb 2013It’s similar to brown rice, in my opinion. My husband is very picky on texture and gave it a thumbs up. The longer you cook it, the more like rice it is. 🙂