We’re going old school with the dinner menu meal planning this week. I busted out real live cookbooks for inspiration. Not sure why I don’t do this more often. I have a slight obsession with cookbooks and cooking magazines, and I have so many great ones I’ve accumulated and received as gifts over the years.

Dinner Menu Week 40

This is How We Do It:

Breakfast Shepherd’s Pie

Recipe here

Hummus Veggie Sandwich on Ciabatta

Lightly toast a ciabatta roll. Spread hummus on the bottom and top. Add green and/or red leaf lettuce, shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, sprouts, drizzle with a teeny  bit of oil and balsamic vinegar (optional), and of course I add a slice of cheese (also optional if you’re not weird like me and obsessed with cheese).

Shrimp Scampi

Start by heating a pot of water and boiling some spaghetti or fettuccine. Meanwhile, saute up some finely chopped onion and lots of garlic in butter and olive oil. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup white wine , 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional) and your raw shrimp (fresh or frozen either way). Cook until the shrimp are pink and just cooked throughout, careful not to overcook or they get rubbery. Drain and toss the pasta in, along with about 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Garnish with chopped parsley and toasted breadcrumbs.

Ham Fried Rice

Start by cooking up about a cup of white rice. Then in a large pan add olive oil, onion, garlic, and diced ham. saute until onions are soft. Stir in the rice and some soy sauce (drizzle lightly at first, it gets salty quickly). Once it’s all mixed together crack two eggs in the mixture and stir until they’re cooked. Finish off with chopped scallions.\

Lasagna and Salad

Don’t judge, we will be using a frozen lasagna. Trader Joe’s makes a great one. For the side salad just a basic iceberg or romaine goes great. Add wedges of tomato, black olives, garbanzo beans, cucumber, and croutons.

Arroz con Pollo

Make it easy on yourself and buy the saffron rice from the store. Use chicken broth instead of the water it calls for. While that’s cooking, saute some chopped onion, green pepper, red pepper, garlic, and chicken, and cook a cup of frozen peas. Once it’s all cooked combine together.

Philly Cheeseburgers

Top your burger with sauteed onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Then melt lots of white American or Provolone on top.