Meal Planning

Two weeks have passed since my connective tissue graft surgery. Everything went well, and now I can eat normally again. Here is what I'm making (I might be going overboard with the planning, but as long as I only buy enough ingredients for the first couple nights, it's fine):

Vegan Fish Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw and Black Beans and Elote

I want to eat all this tonight. I got some small heirloom black beans from my latest Rancho Gordo Bean box, so I'm using those.

Fresh Veggie Tacos with Fresh Guacamole and Leftover Sides

Any leftover red cabbage slaw, black beans, or elote can go with this.

Black Bean Burgers and Greek Salad

Shakshuka and Leftover Greek Salad

If I have mushrooms leftover from the veggie tacos and eggs still in the fridge. 

Falafel (plus Red Sauce)

Because it's a nice sandwich but also requires heating up the oven, and it's not supposed to be particularly hot this week.

Vegan Seafood Salad

If I have leftover pita pockets from the falafel.

California Wrap

Because it calls for the same sauce as the falafel.

Meal Planning after Connective Tissue Surgery

I'm getting my stitches out tomorrow. I've been eating foods that require no chewing and can't get stuck in stitches for the last week. After the stitches are out, I am graduating to soft foods that can require some light chewing. This is what we're making:

Garden Pretzel Sandwiches

I'll just eat more drinkable foods this night.

Takeout Pizza

Simran is singing at a local restaurant for a fundraiser Tuesday night, so we'll get a pizza while we're there. I'll have drinkable soup, etc.

Indian Butter Tofu and Rice

I might use this recipe for the sauce instead. It's InstantPot and easy.

Spaghetti & Meatless Balls (Delish Loves Disney)

Malai Kofta and Rice

McDonald's Style Breakfast Sandwiches

Last week Sameer made the following for Simran while I mostly ate Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup, cream of wheat, scrambled eggs, whipped sweet potatoes, homemade refried beans with whipped avocado, cottage cheese, green smoothies (no straw! because surgery), and yogurt:

Garden Pretzel Sandwiches

Vegetable Lasagna

Boxed Mac 'n Cheese and Morningstar Buffalo Wings

Prepared foods.

Veggie Dogs & French Fries

Duchess Potatoes

I was able to eat this. They supplemented with veggie dogs while I had other soft foods.

Meal Planning

We're expecting three warm days this week (by which I mean over 75 degrees, warm enough we'll need to open the windows if not turn on the A/C) followed by three cool days (by which I mean no chance we'll need to use the A/C -- highs in the 60s or lower), so I'm planning three meals that use the whole oven on the cool days and three meals that don't for the warmer days. Next Monday I have another gum graft surgery, so I want to use up any crunchy foods before then because I'll be on a liquid/soft diet for a couple of weeks, and Sameer and Simran historically have eaten mostly prepared foods during that time. Here is what I have to use up: a couple kinds of lettuce, arugula, an heirloom tomato, some hot dog buns, a bag of shaved brussels sprouts, and some homemade ranch dressing. Here is what I'm making: 

Vegan Air-Fried Soy Curls with Homemade Ranch Dip and Baked Beans and Arugula Salad and Corn on the Cob

Veg Kielbasa with Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes and Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Whole Grain Mustard Sauce

DIY Sandwiches and Leftover Sides

Green Enchilada Lasagna (I Can Cook Vegan, pg. 192)

Tofu Pot Pie

Because I have tofu in the freezer, as well as frozen veg. I don't make this much after it gets hot outside since it involves a lot of oven baking, which heats up the house, and we all like this meal.

Plant-Based Meatballs (Delish Loves Disney, pg. 13)

I can eat these in the second week after my gum graft surgery, so I'll make them this Thursday or Friday when it's cool out and put them in a bag in the freezer for later.

French Onion Skillet Lasagna

To finish off the mushrooms from the meatless balls and the spinach from the green enchilada lasagna.

Loaded Nachos

Sunday night since it yields no leftovers and I'll be eating pretty lean for the next week (mostly blended soups, pureed sweet potato, homemade refried beans, and yogurt) so I might as well have a junk food dinner beforehand.