In case you’re wondering why there have been so many dinners with lentils lately it’s because I’m entering a recipe contest sponsored by USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council that will be part of The National Lentil Festival. I do hope I win because the top prize is $1,000!  My family has lots of suggestions about what makes lentils taste good or not and I’ve been tweaking the recipe. Lentils are easy to cook with and you don’t have to soak them first like you do when cooking with dried beans. I’ll keep you posted about whether I win or not. I’ll also post my “spicy lentils” recipe after the contest in August.

Weekly Meal Plan

This meal plan is from Monday, June 4, 2012 to Sunday, June 10, 2012.

Monday: pinto beans (from freezer), shredded pork (from freezer) and cheese burritos with fresh salsa

Tuesday: spicy lentils

Wednesday: Alaskan cod, quinoa, salad

Thursday: egg, toast, spinach and cheese (pictured below) with Tabasco

Friday: roasted red peppers, ground pork with whole wheat pasta and green salad

Saturday: roasted red peppers, ground pork with whole wheat pasta and green salad (leftovers)

Sunday: lasagna (freezer) and green salad

This was the week I was out of town for the long weekend in Seattle at BlogHer Food.  We had lasagna from the freezer that I had assembled several weeks ago but had not cooked yet. It was mostly frozen when I baked it so it took 2 hours in the oven. My daughter didn’t make dinner this week but will be making two meals next week. My son made the dinner on Friday with peppers, pork, pasta and a salad. He roasted the peppers himself (first time) but didn’t peel them. He suggests not getting the skin so burnt and then you don’t have to peel the skin off. I love it when my kids teach themselves (and me) things in the kitchen!

What’s for dinner at your house this week?

Go Gingham related links:

Previous meal plans can be found here and the meal plan download is here
Grilled vegetables taste delicious and are easy to cook inside or outside
The best ever BBQ sauce recipe can be found here
Spices I use for cooking can be found here
Roasted red peppers – food you’re supposed to burn – is here
Summer time cooking is easy with these veggies with rice or an easy quinoa salad
Slow food gets prepared by slow families
Shopping from the bulk bins and storage tips
Frugal grocery shopping tips
Meal planning made simple – you can do it!
Could you give up fast food for a year? It’s easier than you think!
Have a night off in the kitchen and get those kids cooking!!