This was the final full week of meals to plan before we head off on our 8th home exchange. We’re leaving soon for Spain and will be staying in a home along the Mediterranean Sea, in Alicante, at the beach. In the pictures, it looks dreamy and I can’t wait to arrive. Meanwhile, I’m trying to use up our food that we won’t be eating while we’re away. When you have home exchange partners staying in your home, it’s nice to leave them with a few items to get them started when they arrive at your home but not too many items. You want to leave room in the refrigerator so they have space for their things. I usually freeze any items that may go bad or that are half way gone – like yogurt or sour cream. I do leave milk and eggs and hope they use them up before we return.

Weekly Meal Plan

This meal plan is from Monday, June 11, 2012 to Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Monday: spicy lentils served over roasted cauliflower

Tuesday: spicy lentils (leftovers) served over spinach

Wednesday: roasted chicken, quinoa and salad

Thursday: beans (from freezer), chicken (leftover) and cheese burritos with fresh salsa

Friday: dinner at our friend’s house – we’re bringing Betsy’s Best Brownies – for dessert

Saturday: family dinner at my sister’s house – we’re bringing a big green salad

Sunday: mussels and clams with broth and bread and green salad (Father’s day – so this was my husband’s choice)

I improvised on Thursday for the bean burritos. I thought I had frozen pinto beans already cooked (not!) and ready to warm but there weren’t any. Instead, we thawed some of the white bean dip and had that with our burritos. It was quite good warmed and I’d eat it again – even if I wasn’t in a pinch! My kids did the baking (brownies and a cake) this week and cooked dinner on Sunday evening for Father’s day.

What’s for dinner at your house this week?

Go Gingham related links:

Homemade pesto – that can be made and frozen
Sour cream chipotle sauce that is an excellent dip
Grilled vegetables – on the grill – great for summer
The tangiest, yummiest BBQ sauce ever!
Egg salad sandwiches – you’ll wish you had chickens
Spicy, homemade hummus that you make from dried beans
Shrimp and quinoa salad – a summer favorite
How to roast red peppers or food you’re supposed to burn
Homemade granola – easy – made with molasses
Roasted garlic spread that’s another great dip or spread
Simple summer salad with tomatoes and cucumbers – oh, and onions and fresh dill
Everyday cake with fruit – baked this week with rhubarb from the garden
Betsy’s best brownies – our chicken who is no longer with us
Very easy and tasty white bean dip