Labor Day Weekend Meal Plan

I really don’t foresee any big plans over (yet another fairly locked down) holiday weekend, but I do want to minimize time in the kitchen, so I’m taking a little time now to get myself organized for the weekend meal plan.

Here are some of my easy and healthy(ish) go-to menus for relaxed weekend eating.

Dogs and Burgers

Does this at all classify under healthyish?  Well, I think it does!  We buy Hebrew National 100% beef Kosher dogs from Costco.  These and Nathan’s are about the only dogs I like.  But, oh, boy, do I like them.  I like to make them semi-Chicago style with hot peppers, tomatoes, pickles – you get the picture.

Also from Costco, we have started buying sirloin patties for our hamburgers.  They are 85% lean which leaves just enough fat for a super juicy burger (I like mine well done and they are still juicy) but not fatty and no shrinkage. 

Can I just say that one of these burgers on a ciabatta is like heaven?  I’m not a big meat eater, but somehow dogs and burgers still make the menu.

John is (supposed to be) gluten free so he usually eats his “protein style,” using lettuce for a bun. 

Main Dish Italian Pasta Salad

It’s September and many are dreaming of autumn weather, but it’s still stinkin’ hot here (I’m not complaining) so a cold pasta salad really hits the spot.

This salad checked some of my important boxes:

• I got to use my cute campanelle (little bell) Italian pasta I picked up at Home Goods
• It does not use a mayo-based dressing
• Ingredients I already had on hand
• I used my adorable little containers to make the dressing!

This salad tasted better the second day after the dressing saturated the pasta and mingled with the vegetables.

Here’s what I did:

Italian Pasta Salad

• ½ pound pasta, cooked according to package directions
• Chopped vegetables: I used green onion, radish, ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved, ½ English cucumber, a few green olives (stuffed with jalapenos)
• Arugula (optional, but I served on a bed of lettuce)
• Salt, pepper, oregano to taste
• Sprinkle of Parmesan
• Add protein if desired

Dressing

• ¼ c avocado or olive oil
• 1/8 c  balsamic
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/8 tsp honey
• Salt, pepper, oregano to taste (I added to the salad AND to the dressing)

Combine all ingredients and chill for 2 hours – overnight.

Ribs and Corn on the Cob

Safeway had corn for 3 cents this week.  Yep, 3 cents.  John did not pass Go and did not collect $200.  He went straight to Safeway for his favorite side in the world.  He best loves corn on the cob steamed, so that’s how we’ll have it this weekend.

I have shared a couple of rib recipes this summer, but the crockpot ribs are good with the least amount of work, so those will make the cut this weekend.

Grandma’s Potato Salad

Wow, have I been making potato salad a lot this summer for some reason.  I got up super early Friday morning and made a bowl of potato salad.  Since John doesn’t get much bread with his summer meals, the potato salad helps fill him up and he loves it.  Making it early Friday means it gets to spend the day – or two – in the fridge getting even more delish.

Buttermilk Biscuits

I am not a good baker: The kitchen becomes a huge mess after I so much as look at flour and touching a rolling pin breaks me out in hives.

But.

I made biscuits this week from Southern Living’s recipe.  Yay! I baked and rolled. And then I mopped the floor. And scrubbed out the sink. And laundered the rug.

It called for self-rising flour which I don’t have so I added baking powder and salt.  Of course, they have a stick of butter in them, so they are good, but honest to goodness, KFC’s still taste better to me.

I plan to bring them to exercise with me and see if I can share the calories so I don’t eat them all myself.

Arugula Salad

With all the meat and starch, I plan to fill in the other meals with my favorite arugula salad and use whatever fresh veggies we still have on hand.

World Famous Veggie Plate

There is a crudités platter (compliments of John) in the fridge and I’ve already dipped into them.  I’m not saying I won’t put a side of chips on my plate, but it helps to have the veggies get on the plate first.

That’s my plan for the weekend.  Pretty traditional stuff.  What are you planning for the holiday weekend?

I hope you have a safe weekend and enjoy the end of summer.