We are deep in the thick of social distancing. No more daily grocery trips; we’ve got to plan ahead. I’m headed to the grocery store tomorrow, and here is my 10-day social distancing meal plan. I may make it to the store before another ten days goes by, but maybe not. Moreover, while I’ve planned ten dinners, the store may be out of supplies for one of more of these. Some of these are old favorites, but some are new recipes. I have a captive audience here (my husband and daughter), so they are forced to be my culinary guinea pigs.
I hope this post will give you some ideas. We’d also love to hear what our readers are cooking during this crazy time. And I challenge Kalisa to share her cooking plans, as well. She’s cooking for one vegetarian and one no-dairy person, so she has to get creative to please everyone.
Meal Plan Day 1: Chicken Fajitas
With only 3 of us home, this makes enough for 2 meals for us. It’s good for leftovers for lunch.
Meal Plan Day 2: Split Pea Soup and Quesadillas
This soup — my husband’s favorite — is also good heated up later for leftovers. We serve this with quesadillas, and it would also be terrific with a grilled cheese sandwich.
Meal Plan Day 3: Meatballs and Zoodles, Caesar Salad
I’m trying a new recipe, Zoodles and meatballs. I love using my spiralizer to make zucchini noodles. (For instructions, please see Low Carb Blackened Salmon with Blistered Tomatoes and Zucchini Noodles.). We find that we’ve been eating comfort food, which for us is pasta and pizza and tons of carbs. The zucchini noodles will be a nice break and easier on the waistline. I see from the reviews that you can end up with a watery sauce, from the moisture in the zucchini. I think if I salt the noodles, put them in a collander, and give them a good squeeze before adding, I should be OK.
This calls for frozen meatballs, which I’ve never bought. I hope I can find some good ones. If so, this should be an easy and comforting one-pot meal. Add a Caesar salad, and we’re good.
Meal Plan Day 4: Take-out
We’re trying to have take-out every few days. It adds variety, and helps local restaurants who are struggling now that they are closed to onsite dining.
Meal Plan Day 5: Barbecue Pulled Chicken and Corn Salad
I have a love/hate relationship with my Instant Pot. I did love a shredded beef I made in it, so I’m hoping this very simple chicken recipe will be good: Instant Pot BBQ Chicken. Sounds fast and so easy. I like a spicy sauce, but local favorite Montgomery Inn Barbecue sauce would be good too.
I’ll serve this with Kalisa’s Corn Salad: Versatile and Quick.
I like her suggestions to add some black beans.
Meal Plan Day 6: Pork tenderloin with veggies
This pork tenderloin is one of our favorites, and I haven’t made it in a while: One-Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Vegetables.
The peppers and tomatoes are so delicious with this. I think I’ll serve it with sweet potatoes.
Meal Plan Day 7: Chicken Verde Tacos
We love these tacos, and they are the easiest thing ever: Chicken Verde Tacos. We serve this on crunchy taco shells, with refried beans, shredded cheese, sour cream, tomato and diced onion.
Meal Plan Day 8: Sauerkraut and Pork
I get it; not everyone loves sauerkraut. But I do. This is one dish that is fantastic in the Instant Pot because of the way the flavors meld, and the consistency of the meat. Instant Pot Pork Roast with Sauerkraut.
This is a nice dish for these times, because you can buy the ingredients way in advance. I actually bought the pork roast a few weeks ago and froze it. And of course the sauerkraut is in a jar, and can be kept for a while in your pantry.
Meal Plan Day 9: Take-out
Stimulate the local economy. And save my family from being Mom’s guinea pigs for a night.
Meal Plan Day 10: Kalisa’s black bean soup
She just told me about this one, and it sounds terrific. Stay tuned for her post including the recipe.
I’m hoping to make this one, but my last trip to the grocery store revealed that all dried beans had been bought by hoarders. Wish me luck. I’m going in.
