Budget and Plan a Week of Dinners
Whether you have your own garden in the backyard, visit the farmer’s market in town, or focus on buying seasonal produce from the grocery store, using fresh ingredients in recipes makes a big difference. It can also save you money! Check out the recipes below that make July produce the star of the show.
MEAL ONE:
Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Zucchini is a summer squash, so take advantage of their freshness during this season! You can put lots of different types of fillings inside zucchini boats, but who doesn’t love a taco-style stuffing! You can make these a day ahead and store in the fridge until you’re ready to cook, and leftovers will keep for about 4 days if you want to take it as lunch during the week.
MEAL TWO:
Couscous with Zucchini, Eggplant, Chickpeas, and Tomatoes
This recipe is a whole garden party in your mouth! Ready in about 20 minutes, this dish can be served as an entrée or as a side dish paired with a lean protein, like grilled chicken, if desired.
MEAL THREE:
Thai Blackberry Basil Chicken
This recipe may sound gourmet, but it can be prepped, cooked, and served in about 20 minutes! While it may feel strange to mix Thai flavors with blackberries, the sweet and savory combination is a winner. It’s a great way to utilize fresh blackberries and basil from the garden!
MEAL FOUR:
Tomato Watermelon Salad
Watermelon and tomatoes are the produce mascots of summer! Use fresh tomatoes and mint from the garden, farmer’s market, or grocery store for a perfect taste of summer. This recipe would be a great side dish for grilled or baked meat, like chicken, fish, or shrimp!
MEAL FIVE:
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
My mouth is watering just thinking about this recipe! It’s a great way to use up any bell peppers you have in the fridge and stuffing them with juicy beef and cheese makes this recipe a crowd pleaser. Purchase lean ground beef or lean, affordable cuts of beef and reduced-fat cheese to keep saturated fat in check.