9 Meatless Monday Meal Ideas & Marinated Barley-Bean Salad Recipe

This morning I'm catching up on things that need to be done. That feels really good. It was a super-busy weekend at my other job and I just realized that I didn't make a menu plan for the week. That's going to happen today. It's nothing fancy or official ... I've just been jotting down some ideas of what appeals to me for dinners over the next week depending upon what's in the fridge and cupboards. I really like having a list to refer to and I like going to the grocery store with a set goal in mind. Does list making help you get through the week? I've been adding to the 'Quick Meal Ideas' link to build some instant go-to inspiration and hope it helps you too. Since today is meatless Monday, here are some vegetarian ideas for dinner tonight too ... what are you planning to make for dinner?

Beans • make a bean and potato curry: using a can of beans that you have on hand (lentils, pinto beans, white beans, etc.), pour them into a pan with some diced potatoes. Cover with water and add 2 to 3 teaspoons curry powder. Bring to a boil and then simmer until potatoes are tender and water has evaporated to make a thick stew. Add salt and pepper to taste

Eggs • Egg & Cheese Wrap

Grain & Rice • Marinated Quick Barley & Bean Salad Recipe

Pasta • boil a pot of noodles, elbows or shells. Drain when tender, stir in some butter and sprinkle with salt and a dash of black pepper

Pizza • make this Easy Bisquick Pizza Crust Recipe and top with sauce, cheese and veggies. I like to lightly saute some sliced onions, bell peppers and mushrooms

Sandwiches • Veggie Reuben Panini Sandwich Recipe

Seitan • make crispy seitan with gravy: lightly bread chunks of seitan in flour and cornmeal. Over medium-high heat, brown them in some oil until lightly golden brown. Remove crispy seitan from pan and make a light gravy with vegetable bouillon and water, (adding several tablespoons of flour whisked into water to thicken when it comes to a boil). Serve seitan and gravy with pasta or rice

Tempeh • make tempeh sandwich salad: cut tempeh into 6-8 pieces and sprinkle generously with soy sauce. Steam for 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. Meanwhile, saute diced onions and peppers (optional) in small amount of oil. When tempeh is cool, mash with fingers or fork into bowl. Add veggies and dollop of mayo or Miracle Whip or vege-naise. Sprinkle with onion salt and black pepper and parsley, adjusting seasonings to your preference. Serve on bread or toast with lettuce

Tofu • make a veggie/tofu stir-fry with peanut sauce: cut tofu into cubes and sizzle with a bit of soy sauce, onion powder and black pepper. When crispy, remove from pan and saute sliced veggies (bell peppers, onions, snow peas, etc.) for several minutes until just tender. Serve with rice or noodles and this Thai Peanut Sauce Recipe