Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our nation. It’s also an opportunity to express gratitude for the first responders, health care workers, and essential personnel who gave so much during the pandemic years. This year feels different — a welcome sense of relief and renewed freedom after the challenges of the past three years. Enjoy the holiday weekend, and here’s a practical, flavorful dinner planner to guide your week.
Meatless Monday: Veggie-Stuffed Grilled Portobello Mushrooms (page 284, Quicker Than Quick). Serve with a crisp green salad dressed with Everyday Salad Dressing #1. These mushrooms are hearty, packed with vegetables, and perfect for a satisfying, meatless start to the week.
Tuesday: Baked Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives, and Capers. I like to stir in a generous handful of spinach at the end and use cherry tomatoes for a lighter, fresher finish. Pair this with roasted smashed potatoes for a comforting, balanced meal.
Wednesday: Quinoa and Jicama Salad with Avocado Dressing, served with the protein of your choice — canned or jarred tuna or salmon, a hard-boiled egg, chickpeas, or poached chicken all work beautifully. This salad is bright, crunchy, and an excellent option for a nutritious midweek dinner.
Thursday: Pan-Seared Moroccan-Spiced Salmon with cauliflower rice and roasted carrots. The warm spices on the salmon create a lovely contrast to the mild cauliflower rice and sweet roasted carrots, making for an elegant, easy-to-prepare dinner.
Friday: Green Goddess Salad, served alongside roasted fish. The herb-forward dressing lifts seasonal greens and pairs especially well with simply seasoned, roasted fillets for a light, flavorful end to the week.
Saturday Brunch: Cherry Cacao Açaí Bowl. This vibrant bowl is ideal for a leisurely weekend brunch — creamy, fruity, and energizing, with a touch of chocolatey cacao and fresh cherries for brightness.
Sunday: Chicken Shawarma (page 188, KM) with accompaniments: lavash or cauliflower rice, crisp lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumber, olives, tahini, and plain yogurt. For a vegetable-forward twist, try the shawarma spice mix with 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 2 tablespoons olive oil roasted on cauliflower florets for a roasted cauliflower shawarma — a delicious alternative that keeps the shawarma spirit while offering extra vegetables.
To streamline your week, here are simple prep suggestions you can do in advance:
Sunday (prep for the week):
- Make salad dressings to save time on busy evenings.
- Wash and dry greens so salads come together quickly.
- Cook quinoa and store chilled for the Wednesday salad.
- Clean and store mushrooms for Monday’s stuffed portobellos.
Monday:
- Boil potatoes ahead of time for Tuesday’s roasted smashed potatoes.
Wednesday:
- Prepare Green Goddess dressing so it’s ready to toss with greens or use as a dip.
Friday:
- Mix the shawarma marinade in advance so flavors deepen before Sunday’s meal.
These simple make-ahead steps reduce evening preparation time and help keep meals fresh and stress-free. Small tasks done in advance make weeknight cooking feel effortless.
I love seeing your takes on these recipes — it’s a joy to scroll through photos of your finished dishes. If you make any of these recipes, please tag @pamelasalzman and use #pamelasalzman so I can see your creations. I also send a free Monday newsletter featuring new recipes, personal notes, and things I’m enjoying — consider subscribing to get weekly updates and inspiration.
If you enjoy the recipes, consider ordering my cookbook Quicker Than Quick. If you have a minute, a review on Amazon is hugely appreciated — it really helps. You can also explore my earlier cookbook, Kitchen Matters, for more recipes and tips.