Weekly Menu Ideas: 07-04

The Kitchen of Love

For me, some of my fondest memories are rooted in the kitchen. When I think back to my childhood and the people I love, it’s always the kitchen that stands out. I can still hear my mom saying that the secret ingredient to every dish is always love, and my dad teaching me that cooking should never take longer than 20 minutes, showing me how to prepare quick, delicious meals.

Each family member had their favorite dishes, and it’s those meals that I remember most vividly. The kitchen wasn’t just a place to cook—it was where we connected, laughed, and shared our love for one another. These memories have stayed with me through the years.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that my fondness for the kitchen isn’t just about quick meals or following recipes. I have realized that my fondness of the kitchen has less to do with my desire to cook quickly and easily but it’s built around great memories and building those memories with my kids.

As I see my children laughing and learning alongside me in the kitchen, I’m reminded that the best part of cooking isn’t the end result—it’s the moments we share along the way. Whether it’s helping to bake birthday cakes or preparing a meal together, it’s about creating new memories that they’ll carry with them, just as I’ve carried mine.

Weekly Menu - 7 April

Monday

School Lunch: Hot Dogs / Salad Roll

Dinner: Spaghetti Bolognese

Tips for this idea:

Spaghetti Bolognese is an easy meal, especially if you have ready made Arrabiata sauce at hand. I usually use mince meat for mine, which cooks just as easy but this can easily be substituted for brown lentils cooked in the same way either fried or tossed in meatball.

Tuesday:

School Lunch: Cold Pasta

Dinner: Cheesy Chili One-Pot Chicken Bake

Tips for this idea:

This meal is quite easy, it involves first frying your chicken in butter and then cooking a white sauce of your choice over it. Finally topping it with some cheese and chili and popping it in the oven. If you vegan or vegetarian you can substitute butter beans in this recipe and hold back on the cheese.

Wednesday:

School Lunch: Nutella & Banana Wraps

Dinner: Stir-Fry

Tips for this idea:

Stir-Fry is a great mid-week special, you can add the protein of your choice as well as get a good amount of your vegetables all in one go. Go crazy with your fillings and even add in some egg if you would like something extra.

Thursday:

School Lunch: Toasted Cheese & Veg Sticks

Dinner: Lemon Butter Pan Fried Fish & Roasted Vegetables

Tips for this idea:

Lemon butter sauce goes great every once in a while. If you do not eat fish, a great substitute is falafel which is prepared in equal time. Roasted vegetables bought in a bag is great for this, and makes dinners quick and easy.

Friday:

School Lunch: Pizza

Dinner: Burgers & Fries

Tips for this idea:

Burgers are great for a Friday, and can be made from literally any protein. Mince for smash burgers are my favorite but my son prefers corn flakes on chicken breast. A vegan alternative is mixed lentils with onions and coriander.

Saturday:

Lunch: Polony Specials

Dinner: Tacos

Tips for this idea:

Tacos make for an easy meal especially after a sport filled day. You can fill it with shrimp, chicken, tofu or even just black beans. Combined with salad vegetables this is my go-to for tired days.

Sunday:

Supper: Stew and Dumplings / Curry of your choice

Tips for this idea:

It's always great to start the week off with a hearty meal, served with rice and salad stew is a great. If you have an instant pot, this meal can be prepared and ready in under 30 minutes.

I hope this makes this week easier for you. If you feel like you this is something you need for the weeks ahead, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas for next week. ♥️