healthy mediterranean diet meal plan #1
Tuscan white bean, spinach & whole grain soup
I thought a lot (I’d be embarrassed to admit just how much time I really spent) about what menu should launch this new meal plan feature of the newsletter. And what recipe should be first out of the gate?
Should it be something spectacular that would knock your socks off? Should it sound “exotically” Mediterranean and transport you to the shore where I live? Should it be something you’ll put on repeat for the rest of your life, made up of ingredients you’re likely to already have in your fridge and pantry?
I’ve opted for the latter.
I wanted to give the starring role of today’s menu to a simple, oh-so-fresh tasting soupy stew that I love knowing is in my freezer when I’m too tired to cook, don’t want a big meal, and just want to stay on track without thinking about it.
In fact, George and I enjoyed it last night paired with a light little salad of greens and such. And I’m guessing we’ll be having another serving in a couple of days since getting the newsletter up and going has been pretty much an over-the-top, full-time activity for me.
It’s the perfect example of what I think Mediterranean cooking is all about… turning ordinary (healthy) ingredients into extraordinary (equally healthy) recipes. And I hope you’ll agree.
You’ll find a few other recipes in the menu PDF besides the one I promised you (mostly because I just can’t help myself). When I can, I’ll reach into the archive and include them so that you don’t have to go hunting around. You’ll also find a few tips for ways to stretch this menu into a meal plan that will cover you for a few days.
As I build on this library of menus every week, we’ll have lots more fun in the future, exploring all sorts of new ingredients, healthy dishes and menus of the day that will help you figure out exactly how to make this diet work for you.
Today, I want to show just how simple it is to follow the Mediterranean diet with a day’s worth of ideas that will get you started, so pull up a chair, grab a cup or a glass and join me in my Mediterranean kitchen while we make our way from breakfast to dinner.
I recently started with your subscription and I LOVE it!! I know that probably everyone tells you that you are absolutely incredible to watch!!! But it's true!! You have such an adorable personality and so knowledgable. I am a wife, in my 50s, and a mother of 5, and cooking has always been so much of a challenge for me. You make it look so easy and give me the confidence to try :)
As our kiddos grow up, my husband & I talk about traveling to Spain. (Italy has been our favorite thus far) What fun it would be to spend an evening cooking & visiting with you & George! hahaha
So anyway, just wanted to say a HUGE HUGE thank you for doing Mediterranean Minutes. I can't imagine how much work it took. Mind-blowing I'm sure, how much work it took. But I hope you take solace in the fact that you have changed my life. Mine and hundreds of others.
Thank you, Caroline!!
-Tonya :)
from Kentucky
Congratulations on this new chapter of Mediterranean Minutes. I can’t wait to dive right in.