Now that summer has arrived and temperatures are rising in New York, I find myself firing up the grill almost every evening. This week’s dinner plan highlights easy, seasonal favorites from my collection along with one of my husband’s favorite summer salads, which appears in The Skinnytaste Cookbook. I’ve also included a simple Slow Cooker Kalua Pork recipe that’s a family favorite — it’s effortless to prepare and makes plenty of leftovers for lunches or extra dinners.
The photo above shows the meal planner I use when organizing the week’s dinners (you can use any planner that works for you). Meal planning saves time, reduces food waste and makes grocery shopping faster. My breakfasts are typically simple — eggs with fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast — and because we are a family of four, recipes that make extra are either packed for lunches or enjoyed as leftovers the next day. If you’d like to browse earlier menus, check the Meal Plans section of this site for previous weeks and inspiration.
Skinnytaste Dinner Plan (Week 33)
- Monday: Tuscan Panzanella Salad with Grilled Garlic Bread (recipe from The Skinnytaste Cookbook)
- Tuesday: Blackened Fish Tacos with Cabbage Mango Slaw
- Wednesday: Bangin’ Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Quick Cabbage Slaw
- Thursday: Crock Pot Kalua Pork with Quick Cabbage Slaw
- Friday: Leftovers served over brown rice
- Saturday: Dinner out
- Sunday: Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs with salad
Notes on this week’s menu
These dinners are designed to be flavorful, relatively quick, and suited to warm weather cooking. The Tuscan Panzanella is a bright, tomato-forward bread salad that benefits from ripe heirloom tomatoes and a good extra-virgin olive oil. Blackened fish tacos are an easy midweek option — simply season the fish with smoky spices and serve with a crunchy mango-cabbage slaw. The grilled shrimp skewers are ideal for a fast, satisfying dinner and pair well with a light slaw or green salad. The Kalua pork is made in a slow cooker for hands-off convenience and stretches across several meals. Pesto chicken kebabs are perfect for the grill and make a colorful Sunday dinner.
Practical tips
- Prep once, eat twice: Chop vegetables for slaws and salads ahead of time and store them in airtight containers to speed up weeknight assembly.
- Grill basics: Oil the grates or brush the food with a little oil to prevent sticking. Cook seafood quickly over high heat for the best texture; poultry should reach a safe internal temperature.
- Make the Kalua pork a day ahead if possible — flavors deepen after resting and it’s easy to reheat gently on the stove or in the oven.
- Stretch meals by serving leftovers over brown rice or tucked into wraps for lunches or quick dinners.
Shopping List
Tuscan Panzanella Salad with Grilled Garlic Bread
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Red onion
- Basil leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Artisanal bread for grilling
- Garlic
- Fresh mozzarella
Blackened Fish Tacos with Cabbage Mango Slaw
- Red cabbage
- Mango
- Olive oil
- Cilantro
- Kosher salt
- Lime
- Smoked paprika
- Dry mustard
- Cayenne pepper
- Ground cumin
- Dried oregano
- Black pepper
- 1 lb skinless cod or halibut fillet (or other firm white fish)
- Cooking spray or oil
- 8 corn tortillas
Bangin’ Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Light mayonnaise
- Scallions
- Thai sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha
- Approximately 40 large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (weight after peeling)
- Fresh cracked pepper
- Oil spray or a neutral cooking oil
Quick Cabbage Slaw
- White cabbage
- Red bell pepper
- Red onion
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper
Crock Pot Kalua Pork
- 2 to 3 lb trimmed pork shoulder (blade roast)
- Liquid mesquite smoke
- Coarse red Hawaiian sea salt (or coarse kosher salt as an alternative)
Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs
- Fresh basil leaves
- Garlic
- Parmigiano Reggiano
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
- Olive oil
- 1 1/4 lbs skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Cherry tomatoes
- Wooden skewers (soak in water before grilling)
These ingredients will cover the week and can be adjusted to suit your family size or preferences. Enjoy a relaxed week of grilling, simple sides, and plenty of fresh summer produce.