Hello friends! One of you asked for a simple, practical menu plan and shopping list to follow, and I’m excited to share a five-day plan (Monday to Friday) that makes weekday cooking easier. I left the weekend open so you can improvise, dine out, or use leftovers. Each day includes one main meal that can serve as lunch or dinner depending on your schedule.
Monday: African stewed spinach (or use the same method for any leafy greens) served with boiled plantains.
Tuesday: Meatballs in tomato sauce served with pasta.
Wednesday: Okra soup served with garri — a hearty, traditional choice that pairs well with simple sides.
Thursday: Easy chicken stew served over boiled rice — a comforting, versatile meal that reheats well.
Friday: Puff puff and beans — a crowd-pleasing, slightly indulgent finish to the week that’s great for sharing.
If you need more breakfast or meal inspiration, check the recipe index on the blog for a wider range of ideas.
Shopping List for Week 1 Menu
- Chopped spinach or another leafy green of your choice
- Fresh tomatoes (you’ll use a generous amount across several meals: stewed spinach, chicken stew, beans, and meatballs)
- Onions
- Smoked fish, smoked turkey, or smoked beef (choose based on preference)
- Cooking oil of choice (canola, olive, coconut, etc.)
- Plantains — ripe or unripe depending on how you like them
- Ground meat (for meatballs)
- Pasta (spaghetti or preferred shape)
- Fresh parsley
- Tomato sauce or tomato paste (for stews and meatballs)
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Hot pepper (habanero) — optional, to taste
- Okra
- Egusi (melon seeds), if preparing recipes that use them
- Crayfish (ground or whole)
- Dried or additional smoked fish
- Beef (for stews or soups)
- Garri (to serve with okra soup)
- Beans (black-eyed, black, or preferred variety)
- Flour (for puff puff)
- Yeast (for puff puff)
- Sugar (for puff puff and general use)
- Salt and bouillon or Maggi seasoning
This plan is designed to be flexible: you can swap proteins, adjust spice levels, and scale quantities to suit your household. I hope the menu and shopping list simplify your week and spark a few tasty meals. If you’d like more weekly plans or themed menus (budget-friendly, vegetarian, quick dinners), let me know and I’ll prepare more regularly.
