Easy 9 Days Dinners

We are currently in the last part of the time known as “The Three Weeks” –  a period in summer that begins with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz and climaxes with Tisha b’Av. It is a time of grieving for the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

It is also a time when those who observe this mourning abstain from eating meat which can certainly be a challenge if your dinner typically revolves around grilled chicken or hamburgers.

Here are a few ideas for satisfying meat-free meals for the 9 day period before Tisha b’Av.

Even food bloggers need to come up with satisfying veggie alternatives for this time, and the Overtime Cook put together this recipe for Spaghetti Cheese and Spinach Pie. What a hearty alternative for any time of year! Serve this with a side salad and you have a complete meal.

Give me some cheese and veggies in between two slices of bread and I am a happy lady. Having a grilled cheese night is always a fun dinner idea, and these Fig and Goat Cheese Sandwiches are definitely a notch above that same old cheese sandwich.

Eggs and cheese baked in a tangy tomato sauce, otherwise known as Shakshuka, is a perfect weeknight dinner packed with veggies, protein and flavor! Serve with pita bread, hummus and some chopped salad.

I love the versatility of stuffed peppers – you can fill them with meat, cheese or rice.  Perfect for a meatless meal are these Quinoa Stuffed Peppers.