I couldn’t be more excited to introduce this month’s guest chef, Grace Elkus.
If you’ve spent any time in the high-protein corner of Instagram, chances are you’ve come across Grace’s work. A recipe developer, food writer, and creator with an impressive culinary résumé, she has built a devoted following by making high-protein cooking feel fresh, comforting, and genuinely achievable. And yes, she’s probably done more than just about anyone to convince the internet that cottage cheese deserves a permanent spot in the refrigerator.
Choosing just three recipes from her new cookbook, Protein-Packed Vegetarian (out on August 26th) was no easy task. Every page is packed with clever ideas that prioritize protein without sacrificing vegetables, flavor, or the simple pleasure of cooking. It’s exactly the kind of book I love recommending because it proves that nourishing food
can also be inviting, comforting, and endlessly craveable.
This month’s menu includes one breakfast and two lunch-or-dinner recipes. You’ll start with Raspberry Chia Pudding Parfaits, where a vibrant raspberry smoothie becomes the base for creamy chia pudding layered with Greek yogurt, granola, and hemp seeds. Then there’s the Edamame Salad with Sesame Tofu, a colorful meal-prep salad loaded with crunchy vegetables, crispy tofu, quinoa, and a sesame-peanut dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything. Finally, Sheet Pan Summer Veggie Parmesan turns peak-season vegetables into a bubbling tray of marinara, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and crispy panko, delivering all the comfort of classic eggplant Parmesan with a generous protein boost.
These are the kinds of recipes that carry you effortlessly through hot August days, the first hints of fall, and honestly, any time of year when you want meals that are satisfying without feeling heavy.
One more thing. At the end of the month, I’ll be giving away a copy of Protein-Packed Vegetarian to one lucky Weeknight Simple subscriber, so stay tuned for details!
For those who are new around here, Weeknight Simple is my monthly recipe club where you get:
3 protein-rich dinner recipes, like the ones in this newsletter
A bonus recipe every month, could be breakfast, dessert, an exclusive from a new cookbook, etc. or occasional free workshops/giveaways
A comprehensive shopping list, organized by supermarket aisle
Access to the full recipe index, with dozens of recipes and counting
If you wish to stay a free subscriber, you get to vote on which recipe will be featured in next week’s free newsletter—so don’t miss the poll at the bottom.
And now, here’s what’s on the menu this month (descriptions from Protein-Packed Vegetarian)
Raspberry Chia Pudding Parfaits
I always thought chia pudding was just okay—until I layered it into parfaits. Fresh fruit adds juiciness, granola and hemp seeds add crunch, and plumping the chia seeds in what’s essentially a raspberry smoothie adds more flavor (and color!) than simply soaking them in milk. To make one big batch instead of individual jars, transfer the raspberry mixture to a large airtight container and stir in ½ cup chia seeds.
Edamame Salad with Sesame Tofu
If you’ve never gone to bed dreaming about lunch the next day, this vibrant, crunchy salad might change that. In addition to carrots, you can add any veggies that hold up well in the fridge, like snap peas or shredded red cabbage. If it’s bright and colorful, you’re doing it right.
Sheet Pan Summer Veggie Parmesan
If you follow me on social media, you know I have a thing for blanketing vegetables with sauce, cheese, and bread crumbs. It started with zucchini, evolved into eggplant, and blossomed into this multi-veggie masterpiece (CSA members will thank me). I like to give the edges an extra sprinkle of bread crumbs so they get super crispy. Serve big slices with bread, pasta, or salad.
Reprinted with permission from Protein-Packed Vegetarian: Easy, Nourishing Recipes to Fuel Your Day: A High-Protein Cookbook. Copyright © 2026 by Grace Elkus. Photographs copyright © 2026 by Linda Pugliese. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.
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