I hate thinking about what to make for dinner. I actually enjoy the cooking part, but the whole coming up with something is debilitating….seriously. And like so many of you, I am a mom on the go and don’t have time to think about what to make let alone, drive or walk to the store with two tired children. And if you know my son, or live in my town you have probably seen my son in the local IGA and know what a challenge grocery shopping can be. This is one area of life for which I am thankful I live in a small town where everybody knows your name….and your kids’ name and aren’t afraid of stopping him from running out into the parking lot. The moment we get through the door Jakob grabs one of the pint sized carts, b-lines it to the free cookie counter and then the meat department where he, quick as lightening grabs a handful of hot dogs and a package of bacon (his daddy has him trained well).
And I can’t just throw anything on the table. We are eaters! We all love food and are 3 square meals a day kind of people. Lunch is usually lighter which means by dinner I need something with umph! No cereal or salad for this gal – that being said bacon and eggs or pancakes are always good options.
So today, I decided to make a list of meals. This way, at the beginning of the week I can pick 5, shop accordingly and don’t have to think about it. They are all tried and true, quick and accessible because as much as I do love IGA for some reason they just don’t stock fennel….and some other things that are apparently “everyday” according to the Barefoot Contessa. I thought some of you mind find this helpful as well so here it is….
If you want a recipe, don’t hesitate to ask and I would LOVE, seriously LOVE to know what meals work for your busy family.
Rice and Black Beans (my husband is Brazilian and this is a staple food)
Lemon Rosemary Chicken (low fat and quick-best served with roasted potatoes and steamed veggies)
Salmon with lemon and dill (good for omega 3 fatty acid intake and also low fat – served well with brown rice and steamed veggies )
Cajun Chicken Sandwiches
Homemade Pizza (it takes an hour for the dough to rise but it is quick and can be made whole wheat. I often will use pasta sauce because its always stocked and whatever veggies are in the fridge. That being said, garlic chicken, red pepper, red onion, zucchini and feta is our favorite)
Asian Pork Tenderloin (served with apple sauce)
Raviolis (we buy these spinach and ricotta raviolis at Costco- they are great in sauteed zucchini, peppers and onions, but Ben’s favorite is when coat them in extra Parmesan and deep fry them.)
Spaghetti (good old faithful. I saute some veggies and sometimes some ground turkey to beef up regular pasta sauce and use either rice pasta or whole wheat spaghetti)
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo (horrible for you but delightfully delicious when you need some comfort food)
Tandoori Chicken (new to the rotation)
Soy Sauce Chicken (this is always a hit and seriously, SO EASY)
Potato Bacon Cheddar Soup (again, not that healthy but very hearty)
Greek Pasta (stole this one from a restaurant I used to work at: Spinach, tomatoes, red onion, garlic and feta. Delicious!)
Crock Pot Roast (for days I know I won’t have time to make anything. I through in some onions and veggies and we’re good to go.)
Season Baked Chicken Thighs
Beef Stew
Tacos (Tacos are actually quite rare in our house as they aren’t baby friendly, but they are a nice treat)
Stir Fry
Lentil Veggie Soup (this is a staple food in our house but usually for lunch)
Beef Barley Soup (Good for a crowd and always a hit)
Cheese Quasadillas (I stuff whatever I have in em- chicken, veggies, etc)
Quiche (again stick whatever I have in it)
Breakfast for Supper (My ultimate fall-back: Bacon and eggs, sausage, pancakes or waffles – not all together but those are just some of the possibilities.)
This was a new dish I tried the other night. It hasn’t proven itself to get on the regular rotation yet but it was pretty good, quick and healthy. The recipe can be found here
Keep in mind this list is seasonal…when I can get to my BBQ it’s a whole other world. But really, I would love to hear what you do.
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