I need to vary my dinner meals?

Question

I need dinner ideas. Because all i have been eating lately is fried potatoes, mushrooms, and ravioli.

I love to cook, and I would love simple meal ideas.
Also, any really good salad recipes? Mine are a bit plain. And I must find an alternative for ranch dressing which is packed with calories and all that bad stuff.
Thank you!

Answer 1

You would be surprised how good fish or chicken are on an indoor grill with just salt (or substitute) and pepper. Also a REALLY light dressing for salad is just a couple of drops of lemon juice. If you really must have ranch, try lite ranch on the side and just dip a bit of you salad in it. This really saves the amount you actually eat.

Answer 2

I don't know how healthy you want to cook, but I try to cook healthy, but sometimes you just need to go retro. Tonight we had a tried and true meatloaf recipe from the 1960's for fun.

For a lighter dressing, try a balsamic vinaigrette but only use half as much oil as called for.

Answer 3

The best low-fat salad dressings are honey-mustard, sweet and sour, and I especially like Ken's Raspberry Walnut. I often add red pepper and fruit to the salad and pour one of these over it.

Answer 4

The Best Pork Chop Dinner - EVER
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 pork loin chops with bone
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can mushrooms, drained and chopped
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 potatoes, unpeeled,cut into thin slices
1 onion, sliced
chopped parsley


1. Heat butter and oil in large skillet.
2. Brown pork chops on both sides. Set aside.
3. Combine soup, mushrooms, mustard, chicken broth, garlic, salt, basil and pepper in slow cooker.
4. Add potatoes and onion, stirring to coat.
5. Place pork chops on top of potato mixture.
6. Cover and cook on Low 8 to 10 hours or on High 4 to 5 hours.
7. Sprinkle with parsley.

Loaded Baked Potato Salad
8 potatoes, cubed (half peeled or half with skin)
2 teaspoons salt
6 slices bacon, diced & crisp cooked
6 green onions
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
16 ounces sour cream
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Miracle Whip


1. Cube and boil potatoes with salt.
2. Drain.
3. Crumble bacon and slice onions (including tops).
4. Combine sour cream, pepper and Miracle Whip.
5. Add to potatoes.
6. Add bacon, onions and cheese (reserve some of each for top).
7. Mix with potatoes.
8. Pour into baking dish.
9. Top with reserved cheese, onions, and bacon.
10. Bake 350 for 10-15 minutes (until cheese melts).

Kittencal's Greek Salad "the Best"
1 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
1/2 tablespoon dried basil
salt and pepper
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2-3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
1-2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
For Salad
2 romaine lettuce, chopped
2 large tomatoes, cut in wedges
1 large cucumber, julienned
1 red onion, cut in slices
1/2 lb feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup Greek olives or regular black olives
black pepper



1. In a processor, process the oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper, garlic, basil, vinegar and Parmesan cheese until smooth, adjusting ALL ingredients to suit taste.
2. **NOTE** if you find the dressing too strong, add in 1-2 teaspoons sugar.
3. Chill in fridge for a couple of hours before using to blend flavors.
4. Prepare salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing over and enjoy!

Answer 5

red wine vinegar and orange squeezed in, with maybe some herbs
turkey club salad
greens turkey bacon avacado tomato

biscuits and gravy are cheap and easy


frito pie is great too!