What should I make for dinner?

Question

I am a newlywed and can cook decently, and plan my menu for the week on monday, and do my shopping, but today I am stuck. I don't know what I cook, so I would like suggestions, just a big ole list, i will probably cook it all eventually. My husband really likes veggies, we pretty much eat anything. Oh yeah and we are on a budget, so steaks will only happen once, and we like to eat pretty healthy. Thanks!

pasta is really popular! wow, thanks ya'll i would also like ideas that are unique, i don't mind spending time in the kitchen if the end result is worth it. I really like meals like salmon and vaggies all steamed together in a tin foil pouch in the oven, but we had that last week. so i need new stuff. thanks!

Answer 1

Here are just a few suggestions:

Persian Chicken with Rice:
Takes some preparation, but is well worth the effort. Just google it for a recipe.

15 Bean Soup:
This is the best soup ever. Find the basic package in your supermarket and modify it to suit your own tastes. The nice thing about this is that it usually makes enough for 2 days worth of dinner.

Dirty Rice:
This is an excellent dish. I usually buy Zatarain's brand, but others I am sure exist. It is easy and again makes enough for 2 days.

Hamburger Helper / Tuna Helper / Chicken Helper:
These really are time savers and taste great to boot. Another good thing about these is that they can be modified. Just look on the box for suggestions. There are plenty of them. But don't stop at just these. Whatever seems appropriate and doesn't destroy the basic dish will also work. For example, I recently made some Tuna Helper, but added a cup of frozen mixed vegetables while it cooked. The result was fabulous.

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole:
I usually make mine from scratch. Contrary to what most people think, this dish does not have to be boring, and made only with cheese. In addition to using cheese for the basic mix, I often chop up about a cup or more of onion, and add some chopped broccoli, celery and bacon or diced ham. Sometimes I use a can of soup made for recipes, like Campbell's Cheese with Broccoli or Cream of Celery soup. Be careful with liquid ingredients though, too much will make the casserole mushy. I have also been known to add a small can of peas or other vegetable and a cup of sour cream to the mix. Add spices to your taste to the mix before baking. After baking for 30-45 minutes at about 375-400°, remove from the oven and add your choice of grated cheeses (A 3-4 cheese blend is good), seasoned bread crumbs (Italian is the best kind), spices of your choice (I personally love Italian seasoning, garlic and/or onion power, pepper and parsley flakes on it), and paprika to the top of the casserole. Then return to the oven and broil for 5 to 10 minutes. Watch the dish carefully to make sure the top doesn't burn. Delicimo! This also makes enough for several days and is great hot or cold.

Stuffed Pork Chops:
You should be able to get these from your supermarket's meat department. Ask the butcher how to prepare them.

Salads and Variations on a Theme:
Buy the basic iceberg or other lettuce mix in your supermarket and get creative. Add things that you and your husband like that are usually missing from these packages. Things like radishes, bell peppers, bacon bits or diced ham, hard boiled egg, bean sprouts, celery, or just about anything else you can think of but the kitchen sink. Salad toppings in small bottles or foil packages are also available and really do add to the flavor. Dont forget the croutons. And make sure to get a good dressing or two that both you and your husband love.

The nice thing about preparing a salad this way is that it can be served as a stand alone meal, especially if you have boiled eggs and bacon or ham on the side which you can add to the salad to suit your own taste. Then you have a combination of vegetables and protein. What more can one ask?

Here's another idea. Buy a copy of The Fannie Farmer Cookbook. This is a great resource and I often refer to it while scheming my meals, especially around holiday time.

Good luck with planning your meals. Bon Appetit!

Answer 2

8

Answer 3

Stir fry is great when you're in a hurry. We stop by the store and get frozen veggies, then stir in canned water chestnuts, straw mushrooms, or whatever else looks good. Then just add sliced chicken, beef, or pork and add teriyaki sauce. Sometimes the grocery stores have 2-for-1 sales on their frozen shrimp, too, so we buy them up and use that, instead.

We have another one that's easy, but not nearly as healthy. It's seafood alfredo. We fix our favorite pasta, drain it, and set it aside. Then we take Bertolli's alfredo sauce and mix it with the frozen shrimp, and sometimes add artificial crab. We heat that up just until it's hot, then mix it with the pasta.

Answer 4

Here is a great dish and very easy to make. A great appetizer is Caesar Salad. (made this from scratch so I don't have exact measurements, I go by sight)

Mediterranean Pasta Dish

1 box rotini pasta
1 can small artichoke hearts
1 small can of black olives
1/2 small jar of green olives
shredded Parmesan cheese
1 large bottle vinaigrette salad dressing (i use wishbone red wine vinaigrette.)

Follow directions on box of pasta to cook rotini. While waiting for the water to boil, in a separate dish drain artichokes but leaving just a little of the liquid in dish and heat up in microwave (or heat on stove until warm) for 30 seconds. Drain black olives and put in a different dish. Add green olives (don't worry about draining) to same dish. Heat in microwave for 30 seconds.

Put pasta in a serving dish (on that can be covered and go in refridge.) Drain artichokes and put into pasta. Then add olives to pasta. Mix. Now add vinaigrette (about half of the taller bottles). Make sure you taste test to get the vinaigrette to your liking. Then add Parmesan to liking. Mix and serve.

This dish is also great cold.

Answer 5

Chicken Enchilada Skillet

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut bite-sized
• 1 14.5 oz. can chicken broth
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 6 flour tortillas, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup shredded four cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa

• Heat oil in large deep skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 7 minutes or until cooked through; stirring occasionally.
• Mix broth, dressing and flour until well blended; gradually add to chicken, stirring constantly. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 3 minutes. Add tortillas; stir to combine.
• Sprinkle with cheese; cover. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with salsa.

Answer 6

If you would like some really good recipes that are simple you should try www.allrecipes.com
One of the nice things about this site is that you can type in ingredients you already have and it will search for recipes that include those items.

Answer 7

1.Manicotti
2.Spaghetti
3.Home made Mac and cheese
4.Taco casserole
5.Pasta premavera
6.Authentic Enchiladas Verdes
7.Corn flake chicken
8.Jerk chicken
9.Chicken Parmesan
10.Chicken Parmesan Pita Pockets
11.Vegetable fried rice
12.Egg rolls
13.Hamburger casserole
14.Georgia Cracker Salad
15.Walking taco
16chicken pot pie
17.Baked pasta with beef and beans
18.fried shrimp
19.rice and beans
20.tacos
21.bean burgers
22.baked beans and ham
23.scalped potatoes and ham
24.lasagna
25.Arugula pesto
26.Anchovy butter
27.Basil pesto
28.Bell pepper and beef stew
29.Caesar salad
30.Carrot casserole
31.Chargrilled vegetables with goat cheese
32.home made pizza
33.Crayfish with fresh dill, toast and butter
34.Creamy chanterelle soup
35.Creamy guacamole soup
36.Daikon salad /Japanese radish salad
37.Duchesse potatoes
38.Filled ham rolls
39.Fishburgers
40.Jansson's temptation/ Swedish anchovy and potato gratin

Answer 8

Good for you!
I love chinese food,so when i am stuck for a dinner idea,I keep alot of those little chinese food cartons they sell at WalMart for $2.18 apeice(Shame on you for raising the price from $1.78!)
They are healthy & also very good!They also come in a great variety of flavors.
Just mocrowave & dump in a serving bowl!
I love to cook also,but we all have our off days.

Answer 9

try stir fry it is filling and cheap to make and you can find the recipes on the inner net or order a good cooking magazine like Bon Apati.

Answer 10

Tacos! You have meat, a bunch of vegetables, tomatoes are actually a fruit, if you add cheese and\or sour creme you have dairy, and the shells themselves are a grain. A balanced dinner, cheap, and quick to make...!