How do you get out of dinnertime idea ruts? One of the latest problems I am faced with is whatever I cook has to be enough food. Many recipes I find that can feed a family my size are a little too "la femme cuisine" than I would like. Lots of what Dinka would call "with goo recipes" (canned soup and Velveeta). So my old cooking strageties nned to be revamped.
Oh, I forgot! My grandmother corrected me a few weeks ago-dinner is early in the day and supper is at night.
There are a few good web sites for ideas and free recipes.
For example, on the food network web site there are the 30 minute Rachel Ray recipes she uses on her TV show.
Her recipes are tasty and quick -= add a vegetable or salad and you're set to go.
Many of the recipes say they are for four and could feed 4 adults and two smallish kids. Her cook book 365 recipes is probably worth owning. She does rely on some prepped veg and salad stuff but those are easy enough to do on your own - how hard is it to peel off the outer leaves of romaine lettuce for example and swish it in the sink to get rid of any grit?
Cooking gets to be a bore sometimes doesn't it?
I dump chick peas into everything -- pasta, rice, salad greens, etc.
Um....that probably wasn't the kind of hint you were looking for. But my kids all love them, and they're not "goo."
Because my family is SO picky, I tend to not make casseroles. So I use a rice cooker to make rice and then roast chicken pieces or pork loin (the same price per pound as hamburger at Costco). The leftover can be sandwiches or wrapped up in tortillas with only the extras that each person likes. I like Barbara Kafka's Roasting cookbook for ideas including roasting vegetables. I just wish my family was willing to eat more different foods together.
Risotto. It can vary by the season, is relatively cheap to make, tastes great, and the leftovers can be formed into balls, dipped in egg and breadcrumbs, and fried.
Also, making fresh pesto is easy, and summertime basil is fragrant. Add that to some fresh pasta (a pasta machine is a great invention, and you can easily get small ones to work it) and you have a great, inexpensive meal. Add some grilled Italian sausages and an ensalata caprese to the table, and you have a summertime feast.
Also, homemade pizza is always a hit around here.
If you need any other suggestions, just holler.