Dinner-Getting creative

[Thorsmomma]

I can never think of creative things to make for dinner. It's always the same couple of dishes, and I just can't ever think of anything new to make. And then when I want something different, I just end up snaking all night which is a no no! Someone teach me how to get creative in the kitchen. I'm a good cook...just no good at thinking of a meal to make.

[JESSY_RN2B]

Originally Posted by Thorsmomma

I can never think of creative things to make for dinner. It's always the same couple of dishes, and I just can't ever think of anything new to make. And then when I want something different, I just end up snaking all night which is a no no! Someone teach me how to get creative in the kitchen. I'm a good cook...just no good at thinking of a meal to make.

Not sure if I could help.........but, I cook 2 meals a day. I pack get up early to make breakfast and pack a lunch for hubby each day (he's a construction worker)...........and of course dinner

I keep the pantry stocked with different colored pasta, different bags of beans (black, white, lima, pinto, kidney, lentils, chickpeas, etc). I keep jasmin rice, parboiled rice, and regular long-grain rice.

In the freezer, many types of frozen veggies etc.

I LOVE my crockpot and soak my beans there...........use the rice cooker for rice etc.

A typical meal consists of either spanish rice, steamed rice, or plain rice........a legume, a side salad (pasta or green) and whatever meat dish.......

Also, different types of breads etc. I am not artistic with my meals but they're edible.........LOL

[Thorsmomma]

Originally Posted by JESSY_RN2B

Not sure if I could help.........but, I cook 2 meals a day. I pack get up early to make breakfast and pack a lunch for hubby each day (he's a construction worker)...........and of course dinner

I keep the pantry stocked with different colored pasta, different bags of beans (black, white, lima, pinto, kidney, lentils, chickpeas, etc). I keep jasmin rice, parboiled rice, and regular long-grain rice.

In the freezer, many types of frozen veggies etc.

I LOVE my crockpot and soak my beans there...........use the rice cooker for rice etc.

A typical meal consists of either spanish rice, steamed rice, or plain rice........a legume, a side salad (pasta or green) and whatever meat dish.......

Also, different types of breads etc. I am not artistic with my meals but they're edible.........LOL

Sounds very well rounded! We've got stocked cupboards too, I just can't think of what to do with the food.

I wish there was a website where you could enter in ingredients and it would spit out options for meals.

[my2boyz]

Here's an easy recipe that will taste great and impress your friends...that is, if you want to share it with them

Boil whatever kind of pasta you like, bowtie, elbow, ziti, spaghetti...whatever.
Boil a bag of frozen, mixed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, red peppers etc...
Drain the water off of them and mix them together...put them in a pan and add a jar of Alfredo sauce. Cook until heated and then add a small bag of shrimp...mix it all together and serve it with a side salad, dinner rolls and a glass of wine.

If you don't like shrimp you can use chicken.

[Chrissy0277]

Know what I do to get ideas.....

I check out http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Click on Cooking (its up top) and then when that page opens click on the left hand side Recipes of the Day and then they have a different recipe for each chef that day. I save the ones I like and when Im feeling creative I look at my cookbook on my computer.

[CollegeCutieUSF]

go to kraftfoods
they have a ton of easy recipes that use ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Oh, they also have a monthly recipe magazine that you can subscribe to for free!

hope that helps!

[CollegeCutieUSF]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

Here's an easy recipe that will taste great and impress your friends...that is, if you want to share it with them

Boil whatever kind of pasta you like, bowtie, elbow, ziti, spaghetti...whatever.
Boil a bag of frozen, mixed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, red peppers etc...
Drain the water off of them and mix them together...put them in a pan and add a jar of Alfredo sauce. Cook until heated and then add a small bag of shrimp...mix it all together and serve it with a side salad, dinner rolls and a glass of wine.

If you don't like shrimp you can use chicken.

OOOOO... that's such a good idea! I'm definately stealing that for the next time I cook for more people than just myself and my boyfriend! LOL

[marcerella02]

i LOVE the website kraftcanada.com you just enter some ingredients you have around the house.. and voila ... at least 10 different receipes!!

[StewiesMom]

I always go to the grocery store and get something really cheap - for example, I went and picked up some tilapia - it was $1.30 for two filets. So, I brought it home and figured I'd bake it. I decided to marinate it in ranch since I didn't want it to get dry and I didn't have anything else to use to marinate it with. I guess my cooking style is "desperate" since I just use whatever is around and whatever is cheapest, but it always comes out good

I also got a crockpot for xmas and I just throw a bunch of stuff in there - like a roast and some mushrooms, etc and then I just leave it on all day.

The only bad thing about the way I cook is that I throw things together and then I don't remember what I used or how to make it again.

[Thorsmomma]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

i LOVE the website kraftcanada.com you just enter some ingredients you have around the house.. and voila ... at least 10 different receipes!!

AWESOME! This is what I needed!

[Thorsmomma]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

I always go to the grocery store and get something really cheap - for example, I went and picked up some tilapia - it was $1.30 for two filets. So, I brought it home and figured I'd bake it. I decided to marinate it in ranch since I didn't want it to get dry and I didn't have anything else to use to marinate it with. I guess my cooking style is "desperate" since I just use whatever is around and whatever is cheapest, but it always comes out good

I also got a crockpot for xmas and I just throw a bunch of stuff in there - like a roast and some mushrooms, etc and then I just leave it on all day.

The only bad thing about the way I cook is that I throw things together and then I don't remember what I used or how to make it again.

Cheap is the name of the game I like to play!! I nede you to come ever here and make me some food. It sounds good. Totally creative...Manager Special like...Just throwing in a bit of this and a bit of that. My favorite. The best thing is that turns out good for you.

[joy and bella]

here is a meal that my boyfriend just lovessss....
mix 1/3 bottle of italian dressing(or more if you like...depends how tangy you want it..i prefer less than more..hehe), 1 can whole cranberries, and 1 packet onion soup mix.....mix whole peice(s) of chicken in it, and pour all in baking dish. bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes (until chicken is done).....it delicious!!