I am currently making BBQ pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes and string beans. The deliciousness knows no bounds!
But now I am thinking ahead to tomorrow night and I have no idea what I will make…I am in need of ideas! So tell me, what are you making for dinner?
We’re on our second day eating bean soup that I made over the weekend. Several different kinds of beans, tomatoes, carrots, barley, and a smoked ham hock from the local meat locker. It’s scrumptious.
Probably whole-wheat penne pasta and jarred sauce. Probably. I might steam up some broccoli to go with it.
Otherwise, I have no idea.
If I don’t have to work late, grilled chicken breasts with a mediterranean herb paste (parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage listed purposefully out of order so that that song won’t be in your head all night lemon zest, garlic, olive oil. All into the food processor and blended into a paste then rubbed all over the breasts before grilling). And…something else…I forget what I had planned, actually. Asparagus? Carrots? Something…and rice.
Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes with cream gravy, and peas. For dessert, a blueberry crumb cake that I made last night - with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream.
We don’t need no stinkin’ diets!
(I ate broiled fish for lunch, just so I could eat this. :))
Beef chili verde made with roasted tomatillos and jalapenos, tomatoes from my co-worker’s garden, black beans and chickpeas.
It was very good, if I may say so.
Steak tips, which have been marinated for a couple of days in some Jack Daniels, some soy sauce, brown sugar, and a fair array of spices (most notably garlic and a few different kinds of pepper). Grilled, of course.
Last night, when I was out shopping and was staring at the meat, there were a bunch of chicken breasts on sale.
So now, I have a bunch of chicken breasts. Most of them will need to be frozen - but I need something in the meantime to do with the one (or half of one) that I should probably eat tonight. Any ideas?
I cut some kielbasa into small pieces and heated it with onions and garlic powder, then tossed in some leftover Rice-A-Roni (Fried Rice, IIRC) and a splash of teriyaki sauce. Quick and easy, which is how I felt today.
Spaghetti with a custom pepperoni/mushroom/tomato sauce. Comfort food that doesn’t heat up the kitchen too much.
I had water chestnuts, string beans, baby corn, carrot slices, broccoli florets, and I think a few other vegetables grilled with spicy chicken, rice and sweet and sour sauce. And a mint brownie for dessert.
wistful sigh
Chicken fried steak is one of the only things I miss about living in Texas. I wish I could get Babe’s (a fantasmical Texas restaurant) to put some on ice and mail it to me here in NYC.
Marinate in italian dressing, lime (or lemon) juice, and honey (or maple syrup). Pan fry (or grill). This is a similar recipe to Cracker Barrel’s grilled chicken strips, and it’s a huge hit with my boyfriend.
I usually cook them on my electric grill (a little seasoning salt, or a random marinade I picked up that looks interesting, or just some Diana’s sauce) if I’m feeling plain. Served on a caeser salad or with some rice or noodles and whatever veggies I happen to have handy. Or parmesan chicken if I feel fancy (melted butter, and 2 to 1 ratio of breadcrumbs to grated parmesan cheese. Dunk the breast in the butter and then press into bread crumb mix, bake at 350 for about half an hour.)
Tonight was grilled chicken breast with steamed honeyed asparagus and wild rice. Tomorrow I’m planning for beef stroganoff.
Quick curried shrimp:
Onion & garlic sauteed in oil with spices for a few minutes. (Approx 1 tsp each cumin, turmeric, paprika, half tsp each of ground ginger and chili.)
Add 1 can of coconut milk, one can of tomato paste, chopped red bell peppers, diced celery, and sliced portobello mushrooms. Bring to a boil, then add 2 pounds pre-cooked shrimp. Simmer until it’s warm.
(This is a very mild curry, 'cuz I have to consider my SO’s delicate constitution. Sriracha after the fact fixes it right up, but you may prefer to bump up the spices and/or slice up some fresh chilis or jalapenos in there. )
Super easy meal, but damned tasty.
Do you have a recipe? It sounds great. 
My dinner also involved a can of coconut milk-
Thai curried noodles with chicken, straw mushrooms, and green beans and a cucumber salad with mint and a rice wine vinegar dressing.
Bolagna on toast with mustard. Fritos. Big glass of milk. I had some raspberries already.
Tonight will be Shrimp Scampi, with pasta prima vera. Zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, onions, red bell pepper - with bow ties and parmesan.
::stomach growls::
Tacos. Dang but I do love a well made taco.
Taco bennies:
Everyone can have as few or as many as they want. Just make plenty, start off slow and keep fixin’ another until you’re full.
The possible combination of ingredients are endless. Ground beef w/ taco seasoning, various cheeses, pico de guyo, sour cream, sauteed mushrooms, red and green salsa, sweet jalapenos, onions, lettuce, refried beans, etc. Build 'em a little different every time and savor the diversity.
You can use the leftovers tomorrow night to build a taco salad.
You can wear a sombrero while you eat. Not every meal allows such an extravagance.