All Dinners | Beef | Chicken | Pork | Pasta | Rice | Potatoes | Casseroles |
Salmon is a versatile ingredient that is common in most world cuisines. It will enhance any meal whether you’re splurging on top-quality fresh fillets or smoked salmon or getting by on the canned variety. Plus, it is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help decrease inflammation in your body and support brain health. With …
This recipe requires a handful of ingredients that any supermarket carries. An added bonus is that these things are generally pretty inexpensive and they will last a long time in the refrigerator. If you are working on a tight grocery budget, these seasonings and flavors can add savory tastes to many kinds of dishes. Chicken …
I’ll be honest, when it comes to this exquisite fava bean pasta, less is most certainly not better. We spend a lot of our adult lives trying to attain a “better” level of pretty much everything. Which invariably, manifests as “lower.” Yes. It’s “healthy” in that it’s loaded with fresh, seasonal vegetables and the pasta …
Salmon season has literally just begun in the last week here on the West coast so I made her Wild Salmon Recipe with Dill Butter & Fennel. One word: Unfreakingbelievable. Sure, the salmon was fresh. And yes, the dill was just picked. And of course, the fennel came from my CSA. But even if everything …
Who doesn’t love a backyard barbecue? Family, friends, the summer breeze, and, of course, a stack of ribs just waiting to be dipped in barbecue sauce. There’s a chance that you have been using the same rib recipe for years, and it might be time to make a big change. The good news is that …
When you think about versatile foods, do you think about shrimp? You might not really consider shrimp the best seafood out there, but I might have to argue with you there. Shrimp fits with almost any type of cuisine, and it can be eaten as part of any meal of the day. Basically, if you …
Many people opt for powdered or jarred Alfredo sauce, which is available in the grocery store. But, did you know that making homemade Alfredo sauce is not terribly difficult to make? While it sounds fancy and challenging, if you have the patience to stand next to the stove and stir while it slowly cooks, you …
Let’s talk cold weather sammies. Brassicas are available on the West coast in bushels right now. Turnips, kale, Asian greens, Brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, cabbage. Broccolini is my favorite. It’s related to broccoli but not as strong or woody. Truthfully, I don’t love broccoli. In fact, it’s right up there with rutabagas and sweet potatoes for me. But I do love broccolini. …
Aside from the hipster hotties (do people still say “hotties”?), the best thing about living in Vancouver is having access to super fresh, Oceanwise seafood. Like tuna. I don’t eat tuna too often because of the high levels of mercury the meat contains* but when I do, I sear it barely rare and enjoy lasciviously with a big bottle …
A cold brew can be a great addition to any meal. There’s an art to picking the best pairing that’s as complex as wine. Beer offers as many tasting notes as good wine and shouldn’t stay in the glass beside the plate. Use it throughout the meal to amplify and enhance the flavors of every …
One of the most popular dishes served in Indian restaurants, Tandoori chicken, delights the tastebuds. Many people wish that they could make this dish at home to cut costs and enjoy its deliciousness at more meals. This popular dish requires a lot of work to make. Most recipes require that you marinate the chicken for …
With so many Caprese salad variations, you might think it’s hard to make something new by blending tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. But that’s not the case! I’ll show you creative ways to put these three ingredients together. If you like Caprese salad as much as I do, then you’ll love these Caprese chicken recipes too. These recipes take …
Pork chops are a classic dinner staple. There’s just one problem: many people stick to the same recipe week after week. Is your family asking you to cook something new? Are you curious about other flavor profiles? You don’t have to stick with the same tired recipes. In fact, it might be time to …
The Italians know food. Pasta cooks quickly, offering busy households a quick and tasty dinner to prepare in 15 to 40 minutes, typically. While many people serve marinara sauce over their pasta, a nice Alfredo sauce offers a unique twist to a pasta dish. Pasta itself offers a cornucopia of options. Everyone knows spaghetti and …
When you’re raised in the South, you’re used to fried foods, mashed potatoes, gravy, cornbread or biscuits, or both. You don’t see “that there furrin” food’ until you leave home and discover life for yourself. Italian food is a particular delight because when a Southerner sees a tomato, it’s spaghetti time, not counting fried green tomatoes. …
The other white meat, pork, gets a bad rap. Traditionally, farmers raised their pigs to have copious amounts of fat on them. A beefy hog made good bacon. With the interest in eating healthier in the past few decades, farmers began raising their hogs healthier and the result comes in low-fat pork chops. The typical …
Chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients in your kitchen. It’s quick to cook, easy to prepare and can be used in a variety of different recipes. If you’re looking for a great way to use leftover chicken, these chicken pita recipes are sure to be a hit with the whole family. They’re easy …
I love jam. I love appetizers. And shrimp and grits. Now put all those things together and you have Shrimp and Grits with Avocado & Hot Mango Salsa with Salt Spring Kitchen Co’s Hot Mango Jam. And damn good company. When asked if I’d create a savory recipe using an all-natural, anti-additive jam I instantly …
Cajun chicken pasta recipes are a great way to get those flavors of Louisiana into your kitchen. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or something special for a weekend gathering, these recipes will be sure to please. 1. Cajun Chicken Pasta Dinner Recipe => Click Here for Recipe This Cajun …
When cooked correctly, a steak can make or break a meal. Sweet or savory, steak is a fantastic main course. If you are trying to plan a meal that is sure to impress at the next family dinner, you need to try one of these recipes. Each one involves using steak differently, creating unique flavors …
If you’ve never cooked a pizza in a skillet, you are truly missing out. In fact, there are plenty of pizza recipes that are made perfectly in a cast-iron skillet. In fact, you might find that you no longer want to make pizza any other way. If you are not yet convinced, these recipes will …
What in the world is a Turkish gozleme and how do I get my hands on one? Those were my first two thoughts immediately after considering this recipe. I watch a lot of Turkish Youtube videos on cooking, and love trying new recipes. This one consisting of a flatbread you make with or without yeast …
Chili is a fall favorite. As I child, I thought chili got its name from the chilly temperatures that often accompany it. To be honest, I love chili all year long. I’ve tried so many chili recipes over the years, and I’ve ended up with more than a few favorites. I’ve even found that while most …
If you have never tried cowboy stew, you have been missing out. In fact, cowboy stew has been a staple in many homes for quite a while, and there’s a good reason for it. Cowboy stew is almost like chili, but it’s more of a soup. You’ll notice that this dish is often complete with …
While most people are familiar with the traditional pot roast that grandma used to make, there are actually many ways to create a delicious pot roast. In fact, a pot roast doesn’t have to come with just potatoes and carrots. You can do so much more. If you are ready to show up Grandma this …
I love pasta dishes. They are easy to cook and taste great. One of my all time favorites is baked tortellini. It can be super simple and quick, making it the perfect weeknight meal. Of course, it can also be turned into something elegant and worthy of your next dinner party. No matter how many …
How many ways can you fry up some sausage in a skillet? Well, more than 25 for certain and with great results. Sausage skillet recipes are the star of the show today in this recipe roundup. From using Italian sausage or kielbasa to choosing to go Amish style or with white beans, there are so …
Chicken Lazone is a special type of chicken dish that hails from the state of Louisiana. Home of Creole country, the Cajun spices ring along with this easy but sexy chicken tender recipe. I’ll be having this later, I must say! According to Home Stratosphere, the recipe for Chicken Lazone is from former head chef …
This recipe for sauteed kale Chickapea penne with bright lemon, toasted walnuts & freshly grated parmesan cheese is ready in less than 20 minutes and has all the awe-inspiring health benefits I listed above. If you want to offset those though, just enjoy the entire box of penne to yourself and drink 4 glasses of Chardonnay …
This recipe is SUPER flexible so use what ya got in your personal space. No potatoes? Use rice. No rice? Use Pasta! If procuring broccoli is a challenge, try cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, carrots, or zucchini – all roast really well. Or hell, microwave some damn peas. And if stew beef just isn’t in your grocery …
Loaded with fresh veggies, spiced protein, and spiked with dark beer, this recipe is one of the best chili recipes you will ever make. You probably have all the ingredients in your fridge already, too. And it comes together in an hour. Though I won’t lie – dishing up seconds the next day (or 3) …
The star of this entree is definitely the cheesy sauce that you will make in the pan. Many people simply rely on manufactured, jarred pasta sauces, thinking that making these from scratch is too difficult. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Making an Alfredo sauce takes very little special cooking skills. You will …
1. Spinach Stuffed Chicken Recipe => Click here for recipe This recipe for spinach stuffed chicken is a low-carb, delicious, and easy to prepare that you can try yourself. Spinach and cheese mixed with chicken in this recipe make it so good! This recipe is very easy to make and requires just a few ingredients. …
Mexican food has all the things I love: lots of cheese, fragrant herbs and spices, bright and fresh citrus flavor, and the festive vibes of a vacation in the Caribbean. The simple and traditional ingredients make it a fairly inexpensive dinner out at a cantina with friends, and even cheaper to prepare at home. With …
This Tandoori Chicken recipe is oh-so simple. It’s made using a lot of ingredients you might even have on hand right now. Let me break the ingredients of this Tandoori Chicken recipe down for you… You’ll need chicken, Greek yogurt, Tandoori chutney, green onion, and a few ‘fixins to serve. I like sliced red onion, …
This isn’t the ideal meal if you’re planning a huge hike tomorrow morning. As that poor vegan woman who tried to climb Everest found out, protein is kind of super important for that kind of physical and mental exertion. Animal-based or otherwise. But if you’re having a lovely (or lazy) night in or want something …
Caprese salad is an iconic Italian recipe for a salad that contains nothing more than tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil, salt, and olive oil. This salad relies on the natural sweet and tangy tastiness of the tomatoes and all of the other ingredients are only there to accent the tomatoes’ goodness. This recipe features the colors of …
Many people who grew up eating pork chops think that this cut of meat is destined to be dry, tough, and chewy. Many people over cook pork, worried about food poisoning. While the meat might be fully cooked, if it is dry and unappealing, what is the point? What’s better is to learn to cook …
Stromboli Recipes What is Stromboli? Stromboli is an Italian dish made with pizza dough topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and other ingredients. It is then baked until the cheese melts and browns. Stromboli can be eaten hot or at room temperature. Many people enjoy it as an appetizer or main course. Ingredients for Stromboli: …
Today’s cooks ponder how to cook nutritious meals without using GMO foods or processed foods. Nowadays, cooks are all about organic foods cooked with healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil. You can get organic, free-range chicken at the store to pair with (as far as we know) non-GMO broccoli for …
I have not met a macaroni and cheese dish that I haven’t liked. If you are like me, you are always looking for a new amazing mac and cheese recipe. While traditionalists use elbow macaroni in their recipes, you will find that mixing up the pasta shape and size will add tremendous taste to your …
Those who have their own little garden will be familiar with different seasonal harvests; knowing which plants are best during which time of the year. When it comes to summer harvests, fragrant-heavy basil and rich, juicy tomatoes are big stars. These two plants love the heat and can often be grown together, but that’s not …
Ground beef is one of the most versatile meats. Whether you cook it with pasta or toss it into a salad, you have so many options to choose from. If you are stuck trying to figure out how to use all the ground beef you’ve stocked in your freezer, these are excellent options for cooking …
Figuring out what to make for dinner can be a challenge. You’ve got your tried and true recipes, but you don’t want to wear them out. When looking for new dinner dishes to try, a good rule of thumb is to start with proven ingredients, ones that always make a dish taste better. Butter and …
Are you out of ideas when your family asks you what you’re cooking for dinner? There is a reason chicken is one of the most common meats used for dinner dishes. For one, chicken is tasty. It also offers versatility, so you can create a variety of dishes even if you limit yourself to skillet …
Summer days can be full of afternoons spent at the pool, parties with friends, yard work, and long warm evenings. With all that fun going on, who wants to spend time in the kitchen, standing over a stove, preparing dinner for the family? After all, someone may have just started a campfire and smores will …
“Carnitas” , directly translated from Spanish, means “little meats.” Carnitas is a Mexican pork dish that features shredded pork cooked a long time until the meat is very tender. The meat is cooked in a sauce with classical Mexican seasonings and citrusy juices. Often, cuts of pork like pork shoulder and pork butt are chosen …
When you have a family, it can be annoying to try to cook dinner. This kid loves mushrooms, but his sister gags at the thought of them. Your son may eat anything spicy, but your wife doesn’t care for hot things at all. You may love piling veggies on everything, but the kids turn up …
Fresh is the main word that most people will use to describe this recipe. The flavor of the pesto is what makes the dish. Eating basil is like eating summer sunshine, and pesto is basically a mixture of pureed basil and olive oil. We used canned tomatoes for this recipe just for convenience. However, if …
If you have never heard of gozleme, you are definitely not alone. While Turkish food is delicious, many people have never eaten some of the wonderful recipes that Turkish people prefer. Gozleme is a kind of stuffed turnover. Generally, layers of pastry are stuffed with veggies, meat, and lots of spices. The pastry is wrapped …
All Dinners | Beef | Chicken | Pork | Pasta | Rice | Potatoes | Casseroles |
It’s the question asked in every household around the world every single day, “What’s for dinner?” If you’re like most families, the question is often up in the air until someone goes and looks through the fridge or pantry to see what’s available. If you’re more of a planner, perhaps you meal prepped or have a schedule of what’s going on with your groceries.
In an effort to have a more diverse menu, I’ve developed a schedule so that I can try a wild variety of meals and have that question answered at least a week in advance. That, of course, comes after years of being tired of looking aimlessly in the cabinets and having to go to the store a few times a week.
To help pass on the tools to have a more reticent schedule, here are some dinner dishes that will provide you with some inspiration! To be better organized, I’m going to separate them into popular types of cuisine.
There are plenty of videos online where people from around the world try American snacks or American versions of cultural dishes. It never goes well. If our food doesn’t taste like real food, it’s a far cry from what the dish is supposed to taste like. It’s kind of embarrassing, as an American.
However, there is one takeaway we can get from those videos and it’s about catering to American tastes. We’re guilty of over-cheesing Mexican food, under spicing Indian food, and breaking our Italian noodles before putting them in the pot. That’s similar to saying we like extra cheese, not too spicy, and easier to grab items.
So, it makes sense that the most American food is hotdogs. There’s more to us, though, than fast and easy food. With that being said, here are some good dishes that America can be associated with.
Just hearing the name makes me want to grab a sweater. Clam chowder has become synonymous with New England and chilly days. The mix of clam, potato, cream, herbs, and more has become a staple of the coastal region. Many have taken that idea and spread it across the US with their own versions of the now-famous favorite.
Growing up in the south, I can almost taste the thick, buttery biscuits smothered in sausage gravy as I write about it. This became a massive favorite of southerners during the depression. Flour can go a long way and using the grease from the sausage can make your gravy last longer. The gravy is almost sort of brown when mixed with freshly fried sausage. Then, pouring it over those biscuits is basically asking for a nap. Thanks to the carb overload, this is not the dish you’d have before a busy day at work.
I say Texas and not just BBQ because the USA does not have a monopoly on BBQ. To be fair, there are plenty of BBQ varieties within our borders. Two of the most well-known are probably Texas and Kansas City. I’ve had both. I grew up in a place where our BBQ restaurant was probably most similar in flavor to Texas barbecue. So, there’s likely a regional bias. However, the few times I’ve had Kansas City BBQ, there is too much of one flavor that makes it not sit well.
However, if you think Texas doesn’t have the best, you haven’t tried Texas BBQ. The secret might be the smokiness mixed with a sweet twang. It’s the best and everyone should try the beef brisket before they die.
African Americans have had a long tradition of making scrumptious dishes that are put together with love and planning. Soul food has the gift of bringing everyone together. The story starts when Africans were taken from their homelands and forced into slavery once they arrived in America.
They brought recipes over in their hearts and made an effort to keep those ties alive through cooking with what ingredients they had access to. What developed are dishes rich in greens, proteins, and delectable carbs.
Grits are an ingredient that stumps many people. When made incorrectly, they can be bland and grainy. When made right, they will be a delight. The soul mix with shrimp and a litany of flavors takes grits to new heights. You can also expect to bite into garlic, Cajun seasoning, green onions, and bacon.
If you’ve never experienced out-of-the-box macaroni and cheese, you are surely missing out. There’s much more vibrancy to the homemade kind that you might not ever go back to store-bought. The noodles used here are fat elbow noodles and a variety of cheese that melts like butter over them. You can even use the oven and turn it into a casserole with breadcrumbs on top.
This is a process. Like grits, if they aren’t cooked right they will come out bitter and grainy. Collards that are cooked for a long time on a low setting makes for the most tender greens. While they’re softening, it’s common to have ham that cooks right along with the collards. The pork provides a heartiness to the sauce, as do the garlic, onion, pepper, and vinegar.
Since Mexico once extended up through what is now the United States, it’s not surprising that their food has resonated with us. Texan soldiers in the 1800s continuously came in contact with the spicy flavors and carried that love with them back home. The cuisine got onto the world stage in Chicago of all places. It was in 1893 during the Colombian Exposition that people from far and wide got to try some new foods that packed a punch.
For this dish, you typically expect a few together. They are long corn tortillas stuffed with a mix of things like meat, cilantro, and onions. The enchilada is seasoned with cumin, chili powder, and garlic. The spice level can be up to preference but you will want to dip the tortillas in a red space so the flavor can soak through. Top with cheese and sour cream.
For years as a teenager, I looked forward to going to my favorite restaurant and getting fajitas on my birthday. It was a tiny location run by a couple who moved from Mexico to my hometown with the goal of sharing their food with America. I can remember vividly the sizzling of the mini skillet with the beef still cooking on it as it came around the corner to my table. Also in the skillet were onions and peppers, which I would put in the tortilla with the beef strips, refried beans, rice, sour cream, tomatoes, cheese, and lettuce.
Have a glass of milk nearby, this one can get spicy. It is, after all, a stuffed pepper. Inside that pepper is often beef or chicken and cheese. Once stuffed, the pepper is rolled in flour and fried until golden brown.
Carbs have never tasted so good. One thing we’re blessed to have is a melting pot of cultures. Italian food has long delighted the senses of many, whether you’ve had a chance to eat pasta on the rooftop of a villa in Italy or not.
Around since the 1300s, lasagna was once the food of special events and holidays. It was especially beloved due to the cheesy dish being introduced during the darkest days of the bubonic plague. Now, we eat it whenever we can because it’s a hearty meal. Lasagna will cause you to change into comfier clothes.
The favorite Italian dish is also quite easy as it’s all about layering. There’s tomato sauce, ground beef, Italian seasoning, noodles and three types of cheeses in a repeated pattern. Cut into a square when served.
For less tomato, here’s a protein-heavy dish with a creamier sauce. Here, we have a thin-cut chicken breast that’s lightly breaded and pan-fried. Then, everything is sauteed together in lemon butter sauce with capers, mushrooms, and pancetta. Served over fettucini.
This is another savory dinner item that will have you full for the rest of the evening. You start with veal sauteed in marsala wine sauce. Add in the mushrooms and onions, then serve with vermicelli.
Alright, we’re getting a bit healthier here. Mediterranean is so much so on the lighter side that an entire diet is named after the cuisine. Of course, that’s not every entree, but superfoods and vegetables are a big part of how the flavors are put together to make something special.
Who needs the carbs when you have a stick that works better than a bun? Kebabs are loved all over the Mediterranean and Middle East. On a skewer is a combination of meat and vegetables that are roasted until they are soft and singed on the edges. Traditionally, you can expect lamb with peppers and onions.
This is the type of platter where you can grab a piece of naan and scoop it up before shoving it in your mouth. Since it’s a rice dish, it digests slower and keeps you unable to walk for a while. It’s worth it, though. To make this, have short and long-grained rice ready. Mix in the grilled chicken and ground beef to start and then add onions, pine nuts, and season with cinnamon.
I’ve mentioned layering as a delicious way to get more of the best stuff and this is the Mediterranean version of that. Instead of layering with noodles, though, moussaka is eggplant, lamb, and tomatoes. It’s all baked together like a casserole. I feel fortunate to have had this many times and it just never gets old.
As we move into Asia, our pallettes are going to be so grateful for a new range of ingredients that will kick it up a notch. That’s really the beauty of trying new things, getting to go around the world without leaving the dinner table.
The first Chinese restaurants in the states debuted in San Francisco around 1849. Since then, several dishes have been attributed to China but aren’t actually from there, such as General Tso’s chicken or egg rolls.
One of the tastiest dishes is also a lot of fun. Dim sum is often served in steamy baskets. When you take off the lid, you get to see several dumplings. Only the freshest ingredients are hidden inside these steaming piles of goodness. They take a long time to put together, but you feel better physically after eating one. I’m not getting specific about what’s inside of dim sum because there are over 100 kinds. Try a new one each time you have dim sum so you can find your favorite flavor.
Speaking of dumplings, wontons are small dumplings used in soup. There’s less inside and the outside layer itself is more delicate. Usually boiled with broth, inside is shrimp or even pork. There might even be little bits of veggies wrapped up together with the meat as well.
This soup goes well by itself or in addition to a heartier entree.
This Chinese dish was invented by a woman who was cooking for a group of laborers. The food was spoiling too quickly. So she figured out how to make Chow Mein noodles, which lasted longer. If you’ve ever enjoyed takeout, you know these reheat better than other types of noodles.
Chow Mein isn’t only noodles, however. A complete dish will include meat, onions, and celery. There might be even more ingredients but not by too many. These aromatics complement the noodles, not take them over.