We haven't done anything like this in forever. What are your top five fav weeknight dinners?

M

mariadnoca

Moderator
You know some of your go to favorites to get dinner on the table. I'm trying to do some meal planning and I'm just brain-dead when it comes to this. It's just been so long since I really meal planned. I haven't really done it since Brett passed away, but I'm trying to get back on track.

 
I do not cook the same thing every week, always trying to foods, new methods try to eat seasonally.

One favorite we do make often is our family tacos. Last night I made this dish and it was excellent.
http://www.closetcooking.com/2017/06/lemon-pepper-parmesan-roast-trout.html

Another meal I do when I just don't know what to fix and don't want to cook much is a big baked potato, with an artichoke. Filling, tasty and fast.

http://www.closetcooking.com/2017/06/lemon-pepper-parmesan-roast-trout.html

 
I don't either. I'm trying to make a month menu plan with gaps for new recipes.

With the month plan I can put in days for going out to dinner trying new recipes and filling in with t&t standbys on the other days. The thing is I'm finding that if I don't plan as the single person that I will snack. And I'm trying to improve that and not snack so much.

 
Top five....

judging by the fact we have them regularly in our rotation

grilled salmon (weekly, I'd say)
turkey burgers
grilled pork tenderloin (butterflied and marinated) - in fact it is tonight's dinner
flank steak or some type of steak on the grill with Caesar salad and sauteed mushrooms
some type of Mexican - usually chicken tacos with guacamole

 
I think your freezer could be your friend. Lasagna is a big deal to make for one

but if you make an 8X8 pan and freeze some for a meal in two weeks, you have a great meal. And a vac sealer could also be a friend.
If you brown beef, you can quickly make a skillet pasta meal with some of it and then maybe a taco meal another time.
Chicken breasts are my all time fave for meals--quick and versatile. Marsala, picatta, or just marinated and grilled.

 
I like your style Sally, my kind of food too. However, I have so many recipes to try

and only one lifetime.

 
Some faves inside. Good luck with your healthy meal planning!

I like to make things that can be turned into lunch leftovers too, like turkey meatloaf for dinner, then leftover sandwiches. I roast a chicken weekly, and of course get a lot of mileage later in the week, using it for lunch salads, etc.

DH asks for either of these almost weekly. The braised chicken linked below and the miso chicken. Leftovers reheat really well, and I have frozen the braised leftovers--works well.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017699-miso-chicken?action=click&module=Global%20Search%20Recipe%20Card&pgType=search&rank=1

David Rosengarten's/Charlie's Chicken Francaise in T&T is always in the monthly rotation. I halve the recipe as I don't eat meat.

I make plain lentils, quinoa and hummus weekly. Then add in proteins etc. for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Simple fish once a week.

This is good too:

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016765-long-simmered-eggplant-stuffed-with-farro-or-spelt

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017108-cal-peternells-braised-chicken-legs

 
I cannot try new stuff more than once/week

it is simply not feasible. I am in the lab at 7:15am every day, if not a bit earlier - get groceries on the way home in the end of the day. For the most part on weeknights I need to keep things simple and do stuff that I can do in my sleep. Phil cooks every other day, so our regular rotation includes what he is comfortable making - for instance, grilled salmon is his thing.

I might plan one special recipe for the weekend, or one simple side dish I can go for on weeknights - but that's about it

 
Oh, man, that miso chicken looks WONderful!! Have you ever done it skinless? I love the

skin on, but unless buying bone in and boning it, it is hard to find. I would do the thighs with the bone. Breasts cut in half, I'd think. Thanks.

 
Couldn't pare down to just five so here are seventeen- LOL

Roasted whole Chicken
Roasted Chicken with Olives and Lemon
Roasted Chicken with Garbanzo Beans, tomatoes and Smoked Paprika
Caesar Salad with homemade dressing/croutons and sliced grilled meat (chicken or beef)
Stir fry- I like tons of veggies
Grilled Lamb Burgers with homemade buns
Evelyn in Athens’ Youvarlakia Avgolemono
Lenney’s Broccoli Salad
Pasta with Spinach, Beans and Asiago
Meatloaf stuffed with walnuts, cheese and ham
Oven-fried Chimichangas
Pork Roast and Sauerkraut
Slow Cooker Cassoulet
Homemade soup or stew
Grilled Salmon
Homemade pizza- all different kinds.
Salade Nicoise

 
I can only find the big legs as depicted in the photo at the Amish farmer's market

or when I look in the mirror. smileys/wink.gif

I haven't done skinless, DH just peels the skin off. Do try it--so good!
I make the full recipe of miso butter, but make 3-4 legs at a time.
The miso butter keeps well, I slim-coat the chicken, don't slather on too thickly.

 
Big fan of your meatloaf recipe--I use turkey and cut the baking time to about 45 mins. Excellent!

I use a small amount of barbecue sauce instead as DH hates ketchup.

 
Great thread... I'm similar to Karen, don't cook the same each week... BUT, I know we have our

favorites. Will chime in on this post when I can think through a bit.

 
This is fun smileys/smile.gif My top five is:

1. Home made italian pizza. We make pizza every Saturday night when we stay at home.
2. Soups. Chicken soup, split pea soup or fish soup. With freshly baked bread, of course.
3. Pasta with arrabiata sauce and italian meatballs. It's my "fastfood" cooking smileys/smile.gif
4. Grilled chicken breasts with salad.
5. Grilled fish with salad.

 
Sorry! I meant the legs in the Cal Peternell braised chicken photo. Hope you try both. smileys/smile.gif

 
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