What do you make for dinner?

Left overs are a big problem with me I want fresh , what ever strikes my fancy .
Lately I have NO fresh ideas for our meals
I always try and make enough so that there are leftovers because we both enjoy them. Plus I’ll take a container with me to work for my lunch and depending on what I make I’ll freeze a meal sized portion for a future dinner.

My son in law William won’t eat leftover anything other than Chinese from his favorite restaurant. And Paige is a good cook so I don’t know what the problem is! 🤷‍♀️ But I certainly benefit…she and I are always giving each other our leftovers to enjoy! And they taste even better because we didn’t cook them! 😉

It’s a mystery to me why certain folks don’t care for leftovers. Is it just an aversion to having the same food/flavors two days in a row? William says it’s because the food tastes different the second day. Exactly! The flavors have had a chance to blend and mature so the food tastes even more delicious!
 

Left overs are a big problem with me I want fresh , what ever strikes my fancy .
Lately I have NO fresh ideas for our meals .

Last winter I experimented with Calico beans & veggies beef soup together.
that made too much for the 2 of us.
Even thoughts of bringing the leftover soup out of the freezer hasn't appealed to me. ??
If you know you will not eat it why freeze it before throwing it out? What do you have in the fridge? What do you have cravings for? Breakfast for dinner? Superbowl rehearsal? Vacation treat?
 
Left overs are a big problem with me I want fresh , what ever strikes my fancy .
Lately I have NO fresh ideas for our meals .

Last winter I experimented with Calico beans & veggies beef soup together.
that made too much for the 2 of us.
Even thoughts of bringing the leftover soup out of the freezer hasn't appealed to me. ??

Theres some facebook groups centered around cooking for one or two. Also crockpot for one or two.
Maybe you will find some ideas there. Im no help since I happen to like left overs and have a freezer stash.
I also precook my meats and freeze them to make meal prep easier and take up less freezer space.
 
I like lasagna, hubby doesn't.

Perhaps I made that & the other Italian recipe too many times.

When my father lived here, he always wanted meat loaf.
Neither hubby & I want meatloaf.

Hamloaf is OK with us.

I did make a version of Shepard's pie that was in an old recipe book.
It uses instant potato biscuits for the topping.

Part of the problem is hubby will want to eat the same thing too often.
 
I/we don't plan any meals.
I meal planned, grocery shopped and then cooked three squares a day for my family of 5 for 35 years.
Plus dinner parties, birthday gatherings, kid's friends, Boy Scouts, Thanksgivings and Christmases.
That is a lot of creating and cooking and it was long enough.
I love not having to cook anymore.
I only hobby cook now.
 
Hi @Ronni It's good to see you! I cook a lot of chicken and then also at times steak or pork chops or western ribs, turkey-often ground in things like chili and meatballs with veggies in a cream soup. I'm going to make a meatloaf one of these days, too. I order quite a lot of delivery too.
@Ruthanne hi back! 💕 And thanks, I’m launching into this New Year with mindfulness and intent. I hope to reclaim at least a small portion of my life before my son’s death, and posting here was always enjoyable.
 
I like lasagna, hubby doesn't.

Perhaps I made that & the other Italian recipe too many times.

When my father lived here, he always wanted meat loaf.
Neither hubby & I want meatloaf.

Hamloaf is OK with us.

I did make a version of Shepard's pie that was in an old recipe book.
It uses instant potato biscuits for the topping.

Part of the problem is hubby will want to eat the same thing too often.
Please don't take this personally but:

My mother spent her 10 last years, attached to an oxygen cannula and hose, and with a man who "didn't like this and didn't like that" and didn't appreciate her meal prep and cooking enough IMHO.

Perhaps all hubbies either need to learn to plan, grocery shop, and cook, OR: just appreciate what is put on the table by their wife.

At some point after 65 and retirement, women may want to be freed from hubbies who say anything except, "Thank you so much for this meal".
 
I'm always looking for something tasty with protein, but my assortment of choices is not as big as I would like. Currently, I've been into sweet and sour pork and/or chicken. But I'm still on the lookout for more. Something that I make a meal out of with less than 500 calories but still be satisfied. If it weren't for my caloric limitations, the field would be wide open. I'd be satisfied but 20 lbs heavier.
 
I'm always looking for something tasty with protein, but my assortment of choices is not as big as I would like. Currently, I've been into sweet and sour pork and/or chicken. But I'm still on the lookout for more. Something that I make a meal out of with less than 500 calories but still be satisfied. If it weren't for my caloric limitations, the field would be wide open. I'd be satisfied but 20 lbs heavier.
Just about any grilled of pan fried meat, vegetables and some starch will do. Seasonings and sauces make the difference. What do you like? What do you absolutely dislike?
 
Just about any grilled of pan fried meat, vegetables and some starch will do. Seasonings and sauces make the difference. What do you like? What do you absolutely dislike?
Not a fan of most red meat. It's not a health conscious thing. I've just lost my taste for it. A month ago, I bought a fillet. I thought it was bla. I used to relish those things.
 
Not a fan of most red meat. It's not a health conscious thing. I've just lost my taste for it. A month ago, I bought a fillet. I thought it was bla. I used to relish those things.
How about simple fajitas with onion, bell pepper, chicken. Garlic, salt, chile powder, cumin?, oregano or a ready mix. I prefer meat and vegetables grilled but pan fried is just fine. A pack of tortillas will go a long ways plus they are available in reduced calorie.
 
How about simple fajitas with onion, bell pepper, chicken. Garlic, salt, chile powder, cumin?, oregano or a ready mix. I prefer meat and vegetables grilled but pan fried is just fine. A pack of tortillas will go a long ways plus they are available in reduced calorie.
Yes, that sounds good. My Ex used to make faajitas. I'd never heard of them before that. I liked them. I'd go for the ready mix first.
 
I like lasagna, hubby doesn't.

Perhaps I made that & the other Italian recipe too many times.

When my father lived here, he always wanted meat loaf.
Neither hubby & I want meatloaf.

Hamloaf is OK with us.

I did make a version of Shepard's pie that was in an old recipe book.
It uses instant potato biscuits for the topping.

Part of the problem is hubby will want to eat the same thing too often.
My hubby is the same. Since he does the cooking, I just grin and bear it until I rebel, lol.
 
Yes, that sounds good. My Ex used to make faajitas. I'd never heard of them before that. I liked them. I'd go for the ready mix first.
Fried rice very heavy on the meat and vegetable side. Save a pork chop and use it the next day. That is what we had today. Definitely within your 500.
Simple big omelet. Two eggs, heavy on precooked vegetables and ham. Wal-Mart has an ok pound package of cubed Smithfield. Not the fine cube!
 
Hi everyone!


Tonight I’m keeping it super gentle on the tummy and doing a “mini-buffet” of low-stress foods instead of one heavy plate:


  • Ginger-chicken congee – basically rice porridge simmered with fresh ginger and a little shredded chicken breast. Comforting, soft, and surprisingly filling.
  • Steamed zucchini coins dressed with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt ( they’re kind to IBS if you keep the portion modest ).
  • Scrambled egg whites with a sprinkle of chives for quick protein.

I’ve learned that three tiny components often sit better than one big serving when my gut is grumbling, plus it lets me mix and match if someone else at the table wants regular bread or sauce. Curious: what’s your go-to “easy on the stomach” dinner when you don’t want to fuss?
 
Being single all my life, I am able to make some good food, but nothing that is gourmet. I am not a gourmet food person. I do make some of the best meatballs I have tasted at other restaurants, including Italian restaurants.
 


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