Back in September of 2009, one of my earliest Blog posts discussed the question that comes my way every day around 4:30PM (from the little people living in this house) and it’s always sure to get me all riled up… the burning question…. “What’s for dinner?” And while I have been trying my hand at some new recipes lately, I am still at a loss (probably like most of you) for great dinner suggestions, on any given day.
However, things changed this past weekend. I became inspired! What a beautiful thing! I swear, it was like I found a new hobby or unlocked another passion or something. We were invited to our friends’ house Saturday night with the boys to watch the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs. And while the game was a complete disaster, the evening was not. All the kids were having a ball, with cozy blankets and pillows on the floor watching the game, the booze was flowing and the food was TO DIE FOR! And the husband did ALL THE COOKING.
Now keep in mind, I married my soul-mate and best friend. My husband has tremendous redeeming qualities. However, agility in the kitchen is not one of them. So to see a man so comfortable over the stove, oven and sink was a novel concept. So, here at our friend’s house, was this husband of 3, cooking up these appetizers, and preparing food for us AND the kids, that looked like something out of Emeril’s kitchen.
When my girlfriend said they were serving pizza for the kids, I didn’t think HE was the one making it. I watched his comfort, his ease, as he rolled out his own dough, on the pizza stone (which I just bought yesterday), and watched him apply things like rosemary, goat cheese (or blue cheese I can’t remember), sun dried tomatoes and other yummy ingredients. I watched him carefully sautee the mushrooms and place them freshly warm in our yummy arugula salad. And what he created with plain looking endives for appetizers was nothing short of an art. I was in awe.
So what is the point in all of this, you may ask? Cuz you know, I am not satisfied till you, my wonderful readers, take away a message. And the message is; anyone can do anything they set their mind to. I am no Julia Child in the kitchen. But I LOVE food. My husband’s famous line is, “I would rather clothe her than feed her.” It’s true. I live for food, music and fine wine, as a close second to my incredible family.
And what was interesting, is his passion has rubbed off on his kids. The daughter was showing me all HER own “Mommy and Me” incredible cookbooks. And I realized that this is something I could do with my kids. That it doesn’t have to be a chore (like it ALWAYS is for me). That cooking can become another creative outlet, and the final product is truly meant to be enjoyed… how rewarding. So, while many of you may be thinking… yes… I already love to cook, and who is this Erica trying to preach to the already converted? But, that realization was important. Cooking is something that does not come easily to me. But the husband said, “Erica, if you can write, you can cook. It’s merely another creative expression.”And I think… maybe he could be right.
So, I am taking his advice? Well, the beautiful cookbooks in my kitchen that get dusted only during the kitchen cleaning and NEVER get used, got pulled out yesterday. I bought a pizza stone, and tonight, I’m making my own gourmet pizzas for the whole family. I’m gonna try the seared stuff, the rack of lamb stuff and the tasty chicken stuff. I’m gonna try it all. I truly understand now, after eating his food, when the husband said, “I’d rather eat-in than eat-out in a restaurant, because I prefer my own food, cooked the way I like it!”
So, I started slowly yesterday. The boys and I baked a healthy banana chocolate chip loaf to send to school for a snack, and it was great! The Ipod was pumping, the flour was flying, and the eggs were crackin’. It was incredible. So while I may not become the best chef around, I’m sure gonna bust my ass trying. I’m off the fence and inspired!
So, if you are at a loss for dinner ideas, I found this list of 101 Things To Make for Dinner. Read them for inspiration!
1. Meatloaf
2. Tacos
3. Pasta Arrabiata
4. Fish and Chips
5. Tacos
6. Taco Salad
7. Chicken Salad Sandwiches
8. Stir-fry
9. Sloppy Joes
10. Chicken Roast
11. Beef Roast
12. Quiche
13. Pancakes
14. Waffles
15. Zucchini Soup
16. Goulash
17. Chicken Soup
18. English Breakfast
19. French Dip Sandwiches
20. Lentil Soup
21. Hot dogs
22. Hamburgers
23. Pork Loin
24. Pork Chops
25. BLTs
26. Schnitzel
27. Roast Duck
28. Roast Lamb
29. Chili
30. Chicken Chili
31. Enchiladas
32. Fajitas
33. Macaroni and Cheese
34. Shepherd’s Pie
35. Gnocchi
36. Ravioli
37. Chicken Marsala
38. Lasagna
39. Steak
40. Fried Chicken
41. Chicken Fingers
42. Beef Brisket
43. Tuna Noodle Casserole
44. Homemade Pizza
45. Corn Chowder
46. Quesadillas
47. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
48. French Toast
49. Turkey burgers
50. Tortellini
51. Chicken Pot Pie
52. Minestrone
53. Cabbage Rolls
54. Pad Thai
55. Pasta Salad
55. Kung Pao Chicken
56. Fried Rice
57. Chicken Cordon Bleu
58. Chili Dogs
59. BLT Sandwiches
60. Pulled Pork Sandwiches
61. Pot Roast
62. Stuffed Peppers
63. Cobb Salad
64. Goulash
65. Spinach Pie
66. Rice Salad
67. Ribs
68. Philly Steak Sandwich
69. Hero Sandwich
70. Sausage Soup
71. Salisbury Steak
72. Beef Stroganoff
73. Grilled Shrimp
74. Gumbo
75. Paella
76. Roast Turkey
77. Salmon
78. Rabbit Stew
79. Buffalo Burgers
80. Vegetable Soup
81. Cream of Broccoli
82. Cream of Potato
83. Timpana
84. Chicken Parmesan
85. Pesto
86. Fettuccine Alfredo
87. Spaghetti alla Bolognese
88. Veggie Burgers
89. Frittata
90. Spanish Rice
91. Chickpea Curry
92. Sweet & Sour Chicken
93. Baked Rice Casserole
94. Taco Casserole
95. Stuffed Eggplant
96. Moroccan Tagine
97. Tilapia
98. Lobster
99. Swedish meatballs
100. Tuna Salad
101. Cannelloni
I’m not so sure about the Rabbit Stew, though.
Also, please take a look at this great book, from one of the upcoming authors in my 99 Book Series. His book is called Beer Belly Blues: What Every Aging Man and the Women in His Life Needs to Know by author Brad King. I totally love it! CLICK HERE to read more!!
And ladies tell us, have you ever been inspired to try something new? Tell us about it! Or just tell us about your own dinner dilemmas… MISERY LOVES COMPANY!
Until next time,
xoxEDxox
I LOVED this Blog post. I am challenged in the kitchen too but I feel inspired now too! Enjoy the pizza.
Great Blog. Dinnertime coincides with the bewitching hour. Every day is a struggle to come up with dinner idea, cook them, then get the kids to eat. The whole process is bloody exhausting. I want to be inspired but I’m flat out exhausted.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
Thanks!! I too need that kick of motivation to get rolling in the kitchen. I love to eat, but would prefer it just to show up. Am going to do as suggested and get the ipod rolling and try to enjoy the process. Love the list of dinner ideas….sometimes just reading the obvious sparks ideas.