Sep 2, 2009

I have an idea. Everyone play along, okay?


Spaghetti is always my meal of desperation. I never make it on purpose. I make it when I have nothing else to make, but don't want to go grocery shopping or eat out.

Luckily, we had these really amazing turkey meatballs from Trader Joe's in the freezer to put on top when I made it last week. They are so delicious, & sort of saved me from a night of mediocre food just to fill the belly. I'm going to buy more today.

I haven't been awesome at meal planning lately (or meal-making), & I'm feeling like I need some new ideas. So here's what I'm thinking:

Leave a comment with a link to your very favorite recipe as of late. For example, I made Southern Living Enchiladas on Sunday when we had friends over for dinner. It's one of my very favorites, good for a group, & relatively simple.

See, that was easy. Pretty soon, we'll all have lots & lots of fun things to make.

(Let's all play along, friends. Our husbands / friends / families will thank us.)

13 comments:

Julia C. said...

I've been liking this lately. I broil it instead of grilling, and I actually use Old Bay Seasoning in place of the cayenne pepper, paprika and salt - just because I don't have cayenne pepper and paprika at the moment and have been too lazy to get them - so with that in mind maybe you shouldn't be taking cooking advice from me but I'm posting this anyway! It's yummy the way I make it and I'm sure it would be great the way he suggests it too.

http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/recipes/fish_spicyshrimp.html

Mark Bittman's Spicy Grilled or Broiled Shrimp

Makes 4 servings
Time: 20 minutes

2 pounds large shrimp
1 large clove garlic
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Lemon wedges

Peel the shrimp (you can butterfly them if you like; just cut along the line of the vein, a little deeper than usual). Mince the garlic with the salt; mix it with the cayenne and paprika, then make it into a paste with the olive oil and lemon juice. Smear the paste all over the shrimp. Start a charcoal or gas grill or preheat the broiler; the fire can be as hot as you like. Grill or broil the shrimp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve immediately or at room temperature, with lemon wedges.

Sheena said...

i'll play! I made this for dinner and my hubby would like it weekly (so he says) http://recipesrock.blogspot.com/2008/11/lettuce-wraps.html

Also, i made this chip dip about five times the last couple weeks.. http://klintsheena.blogspot.com/2009/08/mmm-mmm-good.html

Melissa said...

We made these Thai Chicken wraps with spicy peanut sauce by Rachael Ray and really loved them. Check it out at:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/thai-chicken-wrap-with-spicy-peanut-sauce-recipe/index.html

Kera said...

i have sort of been using your wire wisk site a lot these days. my next three dinners i am making are from your site, so I will send you a link to a heavenly treat.
www.joyofbaking.com/barsandsquares/MagicBars.html

also, i am told they are even better right out of the freezer . . .

ellen said...

Mini Meatloaf

1-1 1/2 lb of turkey burger (or ground beef)
1/2 c. oats (be generous if using more than a 1lb of meat)
1 egg, beaten
1/4 c. milk
1 small onion, minced
chopped green pepper (optional)
Season to taste using salt, pepper, onion, garlic and celery salt.

Mix above ingredients together in a bowl. Press into muffin pans. Next, top with following mixture:
3/4 cup catsup
1 1/2 T. prepared mustard
3 T. brown sugar
Spread evenly.

Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes. They freeze well also.

Groshon said...

I love new dinner ideas! The Enchiladas sound yummy :)

We love this recipe - Angel Hair pasta with Shrimp and Basil.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Angel-Hair-Pasta-with-Shrimp-and-Basil/Detail.aspx

Elizabeth said...

I will leave a recipe when I find a favorite but I must say that I actually love spaghetti. I use different noodles sometimes.

Angie said...

I'm loving all these recipes!! Something yummy and easy we like is BBQ chicken quesadillas. Kind of self-explanatory but here's a link.

http://mrshardingcooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/barbecue-chicken-quesadillas.html

Or homemade burgers and fries. Those are favorites lately.

Tim and Jill said...

I must admit spaghetti is my "go to" recipe as well. It is fast and easy. My husband and I discovered this little gem last month. We have had it 3 times already. It is delicious.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1062556/Jamie-Olivers-chicken-korma.html

I recommend using one onion instead of two.

jocelyn said...

this is a good idea for a post. i have been looking at your wire whisk blog for ideas lately too. i have made this chicken (http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/08/crispy-yogurt-chicken/) twice in the last two weeks and brady is super duper into it, but i can't really it's good since i don't eat poultry and since brady would eat anything that is placed in front of him.

Emily said...

I make Greek salad for dinner all the time:
greens
a red/orange/yellow pepper {take your pick}
tomato
avacado
grated carrots
sliced hard boiled egg
grilled chicken
crumbled feta
topped with dill, sea salt, freshly ground pepper, olive oil and a dash of fresh lemon juice. It's so fresh and filling!

If I need more greens, I'll blanch some asparagus, then top with sea salt, pepper, oil and lemon juice. Enjoy!

Missy said...

I love this Kathryn! Spaghetti is always our default too.

Try mixing those meatballs with the TJ's 3 cheese tomato sauce and putting on a baguette, melt with some swiss cheese in the oven to perfected toastness and you have a great sandwich.

I also really love this salad (not a main dish, but pretty + tasty)

http://addtodesiredtaste.blogspot.com/2008/06/purple-cabbage-salad.html

I'm having issues with dinners too lately. I will have to try some new ones!

erin said...

i made beef stew with barley a few weeks ago... relatively easy (just lots of chopping) and a great fall meal... i'll email it to you. muy bien.