As promised, you asked and you shall receive, five easy weeknight meals! These are fan favorites in my household, the go to dishes when life gets too hectic for a full blown three course meal. I’m sure many of you know how to make these dishes, so I will just add how I mix them up and add my own pizazz.
1. Grilled Cheese
I used to despise this meal. Especially because cheese isn’t really my favorite food. Especially melted all over toast. However, adding some foods from my fridge has recently given me a reason to try it again and absolutely love it.
Some things I consider putting on a plain grilled cheese:
- different flavors of cheese (jalapeno cheddar, sharp cheddar, swiss, mozzarella)
- bacon
- tomatoes (yummm!)
- red and green peppers
- onions
2. Rice & Beans (your choice of meat)
Rice can get pretty old, pretty fast. However simply adding a few ingredients can take your dish to another level. I personally love adding black beans (after the rice is cooked) with a touch of salt and pepper. We usually eat this with keilbasa, but it can be enjoyed with chicken, steak, sausages, you name it.
Corn sometimes gets thrown in too. Again, peppers, onions and even some bacon can add just the right touch of flavor.
3. French Bread Pizza
This is the most recent addition to our quick nightly meals. It takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare this dish.
I cut a loaf of french bread in half, lay it cut side up on a non stick sheet pan. (I line it with aluminum foil as well.)
Then I melt butter and one – two cloves of garlic in the microwave, so it is soupy. Take my baster, and coat the french bread until sort-of soggy.
Place the french bread in the oven (warmed at 425 degrees) for 5 minutes.
While the french bread is in the oven, get your toppings ready. Some I use are:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Onions
- Bacon
- Chicken
- Black olives
- Pepperoni
- Extra cheese!
Once removed from the oven, spread the marinara sauce, cheese and decorate with toppings. Place back in the oven for 10-12 minutes, depending on desired crispyness… and ENJOY!
4. Salad
Please, no glaring. Salad is amazing when the right stuff is added. I personally could have a salad every night of the week. But, kids see green and instantly run. So I have it on the side, alone, in a corner. (Kidding! Kidding!)
Tips for a healthy (somewhat), yummy salad:
- add shredded cheese
- throw in diced apples
- toss in some cut up peppers (spicy or non spicy)
- onions taste great too, mince them for a better spread of flavor
- croutons! yum!
- bacon (see, not so healthy but very yummy!)
- chicken can be the added protein. (throw in some leftovers or cook up a piece in the skillet, usually only takes about five minutes for a thin slice)
- AND… try new dressings! Or make your own. Pinterest is a wonderful way to check out how to make your own sauces, dressings and seasonings.
5. “Shmorgishborg” Burrito! (try saying that three times fast)
Basically, its a burrito so the tortilla wrap, rice and meat, then you pull out leftovers from the fridge and add them in!
- cheese
- beans
- peppers
- onions
- chives
- chicken
- steak
- pork
- sauce
- salsa
- tomatoe
- you name it!
Well, I hope this helped a little. Key note is, leftovers are your friend. Have fun with them. Use them up. Don’t overwork yourself every night when the food from the night before it just as good.
Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth
Once Upon A Blog 