What did YOU have for dinner?

Alot of the blogs I like to look at share how people plan meals and cook for their families. I've been thinking about how I plan meals, especially at this time in our lives where we are without many of the things I'm used to at home (microwave, big food processor, different groceries). In Dallas we do alot of grilling but here I've had to prepare all meals on the stove top and oven. Its weird not having a microwave. I'd like to think it forces me to think a little "fresher" when planning out meals.

I've figured out that the way I plan meals is to pick a meat, add a starch of some kind (pasta, rice, cous cous...) and add a veggie or two. Oh, and alot of times there is cheese involved, sometimes to cover up the veggies. I am in awe of vegetarians who can plan meals around things other than meat. And when I say meals here I am talking about dinner. Lunch is a whole other story that maybe I will get to someday. A typical week for us goes something like this. I'm going to include recipes but please note that some are just my haphazard recipes so I take no responsibility for kitchen failures.

Meatballs simmered in diced tomatoes and other veggies, and pasta of some kind (I use bowties or spaghetti)

Mix a regular size package of ground beef with one egg, about 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano. Shape meatballs and place in a pan that has been heated with olive oil. Cook on one side for about five minutes, then turn and add a can of diced tomatoes and fresh or frozen veggies. Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until meat and veggies are cooked through. Serve with pasta and parmesan cheese.

Chili with biscuits, served with cut up apples and cheese

This is the recipe I use for chili. Its a crock pot recipe and is super easy.

Here is the biscuit recipe, also relatively easy:

2 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
4 tablespoons butter or shortening
1/2 tsp. salt
about 3/4 cup milk

Sift Flour once, measure, add baking powder and salt, and sift again. Cut in shortening or butter. (use hands to rub the butter into the flour). Add milk gradually, stirring until soft dough is formed. Turn out on slightly floured board and lightly "knead" for 30 seconds, enough to shape. Roll 1/2 inch thick and cut with 2 inch floured biscuit cutter. Bake on ungreased sheet in a 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Makes 12 biscuits. You can also make tiny tea biscuits that are only 1 1/2 inches wide with a small cutter or glass bottom. These are great served with tea, jam or honey. Makes 24.

Quesadillas with cheese and some type of meat or beans, served with cut up carrots and red peppers

I think this is pretty self explanatory.

Stir fry chicken and veggies, served with rice

I cut up boneless breasts into smallish pieces, put into a pan preheated with olive oil, and add some soy sauce or stir fry sauce about halfway through along with the veggies.

Chicken or fish cooked in a pan, served with cous cous mixed with cranberries, black beans, corn, lime juice and a little butter and salt

I am kind of loving cous cous these days, and surprisingly so are the little boys. It only takes five minutes to cook and you can throw so many things in there.

That's only five meals, I know, because we usually eat out at least one weekend night and some nights I cheat and heat up leftovers or just throw something random together. Sometimes I try new things but these have been the standards since we've been in London. Honestly I'm looking forward to getting back to my familiar kitchen and grocery stores. And our grill!

Something that's helped me has been doing one little thing for the next night's dinner as I'm cleaning up the kitchen. You're in there anyways, so why not help yourself out a little for tomorrow? This can be boiling some corn, cutting up veggies, making rolls or biscuits, etc. I know none of this is rocket science, but I have found that little things like this help my day go smoother. After all, I have two garbage disposals salivating as I'm trying to throw dinner together.