Okay I need new ideas for quick and simple dinners--it has been anormally warm here and nothing has sounded good for dinner lately.

Any ideas welcome!

We need to compile easy dinner menus.

I like to grill in the summer cuz in S. Texas it is sooooo HOT! How about some Shrimp salad?

In a deep frying pan sautee a couple of chicken breasts, or even better chicken tenders (I like the flash frozen bags at the grocery store).
Anyway, brown them a couple of minutes on both sides. You can sprinkle them with a bit of chili powder if your gang likes a bit of kick. I sprinkle a bit of garlic powder.
Over the top, pour the following:
One jar of salsa (I use mild)
One can of Black beans
About 1 cup of frozen corn.
Cover. Let simmer for about 15 minutes.
I then take out the chicken and shred it up and mix it back in, but you can also leave it whole if you prefer.
Sprinkle the top with shreded cheese. Let the cheese melt.
Serve with whatever you like on top...sour cream, guacamole...
As I said, I shred the chicken so it's a bit like a very very thick stew, and I serve it with crushed Fritos or Tortilla chips mixed in.
One pan, quick clean up, quick to make, very filling. And inexpensive.
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />
Oh, and you can also use it as a filling for taco shells or tortillas.

Tuna salad, made with canned asparagus spears instead of with mayonaise. Drain the tuna, drain the canned asparagus, mash both together in a bowl. Low fat.

Chill cans or jars of bean salad. Serve on the side or on top of a green salad. Garbanzos (chickpeas) are excellent, and high in protien and fiber.

Cold beet borscht. It comes in a jar. Good served with a boiled potato (I wonder if you could microwave it?) and sour cream, and with rye bread on the side.

Cold blender drinks. They can be made with just about any combination of fruits and drinks. Our son made some the other night with whole, cored apples, a banana, some orange juice, and some ice cubes. Serve in tall glasses with mint leaf sprigs hanging over the edge of the glass or a garnish of lemon or lime slice on the edge.

Other cold blender drink ideas: Get the genuine Bulgarian yogurt (plain) because it is healthier. Use nonfat milk and berries, and if the color is too "neutral," add a spoonful of berry jam. Add sherbet (no fat, also!) or low fat ice cream.

Salad of mixed greens. Soak the greens in ice water for about 15 mins., drain, and "manicure" the leaves. (pull off brown and old spots, veins, etc.) Diced Granny Smith (tart green) apples, grated carrots, jicama sticks, sliced celery. It doesn't heat up the kitchen. Buy a box of croutons and sprinkle them over top of the salad. Cubes of cheese in the salad. Raisins, sunflower nuts, almonds, or candied walnuts.

Jello. Always.

Just call me Betty Crocker. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

<small>[ July 28, 2004, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: Bellevue ]</small>

Thanks guys--keep them coming.

Bellevue-never hear from you--but you must lurk and shake your head at all of us newbies.

Don't forget to make homemade popsicles! Dollar Tree has great molds right now!

2 cups of juice or koolaid (lukewarm)
2 Tbsp. of corresponding flavor of jello

Dissolve the jello in the juice (very well) and pour into the molds then freeze. The jello makes the popsicles "bitable" so you don't break your teeth.

- Kimmy

I cooked ribs in the crock pot yesterday - I dry rubbed them with the usual seasonings, but the last 20 min, I slapped on bbq sauce and put them in the oven so the sauce would carmelize on them.

Very simple, very easy.

Niosgirl--check out the latest on my thread--men what a piece of work.

Today I'm making Steak & Potato soup.

I made a small Pot Roast yesterday and there really isn't any meat left, but there's plenty of potato and onion, so I'm going to dice that up. I have two small pieces of Eye of Round steak I'm going to slice and brown, then slow cook in beef stock. Then toward the end I'll add the cooked potao and onion, and some mixed veggies.
I also have some pretty hearty dinner rolls left over from last night that sould go nicely.

This is a brain storm, so I hope it turns out well...

oops. double post.

<small>[ August 02, 2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: meNtheboyz ]</small>

Anyone have any good ideas for zukes--I'm running out of ideas for them but not out of them <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Making a Costco run today to do some long needed shopping--I haven't been for so long--only a month that I dread going today-usually go 1 a week or twice a month.

Thinking of chicken caesar salad tonight.

I love zuchs sliced in half, doused in olive oil and sprinkled with kosher salt cooked on the grill. Super num!

okay dumb question but diff. between normal salt and kosher--I can't remember for the live of me?

That sounds good. Nios-did you get my e-mail?

Got the email, but am formulating a response <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" /> ... gimme time, gimme time...

Kosher salt is a lot courser than reg. salt. I prefer it in all my cooking and on the table.

It also makes the BEST topping for pretzels and everything bagels (if you make that kind of stuff).

- Kimmy

No big deal!

here's one a friend told me about--haaven't tried it myself.

saute(sp?) chicken breasts and zukes with salsa.