Recipe Dump #1

Food inspiration. We all want it.

I spend a good amount of my time each week thinking about meals, planning meals, buying groceries for meals and preparing meals. MEALS. I really enjoy cooking,  but I think I enjoy reading recipes and planning them out the most. I could read food blogs all day. 

This is not, nor will ever be a food blog. But, since I spend so much time looking for and trying recipes, I figured I might as well share the good ones with you, my devoted readers. Shoutout to all five of you! (Okay maybe a few more than five, but not by much.) Maybe there is someone reading who, like me, just needs some food inspo week after week. 

I like meals that are easy and filling, while being balanced. So here are some of my favorite go-tos:

#1: Kielbasa and roasted veggies

Kielbasa is my weakness. I try to only make this on occasion because I am kind of on a eat less meat but-especially-processed-meats kick. Use whatever veggies you have on hand--broccoli, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, asparagus, peppers, onions, squash. Chop. Toss in a little garlic and olive oil. Roast in oven until veggies are to your desired tenderness. You can health it up slightly more by using chicken sausage, but I warn against this because kielbasa is just too delicious to replace. 

#2: Red Beans and Rice/American Feijoada 

Chop up a bell pepper or two. Sauté in a pan with some garlic and olive oil. Add in sliced kielbasa (I should write sonnets about kielbasa). Cook until delicious looking--you'll know when that is. Pour in a can (or two) of kidney beans. Let it simmer together for a hot minute. Serve over rice. Im sure lovers of true red beans and rice and lovers of real feijoada find my version a complete travesty. To those people, I apologize. The real recipe: https://www.melskitchencafe.com/slow-cooker-red-beans-and-rice-with-chicken-sausage/

#3: Homemade Hamburger Helper

Hear me out on this one. I hear the words "Hamburger Helper" and want to flee, but this recipe from The Recipe Rebel has so much good stuff packed in (if you can get passed the cups of cheese and milk...just don't think about it.) I swap out hamburger for ground turkey and opt for whole wheat pasta. Plus a whole bell pepper (instead of half) and lots of fresh chopped spinach--yummy ONE POT dinner. Just try it. http://www.thereciperebel.com/easy-homemade-hamburger-helper/

#4: Cowboy Chopped Salad

Protip: buy pre-made pico de gallo. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/cowboy-chopped-salad-3111102

#5: Chicken Cakes

Just don't think of that terrible name. Imagine a crab cake--YUM--but with chicken instead (Sigh: price tag). These are one of our favorite meals. I try not to think about the sodium content in canned chicken. Don't read the label. https://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/chicken-cakes-remoulade-sauce/

#6: Carnitas

Mel's Kitchen Cafe, my one true love. https://www.melskitchencafe.com/slow-cooker-pork-carnitas/

#7: Portillo's Chop Salad

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/portillos-chopped-salad-with-sweet-italian-dressing/

#8: Chicken, Leek and Brie Pie

You can even leave the brie out if you want to. This is so easy and sounds (and looks) so fancy. Eat it.  I omit the white wine and have added in mushrooms for a little extra veg. You can add a little lemon juice for the acidity you lose from the white wine. http://www.almondtozest.com/chicken-leek-brie-pie/

#9: Whipped Feta

I ate this so often two years ago that I had to take a little break from it for a while. This was my go-to dinner when Kyle was gone for the weekend with basketball because it was too light for him, but my  idea of a perfect meal. I'm dreaming of days post-nursing when I can eat dairy again for this and this alone. Whipped feta, a crusty loaf of bread, sliced cucumber, roasted garlic basil tomatoes, kalamata olives. YESSSS. http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/02/how-to-make-amazing-whipped-feta/#_a5y_p=2289655

#10 Greek Salad 

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2015/03/my-favorite-greek-salad-with-homemade-whole-wheat-pita/

#11 Coconut Thai Curry

Sometimes I add chicken, sometimes we just do veggies: zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, onion, carrots. Serve over brown rice. Relish in the easiest weeknight meal. http://www.tasteslovely.com/coconut-chicken-thai-curry/

What are your go to's?