I'm sick & tired of cooking the same stuff!!!! AARRGGHH!!!

[maslex]

I am SURE I'm not the only one who suffers week after week when it comes to dinner time. I seem to cook the SAME stuff over and over and over, and I can't take it anymore.

Kicker is....DH is fussy. The only seafood he eats would be if I bought fresh cod and baked it up (had that last night), he doesn't eat ethnic foods (except tacos & then it's only a taco shell, meat and cheese--damned if he put a little lettuce, tomato, taco sauce, sour cream, onion or olives on it), will BARELY eat a casserole (and I mean barely---like one every 6 months or so), won't eat soups & salads (oh wait, he will eat a can of Campbells chicken noodle, does that count?), no chili. He's IMPOSSIBLE!!!!

Here's a breakdown of what I ALWAYS cook night after night, week after week, month after month, year after year, and so on......

Spaghetti & meatballs (he actually makes the meatballs-he makes them better than me, lol but alas, this is all he will make)

Beef or Pork Roast (has to be with mashed potatoes, once in a BLUE MOON he'll eat it if I cut the potatoes up and cook it with the roast) & a veggie, usually corn, green beans, brocolli/cauliflower, and an occasional carrot

Chicken (usually will eat if it's made with gravy, or shake & bake, or on the grill--doesn't like "funky" stuff all over it, whatever!!!!) And it needs to be with mashed potatoes & a veggie

Burgers on the grill (he'll eat either beef burgers or chicken burgers with chicken as his first choice) usually with this he'll have either fries or mac/cheese

Tacos--like I mentioned above

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes (see a trend here) and a veggie

This basically sums it up. Once in a great while I'll thumb through my cookbooks (which I have many, I love my Taste of Home ones) and come up with something. Or I'll try to make chicken a different way. I mean, he'll end up eating it, since he doesn't want to waste food, but he'll say that he doesn't want it again.

Am I the only one that goes through this? I'm sitting here now with 4 cookbooks near me so I can try to come up with something different for tonight.

Any ideas? And I mean any ideas on what to make for dinner, not ideas on what to do with my difficult hubby. Cause I have a few of my own. LOL

 

[KT27]

I know exactly what you mean. My DH has been in Iraq the last 15 mos and the only thing I am dreading about him coming home is cooking again...he will not eat tomatoes (unless its sauce); no onions, no olives, no salads & salad dressings, no mayo, nothing w/ sour cream or cream cheese very rarely ethnic food - basic tacos -meat, cheese, shell. NO FRESH VEGGIES - Only likes canned or frozen!!! However he loves BBQ Sauce LOL

 

[jax677]

Yikes, that has to be so hard. I enjoy cooking dinners and baking. I make new recipes all the time, luckily my family will try anything. Especially fresh veggies and fish. Our new favorite is toasted sesame tuna steaks. Yummy.

I can't think of anything that would be within his likes. Does he pork tenderloin? Its easy, can be stuffed or bakes simply and comes out tender and leftovers can be used in refried rice or shredded and put in barbeque sauce to make pulled pork.

 

[Christine]

Wow, I guess I could just never deal with that kind of pickiness in adult. When I got married a zillion years ago, my husband was on the picky side. His mom never made him eat most of his veggies, so he didn't. He'd never even eaten sour cream before and never even HEARD of putting it on a baked potato.

Well, I was the cook and there was no way I could have survived by his food "rules" so I just didn't. I just cooked what I wanted and if he didn't eat, he didn't eat. Amazingly, he was forced to learn to eat a different way. He now loves asparagus, always uses sour cream unless he's dieting, and eats many other things now.

I just think--if you're not going to be the "cook" then you have no right to dictate how people eat.

Now having said all that, I too, get in terrible ruts. The kids make it worse because they just don't like different things. I still make them but I hate to see them pick at things night after night. I also find that the quality of meats we can buy is just horrid. No matter WHAT I do to a chicken breast, it is always tough. It may be moist, but it is tough. Unless I buy I really expensive type like organic, free range or kosher. That gets pricey for a family of 4.

Out of desperation, I tried one of those meal preparation places. In my area we have one called Dinner Done. You may recognize one of the bigger chain names of Dream Dinners. I was really hesitant at first because I thought the price would be too high. But I've been doing it since March and the whole family is just loving this place. I get 8 dinner entrees for a family of 4 (with leftovers) for about $160. Yes, I still have to shop and do most of the side dishes but the food is so good. Best of all, their chicken is fork-tender. While the food sounds "fancy" on their menus, it's really quite healthy and plain. It is really quite good. We are all eating better in my home because of this place and, the best part is, I'm not losing my sanity anymore trying to find something good. I don't eat from them exclusively; however, I can fill in the empty nights with the usual family favorites (spaghetti, flank steak).

You might give something like that a try.

 

[golfgal]

I think your DH needs to either grow up or start making his own meals. I would NOT put up with that if I were cooking.

Maybe you could make your own microwave dinners for him, get some plastic plates and when you make roast, meatloaf, etc. make up a bunch of plates for him and freeze them. You can then start making a variety of food for the rest of you and if he whines, pull out one of the microwave dishes you made.

 

[Mom2Nick]

I just think--if you're not going to be the "cook" then you have no right to dictate how people eat.

I agree. I make what I want and DH eats it or goes hungry or makes himself a sandwich. SOME things I will try and make the way he wants it - IE the way his mother made it but if I flat out hate it that way - it will not be done that way.

If I am going to do all the work for making the meal it will be something I like to eat.

 

[momof2minnies]

Ditto golfgal!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Christine]

I agree. I make what I want and DH eats it or goes hungry or makes himself a sandwich. SOME things I will try and make the way he wants it - IE the way his mother made it but if I flat out hate it that way - it will not be done that way.

If I am going to do all the work for making the meal it will be something I like to eat.

Yep. Alternatively though, when I did first start out "retraining" my husband I did try to avoid things that were REALLY weird. I mean, I knew that if he absolutely was skeeved out by seafood, that I just wouldn't make it. I waited a few years before I started easing that stuff in so I wasn't totally cruel.

 

[maelstrom]

I can see my fiance having a similar complaint once we get married. I'm a really picky eater, and I will only want to cook what I like to eat. After awhile, he'll probably get sick of pasta, baked ziti, chicken parm, potato pancakes, chicken cutlet, mashed potatoes, porkchops, cheese ravioli, & chicken noodle soup. He likes seafood and I think the smell of it is absolutely disgusting and it makes me want to vomit; no way will I be cooking any of that.

 

[Mom2Nick]

Yep. Alternatively though, when I did first start out "retraining" my husband I did try to avoid things that were REALLY weird. I mean, I knew that if he absolutely was skeeved out by seafood, that I just wouldn't make it. I waited a few years before I started easing that stuff in so I wasn't totally cruel.

I did that as well but he will not eat seafood even 13 years later. Only breaded and fried flounder. Doesn't stop me I love Shrimp Scampi, grilled shrimp and broiled scallops. If he eats it great if not - more for me.

My biggest issue was his mom's gravy came from a can or a jar and when she made pot roast or stew it was really just brown water. No thickener and no seasoning except salt, pepper and basil(Yuck Basil in stew is yucky - lol) So having a rich and hearty stew was weird to him and having real gravy with bits leftover from the pan was also totally foreign.

 

[Straycat]

I was/am a pretty picky eater. I have also been a 'stuck in a rut' type of cook. I could eat the same few meals everyday forever and it wouldn't bother me one bit. But, my husband doesn't feel the same way as I do about food. He actually likes food and variety.

So, someone on the Budget boards recommended www.e-mealz.com one day and I subscribed. It's $15 for 3 months. Each week, I download a weeks worth of recipies and the grocery list to go with it. The weeks selection is based off of the sales at my local Publix, but they have other stores too. Being the picky eater I am, we don't eat every meal on the list, every week, but I have really broadened my cooking horizons and now eat a wider variety of dishes. I've never seen the same meal twice on the weekly lists but I do go back and make some of our favorites over again.

Good luck with your husband.

Here is what I am making tonight from a few months ago list - (very yummy)

Creamy Sausage ‘n Tortellini Bowl (garlic toast on side)

1 pkg Italian sausage
½ c chopped onion
2 crushed garlic cloves
½ red bell pepper, diced
15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
8 oz half n half (½ t red pepper flakes)
9 oz pkg cheese tortellini

In a sauce pan, break up and brown sausage with onion, garlic and red bell peppers; drain. Add tomatoes, half n half, red pepper flakes and tortellini to skillet with meat and veggies. Heat thoroughly. Serve in a bowl, if desired.


Here is one of my all time favorites - (this one had roasted potatoes for side) (to save time, we have made this with pre-made burgers b4)

Salsa Rosa Burgers -

1.5 lbs ground beef
(1 ½ t garlic salt, ½ c parmesan cheese)
1 packet Pesto sauce
1 can petite diced tomatoes <- we use ro-tel
(2 t olive oil)
(1 t Italian seasoning, 1 t minced garlic)
6-8 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese
8 ct sandwich buns

Mix garlic salt and parmesan cheese into meat. Make patties. Grill, broil or fry to desired doneness, turning once to preserve juice and flavor!
Mix pesto according to pkg instructions.
To make Salsa Rosa: Mix drained tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, dash of salt and Italian seasonings.
Separate buns in half. Place on baking pan. Sprinkle mozzarella on one side of buns. Melt under broiler. Add patty, spread with pesto and top with salsa

 

[chrismiss56]

I think your DH needs to either grow up or start making his own meals. I would NOT put up with that if I were cooking.

Maybe you could make your own microwave dinners for him, get some plastic plates and when you make roast, meatloaf, etc. make up a bunch of plates for him and freeze them. You can then start making a variety of food for the rest of you and if he whines, pull out one of the microwave dishes you made.

I agree - my DH and I have been married for over 30 years. When I met him he was living on frozen pizza, anything with ground beef and Hormel Chili out of a can Took several years and attempts but we have come a loooooong way to seeing my way of thinking Yes, there are still several things he won't touch and yes I will cook something that I know he will love.......too bad your DH doesn't believe in compromise

You should not have to sacrifice your taste buds for someone else - it might be easier in the long run to make those "frozen dinners" for him and then you can enjoy your cookbooks........

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[maslex]

OP here.

Ya know, thinking back....I think a lot has to do with how his mom cooked (or lack of). I remember the days of dating and sometimes I would eat dinner at his mom's house. She NEVER used any type of seasoning, never had the dinner table set with salt/pepper or butter. Everything was always very bland and really didn't taste like anything. And she was a mom who told my DH that if he didn't like it, head to McDonald's. And that's basically what he did. And WHEN she did cook, it was stuff like Stouffers lasagna and other frozen type dinners (not necessarily frozen Swanson TV meals) but anything that you could open the box or bag and cook on the stovetop or oven.

Now, growing up in my house, it was totally different. We had to eat what was made for dinner. BUT, my mom used seasonings, tried different recipes and things were basically good. I specifically remember pepper steak, chicken fajitas, jambalaya, taco egg rolls (man those were good), etc. Granted there were days of hot dogs & beans, or baked mac/cheese but we always had a salad with our meal and the table was always set with salad dressings, salt/pepper, butter dish, ketchup, mayo, mustard, etc.

I think we just grew up too differently. Now, just to clarify somewhat.....my DH has come a long way since I first met him. I know by the sounds of what he will eat, it doesn't sound it, but believe me he has And I do plan on making things out of the cookbooks that he has never tried before but it just seems to be such a robotical (is that a word?) LOL thing every night to cook. By nature I'm a baker, not a cook. So I guess I just hate the thought of cooking each night and trying to come up with different things. Once the brownies for Easter come out of the oven, I'm going to jump in the shower and then settle down with a few of my many cookbooks and see if I can't seem to find something new for tonight. Wish me luck. I'll let you know what I choose.

PS...Someone mentioned about those Dinner Done type places. How do I go about finding if there is one near me? I live in a little hick town with not much going on.

 

[Christine]

OP here.

PS...Someone mentioned about those Dinner Done type places. How do I go about finding if there is one near me? I live in a little hick town with not much going on.

That's me!!

Given that you are in a "hick" town there might not be one unfortunately. I live outside of DC so we have: Dinner Done (their two other locations are in Florida), Dream Dinners (which is all over the country I think), and Let's Dish. I think there are others too. I guess you'd have to good some of those names and see what comes up. To do a more generic google search, I'm not sure what you'd search on. Maybe "dinner preparation places" or something like that.

The place I go to is about a 45 minute drive from me (I am actually going this morning and I'm SO excited). I have a Dream Dinners closer to me but the food at Dinner Done seems to get rated better so I make the trip. It takes me exactly 1 hour and 10 minutes to put together 8 meals. An example of what I made last month is:

Beef Stroganoff (this was a crockpot preparation meal and VERY good--much better than the one I make myself).
Calypso Pork Roast with a Orange Cranberry Sauce (this was a flattened out pork loin rolled up with spices, dried cranberries, mozzarella cheese, and walnuts)
Chicken Braciolettine (just chicken stuffed with proscuitto and cheese topped with a lime/butter sauce)
Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Picatta
Marsala Mushroom Chicken
Ricotta Spinach stuff Chicken

Again, these sound fancy but they were all fairly bland and easy on the palate. I don't usually get so much chicken but a lot of the beef and pork dishes and nuts or pesto sauces and I can't get that with my son who has a nut allergy.

I was really nervous the first time I went but I got into some "zen" zone while there and came out relaxed and refreshed and with 8 meals. There is usually enough for 4 of us plus I get to take some for lunch the next day.

If you can find a place, I highly recommend it.

 

[Andrea]

i think we are married to brothers.. my husband is the exact same way but he still wont eat some of the things your husband does. I am so tired of eating the same thing all the time also. i said i am going to sit down and go through my cook books and online stuff and i am going to meal plan this week with everything new!!! we will see though.

 

[maslex]

That's me!!

Given that you are in a "hick" town there might not be one unfortunately. I live outside of DC so we have: Dinner Done (their two other locations are in Florida), Dream Dinners (which is all over the country I think), and Let's Dish. I think there are others too. I guess you'd have to good some of those names and see what comes up. To do a more generic google search, I'm not sure what you'd search on. Maybe "dinner preparation places" or something like that.

The place I go to is about a 45 minute drive from me (I am actually going this morning and I'm SO excited). I have a Dream Dinners closer to me but the food at Dinner Done seems to get rated better so I make the trip. It takes me exactly 1 hour and 10 minutes to put together 8 meals. An example of what I made last month is:

Beef Stroganoff (this was a crockpot preparation meal and VERY good--much better than the one I make myself).
Calypso Pork Roast with a Orange Cranberry Sauce (this was a flattened out pork loin rolled up with spices, dried cranberries, mozzarella cheese, and walnuts)
Chicken Braciolettine (just chicken stuffed with proscuitto and cheese topped with a lime/butter sauce)
Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Picatta
Marsala Mushroom Chicken
Ricotta Spinach stuff Chicken

Again, these sound fancy but they were all fairly bland and easy on the palate. I don't usually get so much chicken but a lot of the beef and pork dishes and nuts or pesto sauces and I can't get that with my son who has a nut allergy.

I was really nervous the first time I went but I got into some "zen" zone while there and came out relaxed and refreshed and with 8 meals. There is usually enough for 4 of us plus I get to take some for lunch the next day.

If you can find a place, I highly recommend it.

do you get to choose what you want to make or is there a fixed menu for the week? And do you bring it home and freeze it or leave it in the fridge for the week? I'll have to check things out and see if there are any around us.

 

[Christine]

do you get to choose what you want to make or is there a fixed menu for the week? And do you bring it home and freeze it or leave it in the fridge for the week? I'll have to check things out and see if there are any around us.

They offer about 20 different items each month. You just pick the meals that you want. You can pick 4 things, 8 things, 20 things, whatever you want. The menu changes each month.

 

[maslex]

Does the price depend on the meal? If you don't mind me asking, what are the prices?