What do you do when you don't know what to make for dinner?

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Do you visit a website like food.com or allrecipes.com for inspiration? Or do you usually end up going out for dinner when that happens? Pizza delivery?

I'm the primary cook in our house, and trying to come up with something everybody will like, and isn't the "same old thing", is really starting to feel like a chore.

My kids will try anything with no issues, but if they don't like what I make, I don't force them to eat it.

I feel like I'm in a food rut.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I think about what I have first. Then I go to food.com (used to be recipezaar) to find some creative recipes. They have some really good ones.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I think about what I have first. Then I go to food.com (used to be recipezaar) to find some creative recipes. They have some really good ones.

I liked it better when it was recipezaar.

 

[mommasita]

I make breakfast. Eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, potatoes.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I liked it better when it was recipezaar.

I used to say the same thing. It took me awhile to get used to it. I do like to hunt the most popular dishes. Tried and true.

I am glad the ratings remained.

ETA- I just saw where you listed food.com. How did I miss that?

 

[nmmom95]

I usually look online. I fell this same way, though. I get so tired of the same old things.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Do you visit a website like food.com or allrecipes.com for inspiration? Or do you usually end up going out for dinner when that happens? Pizza delivery?

I'm the primary cook in our house, and trying to come up with something everybody will like, and isn't the "same old thing", is really starting to feel like a chore.

My kids will try anything with no issues, but if they don't like what I make, I don't force them to eat it.

I feel like I'm in a food rut.

You can do what my mom does. She cooks from the recipes in the newspaper weekly. She is always trying new recipes from cookbooks to cooks.com.

Me? It is fend for yourself however my dd is 14 and my dh does not care.

I have been in a food rut for 10yrs. All my dd wants to eat is fish and dh wants grilled meat. Both are picky and we have reflux. It is really sucky.

 

[huey duey & luey]

I think about what I have first. Then I go to food.com (used to be recipezaar) to find some creative recipes. They have some really good ones.

pretty much this. Or I will put in a search listing 2 of the main ingredients and see what pops up.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I usually look online. I fell this same way, though. I get so tired of the same old things.

I know. Me too. I saw the, "What to do with rotisserie chicken" thread, and I have made most of the things that were suggested.

I think we all go through it.

 

[LuvLDM]

I love to cook but I do get bored sometimes. This is my go to website when I am looking for inspiration. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

I also do "breakfast for dinner" belgian waffles w/ fresh fruit, bacon, hash browns...the kids love it!

 

[java]

I go here
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2529344

Making a weekly plan takes the headache out of it all. Imam off of what is on sale that week. I try to make at least two meals that offer leftovers, like a roast chicken, or spaghetti and meatballs. So that way I am getting four days of meals out of two days of cooking. Also I don' just reheat leftovers, I turn them into something else like the chick n this week was enchilladas. Planning has saved so much time and money no last minute grocery tips.

I'll sit down later today and get my weekly menu and list together.

Before I was doing that I tried certain things for certain nights, like meatless Monday's, spaghetti we'd. But I didn't like the structure of that.

I have discovered that my kids love baked potatoes. I supply tons of toppings (cheese is the big winner here and bacon pieces but so is broccoli)

Besides the websites listed I'll also go to realsimple.com to get some ideas

 

[katesorad]

I make something up! I'm very creative. I have recipe books, and I will cook everything in the book, and make up my own things using the main ideas that are in the book. I'm currently working on mastering Iron Chef Morimoto's book.. and then I will work on changing things up! Now if I only had access to Japan for half the ingredients that are in the book...

 

[minniebeth]

I love to cook but I do get bored sometimes. This is my go to website when I am looking for inspiration. http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

I also do "breakfast for dinner" belgian waffles w/ fresh fruit, bacon, hash browns...the kids love it!

Breakfast for dinner
I love The Pioneer Woman's site, and I follow other food blogs as well.
When I'm in a food rut, I ask everyone I know what they're making lately and get inspriation, ideas and recipes from them.
I'm in trouble if I ever have my brother's family over for dinner (they live out of state), I've incorporated so many of my DSIL's recipes into our menus.

 

[Minnesota!]

I make something up with the ingredients I have. I am good at it, and quite a few of my creations along the way have become family favorites.

There used to be a show on PBS that would go into a bare kitchen, and make a great meal out of what was in the pantry/fridge. I loved that show!!

 

[Northstar]

I open the fridge door and stare into its depths, hoping to discover leftovers, or inspiration, either one is good.
Then I close the fridge, sigh deeply, open the cupboard doors and stare into the depths. I speculate... hmm.. what can I do with peanut butter, a can of beets, and rice?

Then I make pasta.

 

[Disfan1]

I go to www.allrecipes.com and search the names of some of my favorite restaurant dishes. I found a great recipe for Monoglian Beef that is SO easy! I also do a search based on what ingredients I have on hand if I don't have time to go to the store.

 

[wdwmom2]

I open the fridge door and stare into its depths, hoping to discover leftovers, or inspiration, either one is good.
Then I close the fridge, sigh deeply, open the cupboard doors and stare into the depths. I speculate... hmm.. what can I do with peanut butter, a can of beets, and rice?

Then I make pasta.

Ha ha!!! I do the same thing.

Only difference is I make bacon, egg, and cheese on toast!!!!

 

[mumto3girls]

I almost always have some quick meals in the freezer/pantry for when the day gets away from me and what I had planned to eat isn't going to work. My standbys are:

Breakfast for dinner--usually eggs, turkey bacon or sausage, toast/bagels/quick bread and fresh fruit

Tortellini (frozen) with garlic bread (frozen) and salad and/or veggie



Crab cakes--I usually have some market day ones in the freezer that are cooked from frozen so they are easy and just add some sides.

If my husband is away I will do salads with my girls with various toppings--hard boiled eggs, leftover meat/chicken/seafood, cheese, croutons.

During grilling weather I would also do hamburgers/hotdogs, grilled chicken, steak, fish etc.

If really desperate there is always frozen pizza, mac and cheese, pb&j.

 

[Topper]

When I don't know what to make for dinner, I visit Foodgawker and Tastespotting for inspiration.

 

[sunshine1178]

The first time it happens during the week, I order Chinese. The second, I order pizza, the third it's McDonalds, and the fourth it's Subway. I try not to get to five times in a week, because I dislike the only other restaurant in town!