They do offer "Healthy" versions - low fat/low sodium. For Thanksgiving, the family HAS to have the traditional green bean caserole with the cream of mushroom soup and Durkee onions. Last year I used the healthier can of soup and no one was the wiser, although I think it has a sweeter taste.
I totally agree with mixing up the meats/protein source and ethnicities, textures, etc. We try to do chicken, pork, beef, seafood, sausage, etc on a different day every week.
I plan a week's worth of dinners and snacks before going to the grocery store to only make one trip that week and if seafood is on the list, that's the first thing to get cooked since it never lasts long in the fridge.
Also, if I try a new recipe that requires strange/expensive ingredients, I'll try to incorporate those ingredients in other recipes that week - like using lemongrass in one recipe and as flavorful skewers for grilled pork for the next dinner- or a giant pork roast - definitely having BBQ sandwiches later that week).
I also don't like to bore the family with having left overs the very next night.
A big pot of soup one night, then two nights later, smaller portions of the leftover soup (maybe add a new ingredient or spice) with sandwiches.
Do you have a lot of one ingredient left in the fridge? A ton of ginger or a bag of potatoes that need to be used ASAP? Work around that to avoid waste.
Think about your family schedule too. Is one evening going to be especially hectic? Get take-out or do leftovers, or a super easy meal that evening. Try to plan your week of meals around busy days to avoid stress.
ALWAYS have a jar of pasta sauce, frozen ravioli, texas toast and a bag of lettuce! It's a life saver for disastrous nights when something comes up!
Cooking a whole chicken on the weekend, picking it apart and freezing 3 separate bags is great for a busy week ahead. You've got soup, pot pie and fajitas half done already!
no one has mentioned almond milk, which works wonderfully in "cream of" soups instead of the cream. It is pretty high in fat though, so that's the only downside. But it has a wonderful taste, and is non-dairy.
Try some non-meat based meals once in a while to add variety to your week-day meal rotation. Here are some ideas...
">Spinach Strawberry Salad
Cheesy Rice Burritos w/ Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Stuffed Bell Peppers
White Lasagna with Spinach and Almonds
Eggplant Parmesan
Toston Sandwich - which has no bread at all
Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich
Green Banana Mash
Stewed Potatoes over Brown Rice
Hope you like them...
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
We get a CSA basket, with a variety of fresh, local fruits and veggies that keep me inspired. I usually wait until after we get our basket, and then plan meals around the veggies we have on hand. I like to use the fresh stuff with legumes (lentils are my favorite thing lately,) risotto, grains, rices, and pastas. Add a fresh salad and usually lean pork, fish, or eggs and dinner is done. We also grow a ton of herbs in our garden for added flavor. We can adapt most meals for whatever we're craving; be it Asian, Mexican, Italian, etc.
Staples for me include quinoa with some sort of beans and greens mixture - very versatile if you vary the beans and greens. You can add salsa and cheddar to make it mexican, tahini and lemon for a more middle eastern taste, olives, feta, olives and olive oil for a greek take, etc. Soup is also big, as is stir fries with lots of veggies and tempeh. Get a good cookbook (I recommend Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian or any of his other cookbooks) and start cooking. Or scour food blogs for recipes. There are a ton of easy options out there.
pureed white beans instead of the potato for more protein and fiber, albeit a very different flavor.
This time of year, it's homemade soups and freshly baked bread at my house.
@PumpkinBear: Good for you, trying to mix it up!
I am probably too late since you have probably already made your potpie, but next time I suggest you make this one- it was pretty easy and really, a fantastic pot pie.
Here are some of my other favorite relatively easy and super good dinners that tend to please everyone...
Chicken with Leeks
Rustic Beef and Rice Casserole
Filipino Pork Adobo
Meat with a simple pan sauce
Have fun, and let everyone know how it goes!
P.S. Now I am totally craving Texas Toast and feel like I must have some right now... thanks for the suggestion!
The problem with using substitutes for "cream of _____" is that the dish you're trying to recreate doesn't taste the same. Green bean casserole, for instance, made with another sauce instead of cream of mushroom soup may be good, but it's not the traditional green bean casserole. I think the solution is to avoid those things or make them infrequently.
renzata--Sounds pretty damn good. Wish I could find it in NYC. Thanks for the clarification.
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