Dinner time should be a complete family time. And if there is no family, then at least a happy meal time. But after a long day, making an effort to cook does not seem like a great idea, moreover the availability of pre-packaged ready to eat meals makes us reach more for them than the chopping board and vegetables. Though, I am quite sure that a warm homemade meal is what we all desire, well, now is your chance to get your heart's desire, with some of the family dinner ideas and easy dinner recipe ideas listed below.
Creamy Chicken Stew
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinned chicken breast, 1 pound
- Condensed cream of chicken soup, 8-10 fluid ounces
- Small potatoes, ½ pound
- Zest Italian dressing, ¼ cup
- Green peas, carrots and beans, 1½ cup
- Water, ¼ cup
- Olive oil, 1 tbsp
- Flavored light cheese spread, ¼ cup
Pour some water in a microwave proof dish, add potatoes and microwave on HIGH until potatoes are tender. In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat, add chicken pieces and stir continuously, until browned from all sides. Add steamed potatoes, vegetables and condensed cream soup to the saucepan. Stirring continuously, bring to a boil, simmer, cover and cook until chicken and vegetables are cooked. Stir in the Italian dressing and cheese, just before serving it hot.
Spinach Stuffed Shells
Ingredients:
- Pasta stuffing shells, cooked, 20-22
- Pasta sauce, 1 cup
- Cottage cheese, ½ cup
- Mozzarella cheese, ½ cup
- Spinach, 1 cup
- Egg white, 1
- Red and yellow pepper chopped, ½ each
- Dried herb leaves, 1 tsp
In a large bowl, combine chopped spinach, crumbled cottage cheese, half mozzarella crumbled cheese, chopped peppers, egg white, and dried herb. Using a spoon, stuff shells with a heaping of this mix. In a baking dish, spread half sauce, place shells, careful not to overlap each other, drizzle remaining sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven to 400°F for half an hour. Wait another half an hour before removing the foil. Serve warm with sauce.
Thai Beef Curry
Ingredients:
- Thinly sliced steak, 1 pound
- Sliced onion, ½
- Sliced bell pepper, 1
- Thai red curry paste, 1½ tbsp
- Spinach, ½ cup
- Minced basil leaves, 3 tbsp
- Coconut milk, 2 cups
- Sliced mushrooms, ½ cup
- Minced garlic, 1 clove
- Vegetable oil, 3 tbsp
In a wok, heat one tablespoon oil on high, toss in beef slices and minced garlic. Stir until beef browns lightly. Set aside. Heat remaining oil in wok, add the onion and pepper, follow-up with mushrooms, and stir-fry until all vegetables are tender. Add curry paste and coconut milk and fish sauce, bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, simmer, and add beef and spinach. Cook, stirring often, until the beef has been cooked.
Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients:
- Cocoa powder, 3 tbsp
- Finely chopped unsweetened chocolate, 1 ounce
- Sugar, 1 cup
- Vanilla extract, 1 tsp
- Envelope gelatin, 1
- Milk, 1 cup
- Vegetable oil, 1 tsp
- Cream, 2 cups
Dissolve gelatin in milk, in a saucepan over low heat. In a bowl, mix together cocoa powder, finely chopped unsweetened chocolate, sugar and vegetable oil. Add all this in the saucepan, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool. Cover and chill. Whip half of cream with vanilla to make stiff peaks, fold into the chilled chocolate. Scoop it and add into individual dessert bowls, Cover and refrigerate overnight. Before serving, top it with some more whipped cream.
If you want, these dinner recipes can be easily made into
romantic dinner ideas and recipes, just bring out some wine, candles and play some soft music! So, don't break your head over
what to make for dinner, instead use these recipes and enjoy yourself.
