Weeknight Cooking - In Search of Inspiration!

I'm sure most of you know Helen Jane? If not, click her name and go meet her. I'll wait.

Then go read her brilliant meal planning advice here.

 

Helen Jane is one of those people who just brings smiles wherever she goes. She is truly lovely. And she lives in St. Helena, in Napa Valley. I love her lifestyle. I was hanging out on her blog earlier and decided that I really would love to get back into meal planning.

To that end, what are some of your favorite weeknight ideas for springtime/summer? I'm feeling tired of all of our usual stuff. Share below!

Comments

[Melissa]

I stuff bell peppers with couscous, cucumbers, feta, tomatoes, dill and chickpeas - basically a Greek salad-meets-stuffed pepper. They're so good and fresh! You can make the salad ahead of time and portion it at room temp or even cold if you want to. One of my summertime faves!

[Mom24@4evermom]

Grilled salmon, grilled rice patties (basted with a mirin/soy/butter sauce) [http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/grilled-rice-balls-recipe/index.html] and sugar snap peas. One of my kids' favorite meals.

We also love PW's crispy chicken strips made into wraps with julienned carrots, lettuce and a maple/country dijon mustard.

[Fitposse]

We've had some nice grilling weather lately, so turkey burgers are great. With a little salt, garlic and Worcestershire sauce, they taste better than beef. Whole wheat buns, fresh veggies, and a mixed salad complete the meal. If you're feeling creative, you can mix your own spicy mustard or barbecue sauce to put on them.

[Erin]

I just drove past the exit for St. Helena :) We had In - N - Out for dinner, a meal must for Dru when visiting California.

[Helen Jane]

Thanks for the super nice post!
Wow! Truly honored.

(And I'm a pasta salad girl in the summer. Pasta salad and white slow cooker chili. Not together. You know what I mean.)

[foodmomiac]

I love all of these ideas! @mom24, one of my biggest issues is that I am allergic to fin fish (I can eat shellfish). I feel like there are so many amazing and fast weeknight meals that I miss out on because of my allergy. That sounds awesome!
@melissa, love that idea!

[mamacita]

Maybe you can tell us what you're in a rut with--it's probably new to me. I'm currently in a rut with Taco Tuesdays, but they're mighty easy to do with a big hunk of meat in the slow cooker (brisket, chicken breasts, pork shoulder).

My kids like make-your-own type dinners (such as taco night). Sometimes I also have salad bar night, where I put out containers of chopped up veggies, eggs, ham, etc. I also (haven't tried this but) like the idea of bruschetta--you can grill or just toast some bread and add little toppings that are make-ahead or bought at the store.

Currently I'm craving fattoush and crab salad in avocado that I saw on Pinterest. Spending a few minutes there usually restarts my cooking mojo.

[Meg]

Composed salads are a favorite of mine in summer. I also love to make the Frankies' tomato, avocado and red onion salad and eat it with some cold meat - either chicken or leftover steak. It's a perfect meal on a hot day.

[Heather B.]

Stuff that doesn't require a grill. For us apartment dwellers who are...grill-less.