Express Dinners List

In my previous post I wrote about having and Express Dinners List in the front of your recipe binder; below is a sample of mine.  I hope this helps give you ideas when your In a Bind to get dinner on the table. Be creative and think of your own favorite quick dinners to add to the list.  Most of the dinners can be made from items found in your prep boxes or your pantry.

Check back later this week to see my Freezer Fall Backs List for your recipe binder.

Take it one prep at a time!

Chef Jackie

Express Dinners List

Crock pot

• whole chicken, ham 9no salt or pepper added), beef roast or pork roast; seasoned with salt and pepper, carrots and potatoes and 1 cup water or stock added to the crock pot, cook on low 6-8 hours

Salads

• Caesar-Chicken, salmon, shrimp or beef, greens, Caesar dressing, croutons and Parmesan
• Michigan Cherry-Chicken, beef, salmon or pork, greens, dried cherries, goat cheese or cheddar cheese, diced apples and raspberry vinaigrette
• Taco or Fajita-Taco meat (from the freezer) or chicken breast cooked in salsa and shredded, greens, diced peppers and onions, cheese, salsa and sour cream
• Antipasto-Greens, sliced ham, provolone and salami, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and Italian dressing
• Italian Pasta salad- Pasta, sliced, ham, provolone and salami, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and Italian dressing
• Greek-Chicken, greens, beets, olives, feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, garbanzo beans and Greek dressing
• Greek Pasta-Pasta, chicken, beets, olives, feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, garbanzo beans and Greek dressing
• Pick Up Sticks (eating out of the prep boxes with toothpicks)
• Chicken Waldorf-Mayo, chicken, diced apples, grape halves or dried cherries, pecans, salt and pepper
• Cobb or Chef-Diced meats and cheese, crumbled bacon, hard boiled eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes and ranch dressing
• Chicken Salad- “Planned over” chicken, mayo, diced celery and onions, dried cherries (optional), chopped pecans (optional), salt and pepper, cooked rice or quinoa(optional)
• Tuna Salad-Tuna, mayo, diced celery and onions, golden raisins (optional), cottage cheese (optional), hard boiled eggs (optional) and salt and pepper

Baked Potato Bar-with assorted toppings (“planned over” baked potatoes, meats and veggies”)

Sandwiches

• BLT’S
• Hamburgers
• Grilled cheese
• Nitrate free hot dogs and sausage
• Hamburgers
• “Planned over” meats and cheese in wrap or lettuce cup
• Quesadillas made from “planned over” meats and vegetables tossed with salsa, and cheese; cook “grilled cheese” style
• Nitrate free hot dogs or sausage
• Fajitas made from “planned over” meats and vegetables or made fresh

Pastas or Stir Fries

• Alfredo over pasta or rice topped with chicken, shrimp or salmon
• Spaghetti with meat sauce (from freezer)
• Tomato sauce with sausage and peppers over rice
• Carbonara (ham from the freezer)
• Stir fries-rice or quinoa with veggies and chicken, pork, beef or seafood and Asian or Oriental dressing
• Pasta primavera-Pasta, chicken, salmon or shrimp and assorted vegetables, tossed with Italian dressing
• Pasta Adriana- Angel hair pasta, diced tomatoes, olive oil, basil, garlic, splash of balsamic vinegar and your choice of protein; chicken or seafood
• Garlic Chicken, Beef, Pork or Shrimp- saute meat over medium heat with garlic, minced green onions and olive oil, served over rice and topped with shaved Parmesan, serve with steamed broccoli
• Chicken or Beef and Mushroom Bowtie Saute -heat olive oil and garlic in a pan, add mushrooms and diced chicken or beef serve tossed with pasta or rice

Upside Down Dinners (breakfast)
Crepes stuffed with fresh berries and whipped cream served with breakfast meats
Egg Dishes- Frittatas, omelets or eggs (any style) made with “planned over” meat and veggies
From the griddle-Stuffed French toast, pancakes or waffles and breakfast meat