Shake-n-Bake

I do a shake-n-bake (either pork or chicken) and while that's cooking in the oven I use the microwave to cook the steamfresh package of veggies. You can get packages of pork chops (America's Cut) at Jewel when they are on sale and just get how many you need in each package. It's quick and easy. -Kathy

Quesadillas

My favorite quick dinner is Quesadillas. It's easy to make the same main course for everyone in the family, while making them with different fillings at the same time. Serve with fresh fruit on the side. -Susie

Quesadillas
Place one tortilla shell on a flat griddle on the stove.
Add a handful of cheddar cheese.
Add cut up fillings. (mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, chicken, corn, black beans, etc)
Add a handful of cheddar cheese.
Top with a second tortilla shell.
Cook over medium heat until the cheese melts on the bottom shell and shell is browned. Carefully flip over (the more filling, the more careful you need to be!). Cook on the second side until browned and chesse is melted.
Cool for a few minutes and cut into triangles.

Top with salsa or guacamole as desired.

Indian Butter Chicken

I serve this over rice with some Trader Joe's Garlic Naan and a bottle of hot sauce. This "recipe" would work for any kind of simmer sauce. Just switch out the chickpeas for a different bean that fits the cuisine type (Caribean sauce + black beans; Italian sauce + cannellini beans, etc.) -Julie

Indian Butter Chicken
2-3 chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces or 2 cups leftover cooked chicken, chopped
1 jar Indian simmer sauce (our favorite is Tiger Tiger Butter Chicken available at World Market, but they're starting to carry Indian sauces in the grocery stores around here now, too)
1 onion, chopped into large pieces
1 can chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), drained

If you're using chicken breasts cook the chicken pieces in a skillet for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook for about 5 more minutes until chicken is cooked through and onions are soft.
If you're using leftover chicken cook in a skillet with the onions for 5 minutes until onions are soft.
Add 1 jar sauce and chickpeas. (If the sauce looks very thick, I often add about 1/2 cup water at this point.) Cook for 2-3 minutes until hot.

Quesadillas

I serve with Zucchini Bake (see below). - Kelly

Quesadillas
Spread the bottom tortilla with a little salsa and a cheese mixture (monterrey, mozzerella, cheddar.) Cover with the top tortilla and bake until the cheese is melted.

Zucchini Bake
In a casserole dish layer zucchini and sprinkle with a little Tony's Creole seasoning and onions. Top with a few pats of butter and 2 TSP of water. Bake for 30 min on 375.
Can be made ahead and even served cold it is good.

English Muffin Pizzas

Well, I'm discovering that my cooking ideas are pretty limited. That probably would not be a surprise to my family. I serve this with a simple side salad and some apple sauce. -Kelly

English Muffin Pizzas
Put a layer of spaghetti sauce (we like Ragu garden variety) on the muffin.
Top with mozzarella cheese and any other toppings you like into the toaster for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted nicely.

Sandwich Wraps

I probably don't need to say anymore, as I'm sure everyone is familiar with the sandwich wrap. Serve with your typical sandwich sides - fruit, chips, pasta salad, whatever. -Nancy

Sandwich Wraps
Spinach tortillas (plain flour ones for kids)
hummus or ranch dressing
deli meat - turkey or ham
spinach leaves
red or green pepper, cut into thin strips or diced
tomato, thinly sliced
shredded cheese - whatever kind I have on hand

If the tortilla is cold, microwave for 8 or 10 seconds to warm and soften it (so it rolls better). Spread a bit of hummus or ranch dressing on about half to two-thirds of the tortilla, layer on the other ingredients to your preference, and roll.

30 New Ideas

I can barely manage to make one new meal a week, but over at Cookie magazine online this mom made a new dinner each day for a whole month. Here are the recipes for her 30 new dinners. Some of them sound fairly ambitious, but there are a lot to choose from. Leave a comment if you try one!