We’re having friends over for dinner this week, so I am of course fretting over what to make for dinner. My main priority is prep-ahead-able – I’m sure there’s a better word for that, but eh. The point is, I want to have everything made and ready to assemble before they arrive; I do not like to cook under pressure. A salad seems like a great option. Maybe a this copycat of California Pizza Kitchen’s Thai Crunch Salad? I’d want to include a protein, though, and I’m not sure how to do that. Teriyaki chicken in the crockpot?
I wish I felt more confident grilling stuff. Our grill is not great. It needs to be replaced, but it’s a big built-in unit and I don’t even want to think about what a replacement costs. It works, sort of (the ignition switch no longer ignites and one of the burners has a broken gas valve, so no gas comes out), so maybe we could grill chicken or something and have that with a big salad. This chicken fajita salad sounds tasty.
Our friends aren’t coming over because they want a gourmet meal, I do know that. I am also aware of things like delivery pizza and takeout. But I still feel stressed about the food. (How much of my life have I devoted to Stressing About The Food? So, so much. How does one not stress about feeding guests when one seems to be wired for stressing?)
Onto feeding my own family this week. Once again, I am stumped beyond all reason. Dinner? Sounds familiar, I guess. What does one make and eat for dinner? Surely there are options, but none are occurring to me…
Dinners for the Week of July 7-13
- Slow Cooker Honey Chipotle Chicken Tacos: My husband volunteered this idea, and I am not one to turn down dinner ideas so this we will have.
- Air Fryer Chicken and Waffles: Carla’s newest obsession is chicken and waffles. I asked her if she had any ideas for this week’s meal plan, or if she wanted to make anything for the family, and she suggested chicken and waffles. It sounds complicated but I am not one to turn down dinner ideas OR voluntary help in the kitchen, so on the menu it goes.
- Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta: There’s too much chicken on the meal plan already, but are there other proteins? Have I ever heard of a recipe that uses beef, pork, or fish? Probably not. Maybe I can get away with this vegetarian pasta by pretending zucchini are full of protein?
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pork with Coleslaw: The last time I suggested this to my husband, he declined to approve. This time I may just make it anyway. I have my reasons: It’s not chicken, we haven’t had it in awhile, it’s easy, I have thought of it.
It took me an hour to come up with this list. Reminder: two of the items were provided to me by my family members. So I’m going to call it good; we’ll figure out what to eat for the rest of the week when we get there.
Anybody else suffering from dinner-related amnesia????
Ugh I absolutely suck at meal planning right now. I spent $600 at the grocery store yesterday and have 2 dinners and we already ate one. Whomp whomp.
Yes! Salad and made-ahead protein is perfect. What about grilling both salmon and chickenearlier on the day and having the meat cold and ready to put on salads? Or buying pre-grilled from the Whole Foods deli and passing it off as your own? (not that I do this on the regular or anything)
I was thinking about pre-grilling some chicken and salmon! That seems like a good idea, right?
Also you get a pass for everything right now. Meal planning will return at some point.
I’m thinking my family should fast this week. I woke up this morning trying to figure out what the hell we’re going to eat all week, and this is the easiest solution.
Yes. A weeklong family fast. I’m in!
I totally share your entertaining dinner stress. Try the greek chicken salad recipe from carlsbad cravings. Make sure to use her recipe for marinade that is linked in the recipe. It is amazing! You can prep it all ahead of time. I have served this salad bar style when I have entertained – I typically also add beets. It had always been a hit!
https://carlsbadcravings.com/greek-chicken-salad-recipe/
This sounds amazing, thank you!
A hearty salad with pre-made/cooled proteins sounds like a great option! It agree that made-ahead is the way to go as it’s hard to host when you are busy in the kitchen!
I fly out today and am gone until Friday night so I have zero meals to make this week… I did make some picadillo last night with rice and black beans so Phil would have some meals while I’m gone and they will also get a pizza. I feel quite bad for Phil as the boys have been total turds lately and mess with each other so much. I hope they are magically on their best behavior during this long work + fun trip.
Oh gosh, I hope the boys have fun / behave well with Phil, too. For Phil, but also so you don’t have to worry about it while you’re working. Hooray for a week of no cooking!
All of your meals sound amazing! The slow cooker is a lifesaver in this hot weather. I think the BBQ pork sounds amazing. I always think a salad with a variety of toppings works well for guests. They can eat what they enjoy and leave off the things they don’t like. I also love it when that get served when I go somewhere. Everyone wins!
We had cereal for dinner last night….
Oooh I like looking at a salad as a win-win! Thanks for that perspective! If cereal is good enough for breakfast, it’s good enough for dinner.
Meal planning was always the lowest point of my parenting/family management skill. And still is, even though there are only two of us in the household. Have you seen the video making the rounds of the “I Do Not Care” Club, led by a woman who is in perimenopause? Most of the time that’s now my answer about what’s for dinner. My husband has adjusted and will readily get takeout. I would readily have toast with butter. I am not making it through this era without toast with butter.
That said, I can credit you for leading me to the wonders of Sheet Pan Veggie Shawarma with Tahini-Lemon sauce. I looooove that recipe. So delicious, so easy, so adaptable. Thank you.
I love the idea of “I do not care”! My husband is usually very happy to do takeout or cereal or microwave meals. I think because my kid is so picky and has such… questionable eating habits, I am trying to Be a Good Role Model with varied and nutritious meals. But man is it exhausting.
Omg I recently found the “I do not care club” woman on Facebook and she is HILARIOUS!!!
I was going to make guac for our family July 4th party, but the avocados didn’t ripen in time. That kind of makes meal planning easy because I need something that will use up six avocados in a short stretch of time.
Last night – fancy chicken sammies, which are a copycat of something my husband likes to order at one of our favorite restaurants. Costco breaded chicken patties, lettuce, tomato, onions, and of course avocado. Topped with mayo in place of the restaurant’s fancy aioli.
Tonight – salmon bowls, with you guessed it, avocado!
Tomorrow – chicken burritos, with ambitions for leftovers. Avocados gone, problem solved!
Oh wait, we’ll be eating dinner after tomorrow night so I will need to come up with a plan…darn it, I thought I had the universe figured out.
Anyway, the thai crunch salad with an added protein sounds fabulous. And if you have a few protein heavy meals in a row you’re allowed to eat a yummy cheesy pasta.
Basically all I want right now is a dinner that someone else has thought about and made. I honestly wouldn’t care if it is was rice and beans as long as someone else did all the work. Think of how grateful your guests will be that this has been taken off their plates for one night and just know whatever you make will be appreciated.
Oooh that Thai crunch salad looks GOOD. I am going to give that a try. It’s similar to a quinoa one I make but BETTER. Mmm. Tonight I’m making tacos! You and Carla would be thrilled! Lol! Mostly because it’s hot and I have writer’s group at 5:30 so things are always a little hectic after that (even though we meet online so it’s not super onerous or anything)
Thai crunch salad, thumbs up! Salads in hot weather are the way to go.
I’ve never had chicken and waffles but they always sound so good to me! I love that Carla is currently obsessed with them.
I’m wondering why I haven’t tried this teriyaki chicken recipe – in the crockpot no less. I’ve emailed myself the recipe and I hope to try it soon. All of your meals sound great. I also like the sound of the tacos in the crockpot. Most of my crockpot recipes feel wintery, and I want to use the crockpot in the summer so I don’t have to turn on my oven. Thanks for sharing these ideas. I’m confident the dinner party will be amazing. I do get the stress of preparing food for other people, but you’re right – they aren’t expecting the best meal they’ve ever eaten.