I don't cook, I fix dinner: Philosophy and recipes from a non-cook.

That's NOT my food but
 it's so pretty! Crepes from Cafe
Un Deux Trois in NYC.

I don't cook. I fix dinner.

I don't plan dinner, I shop for what I need on the way home from work.

Or, even better, take me out to dinner!

It's not pretty, but it's mostly effective.

So how does someone in my situation survive without eating out all of the time?  It was my brother that mentioned something that stuck with me. He said, "You just need 5 good meals that you do really well, with quality ingredients..."

He is SO right. I've stopped being afraid to spend more for the best quality meats and farm fresh eggs or veggies.  It has made a world of difference.

So without further delay, here are my family favorites. They don't need recipes because if I can figure it out, anyone can. The key is using the best quality ingredients you can find.

1) French Dips: Crock Pot roast in french onion soup. Let it roast all day long. Put it on really good/fresh hoagies and done! Another option we love is pairing it with homemade mashed potaotes.

2) BBQ Crock Pot chicken. I get KC Joes Sauce and the best quality chicken I can find. Dump it all in and done! (Are you seeing a trend here?)

** Tip: if you are grilling and want to make beans, buy canned beans and add your fave bbq sauce. Outstanding!

You can also put just about anything spicy with the chicken for a mexican twist. I often will use fresh salsa, black beans and corn. Put a brick of cream cheese on top to make it extra creamy.

3) Tacos...I use ground turkey, whole wheat or low carb soft shells or corn hard shells. My secret is Taco Bell taco seasoning. 

4) Salmon, rice and green beans or peas. If it's summer I find a fresh veg to use. I always buy the freshest salmon I can find. If it's too pricey I just don't make it. Not gonna lie, we love the fresh salmon at SAMS. $15 feeds 5!

5) Grill Grill Grill!! We love grilling burgers, steaks and hot dogs. I buy meat from the Liberty Farmer's Market from a local farmer and it is worth every penny. I feel like it goes a long way because the flavor is so rich that you don't eat as much.

I will often buy burgers from McGonigals meat market and we love Hebrew National Hot Dogs.

6) Pork Tenderloin in the oven or on the grill.

7) Spaghetti with San Marzono tomato sauce. This is SO worth it!I just crush up the tomatoes and add some sugar, garlic salt, butter and basil. If I don't do this, I will buy one of the jarred sauces that is from a favorite restaurant or organic specialty sauce. I also use a mix of white and brown pasta.

8) Turkey Chili...now this can get tricky because I do have a recipe that I altered from a Rachel Ray recipe and I hate that I'm going to give away my secret, but no matter what chili I decide to make, I always add a can of.....Steak and Shake chili. Sorry, it's just SO yummy! It just takes my chili to another level....a more unhealthy level, but it's one can people! And I make the chili with ground turkey and black beans so get over it already and go buy some cans of Steak and Shake chili. I buy it in bulk because I have to go to Wal Mart for it.

These ingredients are what make this pizza outstanding.
The olive oil is straight from the vinyard in Tuscany!

9) Mac and Cheese...not from the blue box:) I use a box of elbow mac, a can of cheddar cheese soup and a bag of shredded cheese, butter and half and half. Yes, it's fattening so just eat less!

10) City Market Pizza (left): Buy or make the best crust you can. I call it "City Market Pizza" because I buy all my ingredients at the City Market.  Add the best quality EVOO, mozzerella, garlic salt, fresh basil and tomatoes. Bake at 435 until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melty.

I pair my main dishes with  my farmer's market finds like potatoes and fresh corn on the cob...you know, the kind that comes from the bed of the truck and might have corn worms in it YUM!...(the corn, not the worms!)

There's nothing like a BLT with home grown tomatoes (not MY home of course) and the best thick cut bacon you can find. I bought some from the Local Pig once. At $1 a slice I thought it was a huge ripoff, until I tasted it. Each piece was like a steak so you only needed 2 pieces for a good BLT!

So there you have it. It's not amazing, I'm still not a cook, but I figure if I've made this work then anyone can! Good luck and have fun!