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breakfast recipes

Dinner Ideas from Chili to Scallops Salmon to Steak to Burritos Variety

Want Dinner Ideas with Variety…We Got ’em!

 

This collection is designed to give you variety for dinner ideas and recipes. These dinner recipes are quick, easy, delicious, and even diet friendly…the way we like them as Mompreneurs and CEO of Everything.

 

We have Chili, Scallops, Salmon, Steak, Burritos, Pasta Noodles and Pork. Are you ready?

 

dinner ideasFirst in our Dinner Ideas with Variety Collection, Chipotle Bean Chili with Quinoa…

 

Chipotle and Quinoa…who knew?  This is actually a delightful combination of flavors, and gives you a great meal when you’re in a rush as the CEO of Everything Mom. This dish will keep you on track with your diet goals, because it falls into a low-calorie strategy.  It also can satisfy the rest of the family, who may not be on your same diet. 

 

I find that if I rotate my diet strategies, such as staying low carb, and then rotating in carbs, but keeping those calories very low, I get enough variety and moderation to stick to it, and have more success over the long run.  It’s more of a lifestyle of eating, rather than a strict diet.

 

As with any bean chili, you can serve it with bread and butter or garlic toast for everyone else. The beans should feel very satisfying alone for you on this one.

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes: Chipotle Bean Chili with Quinoa… 

 
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Dinner Ideas Recipes Ingredients:

 
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 celery stalk, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 Tbsp minced jalapeno pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried chopped basil
1/2 tsp dried chopped thyme
1/2 tsp dried marjoram leaf
1/4 tsp chipotle pepper powder
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
3 cups water
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tomato paste mixed with 3/4 cup water
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Directions-Quick and Easy:

 

If the quinoa is not pre-rinsed, soak the quinoa for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and drain well.
 
Heat the oil on medium-high in a Dutch oven or large soup pot.  

Add the celery, both bell peppers, and onion, and cook stirring for 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables soften a little.

Add the jalapeno and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in the spices and herbs, and cook for 1 minute.

Add the water, beans, tomato sauce mixed with water and quinoa, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, or until quinoa is cooked. 

Stir in Worcestershire sauce, taste and adjust for flavor.

Serve hot in big bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro.

*If you want to control your portions and calories, keep the bowl size smaller.  Something like these nesting Ceramic Heart Bowls, give you lots of portion options…

 

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dinner ideasOur next Dinner Ideas Recipes keeps us diet conscious year round…

 

Even though fall is here with winter around the corner, there might be times you either take a trip, or are invited to a Resort Beach Wedding, where you have to be at a beach party all day in a swimsuit, and in resort wear clothes, showing a lot more skin than usual.  Needless to say, I’m always on a diet as a 40 something year old, so dinner ideas and dinner recipes that keep me in line all year round are important.

 

I like to cut carbs in general, and I mostly eat soups, salads and a lean piece of meat, but when you’re trying to diet, it always much harder, just because you’re thinking about it.  Don’t you find that?

 

I will end up craving carbs, and so on these days, I will eat them, but keep my caloric input very low, and stick to my uphill running routine.  I find that if I rotate strategies, and not make everything feel like a “have to”, I do better.  There will be no desserts for sure though!

 

This Scallop dinner dish is very light, quick and easy to prepare.  I like the salsa on it serving as my salad. If you don’t necessarily have to watch your carbs, or your kids and hubby don’t have to be as strict as you are, you can extend this meal for the rest of the family by serving it over rice.

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes: Scallops Grilled with Cucumber Ginger Mango Salsa… 

 
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Courtesy of essentialsofnutrition

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Ingredients:

 
2 mangoes, diced small
2 small cucumbers, peeled and diced small
1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger root
2 tsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 lbs sea scallops

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Directions–Quick and Easy:

 
In a glass bowl, put the mangoes, cucumbers, ginger, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt and pepper; toss to combine well. 

Set aside while you grill the scallops.

Lay scallops out on a work surface and dry with paper towels; sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides.

Grill scallops either inside or outside – if inside put a little olive oil in a ridged grilling pan over medium-high heat.  

When hot, put scallops in, cooking until seared well, then turn and cook the other side. 

They should be good and golden brown and cooked through.  

This should take 2 to 3 minutes on each side, depending on the size.

Spoon generous portions of the salsa on serving plates, then arrange scallops on top of each plate.
 

 

dinner ideasOur third Dinner Ideas Recipes still keeps us in a low carb mode… 

 

This Salmon Baked with Balsamic Reduction is a great way to get a sweet and savory glaze for a salmon dish, without adding any brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or other sugary ingredients.

 

It’s best to use a good balsamic vinegar and be sure to check the label. Most good ones will have very limited sugars and carbs. The trick in most diets, is finding ways to serve salmon with sauces and glazes that fit a healthy diet.  Salmon is considered a powerhouse of nutrients to do you good.   

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes: Salmon Baked With Balsamic Reduction…

 

 
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Dinner Ideas Recipes Ingredients:

 
4 salmon fillets
1 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp fresh squeezed lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Directions–Quick and Easy:

 
Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Evenly season salmon, both sides, with salt and pepper, and put in baking dish.

Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, about 10 to 15 minutes.  Salmon should be a solid color throughout.

As fish is cooking, take out a small saucepan and pour balsamic vinegar in. 

Place saucepan over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently until liquid reduces by about a third.  

This should take about 10 minutes.  The more it reduces, the thicker and sweeter it will get.

Remove the saucepan from the heat when it is reduced, and add the oil, whisking as you add. 

Then add the lime juice, and continue whisking until color gets lighter.  

Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.

Spoon the balsamic reduction sauce over the salmon when it comes out of the oven.  

Serve salmon while still warm on these Slate Grey Handmade Ceramic Dinner Plates

 

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When do you go wrong with juicy, quick and easy steak?

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes: Vegetables Roasted with Balsamic and Flank Steak…

 
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Dinner Ideas Recipes Ingredients:

 

1 lb flank steak
1 lime, juiced
salt 
pepper
2 sweet bell peppers, cleaned and cut each into 8 wedges
1 medium size eggplant, washed and cut in quarters lengthwise, then into rough shaped cubes
6 Tbsp olive oil, divided
2 Tbsp good balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Directions–Quick and Easy:

 
Turn your broiler on, and set the rack about 6 inches from the heat source.

Put your flank steak on a working surface, and drizzle lime juice over it. 

Then salt and pepper; turn and repeat on the other side. 

Place it on a broiler pan.

Put the broiler pan under the broiler, and cook the flank steak for about 4 minutes.

Then flip and cook for about 4 more minutes.  

The steak should feel somewhat firm.  Remove to cutting board and let rest. 

Cover it loosely with a piece of foil to keep it warm.

Turn your oven broiler off, and oven heat on 450 degrees.

On a shallow baking pan, spread out the bell peppers and eggplant. 

Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil over them, and mix with your hands to coat veggies well.

When your oven is preheated, put the veggies in and roast for 10 minutes. 

Then, using a big spatula to turn the veggies to brown evenly, and continue cooking for 5 to 10 more minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate large bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, clove, and parsley, and set aside.

Remove the veggies and immediately add to the vinaigrette mixture, tossing to combine.

Uncover your steak, and slice into very thin slices.

Put a spoonful of roasted veggies on a plate, and arrange the strips of steak alongside and on top.

Spoon more of the vinaigrette from the bowl over the top of the steak if desired with these vintage mixed lot soup ladle serving spoons

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*You can also try spinning this recipe into another by serving it over rice.

 

Let’s keep the variety going with our quick and easy dinner ideas recipes with an all time favorite–

dinner ideasGrilled Mexico Burritos

Being very close to the border here in Arizona, Mexico style burritos are a staple.  Everyone has their favorite Mexican family run restaurant in town, and we’re no exception. Ours is Rosa’s, and the family members are still cooking in the kitchen, serving your table, and greeting you at the door.

Rosa’s has the best salsa in town too!

Most of us try our own versions of Mexico style burritos at home, and since it’s grilling time, this version gets you outside cooking with a nice smoky flavor inside your tortilla…

Dinner Ideas Ingredients for Grilled Mexico Burritos:

2 TBSP red wine vinegar

2 TBSP chili powder

1 TBSP garlic powder

1 tsp black pepper

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp oregano

2 tsp marjoram

1 tsp salt

1 (2 1/2 lb)  boneless pork roast, rolled and tied

2 C green chili salsa

2 (16 oz) cans refried beans

1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil + extra to rub on the roast before grilling

6-10 inch flour tortillas

1 C Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1 C lettuce, shredded

1 C sour cream

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Courtesy of thekitchensinkrecipes.com

Dinner Ideas Directions for Grilled Mexico Burritos–Quick and Easy:

Blend together the red wine vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, cumin, oregano, marjoram and salt in a small mixing bowl.

Rub the spice mixture all over the roast making sure to cover the entire roast well.

The brush the roast with the oil and allow the roast to stand 30 minutes.

Heat grill to medium high heat.

Place the roast on grill grate away from the direct heat.

Roast the meat for 3 ½ hours or until the internal temperature reaches 185 degrees.

Remove the roast and allow to cool slightly.

Once cooled enough to work with cut the roast into 1 inch chunks.

Place the chunks into a saucepan, add the salsa and bring to a rapid boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook 10 minutes.

Place the remaining olive oil in a separate saucepan, add the beans and heat.

Place the tortillas on the grill over the direct heat and toast 10 seconds per side.

Place the beans on each grilled tortilla. 

Add cheese and the pork mixture.

Top with the lettuce and sour cream.

Roll into burritos. 

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By placing the roast over indirect heat, the roast will cook slowly. This helps the roast stays moist.  It also allows the roast to cook evenly on all sides, by reflecting the heat off of the lid of the grill.  

 

We couldn’t put this Dinner Ideas Recipes Collection together without some pasta and noodles…

 

Noodles are pretty much a staple in many dishes around the world.  There is even a celebrated Noodle month. 

We have Chinese noodles, Thai noodles, Italian pasta noodles, American noodles, German spaetzle noodles, and we could go on and on.  Who on this planet does not have some kind of noodles?

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes: Cabbage and Angel Hair Noodles… 

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Courtesy of marthstewart.com

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Ingredients:

8 oz angel hair pasta cut into 2 inch lengths
4 cups green cabbage – shredded
1/2 cup vegetable broth
salt to taste
pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream (plain yogurt can be used instead of sour cream)

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Directions for Cabbage and Angel Hair Noodles–Quick and Easy:

 

Cook angel hair noodles and drain well.   While noodles are cooking, saute shredded cabbage in broth until tender (approximately 10-15 minutes).

Once cabbage is tender add pasta noodles and mix well.

Once combined together well, remove pan from heat.

Salt, pepper and add garlic powder to taste.

Top with sour cream and serve while warm.

Serve in bowls like this heart shaped beauty from owlcreekceramics on Etsy..

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We couldn’t leave out a pork choice for your quick and easy dinner ideas.

 

dinner ideasYou’ll need this Peachy & Spicy Grilled Pork Chops idea…

I think pork lends itself to that perfect combination of sweet, salty & spicy, so it’s one of my favorites for the grill.  The combination of the spicy marinade and the sweet taste of the peach salsa make this a great meal for any taste bud.

dinner ideasCourtesy of seriousseats.com

Dinner Ideas Recipes Ingredients for Peachy & Spicy Grilled Pork Chops:

2 TBSP apple cider vinegar

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

1 tsp garlic, minced

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 bone in 1 inch thick pork chops

2 1/2 C fresh peaches, peeled and diced

2 plum tomatoes, chopped fine

2 green onions, remove green and slice thin

2 TBSP cilantro, chopped fine

2 TBSP lime juice

 

Dinner Ideas Recipes Directions for Peachy & Spicy Grilled Pork Chops–Quick and Easy:

In a small bowl stir the vinegar, jalapeno pepper, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper together well.

Place the mixture into a shallow container with a lid.

Add the pork chops and cover.

Marinate in the refrigerator 4 hours.

Place the peaches, tomatoes, green onion and cilantro in a mixing bowl.

Add the lime juice and toss to cover.

Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Remove the chops from the marinade and discard the marinade.

Allow the steaks to sit at room temperature about 20 minutes.

Heat grill to medium temperature.

Cook steaks 10 minutes, turning once, until juices run clear.

Remove pork chops and cover with aluminum foil.

Allow chops to stand in the foil 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes unwrap the steaks and slice into strips(optional).

Remove the peach salsa from the refrigerator.

Serve the grilled pork chops or sliced strips over the salsa.

These grilled pork chops served whole or sliced will work just fine, and you can even substitute oranges, pineapple or apricots for the salsa, as long as they are sweet to act in combination with the spices.

OK, how’s that for dinner ideas variety?

Courtney & Betina

Google+

dinner ideasDinner Ideas from Chili to Scallops Salmon to Steak to Burritos Variety

 

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