What's For Dinner: Reboot

Originally, I posted this 5 years ago, but after chatting with a blog reader a bit as well as with a couple of friends at work, this seemed to be timely once again. I was going to write a new post, but when I went back and re-read what I had written, I couldn't think of one thing I would write differently.

I still use my master list although I have added quite a few new recipes, but the post is the about same:

This morning I was working on a list for a menu and I thought, "What's for Supper?" and then my thoughts seamlessly continued..."Grandpa?"

"Chicken Fried Steak. Mashed Spuds. Cream Gravy. Buttermilk Biscuits. Black-eyed peas. And Peach Cobbler with homemade ice cream. " Must be said like Grandpa Jones.

 "YUM! YUM!"

Remember Hee Haw? Yes, it was corny, but it was honest to goodness-fun for the family- clean entertainment. And here lately, I've been wishing for a Grandpa like that. You know... one that cooks.

Come to think of it, don't know if I've ever heard of one of those.

Yesterday I read a post from a friend who was bemoaning the fact that it's hard to come up with ideas of what to cook and even if you have a idea, you most certainly will not have the required ingredients to make said meal.

Around here, our big meal is at noon and we call it Dinner. Our 'supper' is generally light:  leftovers or something thrown in a tortilla.

There are days I have it all together and then there are days I do not. However, I figure we can all relate to those 'not' days when you find yourself staring vacantly into the refrigerator and pantry and sighing. You may even have small (or not so small) kidlets clinging to your britches clamoring for their next meal because they are S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G. Those days are a thing of the past around here, but grown kidlets in men's clothing can be just as convincing.

One of the things I have done is make a master list of everything I cook. I have it on the inside of a cupboard door and refer to it on those days I am at a loss. Some things get made more often than others and some only get made once a year, but they are all things we deem as keepers. I'm pretty lucky. My crew isn't picky. They're wonderful guinea pigs although I've made my fair share of "what were you thinking?" recipes. Here's my updated list:

What’s for Dinner?

1. Catalina Salad
2. Hamburgers
3. Hotdogs
4. Hotlinks
5. Sloppy Joes
6. Steak
7. Barbecue Sandwiches
8. Taco Soup
9. Meatloaf
10. Lasagna
11. Layered Mini Lasagna Casserole
12. Taco Lasagna
13. Bolognese Lasagna
14. Crock Pot Pizza
15. Beefy Beans & Cornbread
16. Beef & Cheese Enchiladas
17. Chicken Enchiladas
18. Red Enchiladas
19. Tacos / Tostadas
20. Burritos
21. Quesadillas
22. Steak Tampequena
23. Spaghetti
24. Chicken Fried Steak
25. Smothered Steak
26. Swiss Steak
27. Slow Cooked Pepper Steak
28. Buckaroo Bundles
29. Beef French Dip Au Jus
30. Hamburger Corn-pone Pie
31. Pour-a-Pan Pizza
32. Hungarian Goulash Soup
33. Chicken Noodle Soup
34. Black Bean Sirloin Chili
35. Chili
36. Hobo Casserole
37. Best Ever Potato Soup
38. Stew
39. Chicken Tortilla Soup
40. Chicken Strips
41. Smothered Chicken
42. Stuffed Green Peppers
43. Chicken Spaghetti
44. Chicken Pot Pie
45 .King Ranch Chicken Casserole
46. Chicken & Dumpling Casserole
47. Fried Chicken
48. Ravioli Casserole
49 4-Cheese Chicken Fettuccine
50. Ham & Swiss Stromboli
51. BLTs
52. Pioneer Woman’s Sandwich
53. Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich
54. Texas Hash
55 .Salisbury Steak Deluxe
56. Roast
57 .Ribs
58. Venison Backstrap or Tenderloin
59. Chicken Parmesan
60. Homemade Pizza
61. Barbecue Chicken
62. Fajitas
63. Breaded Pork Chops
64. Chef Salad w/ grilled beef or chicken
65. Tortilla Stack
66. Chicken Milanese
67. Parmesan Dijon Chicken
68. Baked Beef Stroganoff
69. Green Chile Pork Stew
70. Smoked Chicken
71. Smoked Pork Loin
72. Brisket
73. Chicken & Rice with Peas
74. Grilled Cheese with Bacon & Green Chile
75. Sweet & Sour Chicken with Peppers
76. Cajun Chicken Fettuccine
77. Bourbon Chicken
78. Quail Soup
79. Dove Fricassee
80. Steak Bites
81. Stir Fry
82. Ham
83. Ham-Pasta-Egg Scramble
84. Zucchini Boats
85. Cajun Salmon
86. Catfish
87. Chicken Salad
88. Frog-more Stew
89. Cheesy Meatball Skillet
90. Pulled Pork
91.Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Now I won't guarantee you'll know exactly what your cooking every single day, but it does seem to help.
I also try to make a menu for each week. Just jot it down on an index card and then you can refer to the recipes when you're making your grocery list. I have lots of cookbooks, but I keep our favorite recipes here.

Friends are another great source and mine are great cooks who are more than willing to share their recipes. Something they're completely sick of making might be your family's newest favorite dish. I'm always looking for new recipes to add to my list so ya'll send 'em this way!

In closing, here's a hint: Keep the ingredients for a Cherry Pie on hand at all times. It's guaranteed to put a sparkle in their eye and stop that tummy from rumbling... at least until the next meal rolls around and if y'all ever find a Grandpa like Hee Haw's Grandpa Jones, send him my way.

We've got folks coming to pick up calves tomorrow and when DH asked them what time they'd be here they said, "Noon." Makes me laugh. Everyone shows up here bout noon. Guess we'll be having company for dinner. I pulled out a roast that I'll cook today and we'll have barbecue sandwiches, steak fries, coleslaw, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert. I'll probably bake some cookies today too so I'll have them on hand to send along for their trip home.