I don't know what to cook!!??

@mermaidivy (15395)
United States
April 2, 2009 11:25am CST
What gives you the idea of what to cook for dinner everyday? I used to be very creative and look up the recipes on the internet, it used to be the resource to give me idea of what to cook for dinner. But my stomach has been bothering me, feeling very uncomfortable, makes me have no interest to think about what to cook. Who else can help me?? I can make instant noodles for hubby but I don't want him eat too much of it because of the amount of MSG and fat. I'm thinking about what to cook for tonight's dinner, I have no idea! I have green vegetables, chicken in the fridge, I looked at it and I don't know what I want to do with them. Do you have any idea? How do you decide what to cook for dinner usually? Yoiu ask your family member of what they want or you just decide by yourself?
4 people like this
14 responses
@jands1 (835)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Why don't you take the fresh stuff you have in the refrigerator and stir fry them together. Contrary to popular belief, stir frying is not indigenous to the Far East. Cooking foods, fast on high flames goes back to the dawn of time. Now, what makes the food culturally sensitive is the spices and herbs. Serve your concoction with rice, pasta, in a flat bread. Or just on it's own.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Yea... I was thinking about stir frying the vegetables asnd chicken together served with rice but I have been cooking the same thing for couple days, it is kinda boring to my hubby. Thank you for your advice though! I appreciate a lot! :-)
1 person likes this
@jands1 (835)
• United States
2 Apr 09
You are most welcome mermaidivy. If the chicken is uncooked, you can always brine it for a few hours. I tend to brine my chicken with leftover fruit juice. Then poach the chicken in new fruit juice/spice combination. Good luck mermaidivy!
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@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
2 Apr 09
That sounds interesting! I guess I can try it with pineapple juice with some onions? Thanks a lot!
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Hi mermaid...The only thing that keeps me sane when it comes to cooking dinner is if my husband and I sit down each week and make out a menu. This way he is happy because there is no guessing when he gets home and I'm not a crazy person because there is a schedule!
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
6 Apr 09
oh really? so you make new menu everyweek? Maybe I should do that too so that I know what to cook every week, no need to think about it every day. That's good idea! Thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
6 Apr 09
Hi mermaid... I don't make a new menu per se...We do plan out our week though. Many times we have the same meals each week but at least there's no guessing when we get home after work. I have a friend who usually plans out every two weeks. Whatever works for you is best for your family.
1 person likes this
@aweins (4199)
• India
4 Apr 09
hi my dear freind, i love cooking and what to cook at what time is all decided by my moth or father - in - law. i cook whatever they like. if it is not of my tatse, i cook it for them and then for my self m hubby grates something and i make a sandwiich or something out of it. if nothing then sprouts with onion and tomatoes. i love that. i dont like to have to fatty food. it is very difficult to digest and to burn. i make it but dont eat it. i am a vegetarian so my hubby and in - laws never asked me to cook anything that is non veg. if they bring also , then also dont even force me . my mother - in laws dont even want me to serve just becasue i dont eat, but that much i can do. its nice of them, and i like that. i eat veggies , lentil soups , pulses, rice and bread sometimes.
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
6 Apr 09
Thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
2 Apr 09
Hello mermaidivy, I always think what to cook when I reached home. As I am working, I only cook for dinner during weekdays and yes, still I can't decide what to cook sometimes. I always rotate the menus and make the simplest dish for the family as long as it consists of one vegetable dish, one meat dish and another one - it depends on my mood or what my hubby wants to eat For weekends, if I don't have plans outside, I will cook more dishes for the family!
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
2 Apr 09
Thanks for sharings! :-)
2 people like this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
2 Apr 09
We only eat out once in a while so I need to think about what to eat everyday which is not difficult but it is just hard for me these days because of my unhappy stomach.
2 people like this
• Philippines
3 Apr 09
I usually plan my menu for the whole week. That way I can buy the stuff I need,wash, pre-cut and freeze them. I just take them out whenever I need them. I am the one who decides. I usually cook just for me & my husband. I know what he likes so its not much of a trouble. You can make some hearty soup out of your greens and chicken. You just need some small pasta like orzo and chicken broth. Slice your chicken into bite size cubes. Sautee onion & chicken. Add chicken broth and let it come to a running boil. Add your pasta. Simmer until pasta is done. Finally drop your chopped greens. You can also add meatballs and/or more veggies (carrots, beans, celery) if you desire. Season it with salt & pepper or sprinkle some parmesan cheese. Happy eating!
@ClassyCat (1214)
• United States
3 Apr 09
We quit eating soup/noodles with msg in it a long time ago. Home made noodles are so simple to make, and I make them every now and again. I make home made chicken soup (with plenty of broth) with my noodles, and if we eat all of the noodles, I save the last of the chicken broth, and freeze it for a base for other soups, or for making my potato soup. I also make nachos which are quick and easy too. I just shred some cheddar cheese – and use cooked meat cut up into small pieces – place the meat and cheese on Doritos – nuke it for a minute – add some chopped onions and tomatoes (if so desired) and enjoy. Sometimes I add sour cream to mine after they’ve been nuked – hubby doesn’t like sour cream. You can also fix a green salad to eat with the nachos if you so desire. Sometimes I make toasted cheese sandwiches, and home made tomato soup – simple and easy and quick as well. Lastly – a chef’s salad is quick and easy too – and healthy as well. And crock pot stew is easy and good too, especially in cold weather
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Thank you for all of your advices. I will need to do food shop soon. Good chef needs ingredients to cook ;-)
1 person likes this
@zhx629 (44)
• China
3 Apr 09
i like cooking. i often think of cooking some special food., i like the feeling when my do a good job.
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I feel very happy when I hear compliments too! Thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Apr 09
you may cook vegetables and a chicken soup. you may ask family.
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
no one will make decision for me of what to cook in this house so I need to think about it by myself. Thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
3 Apr 09
mermaidivy, You may like this: 1. Grill Chicken 2. Chicken and mushroom soup 3. Stir fried vegetables with shallots 4. Rice I think this could add some variety and diversity in your servings. Hope he will like it as well. Take care and bon appetit!
• Singapore
3 Apr 09
mermaidivy, You can always switch around. You may want to do salad with the vegetables as it will go well with the grills. Also, the chicken can be shredded and make chicken porridge for a change. I am gald to be of help here. Take care.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Those are good suggestions, thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this
• Israel
3 Apr 09
I wish I could have some free time to cook, but I don't. To decide what to cook for my opinion it's very simple and very fast way. Just open your cook book, and choose on what kind of type of food you want to cook, and the food with the most tasty picture, that's the one you will cook :)
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
haha need the ingridients though :-p I will have to do food shopping so I don't need to think crazy of wha to cook! Thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
2 Apr 09
since there's just me here i fix what i want. chicken is always good & i love veggies. i'm having lasagna. ihad frozen one from christmas eve. i ask my neighbor would they help me eat it because it was too much for me & i didn't want to eat it for days. she's makinf a salad so that's about all u need.hope your stomach trouble gets better.
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Now it is turn to think about what to cook tonight... because I cooked the chicken last night...
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@Niah1976 (739)
• Paranaque, Philippines
2 Apr 09
i started cooking when i was in college. i started to watch a cooking show on tv and i learn how to cook it by myself. i cook the foods that my family loves. now i am experimenting on different recipes
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@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
2 Apr 09
That's good for you! :-)
1 person likes this
@isakuiki (95)
• Indonesia
3 Apr 09
Things that happen to you also happen to many women, I often heard my mother or mother's friends get confused on what to cook today. The same thing also happen to me. Sometimes I ask my husband, what he like to eat today. But this not help, even make dizziness, coz he keep saying 'up to you dear'. Then I have a solution for this. Every time went to the market, I always buy several type of fresh fish, fresh chicken and fresh meat then i store them at the frezer. At the moment, i don't have any idea what i will do to those things, what will i cook. when time to cook, such as chicken, there's several option to cook chicken. if yesterday I cook fried fish, than now I cook something with coconut milk (in my country the recipe called 'gulai') or something with soy sauce. I also try some recipes from other regions or other country with the prescription matches the taste of my family. Sometime I ask my friend who are online at the internet, I let her know what i have in my refrigerator, then my friend gave some advice what to cook, give the recipe and tips how to cook it well. Sometime I cook what she cooked today, if I have the material.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
I have no idea of what to cook tonight again...
1 person likes this
• Taiwan
3 Apr 09
Wow, i have the some problem with you!What is worse that i can't cook deliciouse at all.I worry aout every dinner and then alway eat noodles and Chinese cake,but what i eat has no nutrition at all,thus i can't put any weight!How i annoy about that!In order to make my life better,i buy a lot of vegetables home and pick up different one to cook and sometimes i will eat outside if i don't know what to cook at all!By the way,my hubby will have dinner in his company and i only need to cook for myself.
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
If it is for myself only, it is a lot easier because I don't really care if I have a good meal, I mostly cook for my husband, not for myself. Sometimes I just make instant noodles for myself for lunch, if I cannot think of any ideas, I just eat junk food. But I don't want my husband eat junk so I try my best to think of different meals for him and make him gain some weight. Thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this
@PinkyPosh (226)
• Canada
3 Apr 09
When I'm the only person at home and have to make ready for my husband, then the decision is purely mine. If he is at home, then I give him an option. Again the option is limited for him (ha ha ha.. very tricky right??) When I go to grocerry, I make sure I purchase all possible stuff that I could cook and dump it in my kitchen and fridge. Just before cooking, I just give a glance at all and then decide dynamically. I'm not well planned as far as cooking is concerned.
1 person likes this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
3 Apr 09
Sometimes I look at the ingridients and can think of what to cook very quickly, sometimes just cannot. Thanks for responding! :-)
1 person likes this