Tag Archives: quick and easy dinner recipes for two

An Easy Dinner That the Whole Family Can Enjoy

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43% of American families eat together every day according to the Journal of American Medicine.  However, a CBS News Poll informs us that 33% of their viewers say the TV is always on during their dinner, with another 27% saying it’s on half the time, or sometimes.  Additionally, 5% of CBS’ viewers say that people at their family dinner table are texting, e-mailing or using their cell phones throughout the meal. CBS News analyzes the results, saying, “It used to be the family sat down a table with no distractions. Now, however, the television, e-mail, texting, and cell phones have started to invade our dinner tables.” Sadly, families are spending less time together chatting and catching up, and more time on their cell phones. Rather than lament this statistic, why not attempt to change it? Instead of mealtimes being an individual activity, get everyone in the family involved!  This way, everyone will contribute to entire dinner experience, rather than their cell phone bill. One way you can get the whole family involved at dinner time is to serve a dinner that everyone can personalize.

Personalized Plates: Quick Easy Dinner Recipes for Everyone in the Family

Select dishes that everyone can create or customize on their own. This will not only help you get everyone in the family involved, but it will also be beneficial to those who have picky eaters in their family. Picky eaters can design their own dinner, without having to fuss, pout, or leave the dinner table hungry. Here are just a few ideas for personalized dinners:

  • Taco night: All you have to do is put out cheese, lettuce, salsa, corn and flour tortillas, with chicken and steak meat, and have everyone make their own taco. This way, everyone in the family can assemble their own dish, exactly the way they like it.
  • Pizza: Divide the pizza up into territories and allow everyone to make their own portion. Sausage, mushroom, onion, eggplant, or even white pizza could all be present on one pie!
  • Panini: Provide an array of ingredients that work in a Panini. These could involve different types of cheeses, tomato, ham, turkey, bacon, pesto, spinach, or even leftover pasta sauce with meatballs. Everyone in the family can come up with their own grilled sandwich.
  • Frittata: Frittatas, like quiche, taste great with basically any ingredients. All you need is an egg base, then you can add spinach, cheese, mushrooms–whatever you want, you can make it your own!

Next time you notice a little texting at the dinner table, you can either try to make dinnertime a cellular-free zone, or simply plan a “personalized plate” night that will allow everyone to get involved. Hopefully, this will strengthen family ties and make for an engaging and fun meal.

Tips for Using Easy Dinner Recipes for Two

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In general, about a third of all American workers are chronically overworked, according to the Families and Work Institute in New York City, but even more horrifying is that about 45% of those with high-earning positions, like managers, are too tired to converse with their spouse or partner after a long day at the office, indicated a study done by Sylvia Ann Hewlett & Carolyn Buck Luce and published in the Harvard Business Review. Those of us who work hard at the office may be guilty of neglecting our significant other during busy work times. However, we would all agree that putting in time with your loved one is just as important as having a great career. Next time you feel like you haven’t spent enough time with your partner, surprise the special person in your life with a romantic dinner for two. Planning a romantic evening is easier than you would think! Just follow these tips for easy dinner recipes for two and you’ll have a wonderful meal put together in no time.

  • Plan ahead: A good rule of thumb for any cooking venture that you undertake is to do some meal planning ahead of time. After planning, check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer to see what ingredients you might already have on hand.
  • Compromise:  You may be on a diet, while he loves anything that is battered, fried, and covered in fat. You may love a juicy steak while she prefers a rosemary salmon dish. If you and your significant other don’t exactly share the same tastes then it’s time to get creative to make a dinner that both of you will enjoy. If one of you is a picky eater, put the sauce on the side or cook separate servings of your meat with different spices (one cut for him, one for her). If one of the spouses prefers eating late and the other prefers early dinners, the early bird should have a filling snack (like an apple with peanut butter) to tide him/her over until dinnertime. Lastly, if one of the two like greasy food but the other is dieting, you can simply “fake” fried foods. For example, bake potato wedges or pan-sear your foods with a very small amount of oil.
  • Pick a recipe: Most recipes aren’t made for two. However, there are specially made recipes with just two servings that could help you avoid food waste if you’re not a huge fan of left overs. Keep in mind that when you’re only cooking for two, you have more flexibility and the ability to cook individual desserts or entrees, like mini apple pies, crème brulee, or chocolate lava cakes.
  • Make a Grocery List: This will be easier because you will know what ingredients you need to stock up on for your meals.
  • Create Ambiance: Set the mood by setting up the dining table with candles, a nice tablecloth and some fresh flowers. Purchase a bottle of wine to serve with the meal and make it a night to remember!
  • Think of your partner: When in doubt, think of what your partner would like. Hosting a dinner should be about your guest and if your partner is happy, we’re assuming you’ll be content, too.

With some prep and these tips, quick easy dinner recipes for two should be a breeze to cook and enjoy.  The special person in your life will surely appreciate the effort!

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes: Fancy Grilled Cheese

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The grilled cheese: an undeniably simple yet scrumptious meal. The history of the grilled cheese is mysterious, however food historians generally agree that the modern grilled cheese was popularized in the 1920s, when sliced bread and American cheese became more affordable. Of course, the usual accompaniment was tomato soup, a healthy dose of vitamin C to temper the cheesy goodness. Now, the grilled cheese has been enjoyed by generations and, with some tomato soup, it makes for the easiest dinner out there. Here are some ways that you can jazz up the great American classic and create easy, yet delicious dinner recipes that your kids will look back on as a childhood favorite:

  • Instead of using your typical ingredients, like cheddar cheese and white bread, change it up with fresh mozzarella and sourdough bread. Make sure to include fresh cracked pepper. Yum!
  • Take that leftover ground beef and make a patty melt on rye bread. Include some yellow onions, caramelized on a hot skillet. Famous sommelier Ania Zawieja recommends pairing your patty melt with a fruity Belgian-style beer as a refreshment, for those that are of age. The children can enjoy their patty melts with some apple juice, instead.
  • Why close your grilled cheese? Opt for an open-faced grilled cheese with sharp, aged cheddar, red onion, and bacon. Just pop your open-faced sandwich in the oven at a high temperature and broil until the bacon starts to sizzle.
  • The Croque Madame is a French-style grilled cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top (because, let’s be honest, every dish is better with a fried egg to top it off). A runny yoke can add some much needed moisture to a grilled cheese. Include a thin slice of smoked ham.
  • The grilled cheese doesn’t have to be all savory. Put gruyere surchoix cheese on cinnamon bread with toasted almonds for a sweet twist on this classic dish. Those with a sweet tooth won’t even need dessert after eating a grilled cheese on a delicious cinnamon-raisin loaf.
  • For those who love Italian, try making a Caprese grilled cheese. Mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, tomatoes, olive oil, and a bit of balsamic vinegar are all it takes to make this fancy grilled cheese.

With all these grilled cheese ideas, you’ll have quick and easy dinner recipes that the kids and the rest of your family will enjoy. Just cook ‘em up in minutes and enjoy with a side of tomato soup for a wonderfully easy dinner.