Dinner Ideas
By Eddie M
Most Americans aren't gourmet cooks. That's right, they live full lives. Between work and school and other activities they're lucky if they have time to stop at a fast food joint much less prepare quality meals at home. Often it's not a matter of cooking itself, but rather of coming up with ideas for quick, healthy, inexpensive meals for the whole family. People who have trouble with this, however, must not be paying much attention. Because between cooking shows, the Internet, and a wide variety of easy prepare wholesome foods at grocery stores, it's not hard to come up with a seven day menu that satisfies everyone at the table. Here are a few good ideas for delicious meals the whole family can enjoy. Corn dogs are an all American tradition, usually served at state fairs and by street vendors. While not a healthy food, it is a tasty one that is easy to prepare. Make a batter with some flour, corn meal, salt, sugar and baking powder mixed with milk, dip the hot dogs and then deep fry them until the batter is golden brown. If you want the feel of the fair, insert a popsicle stick. In colonial times, was an afternoon meal, followed by a later light meal called supper. As time went by this changed based on social class and schedule. Physical laborers needed an afternoon to keep up their strength throughout the grueling day. As times change and we move away from regular meals at home, has become the anchor that keeps families together and signals the end of the out of the home portion of the day and the beginning of at home leisure time. But supper and have become intertwined, often interchanged in meaning this big meal. That doesn't mean the meal has to be large, especially for people watching their waist lines. Go the traditional supper route with a light soup or roast chicken salad. Crock pots were made for busy schedules. Add the ingredients, set it on low in the morning, so by time the

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Heritage Chicken Cooking Competition
<p>Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch announces the heritage chicken cooking competition. With the right recipe for whole-bird, cut-up, de-boned or barbequed heritage chicken, you could win $1,000. Plus, you'd be contibuting to a worthy cause - promoting heritage breeds.</p>
Oven-Roasted Squash with Garlic and Parsley
Winter squash becomes tender and sweeter when roasted-a delicious side for a holiday dinner. Look for interesting squash like kabocha or hubbard at your farmers' market and try them in this recipe. (Recipe adapted from Alice Waters.)
Moroccan Skirt Steak with Roasted Pepper Couscous
Thin cuts of beef, such as skirt steak or sirloin steak, cook very quickly when seared in a hot skillet-just right for a busy weeknight. We love how the spicy Moroccan flavors on the steak complement the sweet, roasted pepper-studded couscous. Serve with: Arugula salad and a glass of Pinot Noir.
Brine-Cured Roast Turkey
A big turkey is so spectacular you hardly need to do anything to embellish it. But brining can be that extra touch that makes it so juicy and flavorful that you'll remember it for years to come. Brining the turkey takes 3 days so you'll need to plan ahead, but the lengthy brining time really pays off with fabulous flavor. Make sure you start with an all-natural bird without any added water and sodium solution. (Recipe adapted from Alice Waters.)
Mediterranean Saut? Shrimp and Fennel
Serve this saut? fennel and shrimp with a tomato-caper sauce in whatever way suits your fancy-with pasta, whole grains, such as bulgur or brown rice, or even mashed potatoes. Serve with: A mixed green salad.
Acorn Squash Stuffed with Chard and White Beans Recipe
Acorn squash's natural shape makes it just right for stuffing. The filling in this recipe has Mediterranean flair: olives, tomato paste, white beans and Parmesan cheese. Serve with: Mixed green salad with radicchio and red onion and crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio.
Roasted Pumpkin-Apple Soup
Apples add just a hint of sweetness to this velvety pumpkin soup. Try it as a delightful first course for a special meal or for dinner with grilled sharp Cheddar sandwiches.
Mixed Green Salad with Grapefruit and Cranberries
Grapefruit juice is the base for the tangy vinaigrette on this salad studded with grapefruit segments and dried cranberries. It serves 12 as a starter or about 6 if you'd like a large portion per person.
Chile-Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Give ordinary roasted sweet potatoes a big flavor boost with this quick, Asian-inspired seasoning mix.

food is ready to eat. Great food is possible in a crock pot, the entire meal too. Add some meat and some potatoes cut into quarters for a terrific pot roast. Serve it with a fresh baked loaf of bread picked up on the way home from the local supermarket. Or, skip the bread to avoid the extra calories. The possibilities are endless with simple but delicious meals like veal cutlets, pork chops, even steaks on the grill. For more ideas, Google the term. There are tons on line.