Five family meals to help with the “what’s for dinner”

Here are five family meals using chicken, beef, and pork, along with two side dishes for each meal. I will provide the cooking directions and a grocery list as well.

Meal 1: Baked Lemon Herb Chicken

– Chicken breasts (2)

– Lemon (1)

– Fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley)

– Olive oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

Sides:

1. Roasted Vegetables:

– Assorted vegetables (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.)

– Olive oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

2. Garlic Mashed Potatoes:

– Potatoes (4)

– Garlic cloves (3)

– Butter

– Milk

– Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish. Squeeze lemon juice over them and drizzle with olive oil.

3. Sprinkle the fresh herbs, salt, and pepper over the chicken.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

5. While the chicken is baking, prepare the roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes.

Meal 2: Beef Stir-Fry

– Beef sirloin or flank steak (1 pound)

– Soy sauce

– Garlic cloves (2)

– Ginger (1-inch piece)

– Bell peppers (2)

– Onion (1)

– Broccoli florets (2 cups)

– Sesame oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

Sides:

1. Steamed Rice:

– Rice (1 cup)

– Water

2. Asian Slaw:

– Cabbage (1/2 head)

– Carrots (2)

– Green onions (3)

– Rice vinegar

– Soy sauce

– Sesame oil

– Honey

– Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. Slice the beef into thin strips and marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger for 20 minutes.

2. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the beef until browned, then remove it from the pan.

3. In the same pan, stir-fry the bell peppers, onion, and broccoli until crisp-tender.

4. Return the beef to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

5. While the stir-fry is cooking, prepare steamed rice and Asian slaw.

Meal 3: Honey Mustard Pork Chops

– Pork chops (4)

– Dijon mustard

– Honey

– Garlic powder

– Paprika

– Salt and pepper to taste

Sides:

1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes:

– Sweet potatoes (2)

– Olive oil

– Paprika

– Salt and pepper to taste

2. Grilled Asparagus:

– Asparagus spears (1 bunch)

– Olive oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, then brush the honey mustard mixture over both sides of each chop.

4. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side.

5. Transfer the pork chops to a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

6. While the pork chops are baking, prepare the roasted sweet potatoes and grilled asparagus.

Grocery List:

– Chicken breasts (2)

– Lemon

– Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley)

– Olive oil

– Assorted vegetables (carrots, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.)

– Potatoes (4)

– Garlic cloves (3)

– Butter

– Milk

– Beef sirloin or flank steak (1 pound)

– Soy sauce

– Ginger

– Bell peppers (2)

– Onion

– Broccoli florets (2 cups)

– Sesame oil

– Rice (1 cup)

– Cabbage (1/2 head)

– Carrots (2)

– Green onions (3)

– Rice vinegar

– Honey

– Pork chops (4)

– Dijon mustard

– Garlic powder

– Paprika

– Sweet potatoes (2)

– Asparagus spears (1 bunch)

Please note that the grocery list doesn’t include basic pantry staples like salt, pepper, olive oil, and sesame oil, which you may already have at home.