What's for Dinner Tonight? Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf, and Steamed Veggies!

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Discussion Overview

This thread features participants sharing their dinner plans for the evening, highlighting a variety of meals and cooking experiences. Many participants express their choices and preferences, while others discuss budgeting and meal planning strategies.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions having pork chops with rice pilaf and steamed veggies for dinner.
  • Another participant shares that their partner is cooking tacos.
  • One participant is trying a new recipe for cheese stuffed hot wings, accompanied by various dipping sauces and baked potatoes.
  • Another participant notes that they are having chicken and steak fajitas for a birthday celebration.
  • One participant plans to make parmesan-herb encrusted tilapia with leftover rice and veggies.
  • Another participant is preparing low-fat chili, which they plan to use for multiple meals.
  • Several participants express indecision about their dinner choices, considering options like steak fajitas, beef and portabella stroganoff, and roasted chicken legs.
  • One participant shares their experience of budgeting for meals, aiming to spend only $25 for a week’s worth of food.
  • Another participant discusses their efforts to use pantry items creatively to minimize spending.
  • One participant mentions having rib-eye steaks with baked potatoes and salad, thanks to home butchering.
  • Another participant shares their dinner of grilled chicken with canned potatoes and corn.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on meal choices and budgeting strategies, with no clear consensus emerging on a single preferred dinner option.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences related to meal preparation, budgeting, and using available ingredients creatively. The conversation reflects a range of cooking styles and preferences.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers within the consultant community interested in meal ideas, budgeting tips, and creative cooking strategies may find this discussion relevant.

rennea
rennea
Gold Member
Messages
3,662
Tonight we are having pork chops w/rice pilaf. Steamed veggies as a side.
 
DH night to cook....tacos.
 
I am trying a new recipe I saw in a magazine. Cheese stuffed hot wings.
I am stuffing cheddar in the wingettes, rolling in bread crumbs and baking them until they are crisp and ready.

I will have a variety of dipping sauces because we love to dip (honey mustard, barbecue sauce and ranch)

Baked potatoes on the side would be good and some rolls.

Debbie :D
 
Today is Russell's birthday. His parents are cooking supper. We're having chicken and steak fajitas. His dad cooks the BEST ones ever!
 
I think parmesean-herb encrusted tilapia with left over steamed rice and veggies.
 
Low Fat Chili! Yum.
Makes a tonne, so tomorrow we can have cheesy chili mac and breakfast on Sat. will be "huevos rancheros"! Hee hee.
 
chili,,,because it is chilly here!!!!
 
I can't decide!

Steak Fajitas

or

Beef and Portabella Stroganoff

or

Roasted Chicken Legs w/ Homemade Stuffing.


What do you think? Maybe I should start a poll....:D
 
Shredded Chicken 15 Bean Chili for this COLDDDDDDDDDDDD day! In the crock pot!
 
ChefBeckyD said:
I can't decide!

Steak Fajitas

or

Beef and Portabella Stroganoff

or

Roasted Chicken Legs w/ Homemade Stuffing.


What do you think? Maybe I should start a poll....:D
Click to expand...

I vote for the Stroganoff. :D
 
janetupnorth said:
I vote for the Stroganoff. :D
Click to expand...

I'm leaning that way too.

I got a small chuckeye roast for a really great price yesterday (I'm really good at finding the sale meats that have been marked down even further because they are getting close to their expiration dates!).

I had the bread for stuffing drying on the counter over-night, but that can go in the freezer until I decide to use it. And it's soooo cold here today, and I know DH has to be out in it most of the day (clearing sidewalks, and sanding - because salt doesn't work when it's this cold!) and I think Stroganoff would be a warmer, heartier meal than fajitas. He brought in all kinds of wood this morning so I wouldn't have to today - I gotta be good to him too!;)
 
Homemade Pizza and salad for t he family as I have a show.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
I'm leaning that way too.

I got a small chuckeye roast for a really great price yesterday (I'm really good at finding the sale meats that have been marked down even further because they are getting close to their expiration dates!).

I had the bread for stuffing drying on the counter over-night, but that can go in the freezer until I decide to use it. And it's soooo cold here today, and I know DH has to be out in it most of the day (clearing sidewalks, and sanding - because salt doesn't work when it's this cold!) and I think Stroganoff would be a warmer, heartier meal than fajitas. He brought in all kinds of wood this morning so I wouldn't have to today - I gotta be good to him too!;)
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan!
 
baked ziti & garden salad. after my H&S meeting tonight (if I'm not too late) DH & I will enjoy some nacho dip! mmmmm.
 
I need to figure out dinner with what I have at home. I have TONS of food around, just need to piece it together. I set a goal of spending only about $25 for 1 week on food...that ends tomorrow and I only spent $18-$20 so far. (Bread, milk, eggs, tomato paste and a few other things...)Then next week I'm going to try the same thing. I have toilet paper and shaving cream to get and milk and eggs and maybe buns, but I should be able to make it again pretty close to that.
 
Rib-Eye steaks (thanks to the beef we butchered), baked potatoes, and salad.
 
janetupnorth said:
I need to figure out dinner with what I have at home. I have TONS of food around, just need to piece it together. I set a goal of spending only about $25 for 1 week on food...that ends tomorrow and I only spent $18-$20 so far. (Bread, milk, eggs, tomato paste and a few other things...)

Then next week I'm going to try the same thing. I have toilet paper and shaving cream to get and milk and eggs and maybe buns, but I should be able to make it again pretty close to that.
Click to expand...


Janet,

I do something very similiar....then the weeks that I do not go over I put the few extra dollars into the something "Special Fund" When we have enough we either go out to eat or have a special meal at home.


It does help and you don't end up buying alot of extras.
 
Janet and Sarah, I would seriously love to hear about some of the meals that you make with a grocery budget that low. I definitely need some ideas.

Today, I am making grilled chicken (marinated with a greek vinegarette), canned potatoes, and corn.
 
janetupnorth said:
I need to figure out dinner with what I have at home. I have TONS of food around, just need to piece it together. I set a goal of spending only about $25 for 1 week on food...that ends tomorrow and I only spent $18-$20 so far. (Bread, milk, eggs, tomato paste and a few other things...)

Then next week I'm going to try the same thing. I have toilet paper and shaving cream to get and milk and eggs and maybe buns, but I should be able to make it again pretty close to that.
Click to expand...

I would love to able to do that! I have tried that last two weeks to keep it around $60 and only buy things I NEED. But with Cole needing baby food it is impossible to be too low. I am putting him on regualr milk this weekend, so, that should help. Thankfully with my diapers showers I have not had to buy diapers yet but I will soon. I am hoping to have him off formula and doing well when I have to start buying diapers in a month or so.

I do go through where I make myself clean out the stuff I already have in the pantry and freezer before I puy anything else to put in there.
 
janetupnorth said:
I need to figure out dinner with what I have at home. I have TONS of food around, just need to piece it together. I set a goal of spending only about $25 for 1 week on food...that ends tomorrow and I only spent $18-$20 so far. (Bread, milk, eggs, tomato paste and a few other things...)

Then next week I'm going to try the same thing. I have toilet paper and shaving cream to get and milk and eggs and maybe buns, but I should be able to make it again pretty close to that.
Click to expand...

There was a "chef on a shoestring" segment on one of the national morning news shows (and accompanying website) just this week that featured a dinner for 4 for $35. Most of the comments on the site were to the effect that "$35 is my weekly budget" and "If this chef thinks that $35 is a shoestring, I'm going to his house for dinner." The entree was duck with goat cheese. :rolleyes:
 
We'll have to start a thread on it later. Basically, for me, my meals might not cost that little, but I am using what is in my pantry. If you dig through and make a list of what is in your house, you'll be AMAZED on what you really have...you just need to be creative using it. There is a lady on the Dave Ramsey forum that is great at planning meals from your freezer/pantry!!!!You can't stay that lower forever, but it is good to challenge yourself for a few weeks. You learn to plan and waste a lot less...
 
chefann said:
There was a "chef on a shoestring" segment on one of the national morning news shows (and accompanying website) just this week that featured a dinner for 4 for $35. Most of the comments on the site were to the effect that "$35 is my weekly budget" and "If this chef thinks that $35 is a shoestring, I'm going to his house for dinner." The entree was duck with goat cheese. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

This is someone who isn't living in the real world.

The only time you can even get duck around here is at Christmas!

And I was so proud of my dinner tonight....I'll have to figure out the cost and post it.
 
So - for Dinner tonight, we had Beef and Portabella Stroganoff w/ whole grain egg noodles, and Parisian Blend veggies.(green and yellow beans & baby carrots.)

I made enough Stroganoff for 3 meals - we will use one extra meal probably this weekend, and I'm freezing the other one.

So here is the price breakdown for the entire recipe. (and for some prices I estimated on the high side - sour cream is $1.69 for 16 ounces & I used half)

Chuck Roast - 2.3 lbs @ 1.75 lb = $4.00
8 ounces Baby 'Bellas - $2.00
16 ounces Egg Noodles - $2.00
1 quart Beef Broth (made with Better Than Broth Beef Base) - $1.00
8 ounces Sour Cream - $1
4 ounces cream cheese - $1
Parisian Veggies - $1.50

Total for 3 Meals of Beef Stroganoff : $12.50.

Items not included in cost - 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tsp Worchestershire Sauce, Salt & Pepper. I'll have to add a Veggie to the next 2 meals, but still, I made 3 meals for my family for what will average out to be $5 per meal!


And I bet it tasted just as good as Duck!
 
DH is making the Carbonara and Poached Egg recipe in the new 29 minutes cookbook. It's smelling really good in my house right now :)
 
Good job Becky!We ended up having leftover ribs (from camp)
Macaroni and Cheese
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Raw CarrotsWe had more than enough and the dogs got a bite or two of potatoes as a treat.I just got my gas bill earlier than planned...I was planning next month, but even with burning wood, we've still been using a bit... :(Good thing I'm cutting the grocery bill down as much as I can this month because YIKES! $303.96!!!!
 
janetupnorth said:
Good job Becky!

We ended up having leftover ribs (from camp)
Macaroni and Cheese
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Raw Carrots

We had more than enough and the dogs got a bite or two of potatoes as a treat.

I just got my gas bill earlier than planned...I was planning next month, but even with burning wood, we've still been using a bit... :(

Good thing I'm cutting the grocery bill down as much as I can this month because YIKES! $303.96!!!!
Click to expand...

OUCH! I would croak! Ours was $177 for the past month, and that's why we've been burning wood nonstop since we got the bill. We are pretty happy with the thought that the furnace hasn't run once in the last 10 days. That has to help for this month!
 
We had sloppy joes and brocolli for dinner.

Our last g&e bill that came was $700, we were shocked. We had just installed a new furnace, and did some extra insulating in the attic. We even over paid the month prior by about $100 since we had it. We called to complain, and it turned out they added wrong somewhere. Our bill for the month was only $113. Not sure I want to see the next one coming out. Our furnace hasn't turned off for the last few days. It's so cold out. I'm really hoping it won't be over $300 when our average runs about $220.
 
We had the chicken with citrus & basil rub and honey again tonight since chicken was on sale this past week ($1.99 per pound for boneless/skinless). DH is working until 9:30 tonight, and it's an easy meal for me to fix and then he can reheat his plate when he gets home. Matched it with mixed veggies, brown & wild rice, and Sweet Hawaiian dinner rolls (my kids' favorite, and mine, too). I am FULL. :)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main ingredients for the Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf, and Steamed Veggies dinner?

The main ingredients for this dinner include pork chops, rice, a variety of vegetables (such as broccoli, carrots, or green beans), and seasonings for flavoring the pork and rice.

How long does it take to prepare and cook this meal?

This meal typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes to prepare and cook, depending on the cooking method and the size of the pork chops.

What cooking methods can I use for the pork chops?

You can grill, pan-sear, bake, or broil the pork chops. Each method will yield delicious results, but cooking times may vary based on the thickness of the chops.

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice for the pilaf?

Yes, you can use brown rice instead of white rice for the pilaf. Just keep in mind that brown rice typically takes longer to cook, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.

What vegetables are best for steaming with this meal?

Great options for steaming include broccoli, carrots, green beans, or asparagus. These vegetables complement the flavors of the pork chops and rice pilaf nicely.

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