Sometimes you really do not want recipes, just ideas. The pictures below are from recent eating adventures. Most are simple, filling dishes that come together quickly to wow your palate.

That said, a few require some planning (meatballs and pork loin roast). None are especially difficult or time consuming. Rather, like any well-planned meal, some forethought makes the meal making experience more pleasant.

Ranked from easy and fast to more complex with more pre-planning:

1. Sausage/corn/sweet potato bake
2. Mediterranean chicken and salad
3. Shrimp/broccoli noodle bowl
4. Duck pilaf with preserves and zucchini
5. Meatballs with polenta and zoodles
6. Rolled pork loin

Of course, it does help to have on hand some basic condiments and seasonings. In addition to huge amounts of garlic and standard kitchen supplies, I’ve found that having the below available to be useful. All can be stored in your pantry and summoned when needed to make a dinner worth the wows.

1. Sausage dish: red pepper flakes, good extra virgin olive oil
2. Mediterranean chicken: canned garbanzos, olives, parmesan, Italian seasoning
3. Shrimp/broccoli noodle: Asian noodles (soba recommended), fish sauce, coconut aminos, lime juice, ginger
4. Duck pilaf: ginger/pear preserves or some other type of fruity preserve (such as apricot, peach, or blueberry), slivered almonds, shallots
5. Meatballs: Italian seasoning, lots of garlic, tomato sauce. Frankly, this one is pretty basic, but you have to make those meatballs ahead of time.
6. Pork loin: you pick your stuffing, but a bit of jam spread on the inside of the pork is great. See a similar recipe here.

Stay briny,

–Stacey