Pinterest Recipe Try Out: My Favorite Dinners
Whenever I don’t know what to make for dinner, I always turn to Pinterest. Usually I type in “simple dinner recipes” in the search bar, but get left in the dark with complicated, hard to understand recipes. There have been a couple recipes that I have come across, which have had excellent turnouts each time we make them. If you’re interested in learning about some of my favorite dinner recipes (and maybe some sides too), then keep on reading!
Favorite Dinner #1: Crazy Good Beef and Broccoli
I cannot tell you how many times my husband has made this dinner for his family and I, but I’m honestly not complaining…it is good every single time. Crazy good actually! The recipe lives up to its’ name.
We end up using pan-fry steak that is pre-packaged in the meat section of Harris Teeter (our version of Kroger grocery), and it cooks quickly but also can retain plenty of flavor. Also, the brown sugar in this recipe is crucial to getting that authentic Asian cuisine flavor you would usually order through take-out. We now opt for this beef and broccoli instead of ordering hibachi. I’m telling you…it’s that good! Don’t believe me? Try the recipe linked below, and let me know if you are as in love with it as I am.
Ingredients Needed:
1 pound flank steak sliced into 1/4 inch thick strips
3 cups small broccoli florets
1/2 cup beef stock
5 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons corn starch
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons corn starch
You can find the recipe here.
IMAGE CREDIT: JULIA AT SAVORY TOOTH
Favorite Dinner #2: Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Potatoes
We actually made this dinner the other night!! If you want to make this recipe into bite-size portions, opt for using baby potatoes instead of cutting up yukon gold potatoes into 1/2 inch chunks. We have tried making this recipe with both kinds of potatoes, and it turns out delicious every time. Honestly, you can go more crazy with the spices than what is mentioned below. My husband likes to season the steak with A1 sauce and Worchestershire sauce, and then season the potatoes separately with a variety of Italian spices. The recipe is your canvas…paint it with seasonings!
Ingredients Needed:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter divided
1 pound yukon gold potatoes sliced about 1/2 inch in thickness
3 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon thyme chopped
1 teaspoon rosemary chopped
1 teaspoon oregano chopped
1 1/4 pounds sirloin steaks cut into 1 inch cubes
salt and pepper
You can find the recipe here.
IMAGE CREDIT: ALYSSA RIVERS AT THE RECIPE CRITIC
Favorite Dinner #3: Bang Bang Shrimp
If you like the Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill, you will go head-over-heels for this recipe you can make at home. It really is easy, you just have to know how to work with oil in a hot pan.
Since I don’t like my shrimp sauce as spicy, I typically add in more sweet chili sauce and less Sriracha sauce. On the other hand, my husband likes his sauces EXTRA spicy, so he adds in more Sriracha and less sweet chili. You can even add in a pinch or two of cayenne pepper, to give it more of a kick.
Ingredients Needed:
1 lb shrimp, deveined & peeled
1/2 cup whole milk
2 Tbsp sour cream
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
½ tsp table salt
¼ tsp ground paprika
¼ tsp ground black pepper
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp Sriracha (use less if you don't like spicy)
canola oil for frying
You can find the recipe here.
IMAGE CREDIT: VALENTINA’S CORNER
Favorite Dinner #4: Marinated Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
When my husband made these for me the first time, I wanted to have 3 more sandwiches. No…really! The longer you let the chicken marinate in the mixture, the more juicy the chicken will become. Having the chicken grilled also adds a whole new level of flavor with the slight char marks on the chicken.
I honestly wish I could eat chicken every day (thanks Chick-fil-A for fueling my addiction). And I would eat these grilled chicken sandwiches every if I could. Want to level up the flavor in your sandwiches? Get Hawaiian sweet rolls, and use those as your buns! Chicken tends to shrink in size as you cook it, so make sure your bun-to-chicken ratio is appropriate. Or not…I’m not your mom :P
Ingredients Needed:
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon chile powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
6 hamburger buns
your favorite sandwich toppings (lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayo, avocado, cheese, etc)
IMAGE CREDIT: SIX SISTERS’ STUFF
BONUS: My Favorite Sides!
Y’all didn’t think I would give you dinner ideas without some sides to enjoy them with, did you? These sides are perfect for any savory meal, as they are tested by my husband, his family & I.
Creamy Garlic & Chive Mashed Potatoes
IMAGE CREDIT: PETER’S FOOD ADVENTURES
I didn’t know how much I would love these homemade mashed potatoes until my husband made them for the first time a couple weeks ago. They are so buttery, so creamy, and dare I say so garlicky & chivy?
This recipe makes for 4 servings, but if you’re a real hungry person, it can feed about 2 people.
You can find the recipe and instructions here
Homemade Hush Puppies
IMAGE CREDIT: CD KITCHEN
If you’re from around the South, you would know that hush puppies are a staple as a side. We have experimented with the batter recipe, and making the flavors cater to our tastebuds.
Don’t be afraid to season your food, people!
You can find the recipe and instructions here
Smashed Air Fried Baby Potatoes
IMAGE CREDIT: BLUE EYED SOUL FOOD
Have you ever heard of smashed potatoes? How about smashed potatoes made in the air fryer?
These air fried baby potatoes are amazingly good, and dare I say, smashing (cue Austin Powers accent). When we smash the potatoes after boiling them, we like to spoon the extra butter mixture over the potatoes. This extra crunchy, flavorful layer will make your tastebuds fall in love with flavor all over again.
You can find the recipe and ingredients here
Do you think that you will try one of these recipes at your next dinner?
Maybe you’ll go on Pinterest now, and follow one of my food boards?
Let me know how you like these dinners & sides in the comments!
