Need Some Quick Weeknight Ideas

Cashfan

I am looking for more ideas for shorter cooks that can done after work that don't take a ton of time.  I've been stuck in a rut where the only ideas I have for shorter cooks are pizza, burgers, and chicken, and I am getting burnt out of them, so I am looking to change things up a bit and expand my weeknight cooking. 

I usually smoke something on weekends (prime brisket this weekend), but leftovers get old, and I like a fresh meal every couple days. 

I know there a lot of great cooks on this site that have great ideas for faster cooks, and I need some new ways to cook up some good food. 

I am cooking on a large and minimax.

Thanks in advance!

Jupiter Jim

Pork tenderloins 400-450 direct until internal temp 130-140 enjoy.

Legume

Grilled shrimp - can season or marinade lots of ways and they marinade and cook quickly.  You can do anything with them once cooked.

Bart1434

Pork Tenderloins, stuffed peppers, shrimp, kabobs (any meat and veggie combo), tons of variations of chicken (stuffed/wrapped in bacon), meatloaf, meatballs, lasagna..im sure others will provide some great insight as well!

SciAggie

Stir fry, fajitas...

fishlessman

season and freeze thin pork chops, toss them frozen on a hot grill. wok cooks, chicken picata in a ci pan. beef, chicken, pork, veggie kabobs. steak and cheese subs with the wok

Hans61

Meatloaf

fishlessman

left over mashe taters for bangers and mash




scollops



paninis, these were sausage, meatsauce and cheese, use two ci skillets as a press

northGAcock

I am with fishless on this one....wok cooks are fast and easy. 

THEBuckeye

Fajita/Skirt Steak - 'bout three minutes a side at 500-550. 

Pick up some guac/queso/pico at your local mexican joint, add Spinach for a salad or roll 'em up with tortillas. 

Actually did this with a pork tenderloin last night but no pics so it didn't happen. 

Makes for a great leftover lunch too

Carolina Q

Got a pressure cooker? I made a pot of lentil soup last night. Probably took me 30 minutes including prep. Sauté some onions and garlic, throw in some carrots, tomatoes, lentils and stock, pressure cook for 10 minutes, release pressure and add some chopped kale until wilted. Serve with homemade crusty bread. It was so good I just had some more for breakfast! Healthy too!

And the PC is great for sides... green beans, pintos, beets, kale, collards. Rice too, I'm told, though I haven't tried that yet. Cook a protein on the egg as already mentioned and use the PC for a side that would otherwise take too long. Even without the usual overnight soak, pintos are done in 30 minutes. If you did remember to soak, only 7-10 minutes or so!

DoubleEgger

I cook a lot during the week and don't put a lot of effort into it. Our rotation consists of steaks, chicken, burgers, pork chops, pork tenderloin, grilled veggie plates, cedar plank salmon ( buy cheap boards online), stir fry, etc. 

DoubleEgger

Carolina Q said:

Got a pressure cooker? 


Hell no, I don't want to be on a Homeland Security watchlist. 

JethroVA

Now that we are empty nesters our cooking habits have changed and we try to cook every other night and either have high quality leftovers (stuff that tastes good the next day) or cook extra basics to repurpose the next night.  Examples: chicken breast marinaded in italian dressing.  cook enough to have chicken caesar salads the next night. Cook extra steak and use for fajitas the next day. Won't taste like leftovers.

We also bake lots of extra potatoes.  Make double baked the next night as a side, or top with broccoli, bacon etc., as an entree.    Wife and I are also enjoying "breakfast for dinner" using leftover baked potatoes to make hash browns.  

THEBuckeye

Cast Iron Turkey or Chicken

About 5 minutes of chopping and 45 minutes at 375 raised direct. 

THEBuckeye

blockmaster

Cedar plank salmon 
Chicken stuffed avocado with black beans, onion, bell pepper
Mussels in dutch oven with some butter, white wine, parsley, onions
Banh Mi - leftover steak/chicken/pork with pickled onion and carrots 
Beef pho (onion, star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, beef broth, then noodles topped with leftover flank steak)
turkey burgers with dill, garlic, jalapeno, and blue cheese stuffed in them
Tuna Poke - brown rice, fresh tuna, seaweed salad, avocado

Cashfan

Thanks for the ideas! Very helpful!

I will have to try some pork tenderloins again soon. I was not impressed either time I have  cooked them, but I will try to find a good rub for them.

Stir fry looks interesting. Not sure I've ever had it. Looks like a good way to eat some vegetables, something I am not good at. At all. I need to start though, its time to drop some weight.....

I think I  will be getting a wok soon. I don't have any accessories other than the platesetter for the minimax yet, might do some more looking today and pull the trigger.

Fajita Steak would be a good way to use steak leftovers, and it would be simple. I have an insane amount of steak in the freezer....

@JethroVA, Those are good examples of what I need to do, tweak them the next day so they are new dishes.

I got home early today and currently have a couple pounds of meatloaf going on the minimax with pecan for smoke. I bought a choice brisket for 2.99/lb and had it ground into burger. It makes excellent burgers, should be really good for meatloaf.

Carolina Q

Cashfan said:

Thanks for the ideas! Very helpful!

I will have to try some pork tenderloins again soon. I was not impressed either time I have  cooked them, but I will try to find a good rub for them.

Try Herbes de Provence on either pork or chicken. Delicious!

tgs2401

Planked Salmon is quick and easy. Brats with sauerkraut. Shrimp on skewers.

bhedges1987

I know you said you don't like leftovers.  But with pulled pork, your options are unlimited.  

A lot of times I will get the 2 packs, smoke them both and use those left overs all week.

Tacos
Burritos
Nachos
Pizza
Dips
Lasagna

Battleborn

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1197948/dinner-ideas-been-in-a-bit-of-a-rut#latest

Asked a similar question a few months back. Here are some great ideas. 

THEBuckeye

bhedges1987 said:

I know you said you don't like leftovers.  But with pulled pork, your options are unlimited.  

A lot of times I will get the 2 packs, smoke them both and use those left overs all week.

Tacos
Burritos
Nachos
Pizza
Dips
Lasagna

Leftovers is the great unsung hero of Egg ownership. 

There is nothing I've cooked on the Egg that does not taste 99% as good as a leftover. 

Best lunches in America! 

Cashfan

Battleborn said:

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1197948/dinner-ideas-been-in-a-bit-of-a-rut#latest

Asked a similar question a few months back. Here are some great ideas. 

Thanks for the link, a search didn't turn up much, hence the new thread. @RPP brought up a good point in it about planning ahead. That would help me a lot. 

I like all the reminders of what to do with leftovers. I now have have meatloaf leftover, will try to be creative with that the next few days.

I called the Ceramic Grill Store today; Tom was very helpful answering my questions. I ordered some stuff for the minimax - 2 stones, woo, wok, and drip pan, and for my Primo Large - a drip pan, and a wok. I had a hard time stopping there with the order, there are a couple more things I would like....

td66snrf

Lamb  Loin chops. Rib chops .  Shoulder chops.