What’s for dinner?
Here you will find pages of recipes, how-to’s, and inspiration for home cooked foods, hand-crafted beverages, do-it-yourself supplements and remedies, along with personal care products that will complement most diets and lifestyles. If you haven’t already, make sure to read through this helpful article, “What’s for dinner?” to learn more.
When it comes to any meal, if you straight up don’t want to cook, head over to my Rated Eats website - a unique service that will support your dietary needs and preferences of convenience foods and dining excursions while encouraging a Mindful Eating experience. After all, if you don’t know what to make for dinner, you can always make reservations!
Bon Appétit!
Marie Stumphauzer, FNTP
(My mom’s) EASY TOMATO SAUCE
Wondering what on God’s green earth you’re going to do with the bounty of tomatoes that keeps coming, and coming, and coming at this time of year? How about making a batch of my mom’s crazy easy, super delicious TOMATO SAUCE? This is not your typical recipe that calls for peeling and seeding and hours in the kitchen. Nope! This quick version doesn’t waste time or resources, can be made in small batches (but scales like a breeze), works great with garden, road-side-stand, or store bought tomatoes, and freezes magnificently for year-round enjoyment.
ENCHILADA LASAGÑA - gluten free with dairy free options
You see what I did there?
You know, sometimes you just have to change things up a bit. I had made homemade tortillas for the first time with the intentions of making enchiladas. They turned out well for a newbie but, as I was pulling together my ingredients for the casserole, I had this idea to use them like lasagna noodles instead of rolling them up. Nothing like a little bi-lateral relations for our bellies, eh? I’m thrilled with the way it turned out and plan to do this again. Because there’s so much flexibility in the ingredients, this dish will accommodate lots of dietary preferences and your tastebuds will almost never get bored!
CHICKEN POT PIE SOUP
I was SO hungry for chicken pot pie. In a crust or in a bowl, the whole recipe just screamed dairy and gluten, though, and you know how it is when you have a hankering for something and you want it to taste just so but when you have to adapt here and adjust there, it ends up losing something and being a tastebud disappointment. Well, not this recipe - it was a home-run! Really, I should probably call it “stoup” because it’s that hearty. Serve this classic comfort food with (gluten free) biscuits or a slice of homemade bread and it will keep the hungries away for hours.
BÉCHAMEL BEEF
This recipe is known by many names including Creamed Beef and, believe it or not, Sh!t on a Shingle. No matter what you decide to call it, this classic blast from the past squarely lands in the Comfort Food category and has a plating range from elegant to casual. So it is with many nostalgic dishes, however, this has sadly become a bygone for many - ending up on the “can’t eat that anymore” list due to staple ingredients such as milk and flour. Thankfully, my new and improved version deliciously accommodates dairy and gluten intolerances. As always, be sure to read the recommendations to learn about creative modifications that mind a number of dietary styles and, as a bonus, offers the steps to make a hearty and hilariously (albeit shamelessly) named version you won’t want to miss.
SIMPLE STIR FRY
Simple is almost an understatement. You could add the words adjustable, fast, economical, and flavorful and you wouldn’t be wrong, either. Use this recipe as a template and plug in your preferences. The sauce is the secret, the rest is up to your imagination.
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER
Sometimes there will be a dish that, even though it is adaptable, no matter what is done to it, it just doesn’t taste good or right. That is not the case with this tried-and-true New England Clam Chowder recipe. Believe me, I have put it through its paces and have made it using a variety of dairy and flour alternatives. No matter what combination, I can’t mess it up - it’s always fabulous! It has won over even the most discerning of palates and satisfies the biggest appetites. Put a bowl of this in your belly and it will put a smile on your face!
LAMB & RICE
The origin of this traditional dish is Lebanese and is called, “Hashweh” which translates to “stuffing”. If you’re like many of the folks that frequent this site, “stuffing” is not something that is in your vocabulary. This is one, however, that can be enjoyed without concern of gluten or dairy. There are even vegetarian and vegan options so don’t let the “lamb” part discourage you. Enjoy it as a main dish, side, a head start ingredient in the Deluxe Lazy Gyro Casserole, turn it into a summer salad, or fill your favorite bread smeared with Healthy Hummus to make a hearty sandwich.
CHICKEN LUAU
This is a tasty variation of a popular Hawaiian dish. With only a few (yet easy to find) ingredients, near effortless preparation, and it being remarkably simple to scale, you won’t think twice about inviting more guests for dinner. Serve this with a side of Coconut Rice and a helping of Pineapple Bake against a backdrop of slack-key guitar music and you’ll have your very own fun and flavorful tropical tiki party!
SLOPPY JOES
Who doesn’t love a good sloppy joe? Unfortunately, some of the pre-made mixes have ingredients that don’t agree with everyone. Good news is, they couldn’t be simpler to throw together and all with items you likely have on hand. This crowd pleaser doubles, triples, even quadruples easily so everyone will have a chance to enjoy a generous portion regardless of dietary restrictions.
PRESERVES GLAZED CHICKEN
This main comes together in no time and the ingredients, as you will see, are easy to adapt - not only to dietary considerations but also to what you happen to have on hand. Not feeling the chicken? Turkey, pork, or veal cutlets seamlessly slide in as the perfect understudy. Add your favorite sides and it doesn’t just become a fast, flexible meal any day of the week, it’s an impressive dish for guests leaving plenty of time for visiting. What flavor will you try first?
PHILLY STEAK & CHEESE
Need a quick lunch or dinner that scales effortlessly? This is the answer. Faster than fast food and healthier, too, this hearty dish with easy to find ingredients adjusts to tastes, dietary considerations, and any size crowd in a flash.
ORANGE CHICKEN
Skip take-out with this dietary restriction friendly, healthy version of a most popular American-Chinese dish. Forget MSG, gluten, or other bothersome additives, this easy Orange Chicken recipe is bursting with flavor and personality. Who needs a fortune cookie - this recipe IS your good fortune!
EASY VEAL (or chicken) PARMESAN
Like veal (or chicken) parmesan but not the work? Miss eating it because it doesn’t complement your dietary considerations? Why not give this version a try? It’s easy and best of all, delicious!
BETTER BUTTER BEEF
The meat from this recipe truly melts in your mouth with its sumptuous buttery flavor and fork tender bites. Who would think that all of that goodness could come from only three ingredients? Oh, but it does and it will satisfy even the most ferocious of appetites. This dish is comfort food at its finest!