In June I posted “Family Meal Planning: Who” and talked about focusing on your families likes and dislikes as you plan your meals.  This post focuses more on deciding what to serve.

What

“After the basics of nutrition, availability, time, and resources are considered work on the specifics.  Start with planning the main course, either a high-protein food (usually meat, eggs, cheese, or legumes) and a complex-carbohydrate accompaniment (potato, rice, or pasta), or a casserole which combines the two.  Next decide the salad, vegetable and bread, if needed.  Fill in with an appetizer, beverage, or dessert, if desired.” 

I thought this was a great way to think about What’s for Dinner and to figure out new dinner ideas.  Once you decide the main course the other things can be added quite easily.  That is one of the reasons many people LOVE Dream Dinners.  We make the entre’ just as easy as adding a salad or frozen veggie.  Dinner is the meal that is usually the most complex and so figuring out all of the components can be tricky.  Just start at the begining and don’t get overwelmed.  Also remember “resources” when planning and use ingredietnts that are abundant, in season, or even on sale.  For instance I just harvested 6 cucumbers and about 10 tomatoes from my garden and so I will definately be having Panzanella as my side with dinner tomorrow so catch that post later this week.