Looking For Recipes For a Picky Family

[x_maddy]

I looove to cook, but my family is a tough group to cook for.

There are very few things that my little brother really likes. My older brother is picky too, but not as picky. They don`t like "adult" food, if that makes sense. My mom and I have great taste in food, and I think it reaches out to more choices. I`m a vegetarian though. :p ( I still eat fish ) My step-dad will eat anything that isn`t "foreign" to him. He loves s"oul food". And my younger step-sister will eat anything that someone else says is good ( if someone else says it tastes bad, she says it tastes bad too :rolleyes: ).

It`s very difficult to cook for my family so everyone gets something they like. Does anyone have a vegetarian ( seafood is okay ) recipe that you think my family might like ? A G00D tuna casserole would be great. My mom tried to make one one time but the noodles were almost .. too soft, and the sauce around it was too thin .. and the tuna was bland. I didn`t think it worked well together.

Side dishes, as well as main dishes, are welcome. =] I`m willing to try anything new.

Lunch recipes are great, too !! My little brother L0VES tuna. I`ve made him plain tuna, tuna melts ( he didn`t like it too much ), and tuna salad before. Any tuna recipes ? 0h, and he doesn`t like tomato.

Thank you !!

[#1CHINFREAK]

Have you ever cooked tilapia in tinfoil? It's quick, easy and there is almost no mess. I take 2 fillets per foil sheet-2 ply if it's not the heavy duty stuff-and layer them this way...

lemon slices-cut into 1/4" thick slices with rind removed
fish-I like what ever is on sale
dried dill and garlic powder sprinkled on top
lemon slices
fish-with seasoning above
lemon slices

wrap up the bundle into a packet and cook at 350 for 10-20 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish.

I use the lemon rind in my veggy steamer. I just love broccoli steamed in lemony water.


Another quick and easy is Salsa Chicken-omit chicken if you want

Cook linguini according to package directions

in a seperate pot:
brown small chicken pieces (1/2" by 1/2") in oil with a touch of garlic
pour a large jar of salsa and heat on med/low heat.
add thinly sliced zuchinni and yellow squash and cook until limp.
pour mixture over pasta add some parm. cheese

if you omit the chicken, your sauce should be done by the time your noodles are cooked-otherwise cooking time is about 30 minutes.

remember-heated salsa gets hotter in spice. I wouldn't recommend "hot" salsa unless you are really brave or have a leather tongue.

[x_maddy]

The fish sounds good !!

I`ve tried the second recipe ( minus the chicken ). We used diced tomatoes instead of salsa. I thought it was DELICI0US, but no one else would eat iy except my mom. My little brother doesn`t like tomatoes, and my big brother doesn`t like sauce on his pasta. :dunno:

[ejw829]

I LOVE tuna casserole but haven't had a good one in a while. Maybe my tastes have changed over the years?

For something quick that little bro might enjoy, prepare Kraft Dinner per the instructions on the box. Then add a can of drained tuna. It's not bad.

If you, your bro or parents like salmon, you can get canned salmon (drained) and make salmon salad: mix a bit of mayo, dried or fresh dill, some salt & pepper. I like this best mixed with pasta or served over lettuce.

I like to do salmon steaks on the Foreman: spray grill w/ Pam (lemon is nice). Sprinkle both sides of steak w/ lemon juice, fresh or dried dill and maybe salt and pepper. Serve w/ wild rice and steam veggies.

I also do salmon fillets in the oven: I lay a piece of fillet (a 5 oz piece, say) on foil. Sprinkle salmon w/ dill and top w/ thinly sliced lemon. Make a packet out of the foil and voila! Nearly instant yumminess (of course, cooking temps and times are escaping me at the moment).

[x_maddy]

I LOVE tuna casserole but haven't had a good one in a while. Maybe my tastes have changed over the years?

For something quick that little bro might enjoy, prepare Kraft Dinner per the instructions on the box. Then add a can of drained tuna. It's not bad.

If you, your bro or parents like salmon, you can get canned salmon (drained) and make salmon salad: mix a bit of mayo, dried or fresh dill, some salt & pepper. I like this best mixed with pasta or served over lettuce.

I like to do salmon steaks on the Foreman: spray grill w/ Pam (lemon is nice). Sprinkle both sides of steak w/ lemon juice, fresh or dried dill and maybe salt and pepper. Serve w/ wild rice and steam veggies.

I also do salmon fillets in the oven: I lay a piece of fillet (a 5 oz piece, say) on foil. Sprinkle salmon w/ dill and top w/ thinly sliced lemon. Make a packet out of the foil and voila! Nearly instant yumminess (of course, cooking temps and times are escaping me at the moment).

Sounds great !! Thank you !!

This is going to sound stupid, but what`s a Kraft Dinner ? I know the Fraft brand, I just don`y know what item you`re referring to. :dunno:

[ejw829]

Sounds great !! Thank you !!

This is going to sound stupid, but what`s a Kraft Dinner ? I know the Fraft brand, I just don`y know what item you`re referring to. :dunno:

Kraft Dinner is just Kraft Macaroni & Cheese :) It's called Kraft dinner in Canada and for some reason, I like to call it that, too.

Sorry for the confusion :winkgrin: I've added some simple, family-style recipes for you to peruse! Maybe you can find something there to try! Many of the major food brands of family-pleaser recipes.

Kraft Dinner Tuna Casserole

http://www.kraftcanada.com/controller?cmd=RECIPE_VIEW&lang=EN&rid=0653ec

Kraft Dinner Cheese Bake

http://www.kraftcanada.com/controller?cmd=RECIPE_VIEW&lang=EN&rid=0735ec

KraftFoods US Recipe Index

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/

[ejw829]

You may like this recipe, too. You could add sauteed chicken strips for anyone who eats meat:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_22173,00.html

[equus_peduus]

I really like this. My mom usually makes two long ones, rather than one big round one, but you can do either. Let me know if you have questions.

Tuna ring with cheese sauce

1 egg
2 can (7 oz each) tuna, drained
1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese (~2oz)
1/2 c snipped parsley
1 t celery salt
1/4 t pepper
2 c bisquick baking mix
1/2 c water (or instead of bisquick + H20: 2c flour, 1T baking powder, 1/2 t salt, 1/2 c shortening, 3/4c milk)

heat oven to 375°F. Beat egg slightly, set aside 2 tablespoons of the egg. Stir tuna, onion, cheese, parsley, clery salt and pepper into remaining egg [ my mom often chopped some celery and used normal salt ]. Stir baking mix and water to a soft dough; knead 5 times on a flour cloth-covered board (or mix dry ingredients, use pastry cutter to blend in shortening til pea-sized pieces, add milk, mix til just wet). Roll into rectangle, 15x10 inches. Spread with tuna mixture.

Roll up, beginning at long side. With sealed edge down, shape into ring on greased baking sheet; pinch ends together. With scissors, make cuts 2/3 of the way through ring at 1-inch intervals (or use a sharp knife). Turn each section on its side to show filling. Brush top with reserved egg. Bake 25-30 min. Serve hot with cheese sauce.

Cheese sauce

1/4 c butter or margarine
1/4 c bisquick baking mix
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
2 c milk
1 c shredded cheddar cheese (~4 oz)
1/2 c crumbled blue cheese

melt butter over low heat. blend in baking mix, salt, pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring til smooth and bubbly. remove from heat; stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in cheese until melted. [ mom usually just uses cheddar and flour]

pic from the very old recipe card:

[x_maddy]

Sounds great, guys !! Thank you very much !! =]