Side Dish Ideas: What Should I Make for Dinner?
Sidekicks deserve the spotlight too.
By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 30, 2024
Picture this: You’ve just gotten home from work after a busy day, and the last thing you want to do is cook. Or, it’s a Sunday night and your friends are coming over to watch football, and you aren’t sure what to eat. These two scenarios both lead to the same question: What should I order for dinner tonight?
If you live in an area with a lot of takeout options, it can be hard to choose who to order from. Sometimes, you just aren’t sure what you’re in the mood for. Or, you may want to try a new dish, but you aren’t sure where to start.
If you know you don’t want to cook but are stuck on what to order, this is the quiz for you. Answer a few questions about your dietary preferences and taste buds, and we’ll give you some dinner ideas to try out. Whether you’re looking for healthy dinner ideas or a hearty meal, we’re here to help.
Ordering dinner is always a good idea when you don't have much cooking time available. Or, it's also a good idea on nights when you just don't feel like cooking a whole meal. Ordering out is also a great way to try a new cuisine.
There are infinite possibilities of foods to order, from a healthy dish featuring whole grains and a Greek yogurt dipping sauce to hearty chicken dishes. Some dishes will arrive at your door in mere minutes, while others may take a bit longer. But either way, they're sure to be delicious.
What Should I Order for Dinner Tonight?
Deciding what to order for dinner can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's cube that's been greased up with olive oil—slippery, tricky, and likely to end with pizza again. We've all been there, standing in front of the fridge, hoping for a culinary epiphany or waiting for takeout menus to whisper the answer to our rumbling tummies. But fear not, fellow foodie adventurers! We're here to escort you through the wild terrain of dinner decision mayhem with some tantalizing food for thought.
Let's shake up the mundanity of mealtime, shall we? Whether your taste buds are craving the comforting embrace of a cheesy pasta or the zesty kick of a taco night, there's a smorgasbord of quick dinner ideas ready to be the hero on your weeknight dining table. And if your culinary creativity tank is running on empty, who says you can't turn meal decision-making into a game? With a playful quiz from BrainFall, you'll find just the dish to tickle your palate and spice up your evening menu.
Decoding Dinner Dilemmas
Every night, the same old question: "What's for dinner?" Let's break the routine with some pizzazz! We'll tackle the common conundrums of choosing a protein, revving up the veggie game, snappy solutions when you're too starved to think, and a global flavor fest. Bring your appetite!
What's Your Protein Predicament?
Got a craving for something hearty? We can't resist the classic, like a golden-brown chicken breast that's juicy inside and perfectly seasoned. Or maybe you're in the mood for something with a bit more zing, like honey garlic shrimp—sweet, garlicky, and just the right amount of sticky. And if you're feeling fancy, how about a baked salmon? A crispy, buttery crust with pillowy pink perfection inside—fish never had it so good.
The Veggie Variety Show
Ah, veggies, the unsung heroes of our plates. Hallelujah for the ever-versatile avocado, with its creamy texture that complements everything from toast to burrito bowls. Or perhaps a sprinkle of bright, zesty cilantro on top of chicken tacos? Crunchy, munchy, and oh so fresh! And for those who love to mix it up, let's toss together some vibrant, flavor-packed veggies in a dish that screams "Eat your greens (and reds, and yellows)!"
Quick Fixes for the Faint of Hunger
It's a speed race against the grumbles in your tummy! Whip up a turkey chili that's quick, delicious, and warms you to the core. Then there's the ever-so-simple shrimp scampi, a garlicky, lemony dream that's ready faster than you can say "Mamma Mia!" And when it's crunch time? Chicken enchiladas to the rescue—just roll, sauce, bake, and boom!
Around the World in Eighty Bites
Take your taste buds on a journey with dishes that have a passport full of stamps. Dive into creamy tuscan chicken for an Italian escapade without leaving your kitchen. Or perhaps beef stew that's simmered with love and patience, offering a hint of Ireland from the comfort of your own home. If Asia's calling, answer with some savory fried chicken, Korean style—double-dipped for that extra crispy crunch we all secretly (or not-so-secretly) adore.
There you have it—dinner decoded! Now, if only our leftovers could tell tales of the culinary trips we've taken right from our dinner plates.
The Aftermath: Making Peace with Leftovers
Leftovers can be the unsung heroes of the kitchen, transforming last night's dinner into today's lunchtime superstar. Let's turn that fridge full of "been there, eaten that" into something we're excited to dig into again.
From Last Night’s Feast to Today’s Trendy Eats
We all know the drill: we go culinary wildcrafting in our kitchens and end up with an epic feast that could feed an entire sitcom cast. But what do we do with the leftovers? We get trendy, that's what! Casseroles don't have to be a snooze fest when you remix them with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh herbs. Make that lasagna sing a new tune with some added spices, or turn that roast chicken into a chicken salad that's anything but ordinary. Remember, yesterday's shepherd's pie could be today's stuffed peppers!
Meal Prep Wizardry
Who said meal prep had to be all celery sticks and sad-looking rice cakes? Let's wave our culinary wands and elevate meal prep to wizardry status. With the right app, we can turn leftovers into a plan that rivals the best laid plans of mice and meal preppers. Think big - those mashed potatoes form the base of potato pancakes, and that beef stroganoff? It's a burrito filling now. The key here is not to be afraid of a little flavor transfiguration. Before you know it, you'll be looking forward to your leftover lunch more than your first dinner. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!
So grab your magic wand (a.k.a. spatula), and let's make these leftovers disappear in the most delicious way possible. We're wizards in the kitchen after all!
