Fast Menu Ideas for the Busy and Uninspired Cook

I am the first to admit that I am a culinary junkie. I love everything about food. I read about it, watch tv shows around it, love to eat it, buy the newest gadgets to prepare it, surf the net for recipes, and find any lame excuse to go into a grocery store. I just can't get enough.

Yes, my idea of nirvana is to window shop in places like Williams-Sonoma, Trader Joe's, and Bristol Farms. A new Fresh & Easy just opened in my neighborhood, and I was first in line at the grand opening. Very sad, indeed.

So, you would think that with all the stacks of Bon Appetit, Gourmet and Cooking Light magazines that I have lying around, my library of cookbooks, and bookmarked websites, that I would always have a vast array of recipes at the ready.

Not happening. This morning I was totally uninspired over what to have for dinner tonight. My daughter is usually no help for ideas - she just loves everything that I prepare. Today I am especially tired, having just returned from the east coast last night. So I need something easy.

However, even ";easy"; needs to be up to my high standards. I like to cook healthy. To me, that means fresh ingredients, fruits and vegetables, low or no fat, low sodium and high in flavor. These are my must-haves for quick and easy. No mac and cheese from a box, no calling out for chinese food, no Chef Boyardee for me.

So even after spending an hour on the Food Network website in search of ideas, I gave up and went to (where else?) the grocery store.

Convenience Foods are Okay! Don't get me wrong, I'm still all about convenience. After all, I'm a busy working mom, who still wants time in the evenings for my hub activities!

I still use some prepackaged foods, but I read the nutritional and label information, and I try to catch these items when they are on sale. Items such as fresh ready-made ravioli or tortellini (like Bertoli's), and pre-shredded cheeses definitely make life a little easier.

A Stocked Pantry is Your Friend. Things that I always have on hand: packaged pasta, cans of black beans, vegetarian baked beans, tuna, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, diced olives, and brown rice.

Here's a time saving tip when you get home from the grocery store. I like to wash, dry and package all my produce. Lettuce, green onions, etc., are then ready to grab and chop for a quick salad.

By no means, do I claim to be another Food Network Star, and some of these recipe ideas may take longer than 30 minutes to prepare (from start to finish).

If any of the recipes listed above currently not linked to a hub sound good to you and you would like to know the recipe, just let me know!