Spicing up dinner time when you really don't feel like cooking

As most women with families do I cook almost every night of the week and I am not for spending 3 hours in the kitchen when I get home after 5pm. I try to make all my dinner meals in about 30 minutes sometimes it takes a little longer depending on whether the oven is used or not. Dinner always consists of 3 parts: (because that's what I was raised on) meat, side dish (starch) and vegetable.

Usually the vegetables take the least amount of time, my string beans and asparagus are crunchy and the leafy greens are wilted. On those especially lazy days the bagged salads are life savers (God bless dole and Fresh express). Sides are really my downfall because I don't typically eat them, carbs have never been my thing but I believe in balanced meals. I tend to waffle between couscous, rice, and pasta. On rare occasions I'll try some potatoes. My random child dislikes potatoes greatly (white, red, sweet, doesn't matter). The only time I can get her to enjoy a potato side is if I fry up the smiley face french fries by McCain, crispy on the outside and mashed potatoes on the inside. They really are good. The meats are typically my Strong suit (I'm a total carnivore) I build the rest of the meal around that. I'm kind of anal in that I think that the meal should "go together" I can't have Indian curried lambballs, Spanish rice and broccoli, the flavors just don't mesh well together (I know because this was the leftovers from 3 different meals that were choked down for lunch).

One of my favorite meals (that I actually fixed last night) that's easy, quick and satisfying even if you're just doing a meal for one is jerk burgers, sweet potato fries and salad with homemade Italian dressing. Great with a summer ale or blonde ale (cause I'm a beer connoisseur also).

Jerk Burgers
1lb of hamburger meat (you can use chicken I wouldn't recommend turkey)
2tbs of Caribbean Jerk seasoning
1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce (about)
A few shakes of Tabasco sauce (optional)

Knead all ingredients together in a bowl. Form patties (about 4). Toss into a hot skillet or on the foreman grill. Cook to desired doneness. Top with Monterrey jack or mozzarella cheese, mango or pineapple salsa (and jalapenos if you can take the heat).

Sweet Potato Fries
(I like mine really sweet omit the sugars if you don't)
1 large sweet potato - sliced into fries
2tbs white flour
1tbs each white sugar and brown sugar
2tsp of cinnamon (more if desired)
1/3 cup of whole milk
Frying oil (corn or peanut is recommended)

After you've chopped up the sweet potato soak them in the milk for a few minutes. Combine the dry ingredients in a plastic bag. Place sweet potatoes in bag, shake to coat well. Place in hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes. The fries will have a slight crunch on the outside and be soft on the inside. I love them dipped in honey.

Homemade Italian Salad dressing
2tbs olive oil
1tbs vinegar
1tbs dry Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp shakes of Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp of minced garlic
A few shakes of Tabasco sauce (optional)

Combine everything in a small plastic container with a lid. Shake well. Serve immediately over salad. I wouldn't recommend making a lot at one time, just enough for what you need and it's so easy you can make it whenever you have salad.

Keep in mind that I don't measure anything and I totally believe in cooking to one's taste. That's really the only way to cook, a little tweak here, an omission there is how everyone should cook. Never be a slave to recipes.