What's for dinner?

Ever seem like you have the same thing over and over (pizza and spaghetti right?). I like to try new things and sometimes they work. I also like pasta and salad and my husband thinks it's not a meal if there is no meat. But, my biggest hurdle is time. If dinner isn't on the table quickly after the kids get home the world falls apart. I really only have one "rule" about cooking, if there is an ingredient I've never heard of, I probably won't try it. Not that I'm not adventurous or anything, but if I've never heard of it, I will probably have trouble finding said ingredient and like I said I'm short on time so driving to 3 different specialty markets isn't going to happen. Anyway we have had four new dinners in the last four days. And most have been successful. I'm surrounded by men so I usually get 'yeah, it's okay' when I ask how it is ~ what does that really mean? So I've started asking if I should make it again. All four dinners got a yes! The best part is that two of them only took about 15-20 minutes to make including the cook time. It'll take too long to post all of them today, but I'll share the recipes over the next week.

The first recipe won the $2500 prize for everyday easy winner contest from BHG, it's in the March 2009 issue.

Winter Squash & Sage Sausage Chili
1 lb. sage sausage
1 15oz can cannellini beans, drained
1 12oz pkg frozen winter squash puree, thawed
1 c chunky type chipotle salsa, or other salsa
1 1/2 c water
1 3.5 oz pkg herb flavored goat cheese, crumbles
fresh sage sprig optional

In large sauce pan, cook sausage over med high heat. Drain fat. Stir in beans, squash, salsa, and water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered 10 min. Serve in bowls; sprinkle with goat cheese.

notes: The flavor was pretty good. There was a lot of meat in this, it could maybe use another can of beans. Paul and I both thought the consistency was 'thick' like it needed another cup of broth or something. I had tried goat cheese before and thought I liked, it might have changed my mind. It was also pretty expensive for a few crumbles on top. I might try a spoonful of sour cream next time. Andrew loved it (but he likes everything).
*Shannon -Scott will probably really like this one:)