I often run out of ideas for what to cook for meals and nothing sounds exciting. When I have trouble falling asleep at night I try to come up with fresh ideas. Right now I'm living alone so am in development mode, trying out recipes for this summer when Mr. TroutBend 'visits' from Las Vegas. He'll eat anything, but I get bored cooking the same things all the time.

The latest keepers included roasting chicken thighs, a few pieces of Italian sausage, and vegetables - onion slices, carrot pieces, butternut squash. It could have chunks of potatoes or sweet potatoes, whatever is available. Toss all together with Italian herbs and some olive oil, roast at 450 degrees for an hour, with the chicken pieces arranged on the top. The chicken and vegetables take up the flavor of the sausage.

Another one is a quiche, although maybe not purely a quiche. What makes it special is there's not a crust, just a coating of Parmesan cheese held in place by a smearing of butter. The solids - ham/cooked sausage/sauteed onions and/or mushrooms, and shredded cheese are tossed in a couple tablespoons flour and placed in the cheese-coated pie dish. Next is 1 cup half-and-half and 4 eggs with a little melted butter if desired. Bake it 30 - 45 minutes. It could be meatless or not. The best thing about it is that it seems to be foolproof - I've never had any problems getting it to set or cook through in the time given.

Spinach salad:
1 bunch of spinach
2 slices bacon, fried crisp
2 tbsp bacon drippings
2 tbsp wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Sugar to taste
Salt and pepper
1 hard boiled egg, chopped
Sliced fresh mushrooms (optional)
(Slivered almonds or other nuts, toasted)
(Dried Cranberries)

Wash and drain spinach. To the bacon grease in a small skillet add vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Add a little sugar if it seems too acidy from the vinegar. Heat to boiling. Pour over the spinach and toss to mix. Sprinkle chopped egg and other optional ingredients over the top as a garnish.