Menu Monday - Sprucing Up Old Standbys

My kids and I love many of the simplest meals but they can seem a bit boring sometimes and so there are lots of little things I do to give them a simple twist with only a few new things thrown in.  Here are a few ideas of things I've done, what are some of your favorite ways to easily turn a boring basic into something a little more exciting?


Tuna Fish and Egg Salad Sandwiches:
It can be as simple as tuna fish or hard boiled eggs mixed with a little mayo on bread or you can use some of these ideas to give it a little more flavor.  You can do just one or a few.

• Lemon Pepper
• a bit of Mustard and Paprika turns egg salad into Deviled Egg Sandwiches
• Celery Seed
• Turn it into a melt with Toast and a slice of Cheese melted on top
• Micro Greens, like broccoli sprouts
• Relish, mixed with a touch of mustard and celery seeds makes it taste like a creamy summer salad
• Fancy Mustard, like Dijon or honey, mixed in or spread on the bread
• Bacon
• Tomato Slices
• Fresh Herbs like Basil, Chives, Parsley, Cilantro, Thyme
• Cucumbers, sliced on top or diced and mixed in.
• Radishes, sliced on top
• Beets, my kids loved the pickled ones chopped up really fine and mixed in, it turns everything a pretty pink and adds just a little tang.

Macaroni and Cheese:

Most kids could practically live on it but there are lots of ways to change it up a bit, here are a few of my families favorites.

• Tuna Fish and Peas, sometimes with Lemon Pepper added
• Chili Mac
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower or Squash puree
• Diced Tomatoes
• Nacho (jalapeno, corn and bacon)
• Hot Dogs
• Bacon
• Ham

What are some other simple meals that you love and how do you spruce them up?