Stuck in a Rut?

I love to cook, but I am stuck in a cooking rut. It seems like I make the same 6 or 8 meals over and over. It also seems that every show (ie Rachel Ray, Martha, Today, etc.) has cooking segments where they make things that look good, but you have to buy special ingredients in order to make them. I want real tried and true recipes that are affordable, easy, not full of fat that can become part of my meal repertoire. I like meals that can be made from the basic things I usually have on hand (like stewed tomatoes, a jar of minced garlic, potatoes).

So if you have the time-- I'd love you to post your dinner favorites.

Here are a few of mine:

*Taco Soup*

If you can open cans you can make this soup.
1/2 onion, chopped
2 (16 oz) cans of beans, drained (kidney, black, pinto, whatever)
1 (16 oz) can of corn, drained (or 1 cup of frozen corn)
1 Lg (26 oz) can of stewed tomatoes
1 (16 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 envelope of taco seasoning

Saute onion in a little olive oil. Then add the remaining ingredients. Heat through. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, corn chips. You can add ground beef or diced chicken if you like.

*Pork Tacos*

To the crock pot add a pork roast of your liking (I usually buy boneless picnic roast-- it's cheap). Add a small can of salsa verde, 1/3 cup of orange, lime or lemon juice, 1/2 onion chopped, 1 tsp minced garlic, salt, pepper, and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro if you have some and cook on low about 6-8 hrs.
The meat tastes so good. I serve it with corn tortillas, black beans, lettuce, sour cream and all the other typical taco fixin's (cheese, avocado, lime wedges, salsa, tomatoes)


*Creamy Pesto*

1 tsp Olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1 brick of low fat cream cheese (or small container of the fat-free kind)
1 cup milk
1/4 c Parmesan cheese
2 tbs canned pesto or 1/2 envelope of pesto seasoning

Saute the garlic in olive oil. Then on low heat add the cream cheese, Parmesan and milk. Stir until smooth. Then add pesto. Serve over pasta. I put grilled or sauteed chicken and veggies like onions, red/green peppers, and zucchini on top.

*Eli's Favorite Soup*
aka Tuscan bean soup

1 onion, diced
1 tbs garlic, minced
2 cans white beans, drained
2 cans chicken broth
1 can evaporated milk
1 bag of ready to eat spinach, chopped
Salt and pepper

Saute the onion, garlic, and oil. Add the beans, broth and milk. Over medium heat bring to a soft boil, turn heat to low. Add spinach and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crusty bread.