@Nrdsb4, “poppadum” has many spelling variations, but it’s a cracker-type thing. I buy the Sharwood brand and zap them in the microwave after spritzing with oil.
@mathmom, being a soft and starchy soup, I’d serve a crispy salad with apples and cheese. If the soup doesn’t have cured pork in it, maybe put some in the salad?
With the split pea soup, I’d so a green salad with a little protein on it for a side. Something that I can crunch and chew a bit.
@GlobalNomad, will please be my private chef?
I didn’t have time to post anything yesterday afternoon when I was reading this thread, but the post about “doesn’t anybody just throw some chicken nuggets on the table?” made me laugh out loud! Because, in fact, two nights ago we DID have some frozen breaded chicken nuggets (they were good, too!).
In the tater tot discussion, has anyone tried these?
http://www.alexiafoods.com/products/potatoes/Crispy-Seasoned-Potato-Puffs
If there is such a thing as “gourmet tater tots,” these would be the ones!
^^^^^Carb coma will likely ensue. 
Haven’t served tater tots but when I kids were living at home I would serve Alexia brand waffle fries. For frozen potatoes they are very good not at all like the frozen stuff my Mom gave us as a kid.
Yes back in the old days I’d have baked fresh bread and made salad. I did put some chunks of ham in the soup even though it’s the old recipe from Moosewood otherwise. (I’m so naughty!) Hearty salad may still be the best bet.
I’m having some fetoosh salad with my lunch - that would sound good to be with some split pea soup as well!
I bought something crazy today at a local Amish market…butterflied pork tenderloin , stuffed with sausage and wrapped in bacon. It’s definitely a manly meal . It was the first time I went in there and their meats looked incredible so I picked up a few things
microwaved something. Man, I need to head on over to a CC friend’s house and dine with y’all.
^ Great idea about fatoosh - I even have some homemade pita I could use. And that’s not so much bread it would make dh unhappy. Or he can just pick it out.
Glad to suggest it!
@lje62, our meat market calls that a Colorado Pork Roast - stuffed with stuffing and then wrapped in bacon - it’s my husbands dream meal but I don’t make it too often!!!
Tonight at our house - panko fish fillets, baked with Costco Asian salad.
Tonight, it is going to be quick and efficient because I have no time to cook. So I’m going to cook the frozen pirogi that I picked up the other day at Costco.
Ha, ha, glad to see the chicken nuggets comment; gave me the courage to reveal that I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. Enjoyed it as I was reading about all of your fabulous meals! (What can I say? I worked late and live alone.)
Pheasant update: H was happy with it. It was o.k., not as “gamey” as I thought…but, well, let’s just say I’m happy there was a limit on the amount of birds they could bring back. Glad he has been “gifting” some to friends 
It was clean out the fridge/freezer night tonight…mahi mahi filets (rubbed w/olive oil and lemon pepper, baked at 400 for 10-12 min), a couple handfuls of shrimp (same seasoning), skewered and grilled in grill pan, a handful of grapes, steamed broccoli and garlic and olive oil couscous. It was just eh, not great. Tomorrow is chicken teriyaki made in the crockpot, probably the rest of the broccoli and some rice. Again…not exciting, but at least it’s easy!
As for tots…love em. Especially smooshed/cooked in the waffle iron, topped with chili, onions, sour cream and cheese. Yummmm
Hubby is cooking tonight - putting a pizza in the oven and opening a bottle of sauvignon blanc!
Oven update: Mr. was able to locate the one and only control panel cover available in the entire US! So we might be able to replace the one that my tortie girl broke this week. I love this oven and would not want to part with it. Sigh. Parts for 16 yr old appliances are hard to come by!
Maybe there will be some baked dishes in my house in the near future. 
I want to try a couple mentioned in the cabbage thread!
steak, salad, green beans and mushrooms sauteed in bacon fat and a pretty decent zinfandel.
Broiled blackened tilapia, spinach salad, and cabbage pan fried in just a smidgen of bacon fat.
Thin mints Girl Scout Cookies for DH for dessert.