In my quest for quick and easy meals, staying away from pre-packaged convenience foods like Hamburger Helper, mac and cheese, and canned ravioli, I came across a few recipes that are easy and will appeal and can be readily made with ingredients on hand. Here is one of them:
Vegetarian Stir-Fry
1 - 16 oz. bag frozen mixed veggies
2 tbsp water
1 - 14 oz. can kidney beans, drained
1 - 14 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
Cook the veggies covered for 7-10 minutes. Uncover and add the rest of the ingredients, cooking til warm. Serve over rice or noodles.
This is on the menu for tomorrow.
Anything you've got to share?
Any easy recipes to share?
October 4th, 2010 at 08:39 pm
October 4th, 2010 at 08:47 pm 1286225241
1/2 pound dry lentils
water
frozen, chopped okra
canned or fresh diced mushrooms
soy sauce
Throw everything but the soy sauce into a crock pot over night, on low. It makes a thick, hearty lentil stew good for cold weather. I like it with soy sauce, hubby eats it with hot sauce.
October 4th, 2010 at 08:49 pm 1286225343
Cook noodles. While cooking noodles, heat up some prepared alfredo sauce, steam some fresh broccoli and cut up some previously cooked chicken breast into hunks. Heat up hunks of chicken and sauce. Toss everything into individual bowls. Serve with a little parmesan if you have it.
I make Mac and cheese from scratch, in fact did today for granddaughter for lunch.
Have your tried cooking in advance and freezing a few casseroles?
Tacos are actually pretty quick to fix and get on the table in my opinion. Grate cheese and chop tomatoes, lettuce, olives and cook your tortillas while the meat is browning and add some taco seasoning.
Or how about the crockpot. I know you are probably busy with kids and sports, etc.
October 4th, 2010 at 09:01 pm 1286226079
Homebody, I moved away from the freezer cooking during the summer, and seem to usually return to it at this time of year.
Seems that our menu has been pretty much the same week in and week out: waffles one night, pasta another night, grilled chicken, soup/salad/sandwich, and then a meat dish (tacos, meatloaf or chili). I'm trying to branch out a bit and use the crockpot more. I'm also having to realize that not all the eaters in my house will like new things, so I'm thinking about offering a two meal option when trying something new. I know for a fact that half of my eaters won't touch marinated portobello mushrooms and blue cheese (though I'm dying to try that next week)!
Thanks for the what you've shared this far!
October 4th, 2010 at 09:51 pm 1286229097
October 4th, 2010 at 11:12 pm 1286233976
For each packet you will need:
1 ear corn, cut in half
1 chicken drumstick
1/3 - 1/2 can pinto beans
On a piece of foil put the above ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour BBQ sauce over the pinto beans and chicken. Wrap up foil and seal packet. Bake packets at 400 for 40 minutes.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:15 pm 1286234130
Brown some hamburger with a chopped onion and green bell pepper if you have it.
Cook some pasta -- I usually use elbow, but whatever I have on hand.
When the pasta has cooked, open a can of tomato sauce and add the hamburger mixture. Heat until hot throughout. Far better than hamburger helper! And if you make extra you can have it for lunches.
October 4th, 2010 at 11:33 pm 1286235224
Meatloaf muffins:
1 box Stovetop mix (chicken is what I use)
1 cup water
2 egg whites
1 pound ground turkey (or beef)
Onion (as much as you like)
Mix together all the ingredients
Spray muffin tin with pam or oil spray
fill muffin tin with mixture
bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes
October 5th, 2010 at 12:09 am 1286237385
1 lb ground beef
1 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp miracle whip (or mayo)
1 Tbsp mustard
Brown hamburger, mix the rest in, simmer, serve.
You'll have to cut and paste the links to the rest. First one is easiest, but serve with BBQ sauce because it can get a little dry (but so good with a little sauce!)
The last link has a chicken recipe that is so simple and divine (squeeze some orange, lemon, and lime juice over it, and bake. One of our best recipes and pretty easy considering. That recipe calls for too much pepper - I think we use like half and it is still REALLY spicy. IF you don't like the spice, just sprinkle the pepper lightly - would be my advice).
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bacon-cheeseburger-pasta/detail.aspx
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Cheesy-Sausage-Penne
http://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2007/01/18/thai-chicken-recipe_20825/
http://monkeymama.savingadvice.com/2007/02/05/delight-your-taste-buds-with-these-recip_21857/
October 5th, 2010 at 12:39 am 1286239154
Househopeful, I've used your recipe for years. I picked it up when I blogged under a different blog name several years ago! One of our favorites, and I never have leftovers (except for hubby's lunch the next day).