I hate trying to decide what to fix for supper. Once the decision is made (and assuming we have the necessary ingredients), I enjoy the cooking part. I just hate the deciding part. Another thing making things difficult is the fact that I don’t get home from work until about 5:20 every day, and we’re both usually starving by then. So whatever I fix has to be relatively quick. I know, I know…I should plan the week’s (or month’s, depending on how you do your shopping) meals ahead of time, thus eliminating this problem entirely. I do that sporadically. But I also like to have some standard go-to dishes that can be put together in less than an hour and use standard ingredients that are usually on hand. I have a few like that, but I would like to have more. That’s where you come in. Leave a comment telling me at least ONE of your favorite, basic, easy, quick suppers, and why you like it. And don’t say “Hamburger Helper”… I want something real, even if it’s your homemade version of Hamburger Helper. I’ll post a couple of my favorites in a day or two. Maybe we can all learn something together. Now for tonight’s supper…
do you want a whole recipe or just the name of a dish? our go tos usually include: spaghetti, italian chicken with pasta roni, cheesy chicken crescent rolls, breakfast food, and chicken quesadillas.
Hey, We have a “barley meal” (for lack of a better name) that we LOVE. We make it at least once a month but almost once a week. You cook some barley (instant or the regular kind- I do regular in my rice cooker) and brown some ground beef (we use ground turkey) first. This saute some chopped green onions, and mushrooms in either teriyaki or soy (we use whatever we have on hand but my pref. is soy) without going overboard on the sauce. Then you put everything in one pot and add more soy or teriyaki if you want to and stir to combine flavors. It can take 15 minutes to make (instant barley) or 45, so either way it is fairly quick. I love this meal because I feel it is rather healthy and high in fiber and just plain yummy.
We’ve also thrown other sauteed veggies in like zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, etc. and it comes out good. We usually only have zucchini on hand since I am slightly addicted to it. Let me know if you try it and what you think.
We do “Tuna Helper!!” :) One of our newer fav. quickie meals is a Tater-tot Casserole. Pre-heat oven to 350. You brown some ground turkey (it says beef, but who uses that anymore!), season to taste, and add some diced onions (optional). Mix up some cream of mushroom soup w/ a 1/3 can of milk (skim or 1%)add to meat and put all in a casserole dish (we like to spray the dish with PAM, easier clean up). Put 1 c. shredded cheese over mix and top with Tater-tots. (yes they can still be frozen) bake for 30 min. Of course we add some more cheese to the top after it comes out, you know, for the girls to get more calcium! :) Also, the crock-pot became our friend while we were in NOLA. Put everything in, set it on LOW, and walk away. The smell when you walk in from work, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Diana – You must become friends with your crock pot. I’m assuming you have one! I cook in it at least once if not twice a week. I have too many jobs and don’t get home until 7:30 or later four nights a week. Who wants to cook by then?!?! There’s not enough room to post all of our favorites and they are quick (it takes me maybe 15 minutes in the morning)cheap, and don’t need stirring until ready to serve. We’ll talk soon.
Leave a chicken in the crock pot to cook. When you get home you can use it to make chicken and dumplings. Email me if you want the recipe!