When you live a fast pace life as I do, you need things to be simple. I'm always looking for quick, easy, and most importantly, TASTY recipes for my family.
I have to confess, we've eaten out quite a bit lately and I've felt guilty for slacking in the kitchen, but I'm going to make a better effort to cook more often from this point on! We'll see how long that lasts. =)
Today I went through the pantry and made a never-ending grocery list to get me started on my quest to cook more. I wanted to share a few recipes of mine that fit the above criteria and I think you will enjoy!
Chicken Pot Pie
Serves: 4 (at least!)
Prep time: 25 minutes
What you need:
1 14 1/2 ounce can chicken broth
1 2.64 ounce package country gravy mix
3 cups finely chopped chicken
1 16 ounce package frozen cut vegetable medley, thawed
1/4-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 15 ounce package refrigerated pie crusts
How you do it:
1. Whisk together chicken broth & gravy mix in medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in cooked chicken, vegetable medley, and garlic powder.
2. Place 1 piecrust in a 9-inch deep dish plate. Spoon in chicken mixture. Top with remaining pie crust, pinching edges to seal. Cut several small slits in crust.
3. Bake at 400 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
BAM! You have a wonderful dish for your family that incorporates protein, vegetables, and carbs all in one!
This recipe came from my The best of Southern Living cookbook. It's a great resource and I highly recommend it. OR you can just go online to their website and search for whatever you're in the mood to cook!
Ma', the Meatloaf!....for those of you who don't like meatloaf!
Serves: 4 (at least!)
Prep time: 25 minutes
What you need:
Loaf:
2 lb. ground beef
2 teaspoons salt
2-4 teaspoons finely chopped green pepper
2-4 teaspoons finely chopped yellow onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups quaker oats
Sauce:
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
4 teaspoons brown sugar
2 small cans tomato sauce
2-4 tablespoons ketchup
1-2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
How you do it:
1. Saute green pepper and onion with olive oil in a skillet until golden brown.
2. Mix loaf ingredients together in a bowl and form a loaf using a bread pan.
3. Poke holes in the loaf.
4. Mix sauce ingredients in a bowl. Pour over loaf.
5. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F.
Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans.
This recipe will change your mind about meatloaf, I just know it!
Crock Pot Recipes:
Pot Roast
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 30 minutes (at the most)
What you need:
3 lb boneless chuck roast
1 can golden mushroom soup
1/2-1 can water
1 package Lipton's Onion Soup Mix
1 medium onion sliced thin, quartered
3 bay leaves
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3-4 beef cubes, crushed
1/2 cup dry chardonnay (or if you're like me & don't always have white wine in the house, you can substitute red and it still tastes great!)
3 large baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 package raw baby carrots
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
How you do it:
1. Season both sides of roast with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sear on both sides in a skillet.
2. Add roast to crock pot.
3. Cover with all ingredients except wine, water, potatoes, & carrots.
4. Add chardonnay, then add water.
5. Add potatoes and carrots.
6. Cook on low in crock pot for 8 hours.
Serve with buttermilk biscuits.
****Since fall is just around the corner, tailgates are quickly approaching,
and cool weather is in the near future, this next one will definitely be a hit!****
White Bean & Chicken Chili
Serves: 6-8 (maybe more!)
Prep time: 25-30 minutes
What you need:
*Dont worry, it sounds like a lot of ingredients, but you basically just open them and dump them in the crock pot!
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth (2 cups)
1 16 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, not drained
1 jar salsa verde (the green salsa)
2 15 ounce cans white beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon salt & pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 ears fresh corn (or 1 can corn, drained)
1 lb. diced cooked chicken (or I prefer a whole rotisserie chicken, pulled)
How you do it:
1. Heat oil, cook onion and garlic until soft.
2. Stir in broth, tomatoes, & spices. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Put in crock pot.
3. Add corn, chicken, salsa, & beans. Cook on low as long as you want!
Serve with sweet cornbread muffins.
Now how's that for easy, delicious, and healthy? This one's a winner, I promise.
Vegetable Beef Soup
Serves: 6-8 (or more!)
Prep time: 25 minutes
What you need:
1 pound ground beef
2 cups baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 can diced carrots
1 can green beans
1 can corn
1 medium chopped onion
16 ounces tomato juice
1 1/2 quarts boiling water
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
How you do it:
1. Brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain grease.
2. Add all ingredients to boiling water.
3. Cover and bring to a boil.
4. Lower heat and let simmer for 1 hour.
*This recipe has been slightly modified from my Pop's original recipe. I added more vegetables, so if it looks too think, you may need to add more tomato juice. You can also add or leave out any vegetables that you wish! I usually don't add the whole can of every vegetable until I get to the right consistency.
Serve with grilled cheese and hot sauce, of course!
Something for the chocolate lovers...
German Chocolate Snack Bars
Serves: 18
Prep time: 20 minutes
What you need:
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 box German Chocolate cake mix
4 large eggs, divided
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 16 ounce package powdered sugar
8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
How you do it:
1. Bake pecans at 350 degrees F. on a cookie sheet for 5-7 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly toasted. Remove from oven.
2. Reduce oven to 300 degrees F.
3. Stir together pecans, cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a lightly greased,
13 x 9 inch pan.
4. Beat powder sugar, cream cheese, and remaining 3 eggs at medium speed. Spoon powdered sugar mixture over batter in pan, spreading to edges.
5. Bake at 300 degrees F for 30 minutes.
6. Let cool and cut into squares.
This delicious treat came from a Southern Living magazine. I love all things Southern Living. =)
I hope you all enjoy! Do you have a few favorite quick and easy meals? I'd love to add to my collection!
Loren
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