Anyone who knows me even a little knows this about me: I don't cook. There are many half-way coherent excuses for this (tomboy, emotional scarring from Target food-court job, work outside the home most of the week, Ed likes the kitchen, etc.)... but no reasons that have ever helped me to feel justified in utterly scorning/ignoring this area of 'normal' human existence. There is no 'V' in kitchen yet... but reality is quickly nudging me in that direction and I am approaching readiness to take baby steps.But if I need to start preparing meals, I want to like it... or at least not loathe it. Know what I mean? (I'm well aware that most women don't). So... I'm wondering if you can help. What do I need? FAST, EASY, NON-THREATENING, HIGH-SENSE-OF-REWARD, MOSTLY HEALTHY meals (not just recipes) that will, ultimately, interest me enough to lure me closer to the kitchen. If someone can actually accomplish this, you will earn renown from my relatives and friend-circle, AND surprised delight from moi. Here are the rules:
Submit one meal idea (main course and sides), with prep instructions, via comments or email...
1. Has to take 20 minutes or less to prepare. EASY.
2. Doesn't have ingredients I won't use often or can't pronounce.
3. Will taste really super good to me, my toddler and husband.
4. Doesn't contain obscene amounts of unhealthy junk.
5. Allows the option to freeze left-overs for future use.
Ed and I will soon sit down to organize current recipes. Ones that don't meet this criteria will be filed in the very back of our new family cookbook. If your recipe is the first one to 'lure me in', (in addition to the aforementioned renown) I will, at some point during 2008, have you over to share it with us (with me preparing it - not you). :-) Remember, "EASY" for me means: you could do it blind-folded with one hand tied behind your back the first time you ever tried to cook anything.
Thanks for your help, friends! Who will put the 'V' in 'Kitchen'? Ultimately, 'V' will. But I'll post results soon on the most alluring meal idea... :-)
25 comments:
I might add a few menu pairings since you didn't limit how many one can submit. First off many of your "musts" follow pretty much in line with how we cook for our family of five. Here is the first. Enjoy!
Penne with Asparagus, Spinach and Bacon
Ingredients
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
2 bacon slices
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion(optional)
2 1/2 cups (1-inch) slices asparagus (about 1 pound)
1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
4 cups bagged baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup (2 ounces) preshredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Preparation
Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; keep warm.
Cook bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble. Add onion to drippings in pan; sauté 1 minute. Add asparagus and broth to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add pasta, spinach, 1/4 cup cheese, and pepper to pan; toss well. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and bacon.
The "side" to this recipe would be a garlic-rustic loaf of bread from New French Bakery. Easy to heat and serve.
Another family favorite: This is meatless, but still feels filling. I would only probably add a bowl of sliced fruit as the "side". But you wouldn't have to.
Three Bean Tacos
(serves 12, you could easily halve and freeze a portion of the bean mixture for another time)
Ingredients
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
12 taco shells
3/4 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
3/4 cup diced tomato
1/2 cup (2 ounces) finely shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup salsa
Preparation
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion and next 6 ingredients (onion through garlic), and sauté 2 minutes. Add chickpeas, beans, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until thick.
Prepare taco shells according to package directions. Spoon 1/4 cup bean mixture into each taco shell. Top each with lettuce, 1 tablespoon tomato, 2 teaspoons cheese, and 2 teaspoons salsa.
Another:
Baked Potato Night
Basically, bake/boil potatoes, top with favorite toppings such as:
-white cheddar
-bacon
-broccoli
-red onion
-peas
-sour cream + butter
-cubbed ham
Another: This meal doesn't need a side.
Eat Like A Greek
Take pitas and slice into quarters. Toast in the toaster if you wish. Serve and top with whatever of the following that you like:
-crumbled feta cheese
-sliced olives
-hummus
-sliced cucumber
-sliced tomato
-olive oil
-sliced red onion
-ready-made couscous (deli)
-ready-made olive tapanade (deli)
OK, I will post them as I think of them, but I can think of a couple things I like to do:
1. Buy "No Name Salmon Steaks" (or regular steaks), some good bread, watermelon, and package of Bird's Eye steam fresh veggies - your favorite variety.
A. Take the salmon steaks out, put them on a broiler pan and follow package instructions for length of time to broil them.
While they broil,
B. Cut the watermelon.
C. Wrap the bread in aluminum foil, and heat it with the bread for about 15 minutes.
D. Throw the veggies in the microwave for 5 minutes.
As a substitute for the salmon, I also do pork tenderloin (pre-marinated).
Here's another fave at the Hodgkins house:
-Buy a pork shoulder or other pork roast, also buy the McCormick's seasoning packet for "pulled pork" (look at the ingredients on the back of the package. I think you need ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar). To go with it, buy some hard rolls, or your favorite bread. Buy your favorite fresh veggie to steam (or frozen), and some yummy grapes or strawberries or other fruit.
-You can put the pork shoulder in the crock pot in the morning (Follow package directions for ingredients) when you come home from work use 2 forks to pull the pork apart. Serve it on the rolls with fruit and a veggie!
We also make roast or chicken in the crock pot, which I could explain furthur,and they truly do make easy soups or other meals after you are finished.
Basically, we use our crock pot all the time.
**For bread, we LOVE the stuff from the New French Bakery, as someone mentioned.
This one isn't necessarily super healthy but you mentioned the blindfolded and one arm tied behind back requirement so...it fits. I'll think up more and let ya know this one just came to me.
make a box of your favorite mac n cheese (Annie's, Kraft, velveeta..whatever)
add 1 lb. ground beef (cooked)
add the BIG can of tomatoes (28oz. I think?)
throw out some fruit or a bagged salad w/ the fixings a glass of milk and you're all set.
Also, to spice it up a bit you could use (2) 14oz. Mexican style stewed tomatoes for a little zip.
Tasty Chicken -
before you go to work put some chicken breasts in a ziplock w/ Italian salad dressing, keep them in the fridge all day.
go to work.
come home.
Bake chicken breasts at 350 for 45-60min. (vague, I know, but all chicken and ovens are a bit different)
while chicken's baking boil some pasta and warm up jarred spaghetti. (or use leftovers from a different spaghetti supper night)
You could get another bagged salad w/ everything in it or pop frozen veggies in the microwave for 5 minutes or so.
(again, not anything super spectacular but, I could do this blindfolded so there ya go...)
:)
As much as I hate to admit it, Rachael Ray taught me to cook. Most of her pasta recipes are easy, quick and yummy, and can easily have the meat removed. (I'm not sure if you're vegetarian, and who knows how much meat Eva will be accustomed to, right?)
I have one of her books if you'd like to borrow it.
Raechel Ray's, not Eva's. If that wasn't clear...
Books, I mean.
I need more information - what are your favorite foods? Do you and Ed like meat and potatoes or pasta, are you veggie lovers? I just need more info.
Vonda, I would love to teach you to cook "Kristi Style" I rarely use a recipe, usually make stuff up as I go and rarely does a meal take more than 20 minutes.
Salt & Pepper really well a beef roast & brown it in a pan that you can throw right in the oven. Brown all sides, once all side are browned add a little water maybe 1/4 - 1/2 cup with a beef bullion cube, cover & throw in oven at 200 for maybe 4-5 hrs, the last hour att a can of cream chicken or cream of mushroom soup (instant gravy with the juices of the meat). It gets really tender. If you're not home to throw in the oven you can brown it and then throw it in the crock pot on low all day and throw the creamed soups and some veggies (taters &
carrots) and full supper when you get home.
Homemade pizzas also a favorite. I buy pillsbery pizza crusts (spray pans then put the dough on them), cantadina pepperoni pizza sauce, whatever toppings you like, and mozzarella cheese. Bake 400 degrees for 15-20 min until cheese is brown & bubbly.
You'll do just fine. Cooking is naturally encoded in the Hansen DNA I think.:) Let me know if there's anything in particular that you crave or are looking for.
The easiest meal I can think of comes in a plastic bag and usually can survive for several years. That would be a meal ready to eat. Not great but tolerable. You can find them in military supply stores. I dunno maybe your looking for something you can actually eat.
Boil pan of water
Drop in hot dogs
Cook till done
Put in bun
Put ketchup on left side
Put mustard on right side
Add diced onions, or relish if you want to be fancy.
Add chili and shredded cheese if you want to be really fancy.
Just Kidding.....
:)
Quick Ham & Cheese Calzones
(great for Sat. Lunch)
1 pkg. 15 ounce ricotta cheese
8 ounce pkg. Shredded Mozzarella
1 pound Diced cooked ham
(they sell it pre-diced now by the ham isle)
1/4 Cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 TB Chopped Parsley
1 Egg
2 (10 Oz.) Packages of refrigerated Pizza Crust
1 Jar of your favorite Spagetti or Pizza Sauce for Dipping.
Preheat oven to 450.
In Large bowl mix first five ingredients.
In cup, with fork, beat the egg and 1 Tablespoon of water.
Grease a Large Cookie Sheet.
On a floured surface/counter, unroll 1 package of pizza dough.
With knife, cut dough in half. Spoon 1/4 of the filling mixture along one short side of dough half to within 1 inch of the edge. Brush the edge of the dough with some of the egg mixture. Take the empty side of the dough half and fold it over the mixture, enclosing the filling. Press the edges together firmly to seal.
With a spatula transfer the calzone to the cookie sheet. Brush with some egg mixture. Cut some small slits in the top. Repeat with remaining dough and filling to make 4 calzones in all.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
In a saucepan over medium heat, warm up the sauce. Serve on the side for dipping, or pour it over the top and eat it with a fork.
Super easy-Super yummy!
My recipe has become a family favorite of ours...AND, it's one I actually stole from YOUR cookbook when we lived with you! (I made a few minor changes, though.)
POTATO CORN CHOWDER
1/2 C. bagged frozen pre-chopped onion
(Or 1 sm. fresh onion chopped)
1 C. carrot slices
1 C. celery chopped
1&1/2 tsp salt
pepper to taste
2 C. boiling water
3 C. chopped potatoes
In large pot, mix all of the above. Cover and simmer 10 min.
Make a white sauce in separate pan using the following:
1/4 C. margarine
1/4 C whole wheat flour
2 C. milk
1 C. parmesan cheese
17 oz. can creamed corn
Pour the white sauce in with the rest of the simmering soup. Enjoy! We love this soup with bread and salad.
Hey, if I should win, I'd pass on the kudos to Judy Rankin for the original idea. :)
Also, a note about sides--I don't worry about planning those out at all. I just keep plenty of fresh fruits and veggies on hand and pick one (or more) of each to serve at every meal. My kids have grown to love raw veggies--broccoli, colored peppers, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, etc with some light ranch dressing for dipping. And we do salads a lot, too. I just pair Romaine lettuce with some baby spinach leaves.
If you're looking for other basic healthy sides: brown rice (they even make instant now), or homemade oven baked fries with the skin on. (Maybe I'll do a separate comment for that.)
Good luck, V. You'll do great. Baby steps. We all learn in baby steps with this cooking thing. LOL!
A fun & healthy side:
Homemade Oven Baked Fries
Slice potatoes (skin on) into big wedges. Toss with olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper. spread on baking sheet. Bake 40 min @ 400 degrees, flipping once half-way through. They're done when they start to look golden brown.
We like to do a whole 9&13 pan and even make that a main course--perfect for movie night!
Another recipe:
MILD TACO SOUP
1 lb. ground beef
2 cans tomato soup
1 can kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes (Ital. style)
1 pkg. taco seasoning
3 C. water
Directions:
Brown beef & add taco seas.
add rest of ingredients
Either simmer on stove for 10 min & serve, or can put in crockpot and leave on low all day while at work.
serve with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and Fritos on top.
For sides, we like Jiffy corn bread muffins from the box (yummy with 1/2 can of creamed corn mixed in), and either red grapes or strawberries on the side too.
One of our kids favorites
Refried beans and shredded cheese on a tortilla in the microwave for
45 seconds.
Lentils and Brown Rice
Place in a kettle:
1C brown rice
2C water
Bring to boil, cover and simmer for about 45min (until all the water is gone)
In another Kettle:
1/2 of small, chopped onion
1C Lentils
2 Cans Swanson's Canned Chicken
Broth
Salt and Pepper to taste
Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 25-30 minutes. Leve a small amount of liquid for a broth/gravy affect.
Serve the Lentils over the rice.
This is one of our kids favorite meals. Which is nice because Lentils are a great source of protein (which can sometimes be hard getting into toddlers).
Another easy one is Chicken Stir fry:
Cut up a couple of chiken breast into bite size pieces.
Put them in a pan with 1T of olive oil. Cook them until they are no longer pink in the middle. Take them out.
Get a bag of stir fry veggies out of the freezer section. Place them in the pan with a little more olive oil. Once they are warm all the way through add the sause that comes in the bag with the veggies. Also add the chicken back in. Mix it all up and serve over brown rice. Yummy.
Another thing you could do is just come and visit me at Key's :)
One more thing.....kids LOVE breakfast for dinner. Frozen waffles with a little peanut butter and surup. Or oatmeal with rasins and a bit of brown sugar. Scrambled eggs and toast.
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