easy meals

[Angie L]

Anybody have some easy to prepare meals. I am having surgery on the 19th and I would like to be able to come up with some easy recipes I can cook while I am off work that will not take much work. Thank you

[AnnW]

Bless your heart, hope all goes well!!!!!

Crockpot cooking!!!!! I have some great recipes using one if you want.

Here are some others...

Whole Roast chicken - take a small whole chicken, rub olive oil (or mayo) all over it, then squeeze either a lemon or lime all over and then stuff the lemon/lime in the cavity, put some fresh rosemary in the cavity, sprinkle cajun seasoning all over, bake at 325 for 1 1/2, basting periodically.

Poor Man's Stroganoff - brown 1 -1 1/2 lbs ground beef, pour in large can of Cream of Mushroom soup, add cooked noodles..mix.

Rigatoni - mix together one large jar of spagetti sauce, container of ricotta, 1/2 cup water, cooked rigatoni, cooked ground beef or Italian sausage (optional). Pour into casserole dish, cover with grated mozarella, bake at 350 for 45 minutes..till hot....can be made ahead and frozen.

Lazy Enchilladas - mix one can of Wolf brand chili (no beans) with large can of enchillada sauce (or tomato sauce & taco seasoning) simmer for about 20 minutes. In a square casserole pan layer a little sauce, 4 corn torillas, grated cheddar/monterray jack cheese..repeat at least 2 more times. (like a lasagna) cover tightly and bake at 350 till bubbly about 30 minutes.

[Angie L]

Thank you for those they sound good. I will take the crockpot ones too. Thanks so much

[AnnW]

You are welcome! :)
First, this is a great site for crockpot recipes
http://southernfood.miningco.com/food/southernfood/library/crock/blcpidx.htm

CrockPot Stew
1 1/2-2 lbs of stew meat browned
carrots and potatoes cut up to the amount you like
1 jar of brown gravy
2 cans tomato sauce
pepper to taste
toss it all in...cook all day at low or half day at high..enjoy (we are having this tonite! LOL)

Pot Roast
brown a pot roast that fits in your crock pot
carrots/potatoes/onion to taste
1 can beef broth
1 packet lipton onion soup mix
toss it all in..gosh, this is sounding alot like the stew recipe!!! LOL

Mexican Chicken
Boneless chicken breast or cut up pieces of chicken
1 can rotel
1 can black beans
pepper to taste
Cook on low for about 4 hours on high, serve over rice (this comes out very tender)
You can also do this in the oven at 350 for one hour..chicken breasts will be more firm.

[Diane]

Angie... Good luck with your surgery, I hope all goes well. It might also help if you could make many meals ahead of time, then all you'll have to do is heat them up...

(Some websites listed below)

Microwave meals... (they taste great!)

CHEESY CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:

5 tbsp. butter or margarine – melted and divided
1 cup crushed cheese-flavored snack crackers
¼ tsp. pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
½ cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

Place 1 tbsp. of butter in an 11x7x2” microwave safe dish and set aside. Combine cracker crumbs and pepper. Dip chicken in remaining butter, then spread with sour cream. Roll in crumb mixture. Place in prepared dish and cover loosely. Microwave on high for 6-7 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving




FILET OF SOLE

INGREDIENTS:

1 /4 cup sliced almonds
1 /4 cup butter or margarine
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. white cooking wine
1 /2 tsp. dillweed
1 /2 tsp. salt
1 pound filet of sole or other white fish - fresh or frozen (defrosted)

DIRECTIONS:

Microwave almonds and butter in 2 qt. dish on HIGH for 5-6 minutes, or until almonds are slightly toasted; stir halfway through. Stir in lemon juice, wine, dillweed and salt. Arrange fish in butter mixture, turning to coat well. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH for 5-6 minutes, or until fish flakes easily. Let stand covered for 2 minutes.

****************


SPAGHETTI

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound ground beef or turkey
28 oz. can of spaghetti sauce
4 oz. can mushrooms
½ cup water (or more)
1 tsp. instant minced onions
1 tsp. minced garlic
16 oz. box spaghetti noodles

DIRECTIONS:

Brown ground beef (or turkey) and drain off excess fat. Add mushrooms, minced onions and garlic, spaghetti sauce, and water (more if needed to thin to desired consistency). Bring to quick boil and then let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes. Cook noodles according to package directions. Serve with salad and breadsticks.


Leftovers can be used as follows:

SPAGHETTI PIE

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup spaghetti sauce
1 cup cottage cheese
6 oz spaghetti noodles (cooked)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
2 eggs (well beaten)
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
2 tbsp butter or margarine (melted)


DIRECTIONS:

Mix together butter, eggs, Parmesan cheese and noodles and make a crust in the bottom of a greased pan. Spread on cottage cheese, then pour spaghetti sauce over that. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and bake 5 minutes longer, or until cheese melts.

TWISTED BREAD STICKS

INGREDIENTS:

1 can refrigerated bread sticks (pre-cut)
1 /4 cup Parmesan cheese
Olive oil


DIRECTIONS:

Open can, spread out sticks (do not separate) and let stand at room temp for about 15 minutes to make more flexible. Then brush tops of strips with olive oil and lightly sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Twist the strips into tight spirals (cheese inside) and put on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

More recipes...

http://www.grand-blanc.k12.mi.us/Get-It-Project/Schofield/
http://www.busycooks.about.com/food/busycooks/cs/rec/
http://www.recipeplace.com/h/

[SMB]

Here's another easy one
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 packet of italian style dressing
1 box of cream cheese
2 cans of cream soup(I use one mushroom one chicken)
2/3 cup white wine

Brown the chicken in one tablespoon of the italian dressing. Mix everything else together. Place the chicken in a 9x13 pan and cover with the mixture. Cook 40-60 minutes until chicken is done. I usually add some red and black pepper to make it a bit spicy and I use the low fat soups and cream cheese to cut down on the calories.

[Jezmom]

I hope all goes well with your surgery. This recipe is easy and will last two meals. My picky eater loves it.

Poor Mans Stew

1-2lbs Hamburger meat
1 large can V-8 juice
2-3cans mixed vegtables(drained)
1 cup cooked elbow macaroni

Brown and drain hamburger meat. Mix all ingredients and simmer until done. EASY!!!

[Amy2]

In a skillet, sautee a diced onion until translucent. Add some chopped broccoli and stir fry another five minutes or so. Add a chopped tomato and stir a little longer. Add Italien spices, oregono, etc.
Drop white fish (sole, halibut, whatever) on top of the mixture. Cover and cook until done. Top with grated Mozerella, cover an additional minute or until cheese is melted. Delicious! Amy
Hope the surgery goes/went well!