The Book Club is popular so how about a Favorite EASY Recipe Club. I don't cook much anymore and am always looking for a simple, easy recipe for two. I will start it off.
Smashed Potatoes - 2 medium yellow Yukon potatoes (peeled or partially peeled and cooked), mash with an old-fashioned potato masher, leave some lumps. Add a Tablespoon of butter and a Tablespoon of cream cheese, salt and pepper and a little milk. Mix in and serve. (You don't have to get out your mixer) Those wanting to put weight on your spouse might want to add more butter and cream cheese.
I love to cook - it is one of the things I miss doing. I have been warned that when and if I ever start dating again, it is a good idea to not admit I can cook. This one is very easy and great for the sweet tooth. The better the quality of chocolate the better it tastes. I like to make it with Van Leer dark chocolate.
Bonnie’s Fudge
12 Ounces Chocolate Chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark, or white) 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 tsp vanilla
1. Put chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in a microwave proof bowl. 2. Turn on high for 1 minute. 3. Stir. 4. Melt the rest of the way stirring until smooth in 30 second intervals. 5. Add vanilla and stir until smooth 6. Pour in a 8 x 8 wax paper lined pan. 7. Chill until hard (not over hard), take out of pan and cut into serving sizes. 8. Store in the refrigerator or cool place.
When my wife got to the stage that she couldn't cook any more, I had to take over. This was really hard because I had never learned to cook when I was young (my father prided himself on "not knowing where the kitchen is"). But I can follow a recipe. This one for Shrimp and Tomatoes is one I have used frequently, both for just the 2 of us and for friends visiting:
Shrimp and Tomatoes
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp olive oil 1½ lbs medium shrimp Coarse salt and ground pepper to taste 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/8 tsp red-pepper flakes 6 plum tomatoes, halved, sliced ½ inch thick 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Directions: In a large, non-stick skillet, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil over high heat; swirl to coat pan. Season shrimp with salt and ground pepper. Add half the shrimp to the pan; cook until opaque throughout, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to plate; repeat with remaining 2 tsp olive oil and shrimp. (I usually do this in just one step) Reduce heat to medium; add garlic and red-pepper flakes. Stir in tomatoes; cook until they begin to break down, 4-6 minutes. Season with salt. Return shrimp and any accumulated juices to pan. Add parsley and lemon juice, toss to coat. Serve over pasta, rice, or spinach.
Take out box of mac and cheese from freezer.....lol...kidding!
Lynn loves pork, I don't eat it. He loves this dish
Microwave Peppers and Pork
1 lb. boneless pork - cut into thin strips 1 medium onion 1 tsp. chili powder 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1 red bell pepper 1 green bell pepper (I cut all these ingredents into small strips....)
I combine the first 5 ingredients in a microwave-safe casserole dish and cover it with waxed paper. Microwave on high 3-4 minutes, or until pork is no longer pink, stirring well after each minute. Add pepper strips and re-cover. Microwave on high 30-60 seconds or until peppers are of desired doneness
Take frozen dinner out of fridge. Peel back corner of lid to expose tots....
OK, really. Make a pot of however much fettucini you want. Chop into bite size pieces zucchini and tomatoes. Saute vegetables in butter, adding some pressed garlic, and put into the pot of cooked and drained spaghetti. Add in about a cup of Parmesian cheese and stir all together. YUM
about 3 lbs of pork roast, ribs or whatever you have brown with salt and pepper
put in 3 qt crock pot Add: 2 c ketchup 1/2 c. splenda brown sugar 1/2 tsp hickory smoke liquid seasoning
Mix well, pour over pork. Cover; Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Pull the meat. Very good served on a bun with all the fixin's or just serve and serve with potatoes and vegetable
Smashed potatoes, fudge, shrimp, fettucini and two pork dishes....wow! I have a Mexcian Chicken Lasagna recipe from Weight Watchers that I love. The leftovers are good for lunches too.
Layered Mexican Chicken
Servings: 12 Preparation Time: 20 min Cooking Time: 45 min Level of Difficulty: Moderate This Mexican lasagna will last up to five days in the refrigerator. It's a terrific make-ahead meal from our Cook Once, Eat All Week Series.
Ingredients 1 sprays olive oil cooking spray 2 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast 30 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained 3 cup fat-free sour cream 2 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican-style cheese, divided 8 oz chopped green chilies, two 4-oz cans 2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp black pepper 12 medium corn tortilla(s), cut into 2-inch strips 1 cup salsa, mild, medium or hot Instructions Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a lasagna pan with cooking spray.
Place chicken in medium saucepan and fill with enough cold water just to cover chicken. Set pan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes; drain. When chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into 1-inch pieces.
Transfer chicken to a large bowl and add beans, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheese, chilies, cumin, and pepper; mix well and set aside.
Arrange half of tortillas in bottom of prepared lasagna pan, overlapping pieces to cover surface. Top tortillas with half of chicken mixture, layer with remaining tortillas and then top with remaining chicken mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese.
Bake until filling is bubbly and cheese is melted, about 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing into 12 pieces. Serve with salsa on the side.
(p.s. I use twice the cheese it calls for (Colby-Jack or already shredded Mexican cheeses), because we LOVE cheese in our house!)
1 egg ½ cup milk ½ cup flour 2 tblsp sesame seeds 1 tblsp bkng pwdr 2 tsp paprika 1 tsp garlic pwdr 1 tsp salt
Spray Oil
2-3 pounds of chicken pieces
1. Preheat oven to 350 2. Mix egg and milk in a bowl big enough to hold the larges piece of chicken 3. Mix the rest of the ingredients in a plastic bag 4. Dip the a piece of chicken in the egg and milk mixture and shake it in the plastic bag. 5. Place on lightly greased microwaveable cooking pan. 6. Continue dipping the chicken and shaking them in the bag until all the pieces of chicken are done. 7. Lightly spray top of chicken pieces with oil. 8. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes until almost done. 9. Microwave for 5-10 minutes. 10. Can be served either warm or cold. It is also terrific reheated in the microwave as a leftover.
I, too, love to cook and can give you all kinds of fancy recipes I've worked out: mushroom tarts, veggie lasagne, etc. But this is the recipe I follow when I cook a whole chicken, and it is SO good and SO easy, and it goes so well, for 2-3 meals, with all the great veggies in farm stands and farmers' markets this time of year. After the first meal, mix cold breast meat chopped up with blue cheese dressing etc for chicken salad.
bluedaze, I am with you..the oysters are my favorite. I have never understood how someone could like that dry white meat when the dark was so moist and tender. The egg story reminds me of giblet gravy, no one in my area has heard of it but that is what my family looks forward to at Thankgiving...We always put boiled eggs in the giblet gravy. A simple recipe that my DH loves is as follows: Marinara Sauce
5 tablespoons olive oil 5 gloves garlic chopped fine 2 pounds tomatoes skinned, seeded and chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil and add garlic, bring to simmer then add tomatoes, cook low for 20 minutes, add basil and salt and pepper. Serve over favorite pasta...Your favorite bread on the side.. It is a great but simple pasta. OK, so no one will want to kiss you but that only lasts for a few days...<grin> Enjoy
I cheat. Works great. Buy boneless/skinless chicken breasts or thighs in bulk bags. When ready to cook, place most of pieces on rack of pan(s) and bake (naked--no spices or stuff). Put rest of pieces--4-6 depending on size in big pot., Immerse in Canned chicken broth (at least 4 to 6 cans). Bring to boil and simmer. Eventually add some minced (dried or fresh) onion, to taste. When chicken is real tender, break it up in bits and pieces. Add Canned veggies of choice, first draining only those whose juice is salty (kinds and amount your choice). Add 1-2 jars chicken or turkey gravy, and 1 box Stove Top stuffing (just dump it in and keep simmering.) Last, add noodles or other pasta and cook until noodles are done. ONLY IF NEEDED, add more broth or a little water. I like my soup full of stuff --more stew than soup. I call it Stewp. Have Beef version I'll enter later.
1 box German Chocolate or Butter Pecan Cake Mix 1 Container Ready to Spread Coconut Pecan (German Chocolate Cake) Icing 3 Eggs 1 C. Water 1/3 C. Vegetable Oil With an electric mixer, mix everything but the Icing until smooth, then add the icing into the cake mixture. Pour into a greased & floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. (I start checking at 40 minutes) Optional : When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Maine Blueberry Muffins from Rain, Hail, and Baked Beans
2 c. flour 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 3/4 c. sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 egg, beaten 3/4 c. milk 1/4 c. melted "fat" (butter, margerine, crisco) 1 c. bluberries
Sift flour, then measure. Add baking powder, sugar, salt, sift again. Add egg and milk to flour mix and stir. Add shortening. Fold in blueberries. Bake in greased muffin tins in a hot oven (400) for 25-30 minutes. Yield: 1 dozen smallish muffins.
Blueberry smoothie: Freeze blueberries in 1/2 cup amounts in ziplocks. In blender pour 1 cup soymilk, blueberries and let her rip. That's it-no ice. Might want to add some honey. I use vanilla soy sweetened with Splenda.
Ingredients (Cake): ¾ Cup Sugar ¼ Cup soft shortening 1 Egg ½ Cup milk 2 Cups sifted flour 2 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 Cups fresh blueberries
(Topping): ½ Cup sugar 1/3 Cup sifted flour ½ tsp cinnamon ¼ Cup soft butter
Directions: Mix together thoroughly sugar, shortening, and egg. Add milk. In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking powder, and salt and stir in to shortening mixture. Carefully blend in blueberries. Spread batter in greased, floured 9” square pan. Mix together topping ingredients and spread on top of batter. Bake for 45-50 minutes at 375° F. Make 9 3” squares
Thanks everyone for such great recipes. I have a question for Mawzy. Your pork recipe calls for splenda brown sugar. Is that sugar free like splenda? Didn't know they had splenda brown sugar. What a great way to make some sugar free chocolate chip cookies. Does anyone have a recipe for sugar free choc chip cookies?
we call it cobbler down south:) i make it all the time, /blackberry/raspberry/, its delicious with bluebell...if they fix my tooth this pm i just may make some tomorrow! divvi
ok that probably is different type then- but when i wing it and just add stuff from memory it does come out like cakey instead of gooey...i will try Marsh's recipe then. i do have blueberries! (and icecream) divvi
I checked the box on Splenda brown sugar. All it is is regular Splenda and regular (not sugar free) brown sugar at a much higher price. I tried the Sugar Twin brown and dumped the box it was so bad.
Tear up a pound of sliced seasoned roast beef from the Deli (I prefer Charlie's Pride) Pour in 4-6 cans beef broth (low salt preferred) add diced minced onion, or finely chopped fresh (to taste, your choice) BRING TO BOIL AND THEN SIMMER A WHILE Add 2-4 cans mushrooms-stems and pieces or sliced--drained CONTINUE SIMMERING Add Noodles--width of your choice COOK UNTIL NOODLES ARE DONE
If you prefer more seasoning add beef boullion -packets from Ramen Noodles or the like. I'm always robbing packages to make what I want.
I like Joan's recipe. Sounds like my daughter. She gets stuff from the deli or Cracker Barrel, puts it in a pretty dish and serves. It's all in the presentation.
Marsh & Nikki - Thanks for the Blue Buckle recipe & picture...looks & sounds sooooooo good!! I'm with Divvi -- add blue bell anyway, esp when it's warm right out of the oven...if you mash down one of the squares in the middle of a bowl, the ice cream will fit nicely in the center :) wish it wasn't midnite here & I could make some...i do happen to have fresh blueberries right now in the fridge, so perhaps tomorrow...btw, why do you think they call it a "buckle"?
Joan - PERFECT recipe!! Thanks for sharing. Did you know that Pizza Hut has a new 'healthy' crust recipe (wheat I think) and organic ingredients?? The commercials make it look very good. Has anyone tried it?
Jean21 said, "In England a long time ago some people had Goose for Christmas and the tail was called "The Parson's Nose".
When I was a kid, my parents called the tail "the Pope's nose." After I got married, I discovered that my DH's family also called it that.
A few years ago, when the Vatican opened a store to sell memorabilia . . . DH listened to the news report and said, "I wonder if they'll sell a lot of noses?" LOL
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Easy but tasty recipe. Sandwiches for lunch.
Shrimp Cucumber, sliced very thin White bread. Toast the bread, remove the crusts Mayonnaise -- mix in some dill (feathery leaves) and lemon, to taste
Spread the mayo mix on the toast. Lay cucumber slices all over each slice, to cover it one layer thick. Lay the shrimp on next. (Shrimps can be sliced in half through the body, to make them thinner, if needed.) Spread a little bit more of the mayo mix lightly all over the tops of the shrimps -- like frosting.
Comment Author Jane L. Comment Time 2 hours ago edit delete
Perhaps ya'll have done this, but a couple weeks ago a friend sent me the recipe. It's great for the 2 of us & there's hardly any waiting. EZ is the preferred game for everything in our house nowadays. Chocolate Cake in a Mug In a coffee mug put: 3 T flour, 3 T sugar, 2 T cocoa, a sprinkle of salt. Stir well Add to dry mixture: 1 egg, 3 T milk, 3 T oil, splash of vanilla. Mix well and add 3 T of choc chips if you like. (And a few mini-marshmallows if that sounds good)
Put in microwave and cook on high for 3' (1000)
Tip it out of mug and spread chips around for frosting if they've sunk to the bottom.
Comment Author Jan K Comment Time 2 hours ago edit delete
Jane L. - Thank you for the recipe. Sometimes cake sounds really appealing, but a whole cake for two people doesn't seem like a very good idea. This sounds just right--a nice treat, but not a lot of cake left over to be calling my name.
Did anyone besides me go straight to the kitchen and make this? I love chocolate but like Jan K, I don't bake very often. It hangs around too long and I can't make myself throw it out. This was good but 3 minutes in my microwave was too long. Don't know the wattage but 2 minutes would probably have done it.
Sounds delicious but my DH has the fridge and pantry crammed so full of stuff I can't find anything. When the doors are open everything falls out on the floor. I try to clear it out but he walks to the store and buys more stuff. I haven't taken away the money yet, he has so little left but it is driving me bonkers!!! WIsh I could enjoy the cake with you.
I have two recipes for curry/coconut chicken. I've only done the simple one! Pound out chicken breasts (depending on how many you want to serve) - You probably have some kitchen tool for that but I use the wrench and it works fine (remember I live in a motorhome). Wet them some (or you can do the egg/milk thing), salt and pepper and dredge with a mixture of coconut and curry (put enough curry so you like the color) Add some olive oil to a skillet and cook - voila - dinner is served!
Okay--here goes my offering. It's a fruit pizza and before you get all exercised, just read the recipe and see what you think. :)
round container of biscuits Roll biscuits out to fit a pizza pan. The size of the pizza pan determines the number of biscuits.
Butter biscuits. Add fruit--blueberries, strawberries, peaches, whatever turns you on. Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, etc. Bake according to the directions on the biscuit box.
I fixed this for 3 of my gsons who were going through a phase and decided they didn't like fruit. After they tried this, they were fine. I copied this from a selection I saw at Pizza Hut in Cape Girardeau, Missouri about 12 years ago.
Mawzy - that sounds so good...A favorite in our family is similar and we call it strawberries and biscuits. I bake biscuits as usual, split and butter them and top with mashed or chopped sweetened strawberries. I freeze the strawberries in season and they are so good in the winter.
what with Rosh Hoshana upon us, the markets always have fresh beef brisket. (Now and Passover seem to be the only times they do). Today I made our semi-annual brisket: Put a couple of lengths of heavy duty foil in a shallow baking pan, criss-cross. Put the brisket on top. Put a package of dry onion-soup mix on top, spread around. Enclose the brisket in the foil, nice and tight. Bake all afternoon in a 325 or 350 degree oven. It makes its own juice from that. Good hot, obviously, with potatoes; excellent for lunch sandwiches or freeze and use for chili or tacos or meat pies.
Breigull, I cook an eye of round roast the same way and put water half-way full in the baking dish. It falls apart and there is no fat. (but my roast has nothing to do with a religious experience) (Well, I DO say Thank you, Lord when I'm eating it.) <grin>
I'm not Jewish, (though my DIL is), it's just that it's the time of year you can get fresh brisket in the market! Like St. Patrick's and corned beef. It turned out VERY good.
And yesterday was my birthday so my dear adopted Ukrainian family sent me a present today: instead of flowers it was an arrangement of fruit, made to look like flowers! http://www.ediblearrangements.com/ Oh, is it good! In the 14 years they've been in this country they have always been more generous and solicitous than my kids!
I don’t make any nutritional claims for this, but it’s a good meal when you’re short on time and energy and need something quick to put on the table. All the ingredients are things I keep in the pantry all the time, so it’s a good meal when I haven’t been to the store in a while. It makes four servings, so for the two of us it provides two meals.
One can of Progresso chicken and wild rice soup herb seasoned dry stuffing mix – comes in a bag frozen corn and peas or mixed vegetables (whatever kind and quantity you like—I use about a pound total) To speed things up, I microwave the vegetables while opening the can of soup and mixing things together.
Stir enough stuffing mix into the soup that it is the consistency of stuffing before it’s baked. Add the vegetables and whatever seasonings you like (I use dried parsley, onion powder and black pepper). Top with grated cheese. Microwave until heated through and the cheese melts. (For me that’s about ten minutes on medium, but our microwave is 22 years old, so it will probably go a lot faster if your microwave was made in this century!) We like to have cranberry sauce or applesauce on the side. It tastes a little like Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s a lot quicker.
Ziploc Omelets: This works great! Good for when you're alone or when all your family is together. The best feature is that no one has to wait for their special omelet. Have the guests write their name on a Quart Size Ziploc Freezer Bag with a permanent marker. 1. Crack 2 eggs into the quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them. 2. Put out a variety of ingredients such as: Cheeses, Ham, Onions, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Hash Browns, Salsa, Etc. 3. Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shake the bag to mix them well. 4. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.
5. Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. If you have more omelets, make another pot of boiling water. 6. Cut the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed.
7. Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved in the process and it becomes a great conversation piece.
Imagine having these ready the night before, and putting the bag in boiling water while you get ready. And in just 13 minutes you have a nice omelet for a quick breakfast