I’d like to share some ways to save time in the kitchen. Think about stocking the freezer with cooked meats, ready to be thawed for a quick meal. It’s a lot more frugal than stopping to pick up fast food at the end of your busy day.
Chicken can be seasoned with salt and pepper or any herbs you prefer, then oven-baked, boiled or roasted in the crockpot all day. Cool, chop then store in the freezer until ready to use. Write the amount and date on Ziploc freezer bags.
I like to purchase ground round or chuck when it’s on sale, but whatever ground beef you choose to purchase, you may brown it in a skillet along with onion and garlic. Drain and rinse under hot water to remove grease. Store in freezer in plastic Ziploc freezer bags. Don’t forget to label.
Cook seasoned beef roasts in the slow cooker for 5-6 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low. Shred the meat and use for soups or casseroles. Cook enough for two meals; enjoy one for dinner and freeze the rest.
Bacon may be cooked ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Either bake on a large rimmed cookie sheet lined with foil, or chop and cook in a skillet. Drain and cool before storing.
If you purchase cheese by bulk, grate and store in freezer bags, being sure to label the amounts on the bag. It is not recommended that you freeze chunk cheese as it will crumble when thawed.
Here are a few entrees I saw in "Feast in 15 minutes" e-cookbook to help you put together a quick meal once the meat is thawed from the freezer.
Using a Foreman grill makes these quesadillas a snap. Please remember to spray with cooking spray for easier clean up. Use whole wheat or veggie flavored tortillas for added nutrition.
QUICK AND EASY QUESADILLAS
1(8 ozs.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
3/4 - 1 c.salsa
3 c. cooked chicken, chopped
1-2 c. (Mexican) shredded cheese
1/2 med.onion, chopped, optional
Soft flour tortillas
Black beans, sliced black olives, optional
Sour cream
Mix cream cheese and salsa until blended. Stir in chicken by hand. To prepare quesadillas, spread chicken mixture over half of the tortilla, sprinkling with cheese, onion, beans or olives. Fold tortilla in half; heat until cheese is melted; serve with sour cream and enjoy.
These quesadillas are quick and easy and can be customized for individual tastes.
PIZZA QUESADILLAS
Flour tortillas
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pepperoni or cooked sausage
Your choice of veggies, chopped
1 jar pizza sauce, warmed in microwave
Spray griddle with cooking spray; heat. Top tortilla with cheese, meat and veggies of choice. Place another tortilla on top. Brown,then flip to cook the other side. Cut in triangles and serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
BURGER AND BEAN QUESADILLAS
Flour tortillas
Refried beans
Cooked ground beef
Salsa, favorite kind
Cheddar or jack cheese, shredded
Spray the griddle or skillet with cooking spray. Spread a tortilla with beans, then beef; top with salsa. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with another tortilla. Heat both sides until brown;cut into triangles and serve with more salsa and sour cream.
This is a kid-friendly recipe and perfect for a single person or couple.
DIET COKE MUG CAKE
2 heaping Tb. chocolate cake mix, dry
2 Tb. diet coke (or regular - or water)
1 thin mint Girl Scout style cookie (or alternative cookie)
vanilla ice cream, fudge sauce, optional
Grease oven safe mug or ramekin with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix cake mix and coke until smooth and blended. Press thin mint into batter until batter comes up a little over the edges of the cookie. Microwave for 1 minute or bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Top with ice cream and sauce. DON'T BURN YOUR MOUTH! (I have made two at a time and they are just right. Since microwaves are different temps as are ovens, you may want to check it after 50 seconds.)
Someone once said "Biscuits and speeches are improved by shortening."
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