busy working mom and dinners

[3dognight]

Does anyone have any good sources for quick/easy recipes or any you can share? I use kraftfoods.com, but I would welcome any new ideas maybe for the crock pot or casseroles. I work full time, have a baby and my dh works 2nd shift. Something that keeps well would be great or even freezable.

Thanks!

[Lisa_p]

I get some pretty good recipes off allrecipes.com

What is nice is that people can rate the recipes and add comments and extra ideas.

[K8IE]

One of my favorite things to make when I am in a hurry and don't feel like dirtying a lot of dishes and stuff is sausage and veggies. I get the healthy choice sausage, you can do any kind though, kielbasa, whatever... Get a big frying pan and cut up the sausage and any veggies you want into bite sized pieces... I use broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, carrots, red potatoes, onion, etc... Put them all in the pan with some water to steam/cook it all and put the lid on, cook at a simmer for about 8-10 minutes until veggies are done and eat! I like to drain off any water before serving and squeeze a fresh lemon over top and salt and pepper. You can throw in some bread and you have a nice big meal!

[Paula]

I like crock pot dinners especially in the winter when we are gone all out and outside much of the day. I use a 4-5 pound turkey breast or beef roast, add the vegetables we like, slightly different for each and instead of just water a light white sauce with pepper a/o garlic a/o paprika or whatever spices you prefer. The time and temp will vary depending on your crockpot. Usually 8 hours or more on low.

There are 3 of us and I'll wash and splice 3 white potates and 2 small onions, split them each into 2 groups. I put a layer of each into a baking dish, split a pat of butter and add a layer of American cheese. Put in the remainder of the potatoes, onions, again with a pat of butter and layer of American cheese. Top with a layer of either chicken breasts or pork chops. If I use chicken I top it with a layer of cheese. If pork chops I cover them with sliced onions. Bake for 1 hour at 350.

[Gingerlove]

Hi there!

I have 2 recipes that I call lifesavers! They're easy to make and don't cost a lot:

Beef fiesta (my favorite as a kid!):

Cooke some brown rice (I usually make the rice for 6 people)
Meanwhile, in a large pan, cooke diced onions and ground lean beef until well done.
You can add Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salsa, salt and pepper, garlic, Hot sauce etc. (Whatever you like to seasoned)
Add a can each of chopped italian tomatoes with juice and corn kennels and mix everything together.
Finally add the cooked rice and mix.

Veal Chow Mein:

Chopped any vegetable you have: I usually use carrots, red onions, red/yellow bell pepper, brocoli, bok chow, etc.
Use a Wok if you have one (or a large pan) and start cooking the onions in a mix of olive oil and sesame oil.
Add a good quantity of ground lean veal and cooke until brown.
Put it aside and do the same with your chopped vegetables but don't cooke them too much (so they don't get all soft)
Add the meat and teriaki sauce, hot sauce, soy sauce (again, whatever you like).
Finish by adding germed soy beans/sprouts (??? they're small crunchy white longish soy beans or sprouts??) and enjoy!

Hope this helps!

[Jan]

I love using the crock pot. What is really easy is to put chicken wings, spareribs, pork shoulder etc in the crock pot in the morning. When you come home, drain off the juice ( save for soup) and add barbeque sauce or sweet and sour or what ever you like. While the sauce is heating, cook some rice and vegetables. It's really easy and yummy.

Here is a great site for crock pot recipes: http://southernfood.about.com/library/crock/blcpidx.htm

[3dognight]

These are great tips/recipes! Thanks so much for the replies. I have everything on hand for that sausage/veggie mix and I think I will make that tomorrow!

[dharmadoodle]

I always freeze my left over Spag Bol.

I've started cooking chick fajitas lately. I brown off the chick, then put into a oven dish & cover, & leave in the oven on a really low heat until we're ready to eat it, & you can leave it in the oven for ages on a low heat. When you're ready you just quickly warm your wraps, & go.

The chicken comes out really tender too, coz it's been steaming.

[K8IE]

Originally Posted by 3dognight

These are great tips/recipes! Thanks so much for the replies. I have everything on hand for that sausage/veggie mix and I think I will make that tomorrow!

Let me know how you like the sausage thing!

[TossBranAbi]

I am really liking this thread b/c I am terrible at coming up with dinner ideas. Around here we mostly eat quick microwaveable stuff jsut becasue of our schedules but it is nice to have an idea of what to cook when we are home together.

[fayebay1969]

If anyone has a George Foreman, do chicken quesadias. They are so easy and so good. You could do them in a non-stick skillet too.

[3dognight]

Originally Posted by K8IE

One of my favorite things to make when I am in a hurry and don't feel like dirtying a lot of dishes and stuff is sausage and veggies. I get the healthy choice sausage, you can do any kind though, kielbasa, whatever... Get a big frying pan and cut up the sausage and any veggies you want into bite sized pieces... I use broccoli, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, carrots, red potatoes, onion, etc... Put them all in the pan with some water to steam/cook it all and put the lid on, cook at a simmer for about 8-10 minutes until veggies are done and eat! I like to drain off any water before serving and squeeze a fresh lemon over top and salt and pepper. You can throw in some bread and you have a nice big meal!

This was great!!! I added marinara sauce to the sausage and veggies and put it all over linguini! It was quick and easy and a nice re-heat meal!