I am in search of quick and easy meals. You know those meals that you tend to fall back on when you have a long, busy day. Since I'm going to start watching another baby next month, I think I'm going to have an even greater need of such meals. I know that most of these meals are more expensive and less healthy than making everything from scratch, but they help keep your family fed in a pinch. In fact one of my money saving books suggests always keeping ingredients for quick, easy meals on hand to help avoid the temptation to eat out on busy days. Here are some of my favorites which all take less than 15 min. to prepare (although some have longer cooking times).
Taco Beans
2-3 cans of beans, drained (or frozen beans)
1 can of corn
Taco seasoning (to taste--about 3 TB for me) [if you buy a big container of taco seasoning at Costco it's really cheap]
Mix beans, corn, and taco seasoning and heat over stove in a pot. Serve over rice. You can top it with cheese, salsa, chips, lettuce, etc.
Aztec Chicken
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1-2 cans of beans
1 can of corn or 1-2 cups of frozen corn
1 TB minced garlic
1 cup salsa
1 8 oz. pkg. of cream cheese
At lunch time put all ingredients, minus the cream cheese, in a crock pot on high (It takes about 4-5 hours). Right before dinner mix in the cream cheese and let it melt. Serve over rice and top with a green salad.
Italian Chicken
1-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thawed.
In baking dish poke chicken with fork and cover with a little olive oil, vinegar (balsamic is best), soy sauce, basil, oregano, lemon pepper, and minced garlic. If your in a real hurry just use Italian dressing. Bake at 375 for 30 min. Serve with pasta and sauce.
Some of my other last-minute meals:
Grilled cheese and tomato soup
French toast
Hawaiian Haystacks (just use cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup for the sauce)
These are my most common standbys. Please share with me some of yours.
