Shrimp Scampi
1 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined
1/2 to 1 stick butter or margarine
Garlic Salt, to taste
Worcestershire sauce, to taste
Cajun or All-Purpose seasoning, to taste
Easy, fast, and cheap! That's my kind of dinner!
I put 1 lb of shrimp, but honestly I'm not sure. You want enough to serve 4.
To save time, I bought individually frozen shrimp. Mine was great: thaw by running under cold water for 5 minutes and you're ready to go. If buy by frozen shrimp, thaw according to directions on package.
Once shrimp is ready, melt butter/margarine in medium to large pan. I melt a whole stick because we like the seasoned butter over baked potatoes. Feel free to use more or less butter.
Add shrimp to pan. Add Worcestershire and seasonings. Cook on medium-low until shrimp is heated through. My shrimp only needed to cook about 3 minutes.
Serve with salad and bake potatoes for a complete seafood meal.
8 minutes and $8 for a seafood dinner? Love it!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Fiesta Rice
Fiesta Rice
Fiesta Rice is really easy. Pair with a black beans and you've got the perfect side dishes for your Mexican meal.
Brown rice works best for texture (and is healthier anyway). Because there are only two people in my home, I like to use 1 tub of Minute Ready to Serve Rice . It says it's only 1 serving but I find for this recipe it's perfect for 2.
The two recipes below use ingredients that are probably sitting in our fridge or pantry when preparing for a Mexican dish!
Recipe 1
1 tub Minute Ready to Serve Brown Rice, fixed according to directions
1 jar chunky salsa
Pour rice into bowl. Mix a few of tablespoons of salsa into the rice and reheat. You'll be surprised by how good it is.
Recipe 2
1 tub Minute Ready to Serve Brown Rice, fixed according to directions
2-3 tablespoons of tomato sauce
1/4 (or so) teaspoon of Taco Seasoning
a pinch of garlic salt
Pour rice into bowl. Add all ingredients, mix well, and reheat.
This recipe tastes a lot like Applebee's fiesta rice that comes with Fiesta Lime Chicken. To make it more authentic, shop up some red and green bell pepper, add a little oil to a pan, and heat until veggies are slightly soft. Then add a spoonful or two of sweet kernel corn.
Got your own Fiesta Rice recipe or other Mexican sidedish? Share with me.
Fiesta Rice is really easy. Pair with a black beans and you've got the perfect side dishes for your Mexican meal.
Brown rice works best for texture (and is healthier anyway). Because there are only two people in my home, I like to use 1 tub of Minute Ready to Serve Rice . It says it's only 1 serving but I find for this recipe it's perfect for 2.
The two recipes below use ingredients that are probably sitting in our fridge or pantry when preparing for a Mexican dish!
Recipe 1
1 tub Minute Ready to Serve Brown Rice, fixed according to directions
1 jar chunky salsa
Pour rice into bowl. Mix a few of tablespoons of salsa into the rice and reheat. You'll be surprised by how good it is.
Recipe 2
1 tub Minute Ready to Serve Brown Rice, fixed according to directions
2-3 tablespoons of tomato sauce
1/4 (or so) teaspoon of Taco Seasoning
a pinch of garlic salt
Pour rice into bowl. Add all ingredients, mix well, and reheat.
This recipe tastes a lot like Applebee's fiesta rice that comes with Fiesta Lime Chicken. To make it more authentic, shop up some red and green bell pepper, add a little oil to a pan, and heat until veggies are slightly soft. Then add a spoonful or two of sweet kernel corn.
Got your own Fiesta Rice recipe or other Mexican sidedish? Share with me.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My Mamma's Enchiladas
Easy Enchiladas
1 lb hamburger meat
Taco seasoning
1 small can enchilada sauce
4 - 8 oz of shredded cheese (half a bag)
1 package burrito size tortillas, corn or flour
Mexican made easy is my new middle name! I like my Mexican recipes because I can mix them up and use all of my left overs each week. Made Taquitos and now have half a bag of cheese, most of a package of taco seasoning and 4 tortillas? Well, Mexican Pie, Mexican Dish, or Enchiladas are your quick and easy answer.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
To make filling: Cook your hamburger meat and taco seasoning according to directions.Mix 1/4 to 1/2 of enchilada sauce with taco meat. Stir in half of shredded cheese.
Put tortillas between two damp paper towels and heat in microwave for 1 minute, or until warm and pliable.
Spoon filling into middle of tortilla. Fold sides toward middle. Place seam side down in a baking dish or cookie sheet lightly covered with non-stick cooking spray. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Top tortillas with remaining enchilada sauce. Bake for 15 minutes. Last 5 minutes of baking, top with remaining cheese.
Variations
BTW: This recipe was HUGE hit with my hubby. He ate two for dinner and polished off the rest the next day at lunch. He said he liked it better than restaurant enchiladas!!! Cheaper and better than dinner at a restaurant? Can't be that.
1 lb hamburger meat
Taco seasoning
1 small can enchilada sauce
4 - 8 oz of shredded cheese (half a bag)
1 package burrito size tortillas, corn or flour
Mexican made easy is my new middle name! I like my Mexican recipes because I can mix them up and use all of my left overs each week. Made Taquitos and now have half a bag of cheese, most of a package of taco seasoning and 4 tortillas? Well, Mexican Pie, Mexican Dish, or Enchiladas are your quick and easy answer.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
To make filling: Cook your hamburger meat and taco seasoning according to directions.Mix 1/4 to 1/2 of enchilada sauce with taco meat. Stir in half of shredded cheese.
Put tortillas between two damp paper towels and heat in microwave for 1 minute, or until warm and pliable.
Spoon filling into middle of tortilla. Fold sides toward middle. Place seam side down in a baking dish or cookie sheet lightly covered with non-stick cooking spray. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
Top tortillas with remaining enchilada sauce. Bake for 15 minutes. Last 5 minutes of baking, top with remaining cheese.
Variations
- This can be vegetarian, chicken, or hamburger. Use Spinach and use a sour cream sauce. Use left over canned chicken. Add black or refried beans for a beef and bean enchilada.
- For spice, add a well drained can of Rotel tomatoes to your filling.
- Make a white enchilada sauce from cream of chicken soup and sour cream to use instead of store bought red sauce.
BTW: This recipe was HUGE hit with my hubby. He ate two for dinner and polished off the rest the next day at lunch. He said he liked it better than restaurant enchiladas!!! Cheaper and better than dinner at a restaurant? Can't be that.
Easy (baked) Taquitos
Taquitos
1 ( 10 - 12 oz) Can Chicken
1/3 cup of Salsa
shredded cheese
Taco seasoning, optional
1 package 6-8 inch tortillas, corn or flour
1 microwave safe pie plate
Cookie Sheet
SaranWrap
So you made Mexican Pie, it was great (you'd know that if you tried it), but you're now stuck with an open packet of tortillas. Taquitos/Flautas are an easy and quick way to use up the rest of your salsa, tortillas, and cheese.
First, mix can of chicken with salsa. Make sure to shred the chicken as you mix it. Put this in the fridge to sit for 10-15 minutes.
The last five minutes of your wait, preheat your oven to 375 degree. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Put tortillas between two damp paper towels and microwave for one minute, or until tortillas are warm and pliable.
When chicken/salsa combo is ready, take out of fridge and drain well. Then add a good handful of cheese and 1/4 tsp (or more) of Taco Seasoning. To be honest, I used more like a tablespoon of taco seasoning, but I like stuff spicy. Mix well.
Put a good spoonful or two of filling mixture on the edge of tortilla. Roll tortilla into a tube and place seam side down on sprayed cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
When all tortillas are rolled, spray tops lightly with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with enchilada sauce, sour cream, or salsa.
Will make 6-8 taquitos, depending on size of tortilla and how generous you are with filling.
Variations
--The fun part.
Got your own Mexican? Talk to me!
1 ( 10 - 12 oz) Can Chicken
1/3 cup of Salsa
shredded cheese
Taco seasoning, optional
1 package 6-8 inch tortillas, corn or flour
1 microwave safe pie plate
Cookie Sheet
SaranWrap
So you made Mexican Pie, it was great (you'd know that if you tried it), but you're now stuck with an open packet of tortillas. Taquitos/Flautas are an easy and quick way to use up the rest of your salsa, tortillas, and cheese.
First, mix can of chicken with salsa. Make sure to shred the chicken as you mix it. Put this in the fridge to sit for 10-15 minutes.
The last five minutes of your wait, preheat your oven to 375 degree. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Put tortillas between two damp paper towels and microwave for one minute, or until tortillas are warm and pliable.
When chicken/salsa combo is ready, take out of fridge and drain well. Then add a good handful of cheese and 1/4 tsp (or more) of Taco Seasoning. To be honest, I used more like a tablespoon of taco seasoning, but I like stuff spicy. Mix well.
Put a good spoonful or two of filling mixture on the edge of tortilla. Roll tortilla into a tube and place seam side down on sprayed cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
When all tortillas are rolled, spray tops lightly with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with enchilada sauce, sour cream, or salsa.
Will make 6-8 taquitos, depending on size of tortilla and how generous you are with filling.
Variations
--The fun part.
- Hate canned chicken? Use shredded pork or fry up some hamburger meat instead. Cooking is all about you. Make it vegetarian with bell pepper, onion, and beans, if you want!
- Serve with black beans, pinto beans, ranch-style beans, or fat-free beans and Fiesta Rice (see recipes)
- For a spicy pie, use a can of Rotel tomatoes in addition to salsa. The easiest way to spread Rotel tomotes is to mix them in with the meat.
- Use prepared cresent rolls or bisquick mix instead of tortillas.
- Try nacho cheese inside the pie instead of shredded cheese. (Think Cheesy Beef and Bean burrito!)
- Make low fat by using low-fat cheese and smaller tortillas (or carb-smart tortillas).
Got your own Mexican? Talk to me!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
10 Minute Mexican Pie
Mexican Pie
1 Can Chicken
1 Can Low-fat Refried Beans
1 medium jar of Salsa
4 - 8 oz of shredded cheese (half a bag)
1 package burrito size tortillas, corn or flour
1 microwave safe pie plate
SaranWrap
This is SO EASY! Place a tortilla in the bottom of the pie plate; it will fold up the sides a little, like a pie crust. If you're concerned about the tortilla ripping, pop the plate and tortilla into the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This will make the tortilla more pliable.
Layer chicken, salsa, beans, and cheese. Add another tortilla. Layer other ingredients again. Optional: Top with third tortilla. Cover entire pie plate with SaranWrap. Microwave for 8 minutes.
Optional: For a crispier top, remove SaranWrap and put under broiler for 2 minutes.
Cut into slices and serve warm. To keep with the pie theme, put dollops of sour cream on each slice. For extra pizazz, sprinkle diced tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese over the top of the pie.
Variations
Got your own Mexican Pie recipe? Share it!
1 Can Chicken
1 Can Low-fat Refried Beans
1 medium jar of Salsa
4 - 8 oz of shredded cheese (half a bag)
1 package burrito size tortillas, corn or flour
1 microwave safe pie plate
SaranWrap
This is SO EASY! Place a tortilla in the bottom of the pie plate; it will fold up the sides a little, like a pie crust. If you're concerned about the tortilla ripping, pop the plate and tortilla into the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This will make the tortilla more pliable.
Layer chicken, salsa, beans, and cheese. Add another tortilla. Layer other ingredients again. Optional: Top with third tortilla. Cover entire pie plate with SaranWrap. Microwave for 8 minutes.
Optional: For a crispier top, remove SaranWrap and put under broiler for 2 minutes.
Cut into slices and serve warm. To keep with the pie theme, put dollops of sour cream on each slice. For extra pizazz, sprinkle diced tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese over the top of the pie.
Variations
- Hate canned chicken? Use hamburger instead. For extra flavor, turn it into a taco meat pie.
- Make a 7-layered burrito inspired pie! This can be vegetarian, chicken, or hamburger. Cook Mexican dirty rice according to package or make your own with this recipe. The tortilla layers will be the same; but for the inside layers, layer refried beans, rice, cheese, chunky salsa, diced tomatoes, and meat (if used). After cooking, dollop the top of the pie with sour cream and guacamole and sprinkle shredded lettuce over the top
- Use your bean! Use black beans, pinto beans, or ranch-style beans instead of refried beans.
- For a spicy pie, use a can of Rotel tomatoes instead of (or in addition to) salsa or regular diced tomatoes. The easiest way to spread Rotel tomotes is to mix them in with the meat.
- Use prepared cresent rolls or bisquick mix instead of tortillas. Also, try crushed tortilla chips or Fritos.
- Try nacho cheese or left over queso dip inside the pie instead of shredded cheese. (Think Cheesy Beef and Bean burrito!)
Got your own Mexican Pie recipe? Share it!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Easy Baked Chicken with Gravy
Baked Chicken with Gravy
1 - 1.5 lbs of Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or strips
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk or water
Garlic salt (or Garlic powder), to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
In a bowl, mix soup, milk (or water), and seasonings. Place chicken in a lightly greased (or buttered) baking dish. Pour soup mix over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes (up to 1 hour), or until chicken is fully cooked.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
Variations
This meal gives you amazingly moist, seasoned chicken. I cannot explain how happy I was to try this recipe.
Got your own quick baked chicken dinners? Share your comments and recipes below.
1 - 1.5 lbs of Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or strips
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk or water
Garlic salt (or Garlic powder), to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
In a bowl, mix soup, milk (or water), and seasonings. Place chicken in a lightly greased (or buttered) baking dish. Pour soup mix over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes (up to 1 hour), or until chicken is fully cooked.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
Variations
- Brown Gravy is a yummy addition. Mix in a packet of Brown Gravy with your Cream of Mushroom Soup to change it up.
- Mushroom Gravy could also be used instead of cream of mushroom soup.
- Hate mushrooms? Try cream of chicken soup! Be really crazy and try Cheese Soup or Cream Spinach!
- Many soups have MSG. Look for a soup that doesn't include this ingredient, like Cambpell's Healthy Request soups.
- Pan fry or quick grill the chicken first to brown the outside. The chicken will cook fully in the oven.
- Throw in a bag of colorful fresh vegetables from the beginning (or frozen vegetables when 20 minutes are left) to add a greater healthy twist to this meal.
- Class it up! Mix 1 pkg Onion Soup mix and 1 small container of soup cream into the Cream of Mushroom Soup. Use chicken broth instead of milk. Quick fry Chicken in a little cooking sherry (or butter and chicken broth) with Basil and Parsley, in addition to the other seasonings. Outside of chicken should be browned. If inside of chicken is not cooked through, it will finish cooking in oven. Put chicken in a buttered casserole dish, cover with soup mixture. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes to 1 hour. Serve with (or over) Wild Rice.
This meal gives you amazingly moist, seasoned chicken. I cannot explain how happy I was to try this recipe.
Got your own quick baked chicken dinners? Share your comments and recipes below.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Healthy, Quick, and Easy Snacking!
It's been awhile, I know. I cook the same things a lot, so I didn't want to repeat myself.
However, recently, I've discovered a few new products that I absolutely love that are pretty healthy and cost effect.
Del Monte® Fruit Chillers
A smooth, individually packaged sorbet that is a great healthy great. Made with real fruit, it's fat-free and has 3/4 servings of fruit per cup. One package contains 4 individual cups, sells for about $2.15. You pick these up in the canned fruit aisle and freeze overnight. Currently comes in four flavors: artic strawberry, polar raspberry, glacial mango, and frosty peach. I've tried Polar Raspberry and it reminded me of fruit roll-ups!
Kraft Bagelfuls
Four individually wrapped, cream cheese filled bagel "sticks." These are a great alternative to a full size bagel. Keep in the freezer and pop in the microwave before eating OR keep in the fridge and eat on the go, toast, or microwave. Toasting gets the bagel part all crispy but leaves the cream cheese inside nice and chilled! Comes in multiple flavors: Regular cream cheese, Strawberry, Cinnamon, Whole Grain, and Chive. I've tried Cinnamon and Regular (only 200 calories per bagel). Whole Grain only has 180 calories per bagel. These are currently selling for less than $2 a box!
Walmart fresh fruit cups
I'm horrible because I can't remember the name brand, but Walmart is currently carrying individual fresh fruit cups. For about $2, you can pick up a single serving of pre-cleaned, fresh pineapple chunks, pineapple and mango chunks, green and red apple slices with caramel dipping sauce, or strawberries with chocolate dipping sauce. I still like to pick up larger selections of pineapple, mango, etc...but these apples and strawberries with dipping sauce are GREAT! The sauces are amazing. Every now and then you find a soggy apple in the cup or a strawberry with a bruise, but overall they have great quality control. Makes healthy snacking quick and easy!
Walmart also carries fruit trays and boxes for 2, 4, or "more." While I love picking up my own apples, peaches, and apricots, I don't know what to do with melons or pineapple. These trays are great because the fruit is already cleaned and cut slightly larger than bite size. No pre-order needed with a caterer or deli...these are always handy in the fridge section of the produce aisle.
With options like these becoming the norm, there is no reason to down an entire bag of potato chips! Caramel or chocolate dipping sauce!!! Pre-cut, hassle-free fruit selections!!! SORBET!
What are your quick and easy snacking tips? Feel free to share below!
However, recently, I've discovered a few new products that I absolutely love that are pretty healthy and cost effect.
Del Monte® Fruit Chillers
A smooth, individually packaged sorbet that is a great healthy great. Made with real fruit, it's fat-free and has 3/4 servings of fruit per cup. One package contains 4 individual cups, sells for about $2.15. You pick these up in the canned fruit aisle and freeze overnight. Currently comes in four flavors: artic strawberry, polar raspberry, glacial mango, and frosty peach. I've tried Polar Raspberry and it reminded me of fruit roll-ups!
Kraft Bagelfuls
Four individually wrapped, cream cheese filled bagel "sticks." These are a great alternative to a full size bagel. Keep in the freezer and pop in the microwave before eating OR keep in the fridge and eat on the go, toast, or microwave. Toasting gets the bagel part all crispy but leaves the cream cheese inside nice and chilled! Comes in multiple flavors: Regular cream cheese, Strawberry, Cinnamon, Whole Grain, and Chive. I've tried Cinnamon and Regular (only 200 calories per bagel). Whole Grain only has 180 calories per bagel. These are currently selling for less than $2 a box!
Walmart fresh fruit cups
I'm horrible because I can't remember the name brand, but Walmart is currently carrying individual fresh fruit cups. For about $2, you can pick up a single serving of pre-cleaned, fresh pineapple chunks, pineapple and mango chunks, green and red apple slices with caramel dipping sauce, or strawberries with chocolate dipping sauce. I still like to pick up larger selections of pineapple, mango, etc...but these apples and strawberries with dipping sauce are GREAT! The sauces are amazing. Every now and then you find a soggy apple in the cup or a strawberry with a bruise, but overall they have great quality control. Makes healthy snacking quick and easy!
Walmart also carries fruit trays and boxes for 2, 4, or "more." While I love picking up my own apples, peaches, and apricots, I don't know what to do with melons or pineapple. These trays are great because the fruit is already cleaned and cut slightly larger than bite size. No pre-order needed with a caterer or deli...these are always handy in the fridge section of the produce aisle.
With options like these becoming the norm, there is no reason to down an entire bag of potato chips! Caramel or chocolate dipping sauce!!! Pre-cut, hassle-free fruit selections!!! SORBET!
What are your quick and easy snacking tips? Feel free to share below!
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