I need a few ideas for some quick tasty meals to serve while my fiance's mother visits for a few days from out of state. This is my first time meeting her.
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Go to Allrecipes.com,you will find many easy recipes there. Also TasteofHome.com. Good luck!
I would suggest checking out some recipes at:
allrecipes.com
They have hundreds of recipes and people rate the recipes after trying them and post comments. I use it all the time. I know they have a section for quick meals. Good luck!
I don't use exact measurements when I cook, so please use your judgment! Here's how I get a quick paella out (takes me less than 35 minutes to get this done). I usually just make it with shrimp, but it's really good with other types of seafood. Also works with cubed skinless/boneless chicken thighs instead of the seafood (saute the chicken along with the onions, and omit the bouillon).
Easy Paella
1 diced onion
Olive oil (about 2-3 tablespoons)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2-3 tablespoons of frozen green peppers
2 packets of Sazón Goya with Azafrán (seasoning with Saffron)
1 packet of chicken bouillon (or one cube)
Salt & fresh ground black pepper to taste
As much or as little shrimp, mussels, scallops (thawed out/fresh), squid/calamari (frozen in little rings) as you like (i.e. 1 lb shrimp, 1/2 bag each of mussels, scallops, squid)
Fresh parsley (if using dry, add it at the same time as the seasonings)
2 cups of rice
4 cups of water
1 small bag of frozen peas
1. Saute the onion in olive oil until translucent
2. Add minced garlic and let it cook for a bit (30 seconds)
3. Stir in the uncooked rice making sure every grain is coated with oil, add the packets of seasoning, and the chicken bouillon (3rd step takes about a minute or so)
You can also look on the back of Campbell's soup cans or go to the Campbell's web site. Lots of these dishes only take one pan and are light but good.
If there are a few dishes you already do well, stick w/ those. One of the worst things to happen, is trying something new and having it turn out wrong! Casseroles usually turn out alright, and of course, you can treat her out on the town at least once, right?
What about tacos? They're quick and easy to make.
What I do is some easy prep work first:
1 - heat refried beans
2 - fry and drain hamburger
3 - chop tomatoes AND onions (if you like them)
4 - chop lettuce
5 - open bag of pre-shredded cheese
6 - have flour tortillas and hard corn taco shells
Set this all out, and everyone makes their own soft tacos, using the flour tortillas OR put their favorite ingredients in the hard shell tacos.
I didn't put down the quantity of ingredients, as it depends on how many people will be eating.
Find out first what she really dislikes and/or is allergic too. You really don't want to put your future mother-in-law in the hospital with an allergic reaction! :)
That being said, if she likes seafood, a shrimp salad in avocado halves, French bread, and some fresh fruit makes a nice lunch or light dinner in the summer heat.
I am a future mother-in-law who met my son's fiance for the first time when I went to stay with them for a week in another part of the country. Keep it simple...even soup and sandwiches tastes terrific when they are shared with loved ones!!!
A quick, easy and very tasty meal is macaroni and tomatoes.
1 box macaroni and cheese dinner
1/4 cup onion, diced
2-4 pieces of sandwich ham, diced
First use a box of packaged mac and cheese, prepared according to directions.
While the macaroni is boiling, melt a bit of butter or margarine in a frying pan and use it to saute the onions and ham.
If you like your mac and cheese really cheesy, add a little extra cheese when it is done.
Next, add the ham and onions and stir, then start with 1/2 the can of tomatoes, add more if desired, up to the whole can. Also, if you prefer, you can use diced tomatoes with green chiles for a little more spice!
You can also add a bit of chili powder and garlic powder. Absolutely yummy!
A good standby is Prawns Indienne - or you could do it with diced chicken if anyone is allergic to prawns. This always seems to go down well, and seems so much more impressive than the effort it takes to cook!
All I do is throw on a pan of tagliatelli, and in a frying pan I fry off some chopped up onion. Add in a pot of double cream, a little bit of curry powder (to taste, but only a little, cos its not a curry, its just for flavour) a dash of whisky or brandy, and some prawns. if you like you can add some peas for colour and vitamins. Simmer for a very short while and serve. Couldn't be easier!
A good standby is Prawns Indienne - or you could do it with diced chicken if anyone is allergic to prawns. This always seems to go down well, and seems so much more impressive than the effort it takes to cook!
All I do is throw on a pan of tagliatelli, and in a frying pan I fry off some chopped up onion. Add in a pot of double cream, a little bit of curry powder (to taste, but only a little, cos its not a curry, its just for flavour) a dash of whisky or brandy, and some prawns. if you like you can add some peas for colour and vitamins. Simmer for a very short while and serve. Couldn't be easier!
Cook a pound of springs, rigatoni, or penne. Put a layer of sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish or pan, then a layer of pasta, sauce, pizza cheese and continue with layers until the last layer is sauce, then put the remaining pizza cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees. Set you dish on a cookie sheet in case it runs over. Bake for at least 30 min. to 45 min. until the dish is bubbling and the top is melted and looking done. No need to cover with foil. Serve with salad and garlic bread. You can use bought sauce such as Ragu. I always put alot of cheese in this dish. Makes it really good and gooey.
Thanks to all for the great ideas....I will be making some of these in the near future. As it turned out this delightful lady loves to cook and has been cooking for us.....good old- fashioned southern cooking, she has been teaching me and I have been learning some of her recipes as she makes them!
Tami
One of my favorite quick meals is Chicken with mushrooms and grapes, it's delicious. Place chicken in crockpot (it can be a whole chicken or pieces, with or without bones), add some potatoes (peeled if you prefer), uncooked carrots, and as many fresh mushrooms as you like. If you want to use canned mushrooms, wait until the meal has been cooking about 4 hrs. Add 1/2 - 3/4 c. water to crockpot. Season the chicken with parsley, lemon pepper and salt. Cook 6-8 hrs on med. or until chicken is tender and veges are done. Then add 1 cup seedless white grapes and cook for 30 mins. or until the grapes burst open. Let sit in crock pot for 30 mins. to absorb juices. It is wonderful and so quick and I serve with hot bread. The whole meal is in the crockpot. The taste is very different and good. Hope you enjoy. Connie B.
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