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Quick recipes and tips for saving time in the kitchen.
After a long days work, you walk in the door at five. Dinner needs to be on the table in an hour and the hungry troops are already asking, “What’s for dinner?” With homework and bedtime up ahead, there is no spare time to while away in the kitchen. Here are some great tips for saving time and a few recipes that require only a few minutes of preparation time.
Tips in thinking ahead:
Here are a few recipes that are real quickies, but using the above tips you can cut already minimal preparation time in half!
Sumptuous Chicken and Veggies
This chicken can be extremely moist and juicy, depending on the pan you choose to bake it in. I suggest a Pyrex or corning ware with a tight fitting lid for best results. If unavailable, try wrapping the pan very well with tin foil to prevent moisture escaping. Use whatever vegetables are handy and easy, below are my suggestions. The onion and tomato are essential though, as they are key contributors to the amount of juice.
Serves 4 -6
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit. Place all vegetables in Pyrex roasting pan. Add spices and toss. Dip chicken pieces in the vegetable mixture to coat with spices and then place on top of the vegetable layer. Bake for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender and chicken is completely cooked.
Enjoy!
Choose Your Ending Soup
This soup is so versatile. The basic beginning is simple and quick and you can add whatever you would like to give it its name. Put in lentils and it is lentil soup, barleys and you have barley soup. Just remember, whichever legume or grain you add will determine the required cooking time. Red lentils, quinoa s or white rice cook very quickly, whereas wheat berries or brown rice need at least half an hour longer, but are also more filling.
Serves 6
Directions: Heat oil in large soup pot. Add onions and sauté, covered, on medium low heat till soft. Add carrots, zuchinni, tomato and spices and sauté, covered, for an additional five minutes on medium-low heat. Add boiling water and red lentils or other legumes. Cook on medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until the legumes are very soft. If soup is too thick, add water. Cooking time varies, depending on ingredients. Serve with toasted bread or warm pitas.
Enjoy!
Crispy Oven Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream Sauce
An old time American favorite is baked potatoes, but let’s be honest, who has an hour and a half for that potato to cook all the way through? Your family will love this speedy and crispy version! Add a platter of freshly cut veggies or a cucumber salad and you have dinner!
Serves 6
Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, toss potatoes with oil and spices. Spread evenly on baking sheet. Bake until potatoes are soft and edges are browned or until desired crispiness, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, pour sour cream into small mixing bowl, add salt pepper, green onions or dill and garlic.
Serve with hot potatoes!
Enjoy!
Shleppy Moes
A homemade version of a childhood favorite dish. Fast to prepare and a real crowd pleaser!
Serves 6
In medium saucepot , heat oil. Add onion and sauté , covered, till soft over medium-low heat. Add garlic, and bell peppers. Saute, covered, for another three minutes. Crumble the ground meat over the vegetables. Do not mix. Cover and allow meat to cook. When meat has turned gray in color, mix and add the wine, tomato paste, mustard, and spices. There should be enough sauce from the meat and vegetables themselves, but if not, add ¼ cup of water to create sauce. Simmer for 10-15 minutes on low fire. Serve over hamburger bun, toasted challah or rice.
Enjoy!