Taco Chicken Mac

This is a quick dish, for some of that shredded chicken in the freezer.

 

My kids love taco anything, so this works for a quick fix after a day in the garden!

Taco Chicken Mac

4 cups cooked pasta,cooked with one large diced onion

1 1/2 cups cooked beans (pinto, canned chili beans, whatever is on hand, even black beans)

1 small can green chilis

1lb shredded chicken

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup ketchup or tomato sauce

taco seasoning (use one pack or equivalent of homemade or bulk mix)

shredded cheese (opt)

Bring the 1/2 cup water to a simmer and toss in the chicken and taco seasoning. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes and add the ketchup, chilis, cooked pasta, and beans. Heat to a simmer. (Add more liquid if necessary.)

Serve topped with cheese if desired.

*********

Frugal notes:

Chicken was bought on sale at .99lb as split chicken breasts. Cooked in bulk and frozen.

Ketchup and sauce are bought in bulk as well.

Chilis were bought at a discount store.

Pasta was whole grain, bought in the clearance bin in a bulk ziploc bag.

This dish was made for less than $2.

Psa 136:26  O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Caramel Popcorn (without HFCS)

This is a yummy treat that works well as a pack-n-go.

It has a rich flavor but a light and crisp texture.

And- it's hard to stop eating :)

Caramel Popcorn

4 quarts popped corn

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/3 cup honey

1/2 t vanilla

dash of salt

1/2 t baking soda

Heat oven to 250.

Place popcorn on buttered pan (with sides).

Melt butter in pot, medium heat, and add sugar, honey, vanilla, and salt.

Whisk and heat to boiling. (250 degrees)

(When the sugar syrup is close, stick your pan of popcorn in the oven to warm it so the sugar won't cool too quickly when you pour it over it.)

Remove sugar syrup from heat and whisk in the baking soda.

Pour over popcorn and gently stir until corn is well coated.

Bake for 25 minutes, stirring 2 or 3 times to coat well.

Cool and store in air tight containers.

*****

Psa 65:13  The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Quick Dinner Muffins

Do you ever find yourself in a time-pinch and need a quick bread and you don't have time to wait for yeast?

Me too!

This often happens to me at lunch. 

I can get a pot of soup together pretty quickly but bread takes a little more planning and with school and other things, sometimes I forget the bread!

(See? And you all just thought I had everything organized, all day, every day!:)

One alternative is to bake bread a couple of times a week, cool and slice it, store it in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator, and take the needed slices out and pop them in the toaster. (That's my breakfast trick.) 

But I think you'll find these muffins are a quick and easy fix in a pinch.

 

You can mix up your flour according to your preference as well.

They're slightly sweet, making them perfect for a spicy or salty soup.

They have an almost biscuit like texture.

My kids love one with their meal and one stuffed with homemade jelly for dessert ;-)

(Two birds, one stone! Well, two purposes, one bread!)

So fluffy too!

2 cups whole wheat flour*

1 cup plain, all-purpose flour

1 T baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1/4 cup sugar**

1 egg

1/3 cup oil

1 3/4 cup buttermilk***

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Make a well in the center for wet ingredients. Mix the center, then gradually stir in the dry mixture. This should make a thick batter that's thoroughly moist.

Scoop into greased muffin pan. 

Bake at 400 for approx. 20 minutes. 

Makes 12.

*I grind extra flour and store in the freezer for quick foods. You can also mix up your flours or even use all wheat or all white.

 **You can also add more sugar and fruits etc., to make this a sweet muffin for treats or breakfast.

***You can use plain milk but they won't be as fluffy. Also, depending on the flours you use, you may need a little more or less liquid so adjust accordingly. 

 

Quick Pretzels:

We didn't make Santa cookies today, but we did make him some pretzels! :)

If you need a good snack and don't have time for a yeast dough, these may do the trick.

The dough isn't quite as easy to shape as yeast dough but they are quite tasty.

You can also use the flour of your choice. I used spelt.

2 cups flour

2 t baking powder

1 t sugar

1/ 2 t salt

2/3 cup milk

2 T melted butter

2 eggs (one for the wash)

coarse sea salt (or other)

(extra flour for rolling and shaping)

Mix dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and beat one egg into the milk. Stir dough, gradually pouring in the melted butter.

Knead dough (lightly) on floured surface. Divide into 16 pieces.

 Shape and place on lightly greased baking sheet.

Brush pretzels with beaten egg. Sprinkle with salt.

Bake at 400 for approx 17 minutes.

Serve with mustard!

Home On The Ranch (one dish meal)

My family loved this meal today. It's frugal and easy and has most of the food groups in it!

-1 lb ground beef
-1/2 cup finely chopped celery
-1 cup finely chopped carrots
-1 large onion, chopped
(Cook these together in large pot until beef has browned,drain if necessary.)

-5 cups uncooked egg noodles
(Cook in lightly salted water, just until tender.)

Toss pasta in beef mixture, along with;
-5 medium-sized kale leaves, chopped

-Add 1 1/2 cups milk and
-1/2 cup heavy cream (or half and half, or just use all milk).
-Add 1/4 cup powdered Ranch dressing/seasoning mix.

Simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes until sauce has thickened.

*Tip: Kick it up by adding a little crumbled bacon when serving.

Served here with Crispy Rustic Spelt Rolls. 

Sausage Pilau

This is a one-pot dish that is super easy and can be cooked up in about 25 minutes. 

You can make many variations of it by changing up your seasonings and/or your vegetables.

You could even use other meat!

(Diced chicken would be cheapest.)

I usually buy turkey sausages when they go on sale for $2. If I happen across a better deal, I buy extra and freeze them for later. I have several recipes that I make that uses only one package to feed my entire family. 

That keeps it frugal!

1 pkg smoked sausage, sliced thin

1 large onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped (mix of green and yellow here)

4 1/2 cups water

2 cups long grain white rice

1/2 t (or more) paprika

salt and pepper to taste

Lightly saute the sausage, onions, and peppers for approx 3 minutes in a large pot.

(If necessary add a couple of tablespoons of oil or water. Bacon grease is great!)

Add water, rice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for approximately 15 to 20 minutes

until the water is absorbed and rice is fluffy. 

Frugal Pantry-Style Sweet and Sour Chicken

I don't know what it is about kids and sour stuff, but mine LOVE this chicken!

1 1/2 pounds of diced chicken

2 to 3 cups of self-rising flour

salt and pepper

1/4 cup (or more) of oil or fat for frying

2 T soy sauce (love Kikkoman's for this)

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 1/2 cups jelly (I used pear-basil for this and it's great!)**

1/3 cup ketchup*opt

1/2 t ground ginger *opt

Dredge chicken pieces in flour. Fry in large pan, in oil or fat, just until golden on all sides. Salt and pepper in the pan.

(You may need a little more oil/fat. You want this to fry up a little dry, not in a pan full of oil.)

Sprinkle soy over chicken and drizzle vinegar into the pan. Pour jelly and ketchup over and stir lightly. Sprinkle ginger over and stir gently.

Simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened. Approx. 10 minutes.

** I make lots of jelly so this is a great way to use last year's leftovers, those that didn't set up so well, or wacky flavors that my kids didn't go bonkers over, despite my enthusiasm. But- if you don't have extra jelly, use 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cup water.

Served over rice here, with steamed broccoli.

Baked Eggs in Toast Cups

I saw something like this a few weeks ago on another blog, but they actually scrambled the eggs and tossed in cooked, crumbled bacon. They also used store-bought bread and cut it into circles.

Here I just halved a slice of homemade bread, tucked it in a buttered muffin tin, and poured an egg in. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or more. You might like your yolks a little more set.

Served here with turkey bacon and applesauce.

I actually made this for lunch, since I was in a rush :-)

This whole week (and last) has been one big rush!

Ground Beef by the Rolls

My neighbor told me about these rolls some time back and I couldn't find them. Thankfully, she told me again :-)

You have to ask to the butcher at Sam's for these. Yeah, just buzz him with that little button. 

These rolls are slightly shy of 9 1/2 lbs and are $2.64 per pound. That's not cheap, I know, but if you're going to buy ground beef, it might be the cheapest way to buy it (next to having your own cow :).

They also have the leaner rolls. 

I was able to slice about 40 patties per roll. That's about .61 per patty. 

They're super cold when you get them so they slice very easy with my Electric Knife
.I was able to flash-freeze them and store them all in zipper bags for quick fixes later.

Chipotle Tilapia

This is so easy to fix, but packed with WOW flavor! And at 400, it cooks up in about 17 minutes, which also makes it a 'quick fix'.

In a small bowl or cup, mix;

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 T Tone's Southwest Chipotle Seasoning

and a dash of pepper

 

Place fish on buttered baking pan.

Baste mayo-mix on with a pastry brush.

(This is enough to coat 6 to 8 pieces.)

Bake at 400 for 17 minutes.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffles

I don't know whether these should be breakfast, dessert, or a snack- they're just so yummy!

But they would certainly be good for any of those categories and since they are all whole wheat, you wouldn't even have to feel bad about grabbing one on the way out the door for a 'quick fix'.

I cooked some of these up to have for breakfast this week but they will also be handy if we need a 'quick fix'!

This is a big batch, so you can feed a big family, and/or have some for the freezer!

4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

3 cups milk

1 stick of melted butter

6 eggs

3 T baking powder

1/2 T salt

2 1/2 T cane sugar (or white or honey)

1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in large mixing bowl. Stir in milk, eggs, and melted butter.

(*Tip: always beat pancake or waffle batter with a mixer to ensure no dry lumps!)

You may stir in chocolate chips but I prefer to sprinkle them on the batter before closing the waffle iron. This way I can ensure that each waffle gets about even, rather than have the chips sink to the bottom of the batter between each batch.

Brush melted butter on your waffle iron between each batch and cook according to your iron's instructions.

(One of my irons has a green light that goes on when it's ready while the other one I have has a red light that goes off when it's ready!)

Cool on wire rack if you are going to store in the fridge or freezer. 

I tied these up in a large double, bread-bag :-)

Top with maple syrup, fruit and powdered sugar, honey, or you might even like Peanut Butter Honey Syrup!
***
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Chick Pea Italian Stir-

2 T fat
1 pkg turkey polish sausage, sliced
1 red onion, chopped
1 chopped bell pepper, chopped

Stir and heat for about 5 minutes, then add;


1 can diced tomatoes
1 t oregano
1/2 t basil
1/4 t rosemary
1 t minced garlic
1/4 t garlic salt
2 cups chick peas (canned or home-cooked)
3/4 cup corn (frozen or canned)


Heat 5 to 10 more minutes. Serve with slotted spoon. Top with green onions or parsley if desired.


*Served here with spinach-romaine salad w/ Asiago cheese and Italian dressing.

Quick Pan-fried Tilapia....

To make this 'quick-fix' meal, all you need is;
-a pan
-fish (tilapia is pictured)
-butter
-Lawry's seasoning or other

Heat butter, toss in the fish, sprinkle lightly with seasoning.
Cook for several minutes until top side is starting to look white, flip.
Cook a couple minutes until white and flaky.

Takes about 10 minutes.

*Served here with simple romaine salad and (leftover)seasoned brown rice.

Lemon Pepper Salmon...

This is almost too easy to mention- what makes it worth it, is the taste- and look how yummy it looks!
Oh and- any fish (or chicken) could be prepared the same way- so easy!

Take several pounds of salmon (or other fish or chicken) and rinse, cut into portion sizes, and place on a lightly buttered pan.

Use 1 lemon and squirt lightly over each piece. Sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning.
Bake at 425 for 25 to 25 minutes until flakes with a fork.

Super easy and a great way to get picky eaters to LOVE their fish! (Try it with their chicken first and if they like the basic flavor- it will work with fish!! ;-)

Bean Dips....

I love beans and so does everyone in my family. I think I'm lucky that way! ;-)

When I have enough leftovers, they are a side at the next meal, but when I just have dabs.... oh, I just can't think of throwing them out! Especially if I've soaked them for one day and cooked them for another- and if I've used my precious bone broth in them- NO WAY are they going in the trash!

Well, some types, depending on how soft they've cooked up, can go in the freezer to be tossed in soups or used in 'bean salsa' over salads and as sides.

But, when the beans are already soft, why not just mash 'em all up?!?!
a la bean dip!

You can use any bean for this and add spices, leave plain, or blend in other veggies, sauces, or cheeses.

You can spread them on tortilla chips (which can be made from cut and baked corn tortillas to keep frugal/pantry), dip veggies in, spread in layered casseroles like baked nachos etc, use them in wraps in place in the place of meat topped with cheese and lettuce or whatever you have on hand (quick-fix meal!), use as a side on some lettuce topped with cheese and/or sauce, etc.

You can add leftovers to soups, meatloaves, etc. to stretch and add flavor and fiber.

Above is chili-beans, so they will make a good tortilla chip dip!

But the possibilities are endless as far as using them up, making a quick snack, and not wasting! And again- any bean will work!!!!

Be sure to check out Kitchen Tip Tuesdays for more kitchen tips!

(Turkey) Ham and Cheese Braid....

This makes two large braided loaves.

If your family can't eat both at once, they are wonderful cold and/or reheated.

They would pack in a lunch well!

(dd braided this loaf, while I stuffed the other)

I love finding unique ways to make sandwiches!

For this bread, I used Marilyn Moll's recipe, known around here as "Breakfast Bread".

Her recipe allows for a quick, single rise and it's almost fool-proof. Perfect for frugal

and fairly quick 'in a pinch' meals.

Once the dough is kneaded and nice and smooth, divide in half.
 Use a rolling pin to shape each piece into a thin (1 cm.) rectangle.
Place the dough on a large baking sheet after it's rolled out.

Spread your cheese *filling in the center of the dough(s).

 

At an angle, slice the sides of the dough into tabs approximately 1 inch wide.

Alternating from side to side, fold the pieces in over the *filling. When possible, 

gently press on the tabs to seal the folds. After it has been fully folded, glaze 

the braid with egg wash. (1T water with 1 egg white, beaten)

*THE FILLING:

Blend:

2 blocks of cream cheese

1/4 cup Ranch style dressing

1/8 cup prepared mustard

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Spread down the center of rolled out dough.

 

Top with chunky slices of turkey ham**, 

sliced tomatoes, and thinly sliced onions.

Allow to rise approx. 40 minutes at 350.

Allow to set 10 minutes before slicing.

**I used slices from a small Jennie-O turkey ham, as seen here.

*Other cooked meats could be used, even ground beef, turkey, 

shredded chicken, etc Even just cheese and veggies would be good.

Applesauce Pudding...

This recipe is from More With Less, but I take a few liberties with it.

I use;
1 and 1/2 pkgs of graham crackers,
1 quart of homemade apple, pear, or blended sauce,
cane sugar,
and cinnamon.

I layer them in a square baking dish, starting with the crackers and ending on top with the applesauce, cane sugar, and cinnamon.

Chill before serving so as to soften the crackers. (This sets quick-within 15 minutes, so its a great go-to dessert.)

-This is also so easy that one of your little kitchen helpers could be taught to fix it!
-I topped with some leftover whipped cream but it's not necessary, its yummy without it!
My kids love it!

Some of My Fave Quick and Easy "Go-To" Meals ...

I don't know a mother who doesn't occasionally get herself in a pinch for time around mealtimes. How could we not?   ..Little Jimmy wants to show us how he can make his car go over his homemade ramp (for the 52nd time), and Sister Sally wants to tell you her baby's name and have you rock it for just a ''minute'' (plan on at least ten, at the most 20, and you may have to feed and diaper it too), big brother Billy needs help with his homework (count on having to go over the whole lesson, so as to remind yourself how to do it first- and brain fog will keep you from getting it the first time, so go ahead and read it twice), big sister Becca wants to know if you will listen to the story she just wrote, and not to mention dear ole Dad wants you to "come here for a second" at least 33 more times today!


-sigh- Now that I'm done 'venting' ;-)...on with the food!


Here's some of my fave, ''go-to'', quick-fix, not gonna eat out, cook at home meals:


**Eggs!-  a great 'go to':
-make 'breakfast'
-egg salad sandwiches, pitas, or even wraps (make a double batch of a bread once a week and store in the fridge for these
-taco pitas- ground beef, cheese, and or beans...topped with cheese and any veggies
-frittata- you can bake these done on about 20 minutes (I got a new recipe to put up, will try before the week's end!)...eat with a salad, veggie, or fruit
-boiled eggs and 'snack' type foods, such as carrot sticks, a salad, bread
-eggs and applesauce (with toasted breakfast bread) is much loved here, anytime of day
-deviled eggs with a salad and a fruit
-omelets, with fruit, oatmeal, hashbrowns, and/or toasted breakfast bread
-More with Less has some good egg ideas too!

**Wraps! endless possibilities:
-buy or cook these up and store in fridge and freezer for long term
-beans and cheese, any veggies on or as a side, but not always
-any cheese, leftover meats, any veggies and sometimes fruits
-breakfast burritos (scrambled eggs, with onions, sausage or bacon maybe, peppers, cheese, maybe salsa)
-soft tacos (keep taco seasoned meat in the freezer when you can, in something that will quick thaw)
-sandwich meats and cheeses, maybe veggies on or as a side
-quesadillas, with cheese or whatever is on hand, side opt: refried beans, rice, salad, chili beans, etc
-use romaine lettuce leaves as a wrap or 'boat' and stuff with leftovers  (chicken, cheeses, etc)
-creamy chicken enchiladas

**Pasta-whole grain to be sure!
-homemade Main Dish Macaroni with any quick frozen veggies such as peas and carrots
-simple spaghetti (sauce and noodles- and you could drop in any frozen, pre-cooked beef from the freezer)
-Creamy chicken and pasta dishes (make a white sauce- or blend milk, cream cheese, Parmesan, salt and pepper)
-(cold or hot) pasta salad with any leftover meats; ham, bacon, ground beef, chicken....season Italian, Mexican, etc, serve with some sort of veggie salad or fruit salad

**Home canned soups or tomatoes:
-easy quick meal..other veggies can be added, leftover meats, or frozen cooked meat just dropped in
-soup with fried cornbread, or quick flatbread, or just crackers


**Chicken:
-cook up when you can, whole chickens or skinned fryer breast (it's good to cook up enough for 4 meals, once a month--that way you have about 1 meal a week that chicken could be quickly thawed and used..just be sure to store in a container that can be dropped in hot water for quick thaw, etc)
-we have one local store that sells chicken tenders and popcorn chicken in 10lb boxes, often on sale at $10 or less here lately   ..They are not pre-cooked but can be put straight in the hot oven, along with some quick sliced potato wedges or cheap fries.
-canned chicken is a great help to have on hand, I only buy it when its cheap
-with cooked chicken on hand, you can easily whip up; chicken salad for wraps and sandwiches etc, chicken for a green salad, chicken for pasta dishes, chicken for soup, casseroles, pizza, etc
-remember chicken can be seasoned in every way (Mexi, Italian, lemon pepper, etc)
-make 'dump chicken' for the freezer and you can lightly thaw and toss it in the oven to bake

**Ground beef (or other ground meats):
-can be pre-seasoned and cooked ahead of time, stored in containers for quick thaw (I like things that can be dropped in hot water)...  Corn tortilla tacos, taco salads, etc are made super quick.
-sloppy-joe meat (who says you have to put it on buns?..press in biscuit cups, pita pockets, English Muffins, etc
-my crew loves hamburger soup
-thawed, cooked, ground beef can be an easy topping for quick pizzas (Who says you have to have pepperoni?)   I think pizzas are pretty quick and frugal, and can be made from healthy ingredients. *To speed the rising, sit the bowl in hot water.*
-again, tacos and burritos are pretty quick (you can use corn tortillas in place of taco shells to keep prices down, and you can easily make homemade tortillas and wraps
-flatbreads (chapati) stuffed with just about anything, very filling when made with whole wheat, veggies and meats can be stuffed in them
-my crew loves 'meat patties'..with any ground meat (I often add finely chopped veggies, and bread crumbs etc, as you would a meatloaf...sorta like meatloaf patties, often topped with whatever cheese is on hand  ..These are quick, and all you need to add is a couple of quick veggies from the freezer and/or a salad.

**Beans+:
-cook up in advance, freeze for quick thaw--Beans and cornbread with a side of greens makes a great quick fix meal when you have stored, cooked beans.
-make huge batches of chili and freeze in containers that can be dropped in the crock or oven safe dishes to heat in the oven
-just about any bean can be mashed, seasoned, and used in wraps, with or without meat, with veggies like lettuce, tomato, onions, etc
-bean patties are pretty quick (mix mashed beans with egg, seasonings, and bread crumbs,whole grain flour, or even rice, etc)
-beans can be made into a loaf, like meatloaf

**Fish:
-canned salmon for salmon patties and salmon loaf, with quick salad, or quick cook frozen veggies
-tilapia, these fillets can be baked up in 15 to 20 minutes- they can be quickly seasoned with your favorite seasoning salt before baked on a lightly buttered pan
-precooked frozen shrimp, thaws quick under warm water- toss in salads, pasta dishes, and quick stir-fry
or even make a sandwich spread with them
-canned tuna- tuna salad, tuna and crackers, tuna in homemade mac and cheese etc
-canned clams for quick clam chowder
-baked salmon fillets- if kids won't eat them plain; bake and crumble in a quick cream sauce and serve over pasta

**Turkey hams:
-you can buy these for less than $4 and slice them for quick pan frying for any meal, but goes great with breakfast foods
-dice them and toss them in a stir fry, pasta dish, quesadillas, soups, omelets, frittatas, wraps (with eggs and cheese), or even with some beans or a salad..again, be sure to store in something you can thaw up quick in warm water