Quick & Easy Recipes... - Brackenridge,PA

I don't really have any specific recipes, just a few thoughts. Any time I make something that freezes well, I try to double the recipe & freeze half. That way it is in the freezer ready to be defrosted & either cooked or reheated. Most things don't even need defrosting, just cook or reheat from the frozen state. Some of the things I do are meatloaf & meatballs. These I cook then freeze. meatloaf can be put in the oven when frozen- you just need to watch it so it doesn't dry out before it's heated. meatballs can be put frozen into the sauce, then simmer for a while until they are thawed. I also know someone who just mixes the meat up & freezes the mixture before cooking. when you are ready to make it, thaw, shape & cook.
Most soups freeze well. They take a little time to make, but doubling the batch shouldn't take any longer than a single batch. Then you have that nights dinner, and can freeze the rest for another meal or when unexpected company shows up.
Cookie dough is another good one. someone gave me this idea & I love it. Again, make a large batch. I usually shape the cookies using a scoop, then put them on a cookie sheet. freeze for a few hours until they are solid. then put into ziplock bags. then when you need cookies, pop out just as many as you need & bake as usual. I put them on the cookie sheet & let them sit while I preheat the oven. they won't totally defrost (they don't need to), and should cook pretty evenly. You don't have to shape the cookies, just freeze the dough in a container.
I haven't tried it, but have read that you can freeze certain muffin/cupcake batters before you bake too. fill the muffin cups, freeze, then when hardened, pop out of the pan & store in ziplock. when ready, put back in muffin pan & bake.
lasagna is another meal that freezes well. make two at a time, eat one that night, freeze the other. if you don't want to use a throw away pan, and don't have enough pans to freeze one for who knows how long, line the pan with foil first- enough to come up over the sides. freeze the lasagna for a few hours. once it is set, lift it out of the pan using the foil overhang, then wrap tightly & freeze. when ready to cook, unwrap & pop it back into the dish you made it in. you can freeze this either before or after it is cooked.
breads like banana bread, zucchini bread, etc. can be frozen & make nice hostess gifts.
a simple appetizer, if you like them, is pigs in a blanket. you can easily keep the ingredients on hand- those tiny cocktail weiners can be frozen until ready to use, and buy the pillsbury refridgerated crescent rolls. when you want to make them, unroll the dough. it comes in those litte triangles, you don't need to seperate, just press the seams together slightly. cut the dough in strips. wrap the weiners. bake at 350 for about 15 mins.
hope some of these ideas help

C.,

Have you ever heard of Tastefully Simple? They have great products like breads, dips, cheese balls. Whats great about these products is they can be stored in your cabinet and when you pull them out you only need to use one or two basic ingredients to complete. Check out their website, lots of great ideas. Also, now is when I pull out the crock pot. Not only could you do dinners, but also bread puddings, custards, apple dumplings, etc.

Pineapple Angel Food Mini Muffins

Ingredients:
1 box "1-step" angel food cake mix
1 20 oz. can crushed pineaple in its own juice

Instructions:
Mix the angel food cake mix and 20 oz. crushed pineapple and juice. (Do not add water as indicated on the cake mix box.) Beat by hand until wet. It will be fluffy and airy. Fill individual cup cake liners 7/8 full. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10-12 minutes.

I've also made this as loaves and sometimes add chopped maraschino cherries with the pineapple.

You should check out Rachel Ray's website. She has great ideas that you don't need exact 'recipes' for. I make chicken corden bleu alot when entertaining. All you do it pound the chicken out to about 1/4 inch thickness, salt and pepper both sides, put the ham and cheese in, roll it and toothpick it, than roll in butter than bread crumbs. You cook for about 30 min at 350 degrees. It's easy but always impresses! You can put anything in it really, I have also made it with feta cheese and spinach. Salsa chicken is also easy: Pour a jar of salsa over chicken fingers (or if you only have breasts I just cut them in thinner pieces so they cook quicker) than serve over rice.

I also recommend signing up for Kraft Food and Family Magazine. Just google it and you can sign up online. It is a free magazine and is published quarterly. It has great quick and easy recipes for apps, dinners and desserts.

APPLE SALAD

9 Snack size Snickers Bars, chopped (approximate, I usually use about I cup)
½ C. chopped peanuts
8 oz. crushed or tidbit pineapple, drained
3 large Granny Smith Apples Chopped
1 - 8 oz Cool whip

Mix together and chill at least 1 hour.
Enjoy!

BEER BATTER BREAD

3 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 bottle (12 ounces) beer, at room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted you can use less

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Add the beer all at once, mixing as little as possible; the batter should be lumpy.

Pour the batter into a 9-x-5-x-3-inch loaf pan and brush with the melted butter. Bake in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Turn out onto a rack to cool.

Makes 1 loaf.

Hi C.,
I got a recipe book from Cracker Barrel of all places called The Busy Woman's Cookbook. It has only 3 & 4 ingredient recipes, and I believe there are over 500 of them. I've tried several out of that book and I have nothing but good things to say. Good luck!