In A Hurry Meals

[cat lover]

With the rush going on from school to sports, or swim classes, or whatever has you in a rush; what do you usually prepare for a balanced meal? Do you do a crockpot meal so it will be ready when you need it? Or do you go out for fast food and try to make it as balanced as you can by choosing the place to stop? :confused:

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I do a lot of crock pot cooking since I am in school and ALWAYS in a hurry. Plus, the 5th wheel that I live in gets hot even when I am not cooking. Crock pot cooking is easy and it doesn't get the house all hot! I also freeze meals so that all I have to do it heat and serve.

[cat lover]

If we are in a big hurry and really hungry we are limited on where we can stop to pick up something because of DH diet restrictions. Subway is one of our usual stops for a quick pick me up as DH can get a sub with only 5g fat. We always get all the veggies on it, no cheese, and the turkey/ ham or turkey is what we get.It is especially nice if we go in after 5 pm because we can get two 12" subs for one price and then we have another for another meal!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I live close to Quiznos and I like them better. I guess I got burned out on Subway when I was going to school in Carlsbad.

[sweetnell3]

I like Subway but wish there was a Quiznos here, thier food looks so good plus it would give us a chocie.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I don't dislike Subway. Their food is fresh and good. I've just eaten so much of it since I started college. Since I moved to main campus in August I've been able to eat at Quiznos. Their bread is also made fresh, plus after they assemble your sandwich, they put it under a toaster for a few minutes (probably less). By the time I get home, all the flavors marry. I really like them better. jmo I hope you get to try Quiznos sometime soon.

[sweetnell3]

Have any of you ate at a Soup or Salad place? We eat at one when we go to Dallas.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Oh my goodness Sweetnell, you sure brought back some memories. I went to one in the Dallas/Fort Worth area about 8 years ago--give or take. It was huge and it had a salad bar type area so that you could make your own salad. I think it was near the Hulen (sp) Mall, like within a few exits. It was a great place and I don't remember the name of it.

I found out the name. It's called Souper! Salad!

[ajrsmom]

I found out the name. It's called Souper! Salad!


I've seen those around here. Are they expensive? Is it worth it?



I think that I am going to be doing more crockpot cooking now too since my kitchen is so small.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Sweetnell probably knows more than I do as it has been years and years since I've been. I don't remember the price, but I do remember the food and it was great!!! It was a buffet of stuff to make your salad any way you wanted! You were given a certain size container for your salad as well. There were several soups to choose from as well.

Sweetnell, can you shed more light? Could you give me general directions to the one you have gone to? My DS lives in Fort Worth and mine and my DHs family live throughout Dallas/Denton/Forth Worth. I love soups and salads!

[ajrsmom]

Just checked out their website and their food looks awesome!

Im wondering if they are pricey? Hopefully sweetnell3 can help me out. :)

[sweetnell3]

Sorry its been a couple years since I last went ,but I will ask dh if he's know about where it is . As for the price you get the buffet for just salad or you get like baked potatoes with fixings . They also had a selection of soups also sweets. I think it was around twelve dollars for dh and me but we drank water. Don't know price now. But we really like it ,wish they would put one in Paris ,then I would go often. Oh that was for all you could eat.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Sweetnell, thanks for the information. I had forgotten about the desserts. It has been a long time. We are usually in a hurry when we go to visit family and to the races. Until you mentioned it, I had forgotten about it. I am such a soup and salad person.

[sweetnell3]

Me too ,we got going there because we gone to Dallas as a church group the first time ,we like it so much that we went back sereval times as a famliy , ds does'nt care for salad calls it rabbit food lol. Dd on the other hand love salad alot.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I understand. DH calls it rabbit food too. When he gets a salad with his meal, the waitress thinks I am bossy by telling her what HE wants on his salad. Then the salad arrives and it is actually my salad. LOL

[ajrsmom]

I understand. DH calls it rabbit food too. When he gets a salad with his meal, the waitress thinks I am bossy by telling her what HE wants on his salad. Then the salad arrives and it is actually my salad. LOL

Sneaky! LOL!! I have been known to do the same thing. ;)

[sweetnell3]

Well my dh loves salad too so I can't take his and ds make sure he does'nt get one.

[jjoj]

My favorite way to do "in a hurry" meals is to buy several bags of frozen chicken breasts and take a day to grill all of them on the George Foreman grill. I use a little Cajun seasoning and garlic powder. Then I separate small portions into freezer bags to put in the freezer. We use them for throwing together salads, soups, casseroles, stir-fries, and etc. I also freeze small portions of cooked hamburger, meatballs, and cubed turkey ham. Take care!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I was hungry today for something. I had just got home from school. DH, with my help, made me a wrap with left over chicken, ranch dressing, lettuce, diced onion (I pre-diced and leave the fridge) and seasoning. It was quick and satisfying and I didn't cheat on my diet.

[cat lover]

My favorite way to do "in a hurry" meals is to buy several bags of frozen chicken breasts and take a day to grill all of them on the George Foreman grill. I use a little Cajun seasoning and garlic powder. Then I separate small portions into freezer bags to put in the freezer. We use them for throwing together salads, soups, casseroles, stir-fries, and etc. I also freeze small portions of cooked hamburger, meatballs, and cubed turkey ham. Take care!


I wish I had the patience to cook that all ahead like that! Everytime I see these big bags of chicken breast staring at me from the freezer I think about what you said you do. About the only way I do is to put breast in a bag with the marinade and freeze it and at least they are marinated and ready to go.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I cooked like that until I moved in to an RV to finish school. Now I am limited on space--everywhere.

[barbszy]

Here's a recipe I invented when I needed something in a hurry. We ate it last night and as usual everyone enjoyed it. It's as good as roast pork but without the long cook time!

"In a Hurry Pork with Onions"

3 boneless pork chops, fat trimmed off, cut in 1 inch cubes
2 tbl olive oil
2 large SWEET onions, sliced thin
Black pepper to taste

Saute the onions in the olive oil. When they are almost done, add pork and stir-fry until cooked through.
Total cook time: 15 minutes. Serves 5.
Serve with your choice of speedy side dishes.

[cat lover]

Here's a In A hurry Breakfast

Tex-Mex Breakfast

On one 6 to 8" tortilla sprinkle 1/4 cup chredded Monterey Jack cheese. On a paper towel cook on HIGH 30 to 45 seconds till cheese melts. Spread with 1 tbsp salsa and fold in half.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

This sounds like something I could make in a dash if I use a low-carb tortilla.

[Coll]

I love those bags of frozen chicken breasts. I will grill a whole bag of them then dice some for potpies, shred for salads or enchiladas, or fine shred for chicken croquettes. If I don't think I'll make any of these in a day or 3, then I'll freeze it.

Coll

[mouse]

Coll how do you make chicken croquettes? I have heard of them but never tried them and don't even know how to make them. I don't know how to make salmon croquettes either but I do make one called salmon patties but it is different from croquettes. My mom use to make salmon croquettes when I was a little kid and my aunt and uncle would bring us back fresh canned salmon from Alaska but she can't remember how she use to make them. I am guessing that you would make salmon and chicken croquettes the same way?
mouse

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I don't like chicken or salmon croquettes. It's probably because my mother made them so horribly. Have you tried making them the same was as the salmon, but use chicken instead. All the recipes for the chicken that I have seen were the same as the salmon with the difference in meat.

[Coll]

Hi Mouse,
Here's the recipe for

Chicken Croquettes
INGREDIENTS:
1 10 1/2 OZ CAN CHICKEN GRAVY
1 & 1/2 C minced cooked chicken, I put my cooked
chicken through the food processor
1/4 c fine dry bread crumbs, plain or seasoned
2 T finely chopped onion
2 T finely chopped parsley
1/8 t salt
dash of pepper
1 egg, slightly beaten
shortening or oil for frying
additional crumbs for coating
Mix the following together 1/3 c gravy, chicken, crumbs, onion, parsley, salt & pepper. If it seems soft, chill for about 10 minutes. Shape mixture into 8 croquettes. I make patties because I have no clue what a croquette looks like. Dip into the beaten egg and then roll into crumbs. Deep fry in skillet until lightly browned. Heat remaining gravy,k serve over croquettes. I serve these with mashed potatoes, and a vegetable or salad.

They are so easy to do. My kids love them.
When my 8 year old was in kindergarten they made a cookbook for the class. That was the recipe that she requested to put in it. She loves to dip and roll them. My 4 year old loves to stir and add things.

Coll

[cat lover]

On making salmon croquettes all I do is drain and flake and clean canned salmon (fresh is better); and crush saltines into it. Mix and form into an ovel by grapping a handful and squeezing your hand closed. I usually refrigerate them then a couple hours before cooking them. You can deep fry them or fry them in a skillet with a little olive oil.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I won't eat anything that has the word croquette in it. My mother's salmon croquettes were just plain horrible!

[Coll]

The only salmon cakes I would ever eat were my grandmothers. She burned them just right. Now I don't eat salmon.

Coll

[sweetnell3]

Oh I love salmon cake that I can eat a lot of them. Dh doesn't like the way I fix them ,dd does care for them either,so the only one that will eat them besides me is ds. I always make them the way grandma did,no certain recipe to write down,she just shown me what she did.

[mouse]

Coll and Catlover, thanks for the recipes. Can't wait to try making both Chicken and Salmon Croquettes. I was out of town yesterday and most of today so I am playing catch up on my mail tonight and just got this thread opened and found both recipes. When we were a kid an my mom fixed the salmon croquettes we always ate them with syrup, don't know why except that is the way my mom and dad ate them and they were good that way so I will fix some and teach my kids to eat them dipped in syrup.

Thanks again,
mouse

[cat lover]

Eating them in syrup sounds interesting. Are you talking about pancake syrup?

[mouse]

Yes we just always poured some pancake syrup on our plate and then dipped the salmon croquettes in the syrup as we ate them. I've never had chicken croquettes but will try them now that I have a recipe for them. Probably won't dip them in syrup but then again who knows?
mouse

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I think I would put these ideas in the Gross foods thread! LOL

[mouse]

Oh come on DeBora a little sweetness with the meal can only make it better. You should try it you might like it. Oh yea I forgot you don't like croquettes. Well heck that is what your mama did wrong, she didn't put syrup on them for you. LOL
mouse

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Let me put this in perspective for you. My mother did not know how to cook when she got married. My father taught her how to cook. This was a recipe that my mother loved and no one else. I am guessing she found it and made it. They were absolutely horrible! Mind you, there are very few things that I will not eat. But, I starved on the days she made them! I even tried drowning them in ketchup! I just couldn't eat them.

[cat lover]

he- he- he; I had the knack of eating all that stuff that was horrible very quick..... yeah right ... I ran outside and spit it out! LOL

[mouse]

My mom was a pretty good cook but I guess she learned from her mom who was an excellent cook. I didn't know how to cook when I got married except a few little things but I read a lot of cookbooks and learned how and didn't do to bad while I was learning. I love trying new recipes and love to cook a lot more than my mom did or does. But I can't think of anything my mom cooked that was bad, she just didn't like fixing new recipes, old standbys is what she always cooked where in my family you never know what may show up at the table.

mouse

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Cat, I would have done what you did, but my mother watched me like a hawk. Her mother was an outstanding cook. But, she never let her kids in the kitchen and she was a clean freak to a fault. I remember drinking my last drop of coffee and my grandmother would grab my cup and wash it. Kids just don't learn to cook if they aren't allowed to help in the kitchen.

[cat lover]

I understand what you are saying because the clean freak thing was the same in my house as I was growing up. I think the only way I got away with spitting out the food outside was because we sat at the table so long (after everyone else had left, because we weren't allowed up till the plate was empty no matter how long you sat),that they got tired of waiting for me to finish because it delayed them from completeing the kitchen cleanup!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I personally don't mind clean houses. However, if everyone has to walk on eggshells and it can't be lived it, then it's not living. jmo

[cat lover]

Oh yeah, my house is clean, but I don't live to clean, I clean to live! LOL We live in our house and don't have rooms that you aren't allowed in like when I was growing up. Guess you could call me a free spirit! LOL

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I like that "...I clean to live."

[cat lover]

Here is a "Quick" make at home main dish: Quick Italian Spaghetti


1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
3 cans (8 oz each) tomato suace
1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives,drained
cooked spaghetti
grated parmesan
bacon bits

In a skillet brown ground beef and onions. Add next five ingredients and cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add olives and simmer 5 minutes more. Spoon over spahetti and top with parmesan and bacon bits. 4 servings

[cat lover]

Here's a quick meal!

Italian Pasta and Bean Soup

Vegetable cooking spray
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup choppped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 13 3/4 oz cans no salt added beef broth
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz can white kidney beans, rinsed or drained
1 15 oz can red kidney beans, rinsed or drained
1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp hpt pepper sauce
1/4 tsp pepper

6 oz ditalini pasta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Coat a Dutch oven with cooking spray and add oil and place over high heat. Add onion and next 3 ingredients abd saute till vegetables are crisp tender. Add beef broth and nmext 7 ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add pasta to vegetable mixture. Cover and cook 15 minutes or till pasta is tender. Serve soup topped with parmesan cheese.

Serve with biscuits and a milkshake!

[livingstonpitt]

Does anyone have recipes using mini muffin tins?

[Coll]

you can use refrigerated sugar cookie dough, cut some off, place in mini tin, press into bottom and up sides. bake for recommended time, but watch closely incase youneed to remove early, when done place a caramel into each cup. they will melt.

[cat lover]

Does anyone have recipes using mini muffin tins?
You can bake anything in a mini tin that you would in a regular size; only the baking time will change. The first time you use a regular recipe start watching them at about 12 minutes instead of the usual time. Your oven temp may vary some but after that you can write down the time on your recipes for the mini tins. Here is a couple of recipes with the time already figured for the mini tins.

Apple Oat Muffins With Brown Sugar Cinnamon Swirls



Cooking spray
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp warm water
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 24 cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside.In a large bowl, combine both flours, oats, granulated sugar, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cloves. Mix thoroughly with a fork, make a well in the center and set aside. In a small bowl, combine remaining teaspoon of cinnamon, along with brown sugar and water. Whisk until brown sugar is dissolved. Set aside.In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, applesauce, egg, oil and vanilla. Pour liquid mixture into center of dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Fold in diced apple.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups (about 1 tablespoon per mini muffin) and then top each muffin with 1/4 teaspoon of the brown sugar cinnamon mixture. Using a toothpick, swirl the mixture gently into each muffin. Bake 12 minutes till a toothpick inserted in the center of one muffin comes out almost clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes before removing muffins from pan.


Blueberry Whole Wheat Muffins With Hazelnut Streusel


Cooking spray
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup skim milk
1 egg
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 24 cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside.In a large bowl, combine both flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Mix thoroughly with a fork, make a well in the center and set aside. In a small bowl, combine hazelnuts and brown sugar and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, milk, egg, oil and vanilla.Pour liquid mixture into center of dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups (about 1 tablespoon per mini-muffin), top with hazelnut mixture and bake 12 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of one muffin comes out almost clean. Cool in pan, on a wire rack, 5 minutes before removing muffins from pan.

[barbszy]

Those apple-cinnamon-oat muffins sure look good :) I think we'll be trying them soon!