Recipes - Avon,OH

I started with about 4 or 5 key recipes that I use very regularly (spaghetti, chicken casserole, beef & noodles, meat & potatoes & carrots, all meatless - long story - etc.), and then at least once a week, I try a new recipe from The Vegetarian Times. If it is good and simple, I add it to my list of weekly meals for next time, and gradually (very gradually, since as often as not the recipe is not one I choose to repeat) my list of possible meals grows. I suggest you find a magazine or website and try the same thing! I also would be happy to supply one of my recipes for you if you ask for it.

Try kraftfoods.com (I think thats the website) also if you google simple meals TONS of websites come up. simple, nutritious meals. (tonight we're having chicken cacciatorre, tomorrow dogs in a blanket...) Good luck

Naked nuggets fried in the skillet in coconut oil

Kale- ripped into pieces and tossed with pressed garlic and olive oil, cooked in the oven at 400 for 7 minutes (until it is just slightly crunchy)

Quinoa- soak for 5 min and then drain, cover with water in a pot (1 part quinoa to 2 parts water), bring to a boil, simmer covered for 15 min- Tastes great mixed together with chopped up chicken and kale!

I completely understand. I have been feeling the same way lately. I have found www.tyson.com to very useful and help give us a change from our normal dinners. They have recipes for chicken, beef and pork. Their recipe section is broke down into several different categories. They also do a 5 days of dinner section to help w/ planning if you don't have time. I prepared a recipe from their site just last night that will definitely be a repeat in our home. It was the Garlic Lime Grilled Chicken.

Try making breakfast for dinner! My daughters loved pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs, etc for dinner. Also, now that summer is here, try going with all fresh fruits and veggies. Take them to the farmers market and make a game out of having all of your meal from garden produce! Sometimes we feel we have to have "typical" foods like meat and potatoes all the time. Just try switching it around a little!

Hi R.!

I do a quick manicotti:
SAUCE
15 oz. Can Hunt's Tomato Sauce
Touch of tomato paste
Chopped garlic (I use the store bought pre-roasted garlic)
Herbs (Italian Seasonings, Oregano and Basil)
Touch of sugar
Salt & Pepper to taste

PASTA
Manicotti

FILLING
8 oz. Ricotta Cheese
8 oz. Small Curd Cottage Cheese
Parmesan cheese
Parsley
1 egg slightly beaten

DIRECTIONS
I make the sauce first so it can cook down a little. Then, I cook the manicotti until it's almost done (you don't want to cook it all the way). While the manicotti is cooking; I combine all of the "Filling" ingredients together. Drain the manicotti. Once the manicotti is cool; I start filling it. Place in an oven-safe dish; and top with the sauce. Bake at 350-degrees for 30-60 minutes (depends on your taste).

You can add breadsticks and a salad to make the dinner complete.

I also scan the following recipe sites:
www.foodnetwork.com
www.allrecipes.com
www.cookinglight.com
www.epicurious.com
www.recipezaar.com

Sounds familiar!! I also feel as though I am ALWAYS making the same meals over and over and it gets very BORING! I am anxious to see what others have to say. Here is something my family loves and it is quick and easy.

Chicken with Purple Onion

Chicken breast sliced into strips
Large purple onion
Parmesean Ranch dressing or Three Cheese Ranch dressing
Shreaded Parmesean Cheese
Red Pepper

Cut the purple onion into thin slices and lay on a pan (I use a boiler pan).
Place chicken strips in a circular pattern over the onion.
Spoon dressing over chicken and spread to cover chicken.
Sprinkle red pepper over top (very strong so not too much if you don't like hot stuff).
Sprinkle some parmesean cheese over top.

Bake in oven at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Quick and easy dish. My picky eater even enjoys it. I do not like onions, so I do not eat them, but the onion adds a little taste to the chicken while it is baking.

A couple of our favorites are lasagna, chicken dumplings, pot roast, chili, and meatloaf. I can send you my recipe for lasagna if you want. I am all about simplicity. Chicken dumplings is just boil whole chicken (I use 2-3 for leftovers), then pick off the meat of the cooled chicken, adding meat back to stock water, simmer a little longer. Add boullion if you want more chicken flavor. Then make dumplings from Bisquick and follow directions. Pot roast is just putting it in the crockpot with french onion soup & water to cover meat until done. When done, I add potatoes & carrots to meat until those are done. I can go on if you'd like. My recipes are family ones that have changed slightly over the years.

Hi R.,

Try kraftfoods.com. If you register on the site you will get enews updates with recipes, and also 4 quarterly publications full of recipes relevant to that particular season (which I live by). Its free of charge b/c they are promoting there products (but I often substitute with generic target brand (sshh) :)

Of-course your inbox will become quite full, but its worth it!!

They also have an on-line recipe box which is helpful for those things you run across, but aren't interested in fixing at the time!

Good luck!

My favorite easy recipe:

In a crock pot or dutch oven place

1/2 pork loin (can be still frozen if in crock pot!!)
1 can pineapple chunks or tidbits (not crushed)
1/2 jar of cheapest BBQ sauce you can find

Cook all day in crock pot on low, 4 hours on high, or until done in oven. Serve over rice or egg noodles.

Hi R.!

Here is a very simple recipe that my whole family loves (including the kids:)

Honey Mustard Chicken:

1 lb chicken breasts
1 stick butter (melted)
1/2 C honey
1/4 C mustard
salt and pepper to taste.

Mix above ingredients and pour over chicken (I just use a 9 x 13 pan). Bake at 350 for about 50 minutes to an hour.

I usually serve this dish with mashed potatoes and corn and maybe rolls and salad.

Hope this helps!

I subscribe to www.savingdinner.com and receive 19 recipes every week along with grocery lists to make shopping easier. There are 3 types of menus - Low Carb, Heart Healthy and Regular Menus. They include instructions for 4 servings or 2 servings and the regular menu is for 6 or 2 servings. You can get a sample menu by visiting the website as well as Leanne has some free recipes there that are great!

My familiy really likes skillet lasagna and it's easy!

I also have taken a box of mac & cheese and added extra shredded cheese, frozen peas and canned chicken for something quick and yummy!

Easy Stroganoff - from the box of Minute Rice

1 lb. ground beef
2 beef bouillion cubes
1 can mushrooms, drained
1 1/2 c Minute Rice
1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c sour cream (but I use more)
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 c water

Brown beef quickly with mushrooms, onion, and salt. Stir in water & boullion cubes. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stori in sour cream right before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Makes about 6 cups or 6 servings.

Also, Food Network has a new show where they make foods with only 5 ingredients. Try Foodnetwork.com.

BEAN BURRITOS:Serves 8

3/4 cup rice (brown or white)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 jalapeno chile, chopped (ribs and seeds removed,for less heat)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 bag frozen corn kernels, (10 ounces)
6 scallions, thinly sliced
8 burrito-size flour tortillas, 10 inches each
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Salsa and sour cream, optional

From frozen, preheat oven to 350. Bake in foil for 30 minutes or until warm throughout.

FIRECRACKER SALMON: 8 servings
2 pounds salmon filets (cut into 4-8 pieces)
1/2 cup peanut oil
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Whisk together all ingredients but fish. Place filets in freezer bags (divide marinate evenly) and either refrigerate 4-6 hours or freeze. Thaw in refrigerator day before serving. Prepare outdoor grill with coals about 5 inches from grate. Oil or spray grates lightly. Grill 10 minutes per inch of thickness, turning halfway through cooking.

ORIENTAL CHICKEN (Sandwiches): 4 servings
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 pound total)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame seed, toasted
1 tablespoon grated ginger root or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil or cooking oil
1 garlic clove, minced, or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
1 cup shredded Chinese cabbage or shredded lettuce (optional)
4 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns (optional)
sliced tomato (optional)

Rinse chicken. Combine water, soy sauce, sesame seed, ginger, oil, garlic and red pepper. Pour over chicken and marinate for 6-24 hours. (I divide mine and freeze). Grill uncovered directly over medium coals for 12-15 minutes, turning once and brushing with marinade halfway through. For sandwiches, place shredded cabbage or lettuce on rolls and top with chicken and tomato.

Hi there. I have found that Betty Crockers website has been a favorite of mine. They have a recipe finder that you put in 3 ingredients you love to enjoy or know you have at home and it gives you different recipes to try. I enjoy the website b/c I know my fav ingredients and this way it gives me different options to make with my fav ingredients. Hope this helps!!

Go to allrecipes.com. Anything you could possibly imagine cooking is on there and it has reviews from people about how good the food was and what they changed in the recipe to make it better or an easier way to cook things. I don't know how I ever made it through a week without this website. ;)
J.

What type of foods do you and your family like?

Creamed Chicken and Biscuits 6 servings

½ Large Onion
1 ½ teaspoon butter
4 Cups chopped cooked chicken
1 ( 10 ¾ oz. ) can of creamed Chicken Soup
1 Cup sour cream
½ cup Milk
½ cup chopped pimiento
1 cup shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese (Divided)
6 biscuits – like Grands from Pillsbury

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease sides and bottom of 11x 7 pan. Chop onion, heat butter
In non-stick pan. Stir in onion, sauté until tender . Combine
Chicken, soup, sour cream, Milk and Pimiento and ¼ cup of cheddar
Mix well in bowl. Spoon Mixture into baking pan. Bake foe 15 minutes. Remove from Oven sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
Arrange biscuits on top bake until gold brown about 20 minutes. Sauce will be bubbly. Serve immediately.
You may also add chopped mushrooms, green pepper, for extra flavor, to your sautéed onion mixture. I also add some garlic to taste and a bit of rosemary. Sea salt and black pepper.
Sometimes I even add half a bag of frozen mixed vegtables to it before I bake it. It really is good.

I subscribe to www.e-mealz.com. It costs $1.25 a week and I feel it is definitely worth it! We get a different meal every day for about 5 to 6 months. The kids seem to love the meals and you have your grocery list every week! Give it a try and see what you think. I have 7 children and they seem to really like it!

Hi R.,

Wow, look at all those responses! We're probably having burgers tonight, not much help to you, lol!

Something that works for us is to put chicken breasts (brown first if you want), carrots, potatoes, onion, 1 stalk celery, seasonings of choice, and a couple cups water or broth in the crockpot. Cook all day on low, it is ready when you are. nice if you are going on an outing and may be tired when you return but you still want a good supper.

You can also brown up some pork chops (or not bother), put them in the crockpot with a couple onions (again, sauteed or not, as you wish), dump a 16-oz (or thereabouts ) bottle of barbecue sauce (or equivalent amount of home-made) over all, and cook as above.

Ribs are also great in the crockpot, or in the oven if you are home to babysit them and if heating up your kitchen is not an issue (we don't have central air, so it IS an issue for us in summer).

Sometimes in the summer we just make a meal of sweet corn.

Have you tried frozen pirogies? We thaw them in hot water, then fry in small amount of butter/margarine with onions.

I liked the "breakfast for dinner" idea someone mentioned; I didn't read all responses though.

Do you have a grill? It's not just for hot dogs and burgers. You can do shish-ke-babs, chicken, fish, veggies, fruit, eggplant, whatever.

If you want my rib recipe let me know, it is from a La Leche League cookbook. It includes a recipe for home-made barbecue sauce.

Libraries have lots of cookbooks you can borrow, you may get some good ideas there too. You can always copy the recipe if you decide you like it enough to do again.

Ask your older girls to look in the cookbook and see what sounds good to them, and especially if they'd be willing to help make it.

Good luck and have fun!

K. Z.

Haystacks are very simple and adaptable. After you prepare all the things you would normally make for tacos/burritos (beef, beans, chicken, cheese, chopped tomatoes, etc.), have everyone crush up tortilla chips on a plate, just enough to make a thin layer. Then let them pile on whatever they want (of course get some veggies in it) and mix it up with a fork to eat. (Of course, you might have to do this for your 1 year old.)

Try visiting

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Simple---Delicious-Magazine

This is the website for Simple & Delicious magazine. I have been a subscriber for years, and love it. You can also find a copy at the check-out of many grocery stores.
Good Luck

The organizers of my moms' group have a great website with all sorts of recipes here http://momtestedkidapproved.blogspot.com/. My favorite is the "Beef Pita Tacos" recipe posted around April 23rd. It only calls for three ingredients, it cooks up quickly, and my son and husband love it. We had it this weekend, and we used corn taco shells I had in the pantry. They had theirs like tacos, but I crushed my taco shells up and made a taco salad with cheese on top. Many of the recipes on the blog are make ahead freezer meals. You can make them for that evening, or you can freeze them for a later date.

It seems our constant rotation is:
SPAGHETTI (jar and box- Alton would be so disappointed!),
PORK CHOPS (Hawaiian marinade, serve with white rice, pineapple- over the rice is yummy- and a veggie),
SOY SAUCE CHICKEN (cubed chicken breast in skillet filled with soy sauce, served with rice and stir fry veggies goes well),
BBQ CHICKEN is easy cause I forget to take stuff out of the freezer the night before!
We also do a yummy homemade BEEF STROGANOFF with fresh mushrooms, onion and sour cream mixed into browned ground beef and served over egg noodles. I like it so much better than hamburger helper cause I know everything is fresh and exactly what goes into it. You could probably add other chopped veggies and the kiddos would never know!
POT ROAST - same as someone mentioned before.
BREAKFAST - eggs, we do our sausage on the george foreman grill and it comes out a little dry but I'm amazed at all the grease that comes out!, biscuits, and then pancakes or waffles for dessert are fun.

We also do hamburgers a lot and lil smokies wrapped in crescent roll dough and then baked. We love to dine out and know which restaurants offer certain deals on certain days (kids eat free, etc).

It's all boring to us but maybe something new for you!
I highly recommend the pork chops. :)

Check out the website allrecipes.com I get lots of new ideas from there and they have a questions forum where you can meet other people like you or get your cooking questions answered.
The second thing I do is I keep a list on my refriderator of recipes I have all the ingredients for like spagetti, ham and bean soup etc that way if I can't think of what I want to fix I have some ready choices. This also helps when I am making up my grocery list I have a list of recipes that are tried and true that my family likes and can just replace the missing ingredients.

Barbecued meatballs, fried potatoes salad

R.-
I felt the same way. This isn't an immediate answer, but I have had a lot of luck with it. I put myself on the weekly recipe mailing list at sites like Kraft, Betty Crocker, Parents (all of these have pretty family friendly recipes/weeknight friendly) and epicurious (for when I'm feeling adventurous and exotic). When I get the email I flip through the 5 or so recipes and print out the ones that look good. Then, each week I make at least one new dish. If the family likes it, I cut and paste it onto a recipe card and file it in my recipe box. If not - into the round filing bin. I have really expanded my "regular meals" in the recipe box and found some really great recipes. Hope this helps and happy cooking!
-L

ps. One of my favorites is slow cooker thai chicken
1 lb chicken breast
3/4 cup salsa
1/4 peanut butter
2Tbs lime juice
1Tbs soy sauce
1tsp grnd. ginger
place chicke evenly along bottom or slow cooker
mix remaining ingredients for sauce and pour over chicken cook over low heat 6-8hr, before serving shred in slow cooker with 2 forks and mix well. Serve over rice. I like to make extra sauce in a sauce pan (it is soooo yummy). The salsa is what gives it a kick - so you can vary the spice by varying the salsa.

R. - Kraft food and family magazine is free by mail (I think on-line too) and they have flavorful and easy recipies. One of my favorite is Sesame Chicken. Thaw chicken breast and dice or cut into strips (I use about 3 chicken breasts for 2 adults one toddler child). Saute in skillet on stove top until cooked through. Season with 1/4-1/2 (depending on how much flavor you like) tsp each of garlic powder, ginger and red pepper Crushed or cayenne (it is such a small amount it does not add any spice). Next add to pan with cooked chicken 3/4 cup of Kraft asian toasted sesame dressing (I use the light kind) and 2-3 tbsp of soy sauce. Cook until sauce slightly thickens. While cooking chicken boil water and cook angel hair pasta and frozen broccoli together in same pot until done. Strain pasta and broccoli then lightly rinse and drain thoroughly. Serve chicken over pasta. Alternative is to make steamed white or brown rice and cook broccoli separate. Even my 2 year old son loves this recipie! Good luck

Hi. I just asked a similar question not that long ago and I was told to go to kraftfoods.com. They have quite a few recipes that are simple and good and also not too expensive to make. My family loves the brushetta chicken bake.

Don't have any idea what you have been making but here a few ideas.
We boil up macaroni, add a can of peas and add boned chicken or tuna (I add chopped celery a little onion to mine as well), mix together well with Miracle Whip type dressing and put it in the frig then serve it on lettuce for dinner with some fruit. It is cool and filling.
You can take a couple of boxes of (yuck) macaroni and cheese, cook per instructions and add diced ham, chicken, or tuna with a can of peas and serve it with fruit as well.
I cook chicken breasts in the micro (takes about 10 minutes), then heat the sauce and add spaghetti or rice. Make a salad.
You can use suddenly Suddenly Salad with boned chicken, turkey, or tuna (they have the recipes on the side of the boxes and you can use different meats). Then add a fresh salad or green beans.
I make taco meat up and serve over chips (walking taco salad) instead of tacos. You can layer taco meat, beans, salsa and cheese in a dish and serve with sour cream on the side over nacho chips with carrot and celery sticks for vegetables. You can also make loaded nachos the same way.
You can cook up Ramen noodles and add sausage and veggies to this and serve up.
Hope a few of these ideas will help.
You can also make vegetable pizzas that are served cold.

Try the Kraft website. Kraft has a ton of fast dinner ideas that take hardly any time to make and have the kind of common ingredients most people already have in their pantry or freezer!

something very simple that i make (that is also very inexpensive) is chicken rice.

wherever you buy groceries, go down the rise aisle, and look for *rice sides* by knorr. (i get the one marked *chicken* not *creamy chicken*) usually they are around .99-1.50 a pack. for each pack you buy, get you a small can of chicken (i get the chicken from dollar tree, and it is very very good, but you can get the can chicken at the grocery as well). the broth that is in the cans of chicken, use that to mix in the water that you use. (i think the total water for one pack is 2 1/4 cups). the chicken broth adds to the flavor also. you can also get a small can of corn and add to it as well. (i usually use that water as well)

after the rice is done cooking, that is when i add the chicken (and if you chose to have corn, i add that as well) to it. if you add it in the very beginning, by the end it will be dry. while the rice is hot, it will cook the chicken(and corn). and they way that i eat it is with saltine crackers. just 1 pack will feed me and my son, and i am ALWAYS full after :)

I could go on and on lol. But here is a few of my favs....
Chicken Enchilada Casserole, Four-Cheese Chicken Rolls, Baked Chicken Romano, Asian Pork and Noodle Skillet, Bake Potatoe Bake, Mexican Meatloaf(not spicy), Easy Ruben Sandwich. Ok sorry got a little bit on the ball there. Good Luck!