Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Feb 25, 2014 10:22:41 GMT -5
Gravy takes all day. Sauces (like pomodoro) are easy week night fixes. That's how I was raised! Lol.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Feb 25, 2014 10:25:07 GMT -5
I haven't read the entire thread yet... but i'm going to go back and do so, because I love new ideas.
For weeknights, don't discount frozen veggies. We buy the steamable packs and cook them several times a week.
We use the slow cooker for roasts and roasted chicken or turkey breast. If I don't feel like chopping the veggies for these, they sale a frozen mix for roasts or stews, that have the standard, potato, carrot, celery, pearl onion. They are a time saver. Costco sells a pack of small pork roasts that are a perfect size, and VERY lean. In fact, we had one last night for dinner. DH had 2 helpings, I have one and we both have enough for lunch today. I also could have (and should have) added way more veggies... it was very heavy on the meat.
I tend to use the slow cooker to get proteins made faster. Chicken or pork gets seasoned and tossed in and cooked on low and then when I get home... I can quickly assemble tacos, wraps, salad or pasta or sandwich. Shredded meat lends itself to endless possibilities.
I also find that having a great variety of seasoning makes life easier. We eat baked or grilled chicken breast 2-3 times a week. I have over a dozen seasoning blends from a local shop. We pick one... season the chicken and cook. Throw some steamable veggies in and withing 25-30 minutes dinner is ready.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Feb 25, 2014 10:40:30 GMT -5
I make my own sauce during the summer, once I've gotten fresh tomatoes from the farmers market or gone to a upick farm and picked my own... it tastes infinitely better than the stuff in the jar. it is magical! But if i didn't have time, I wouldn't bother... if i didn't enjoy cooking... i wouldn't bother either. Same here! I love fresh sauce in the summer and it's so easy! I could never bring myself to buy a jar of sauce. Recipe please? I have never made my own spaghetti sauce. That is just one thing I haven't done yet.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2014 10:44:22 GMT -5
It doesn't have to be all or nothing either! Meghan gave me an easy sauce recipe last year and I do make it on occasion, but if time is tight I open a jar.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Feb 25, 2014 11:13:19 GMT -5
Same here! I love fresh sauce in the summer and it's so easy! I could never bring myself to buy a jar of sauce. Recipe please? I have never made my own spaghetti sauce. That is just one thing I haven't done yet. I posted the James Beard version under Pasta in the recipe section.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Feb 25, 2014 11:17:15 GMT -5
I made the broccoli slaw "pasta" last night for dinner. YUM! We put meat sauce on top of it with a sprinkle of parmesan. I ate probably 2c of broccoli slaw because I was starving, and DD ate about 1/2c. And it cooked so much faster than pasta. This will be one of our quick meal staples I believe. It didn't taste like broccoli at all, but it did smell like it when I was cooking the "noodles."
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Feb 25, 2014 11:22:15 GMT -5
]if time is an issue, I certainly wouldn't spend it making spaghetti sauce - you can get it from a jar and it's just as good. just remember KISS - no need for gourmet. I'd caution one to be selective in your sauce. Many can have high levels of sodium and especially sugar. I think the Muir Glen ones and Newman's are better than Ragu/etc. I do make my own, but I like vegetables so I throw a lot of those in there. As described, a fresh pomodoro is delish also... A quick sauce you could just dice some roma tomatoes, saute for <5 minutes, add some basil and herbs, and you're done.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Feb 25, 2014 11:38:36 GMT -5
Same here! I love fresh sauce in the summer and it's so easy! I could never bring myself to buy a jar of sauce. Recipe please? I have never made my own spaghetti sauce. That is just one thing I haven't done yet. I'll grab some when I'm home. My favorite easy summer sauce pretty much goes chopped tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, basil in the food processor. Serve over pasta. Perfect for a summer evening on the patio with a glass of wine. Whole peeled tomatoes make a great and easy week night sauce.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Feb 25, 2014 11:50:46 GMT -5
I made the broccoli slaw "pasta" last night for dinner. YUM! We put meat sauce on top of it with a sprinkle of parmesan. I ate probably 2c of broccoli slaw because I was starving, and DD ate about 1/2c. And it cooked so much faster than pasta. This will be one of our quick meal staples I believe. It didn't taste like broccoli at all, but it did smell like it when I was cooking the "noodles." I have some raw cabbage and broccoli slaw left over from the weekend (I made veggie eggrolls with it). I'm going to try mixing it into my spaghetti for lunch and see if I like it. Heat the pasta first, then add the slaw, so it warms up, but still stays crunchy.
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Feb 25, 2014 12:31:35 GMT -5
I like the idea of chopping veggies for a salad when putting away groceries. Don't the veggies go bad quicker doing this? I find veggies actually last longer if you prep them before you store. They are usually pretty damp at the grocery, and if there are any bad parts, it will spread quickly if it's all attached. Rinse, dry, chop off the ends and anything that looks bruised, separate into servings, wrap in paper towels to cut down on moisture and stick in a zip lock. Label it if you can't see through the paper towel. Mushrooms can last a week
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2014 12:39:24 GMT -5
I like the idea of chopping veggies for a salad when putting away groceries. Don't the veggies go bad quicker doing this? I find veggies actually last longer if you prep them before you store. They are usually pretty damp at the grocery, and if there are any bad parts, it will spread quickly if it's all attached. Rinse, dry, chop off the ends and anything that looks bruised, separate into servings, wrap in paper towels to cut down on moisture and stick in a zip lock. Label it if you can't see through the paper towel. Mushrooms can last a week Angel - I've also found that veggies go bad faster if you prep in advance
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2014 12:57:23 GMT -5
Do you grill? On a weekend, grill a big batch of chicken breasts in varying flavors (garlic and herb, Asian, Mexican, plain etc.). Cut them up into strips, put in Ziploc bags, label and date and put in the freezer. You can pull them out and make enchiladas, tacos, stir-fry or add to salads.
I don't wash and cut veggies until I'm going to use them, but when I have some cut that I'm not using, I wrap in a paper towel and put in a Ziploc bag and they tend to stay pretty fresh.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Feb 25, 2014 14:31:29 GMT -5
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Feb 25, 2014 14:33:14 GMT -5
Dh is picking up rotisserie chicken on his way home tonight.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Feb 25, 2014 15:19:36 GMT -5
I made the broccoli slaw "pasta" last night for dinner. YUM! We put meat sauce on top of it with a sprinkle of parmesan. I ate probably 2c of broccoli slaw because I was starving, and DD ate about 1/2c. And it cooked so much faster than pasta. This will be one of our quick meal staples I believe. It didn't taste like broccoli at all, but it did smell like it when I was cooking the "noodles." How did you cook the brocolli slaw? Did you saute it until it was soft? I want to try this in place of pasta! I boiled it like pasta, but only for about 5 minutes. It was still firm. I kept checking to make sure it wasn't too mushy. But you can see the stalks get more translucent, if that makes sense. That's when it's done.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Feb 25, 2014 15:22:57 GMT -5
Yeah! That's it! It was delicious. I could tell it wasn't pasta, but it didn't taste like broccoli either. Good substitute.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Feb 25, 2014 15:36:44 GMT -5
Yeah! That's it! It was delicious. I could tell it wasn't pasta, but it didn't taste like broccoli either. Good substitute. Sweet! I googled and this one looked good. I'll have to add broccoli slaw to next week's groceries!
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michelyn8
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Post by michelyn8 on Feb 25, 2014 16:57:53 GMT -5
How did you cook the brocolli slaw? Did you saute it until it was soft? I want to try this in place of pasta! I boiled it like pasta, but only for about 5 minutes. It was still firm. I kept checking to make sure it wasn't too mushy. But you can see the stalks get more translucent, if that makes sense. That's when it's done. Where are you buying this? I'm all for trying it but can't say I've ever seen it in the stores around here.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Feb 25, 2014 16:59:53 GMT -5
It's just in the produce section near the bagged salads. If we have it in our town I am pretty sure it's everywhere.
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michelyn8
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Post by michelyn8 on Feb 25, 2014 21:39:38 GMT -5
My sister said she's seen it in the specialty food section of a local store. Will be picking some up this weekend. :-)
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cktc
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Post by cktc on Feb 25, 2014 22:03:24 GMT -5
Saw broccoli slaw at Trader Joe's tonight so I had to try it. Definitely good, but not terribly filling. I had more than half the bag, added crimini mushrooms, and I'm still hungry. Maybe next time I'll try it with a bolognese.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Feb 25, 2014 22:04:46 GMT -5
Didn't read the whole thread, sorry if this has been mentioned before
I started doing wraps with the kids. I'll put up all kinds of veggies and let them have a "mystery" wrap going - they don't have to tell me what they put in.
If I was short on time or simply didn't want to do it myself, I would buy the following
pre-cut pre-washed bag of broccoli in BJ ($4.99 for a HUGE bag) or broccoli slaw also in BJ same for carrots same for lettuce same with peppers grape tomatoes - not cutting needed
I buy green beans frozen ONLY, this way after 3-4 min in a pot they are ready to go
chicken
I would buy boneless chicken breast when on sale, grind it up, and prepare chicken "hamburges" with it and freeze it in service size portions. It takes 5 min to defrost it in a bowl of hot water, 10-15 min on a skillet in olive oil and boom - you have dinner in 20 min.
also for chicken, cut up in small pieces and throw it in a skillet with some olive oil salt and pepper - and throw it in a Caesar salad. Again, 15 min and dinner is done.
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ginpin
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Post by ginpin on Feb 26, 2014 21:39:44 GMT -5
Regarding pasta sauce: I love homemade sauce, but it can be pricey on a budget. When you just have yourself & your kids, it is cheaper and easier to open a jar of Ragu. Try the Ragu Light. It has no sugar or HFCS, and it's normally $1.75 or so at King Soopers. You can also get the little bags of Kroger brand frozen veggies for like a buck a piece. Add a salad or some French bread and you have a quick, relatively cheap dinner.
We also like to grill chicken drumsticks and put bbq sauce on them. Our current favorite sauce is Famous Dave's Georgia Mustard sauce. Add some kind of potato like mashed or boiled, and a veggie or salad, and another decent meal.
Chili is good and filling, but I don't know if your kids will eat it.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Feb 27, 2014 7:21:30 GMT -5
If you are using canned tomato products to make sauce, how then would that be cheaper than buying sauce in a jar?
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Feb 27, 2014 7:32:48 GMT -5
If you are using canned tomato products to make sauce, how then would that be cheaper than buying sauce in a jar? I get the good stuff when they go on sale. It's not like I'm adding all of the canned tomato varieties. And I prefer making my own so it's worth the extra pennies. Jarred is just so... *shudder*
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2014 7:36:35 GMT -5
If you are using canned tomato products to make sauce, how then would that be cheaper than buying sauce in a jar? I get the good stuff when they go on sale. It's not like I'm adding all of the canned tomato varieties. And I prefer making my own so it's worth the extra pennies. Jarred is just so... *shudder* yeah yeah yeah... jarred sauce looks pretty good after a long day of working/chasing after DS, especially when I'm making dinner and DS is yelling at me for food.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Feb 27, 2014 7:40:17 GMT -5
I get the good stuff when they go on sale. It's not like I'm adding all of the canned tomato varieties. And I prefer making my own so it's worth the extra pennies. Jarred is just so... *shudder* yeah yeah yeah... jarred sauce looks pretty good after a long day of working/chasing after DS, especially when I'm making dinner and DS is yelling at me for food. DINK life rules! :-P
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Feb 27, 2014 7:41:19 GMT -5
If you are using canned tomato products to make sauce, how then would that be cheaper than buying sauce in a jar? I get the good stuff when they go on sale. It's not like I'm adding all of the canned tomato varieties. And I prefer making my own so it's worth the extra pennies. Jarred is just so... *shudder* If it tastes better, then yes, it is worth it for sure.
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ginpin
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Post by ginpin on Feb 27, 2014 8:30:34 GMT -5
If you are using canned tomato products to make sauce, how then would that be cheaper than buying sauce in a jar? The way I make it, it ends up being like $6-7 bucks. Purely from MY standpoint, when I am broke-ass broke, the $1.75 jarred beats making homemade. And it's decent. This also doesn't count for those who have the well-stocked panty.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2014 8:34:51 GMT -5
yeah yeah yeah... jarred sauce looks pretty good after a long day of working/chasing after DS, especially when I'm making dinner and DS is yelling at me for food. DINK life rules! :-P It sure did! << walks away wistfully thinking of her 20's and 1/2 her 30's.... >>
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