10 Quick and simple Dinners !

I know now a days everybody is short on time; and money. That's no excuse to skimp at your diner table. I came up with super quick, easy and healthy meals for you and your family that you will love and won't break the bank !

I just want to say, that all my recipes are adaptable, if you see a recipe call for a certain vegetable, don't worry substitute with what you have available, if recipes call for milk, you can use, soy, almond, oat or goat milk, you can substitute stock for water just simply add a bit more seasoning to your liking to boost the flavor. 
I use recipes as a guide, not to say you should never follow a recipe; some of us really need them. All I am trying to say is HAVE FUN ! Especially when you are in the kitchen, let your kids join in, never stress about what is for dinner, you food will produce the feelings you have while cooking.  Ever notice when you are stressed and don't want to cook, you go prepare something in haste and it turns out terrible; well that's probably because you didn't want to do it in the first place. Try to enjoy being in the kitchen, you food and belly will thank you for your effort !
Even the barest cupboards can produce a spectacular meal; it just takes getting creative, and hey maybe a little help from a blog now and then ( wink wink )
If you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to ask or comment and i will  do my best to help in any way I can. I truly hope you enjoy these recipes.

Love Sierra

 
5 Minute Tuna Wraps

2 cans drained tuna

2 green onions chopped

splash of lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

3 tbsp of mayo

Combine tuna with chopped green onion, lemon salt and pepper, add mayo and stir till all mixed, top with some of your most liked sides; lettuce, tomato, shredded carrot, diced bell peppers, sliced yellow or red onion, bean sprouts, cucumber.. wrap in a flour tortilla or between sandwich bread !

* For a special treat, try making a tuna melt, use the same tuna mix but spread on one side of bread and toast in a heated 375* F oven and top with grated cheddar cheese.. mm enjoy !

20 Minute Minestrone Soup

1 large can diced tomatoes

1 carton vegetable stock ( or 4 cups water )

1 can rinsed/drained red kidney beans

2 cups frozen mixed veggies ( or 2 cups diced veggies your choice; i.e onion, carrot, corn, zucchini, peas..)

1 cup uncooked pasta ( i like baby shells or elbow, but use what you have )

Combine all ingredients in soup pot except pasta, bring everything to a boil, once boiled add pasta, stir and cook until pasta is done. Once pasta is tender, take off heat and serve, top with grated cheddar or Parmesan cheese.

* I use this recipe alot, I change it to fit what I have in my fridge and cupboards, sometimes I only use carrots and onions, sometimes no pasta at all, sometimes i even add in cubed or shredded chicken or potatoes from the previous night, use tis recipe as a guide and have fun with it ! You cannot go wrong with it !

15 Minute Veggie Quesadilla

4 flour tortillas

1/2 cup salsa

1 cup shredded cheese

1 cup mixed diced veggies ( i like bell peppers, green onion, corn, mushrooms...)

* you an also add cubed or shredded chicken if you have it*

Preheat oven to 375* F

Spread salsa evenly amongst 4 tortillas only on half of the tortilla, sprinkle a little cheese, saving some, top with your veggies evenly and finish with remainder of cheese. Place all 4 Quesadillas on a baking sheet and bake for 15 mins or until warmed through and cheese is melted.

Quickest lasagna

I lbs ground meat

1 tin tomatoes

1 cup diced bell peppers

1 diced onion

2 cups water

1 bag egg noodles or 12 - 14 lasagna noodles broken in pieces

1 cup cheddar cheese

Saute ground meat in skillet, once almost cooked add onion and bell peppers, saute 5 mins, add can of tomatoes, water and noodles, simmer with lid on for 15 mins stirring occasionally, cook until noodles are tender, top with grated cheddar cheese... Soo easy and sooo yummy !

* A must try !

20 Minute 3 Bean Veggie Chili

1 can each of red kidney beans, pinto beans and blac
k beans

1 large tin stewed tomatoes

1 cup salsa

1 cup water

1 tsp cumin and coriander

salt n pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients, bring to a simmer, cook for 15 min, or until you reach desired consistency. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream and green onions.

* You can add ground meat to this if you like, just saute up your meat first, then add your beans tomatoes salsa, water and spices, sometimes i only have kidney beans, use whatever bean you have on hand, this recipe looks so simple but it so depth in flavor ! A sure hit !

15 Minute Chicken Tex-Mex Stir Fry

1 lbs boneless skinless chicken

1 1/2 cup salsa

1/2 cup frozen corn

2 cup frozen mixed veggies ( or fresh .. carrot, onion, zucchini, bell peppers, peas, mushrooms )

* serve with rice cooked egg noodles or tortilla wraps *

Heat a frying pan with 2 tbsp oil, cut up chicken in bit sized pieces, add chicken to pan, saute till brown on all sides, add salsa and veggies, continue to simmer until chicken is tender and cooked through, serve with rice, pasta or wraps.

*If you are going to be serving with rice or pasta, start the pasta or rice first, this way by the time you chicken is finished so will your rice or pasta.

One Pot Zesty Chicken and Rice

( this is a 45 minute diner but sure worth the wait, you can throw everything in your dish and walk away for 45 mins and appear with a beautiful filling meal )

1-1/2 cups parboiled rice

2 cups veggie stock ( or water )

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts ( or thighs or drumsticks )

1 can large diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 cup zesty Italian Dressing

1/2 cup Shredded Cheese

Combine, rice, stock ( or water ) , can of tomatoes, and zesty salad dressing, in a 9 x 13 casserole dish and stir till combined, top with chicken and bake for 45 mins, top with shredded cheese once done and let sit for 10 mins till cheese is melted. So delish !



10 Minute Healthy Nachos

Multi grain nacho chips
Kidney beans
salsa
green onion
diced yellow bell pepper ( or any color )
olives
grated cheese

Preheat oven to 400*F
Layer nachos evenly not overlapping too much, top nachos with kidney beans, salsa, diced green onion and yellow pepper, olives and sprinkle with cheese, bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted

* We eat these alot here, they are quick and a crowd pleaser I use whatever I have on hand; sometimes its just salsa cheese and kidney beans, other times we top with leftover chicken from the last night. You can use any other toppings, like jalapenos, tomatoes, red or yellow onion. Be creative ! Serve with more salsa and sour cream.


Fish and Chips

Vegetable oil, for deep frying

4 large potatoes

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

salt and black pepper for seasoning

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 can of soda water or a 12 oz beer

1/2 cup flour, for dredging

6 - 8 fillets of cod, haddock, Pollock or Tilapia

Peel the potatoes and cut them into wedges, season with salt and pepper and toss in 2 tbsp of olive oil, put wedges onto a baking sheet and place in pre-heated 400 *F oven for 30 mins

In a  mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and egg. Pour in the soda water to make a smooth batter. Spread the flour on a plate, dip the fish in the flour and then into the batter letting the excess drip off. Fry the fish in the bubbling oil for 4 - 5 mins until golden brown and crispy, Remove from oil and let rest on paper towel to soak up excess oil. Season with salt and pepper.

* serve with tar tar sauce; see recipe below


Tar Tar sauce

1/2 cup mayo
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp sweet relish
1 dashes hot sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Combine everything till creamy.

Easy Mac n Cheese

1 onion diced
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tomato diced
2 tbsp margarine or olive oil
2 tbsp flour
2 cups milk ( I have used soy, almond and goat milk )
2 cups elbow pasta
2 cups cheddar cheese


Saute onion tomato and garlic on medium heat in 2 tbsp of margarine or olive oil, 5 mins. add flour, and stir to coat onions tomato and garlic, 2 min. add 2 cups of milk and bring to a simmer on med - high heat, once simmering add pasta and cheese, cover and simmer on med. heat for 12 - 15 mins stirring frequently so not to burn or scald the milk, take off burner after 12 -15 mins and set aside, it will continue to thicken as it sits.  Sauce should be creamy and not too thick.