Easy Skillet Beef and Hashbrowns

From Campbell's Kitchens

1 lb. ground beef
1 can cream of celery soup (I used cream of mushroom)
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. ketchup
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 c. frozen hashbrowns
3 slices American cheese

1. Brown the beef, drain.
2. Stir in the soup, water, ketchup, worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil.
3. Stir in the hashbrowns. Reduce temperature to low, cover and cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Top with cheese.

**personally, I think I will bake this dish next time so that the hashbrowns don't get so mushy.

Apricot Honey Chicken

My mistake! In the last post, I said you could find the recipe for Apricot Chicken under the chicken tab. But when I double-checked, it wasn't there! I know I've posted this darn recipe before, but apparently I forgot to put it under the tabs. So, here it is! And now it will be under the chicken tab!

Apricot Honey Chicken (from Taste of Home)

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 Tbsp. oil
3 Tbsp. apricot preserves
2 Tbsp. orange juice
4 tsp. honey

In a large skillet, cook chicken in oil over medium heat for 7-9 min on each side (or until juices run clear). Combine the preserves, orange juice, and honey; pour over chicken. Cook for 2 min. or until heated through.

*I like to double the sauce so that it is not so dry on top of rice.

Two in One Meal: Burritos and Mexican Pizza

Isn't it nice to make two meals with the effort of only one?? This is a great way to reduce your prep time, while still having two home-cooked meals for the week. I make the filling for the burritos, and then use the leftover filling for Mexican Pizza later. If you find you only like the burritos or only like the Pizza, then make the filling, use what you need right now, and freeze the rest for a duplicate meal later. It's a win-win deal! Burritos: I make mine with 1 lb browned, ground beef, 1 can refried beans, and 1 jar salsa. Combine ingredients, add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Place in tortillas and roll up. You can eat immediately, or bake them in a casserole dish with more cheese on top. Save the leftover fillling for Mexican Pizza. Mexican Pizza: use the leftover filling from the burritoes to make a fast pizza. I spread the leftover filling on a store-bought pizza crust (the ones in the can). I top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese and bake at 400 degrees for 20 min (or until crust is starting to brown and cheese is melted). I serve a slice with lettuce, tomato, and sour cream on top.

Saucy Italian Orzo

Saucy Italian Orzo (from Simple and Delicious magazine) 6 servings This recipe looks sooo good in the picture! 1 lb. ground beef 1 large onion, chopped (I probably won't use this much) 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic 1 (14 oz) can beef broth 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste 3/4 c. uncooked orzo pasta (this is the little pasta that looks like rice) 1 tsp. Italian seasoning 2 c. fresh baby spinach (I don't think I'll be able to sneak this one past my husband, but I can usually sneak in some minced frozen spinach. I keep a box of it in my freezer, and just slice off some when needed in recipes. He usually just assumes it is parsley, and I don't tell him any different! :) ) 1. Cook the beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat in a large dutch oven. Crumble and cook until no longer pink. Drain grease. 2. Stir in remainder of ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 min. or until orzo is tender. Add spinach; cook and stir until spinach is wilted.

Homemade Hot Pockets

It is so easy to create your own hot pockets at home, and much cheaper!! Plus, you can make them to suit your family's tastes and you know EXACTLY what is going into them! Our family prefers the pizza flavored ones, but just about any cooked filling will do. Go to the hotpocket area in the frozen food section for inspiration!
These will also freeze well for quickie lunches later. Just wrap the frozen hotpocket in a paper towel, and microwave on 50% power for 1-2 min.

1 package jumbo biscuits (in a can)
Pizza filling: pizza sauce, cheese, mini diced ham cubes, pepperoni...or whatever you like!
Breakfast filling: eggs, cheese, meat (diced up ham, bacon, or sausage)

1. Flatten the biscuits to a 5 inch round circle.
2. Place about 2 Tbsp. of filling in center of biscuit. Fold sides of biscuit over each other, and then tuck the ends up, pinching closed. **If if is easier to fold, you can also fold it empanada style (place filling on one side of biscuit, fold biscuit in half over filling, and crimp shut with tines of a fork).
3. Sprinkle some Italian seasoning or sesame seeds on top of biscuit before baking.
4. Bake according to directions on side of biscuit can.

Ranch Turkey (Chicken) Pasta Dinner

This is a Taste of Home recipe. It calls for leftover turkey or chicken, so it should be a quick dinner. I'm going to use chicken, but it might be good to keep in mind for leftover turkey since Thanksgiving is coming up.

Ranch Turkey Pasta Dinner

2 1/2 c. uncooked penne pasta
6-8 Tbsp. butter, cubed
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 c. frozen peas and carrots, thawed (would be good with broccoli, calliflower, and carrot medley)
3 c. cubed, cooked turkey (or chicken)

1. Cook pasta according to directions, adding the peas and carrots near end of cooking time. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter. Stir in salad dressing; mix until smooth. Drain pasta and veggies; add to skillet. Stir in meat; cook 3-4 min or until heated through.

4 servings