Do you ever have days when you just want, or need, a quick and easy meal? One that can be literally thrown together in a matter of minutes? Well, today was one of those days for me, and while I normally would just go ahead and have a salad, I wanted something more today.
One thing I do for days like this is to buy the precooked rotisserie chickens at the grocers. Tyson has them already prepackaged, and many of the grocery stores carry their own in the deli. Buy a couple and put them in the freezer. When you know you're going to be having a busy day, put it in your refrigerator the night before. Or, if it's a last-minute decision, you can go ahead and thaw it in your microwave.
Once it's thawed, heat it up, uncovered, in the microwave for about 10 minutes. That's long enough to prepare some rice or other starch, and heat up some veggies (either frozen or canned). Add a bit of bread and you've got yourself a meal in less than 15 or 20 minutes!
My dinner tonight consisted of rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, mixed greens (the canned variety from Glory Foods is wonderful! perfectly seasoned!), and a slice of buttered wheat bread. I didn't even think about a dessert, as I was thoroughly satisfied from the meal itself! I ate early though, so I may have a small dish of fat-free/sugar-free ice cream after a little while. (sssh-don't tell my sister-we're supposed to be watching our diets together!).
Days like this are also a good time to make use of casseroles you've made ahead and frozen. Another idea is to make up a plate of leftovers after each meal and freeze it. Voila! Instant TV dinner - the healthier, homemade way! I do this often, and have actually purchased TV dinners at the grocer's when they're on sale, just so I can save the trays to freeze my own dinners in. That's another one of those "sssh-don't tell" things! It's okay to buy a convenience food or two once in a while, as long as you manage to remain in your budget. Now, you can also buy special plasticware for homemade TV dinners, but they cost more and don't have the added bonus of a meal already in them (if you manage to find one that's palatable).
Feel free to leave me comments about your own favorite Quick & Easy dinner. I'd love to hear your ideas!
Hugs,
Cynthia Robin
Pizza Crust
Posted by mejerrymouse on Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 8:31 PM - Link
We mill our wheat fresh to make our pizza crusts so we generally make and cook an extra crust to throw in the freezer for a quick and easy pizza night. Throw on the topping and bake and it's almost as quick as ordering out--except way better for you and cheaper :D
This weblog is a compilation of happening's here in my home. I include homemaking tips, recipes, and encouragement for the homemaker who realizes she is a God-ordained Keeper of her Home.
