Feeding the Family when you're TOO POOPED TO POP!

badboob67 · January 2009

I have this problem.......I get steroid pre-meds 3 Thursdays in a row which means I have a ravenous appetite, but the chemo drags me down too much to cook a big meal. I have 3 boys (2 teenagers and another who will be in 6 months) with the appetites to go with them. I saw this recipe while sitting in the chemo chair today and thought it sounded great. It's from "QUICK FIX MEALS" on the Food Network. I haven't made the recipe yet (need to pick up some cheese!), but the reviews were very positive. It's "UPSIDE-DOWN PIZZA". She used a mixture of sausage, onions, and olives for toppings, but you can pretty much use what you have--even leftovers. Here's the recipe:

Upside-Down Sausage and Mushroom Pizza

Recipe courtesy Robin Miller 2007

Prep Time:
15 min
Inactive Prep Time:
5 min
Cook Time:
30 min

Level:
Easy

Serves:
6 servings

Ingredients

* 2 teaspoons olive oil
* 1 pound sweet or hot turkey sausage, casing removed
* 1 cup onion, sliced
* 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
* 1 cup pasta sauce
* 1 cup pizza sauce
* 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
* 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
* 2 eggs
* 1 cup milk
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup Parmesan, grated

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook for 3 minutes, or until browned and cooked through, breaking up the meat as it cooks with a wooden spoon. Add onion and mushrooms and cook 2 minutes, until soft. Add pasta sauce, pizza sauce and olives and bring to a simmer, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer sauce to the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and oil until blended. Whisk in flour and salt until well blended. Pour mixture over sauce in pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

If you have any quick, easy recipes--especially ones that are made with ingredients that are usually on hand--PLEASE SHARE!

(((HUGS)))
Diane

Isabella4 · January 2009

That sounds like a super recipe Diane, 20 years ago I might have had a shot at it, but I just don't cook anymore !!

When I reached the grand old age of 60 I announced that I would never cook again. I had cooked just about every day for 42 ****** years, and hated every minute of it. It which went down very badly with DH !! He is now in charge of cooking, and the rubbish he serves up is to be seen to be believed !! I will print off your recipe and pass it on to him !! In the meantime I will stick to my cold meat/tuna salads, each evening....or eat out !

Isabella,

abinneb · January 2009

Hi Diane

Thanks - it sounds good and fast! The following is probably a well known recipe but I thought I'd send it along - I think teens pretty much like chili!

I don't have a particular recipe for this, but I think anybody could just wing it. I make my own chili, but I have tried some jar types that aren't too bad. I just pour the chili in the bottom of an 8x8 pan.

In a bowl, combine cornbread mix (any kind though I always use Jiffy) as directed on box. I add a small can of cream corn to that but that is optional. You can add a bit of cayenne if you like or some chopped jalapeno chilis to the mix.

Pour the cornbread mix on top of the chili and bake till cornbread is golden brown and a skewer or toothpick comes out clean.

It is very quick and really tasty - especially in cold weather. Though with three teen boys, you won't get away with an 8x8 size!!

Amy

lvtwoqlt · January 2009

Here is another easy recipe without special ingredients.

Easy Chicken bake

1 pkg stove top stuffing mix
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 can condensed cream of mushroom or chicken soup
1/3 c sour cream
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed and drained

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. prepare stuffing mix ais directed on package

Mix chicken, soup, sour cream, & vegetables in 9x13 inch baking dish. top with stuffing

Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Serves 6

My son loves this and it is so easy to do.

Sheila

Anonymous · January 2009

Heres another:

Tatter Tot Casserole

1 bag tatter tots

1 lb burger (browned)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can milk

1/2 medium onion (optional)

mushrooms (optional)

Brown burger and onions, mix milk and soup together pour all ingredients into baking dish...oven 350 1 hr.

I sometimes add a couple handfuls of frozen peas/carrots to the mix...or other vegis that you like.

I have also had this casserole where you melt shredded cheese over the top the last few mintues of backing.

Its very simple to make and most all teenagers love it.

Jule

Anonymous · January 2009

I was a single mom that worked two jobs most the time the kids were growing up so have thought of inexpensive/quick ways to make somewhat healthy dinners.

Another:

1 box chicken flavored rice a roni

a couple of boneless/skinless chicken breast (frozen or thawed)

make the rice as directed on the package and add either whole breasts or cubed, put a lid on it and there ya go....

Again, Ive also added peas/carrots to the mix.

Jule

PSK07 · January 2009

I have a few things that get made over and over.

1 pkg ground turkey breast (20oz?)

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 cup prepared salsa (bottled works just fine)

1 can chopped green chiles

1 can refried beans

Grated cheddar cheese

Grated Monterey Jack cheese (or a package of mexican blend cheese instead of cheddar/jack)

More cheese, salsa, sour cream, etc. to top

Brown ground turkey. Add taco seasoning and stir. Mix in salsa and chiles. Mix in refried beans and heat over medium heat until thoroughly warmed. Add handful or two of cheese(s) and stir to melt.

To serve: put in warmed tortillas; use as nacho base; eat out of the pan with chips; put in warmed tortillas - wrap up, put in 9x13 pan and spray with PAM, bake at 350 for 25 minutes or so.

PSK07 · January 2009

1 roasted chicken (Costco's is best and cheapest)

1 jar Goya Cilantro (green) cooking sauce

Chicken broth

White beans or Black beans

Chiles

onion - chopped and sauteed til soft. Throw in some chopped garlic at the end of cooking.

Shred roasted chicken and put in saucepan. Use 1/2 jar or so of Goya sauce. Add Chicken broth to get to as liquid and you want/need it. Heat throroughly. Serve with chips, in enchiladas, tortillas, over lettuce/beans/rice as taco bowl.

For chili - use 2-3 cans of chicken broth. Add chiles to taste. Add sauteed onions. Cook til heated through. Add white beans. Taste & add salt, chiles, more Goya sauce.

Serve with chips, avocado, sour cream, cheese.

NancyD · January 2009

Here's one that is pretty versatile. The basic recipe is:

1 chicken cut into parts (leave skin on)
1 can of condensed cream of chicken soup
1 T. Lemon juice
1 T. Dried oregano
1 T. Garlic (can be freshed, crushed or dried powder)
Mix the soup, lemon juice, oregano and garlic. Pour over the chicken which is arranged in a single layer in a baking pan. Bake at 350° for about an hour. Fat and juices from the chicken should thin the sauce drippings out, but some of it should bake on the skin of the chicken. After making it once, you can adjust the lemon juice, oregano, and garlic a bit. I usually go a little lighter on the oregano and a little heavier on the garlic...that's just my preference. I always serve it with rice, as the sauce is fabulous. If I want to be sure to have plenty of sauce, I sometimes add a little water or even double the sauce ingredients.
Now, I have also used this as the base for a sauce with leftover chicken...chicken crepes, chicken on rice. Just thin the soup mixture with a little water before cooking.
It can also be used on skinless chicken for the calorie counters, but again, a little water should be added to compensate for the loss of fat from the skin.

badboob67 · January 2009

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm YUM! Keep 'em coming...keep 'em coming! I love all the spicy ones....until I started chemo, I thought I'd be living on white rice, mashed potatoes, and broth. Who knew that the only thing I can tolerate really well is spicy? LOL!

((((HUGS)))
Diane

PS: Thought I'd add this recipe for "beer bread". I have made BEER BREAD before, but not with this particular recipe. Seems like the results can really depend on the type of beer you use.

BEER BREAD

INGREDIENTS

1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer--BROUGHT TO ROOM TEMPERATURE

3 cups self-rising flour (or 3 cups all purpose flour plus 3 t baking powder, 1 ½ t salt)

1/3 cup granulated sugar

DIRECTIONS

1.In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and flour until moist. Add beer and continue to mix. Do not beat or overmix.Batter will be sticky. Divide dough in half and pour into two 9 x 5 inch greased loaf pans. Allow to rise in a warm place at least 30 minutes.

2.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees ) for 50 for 60 minutes. The top will be crunchy, and the insides will be soft. Serve topped with butter or cheese spread.

*variation: drizzle top with butter for baking for a crispier crust
*variation: bake for 50 minutes, brush top and return to oven for 5-10 minutes
*variation: try flavored sodas (Dr. Pepper, Grape Soda, Orange Nehi, Root Beer) for a sweet version
*variation: add herbs/garlic/etc., dry soup mix, dry salad dressing mix, and/or cheeses to dough before baking. The possibilities are endless.

lvtwoqlt · January 2009

This is one of my mom's favorites for Sunday lunch when I was growing up and very easy to do. You can use the tougher cuts of beef in this recipe, the tomato helps tenderize it.

beef with gravy

package of cube steaks or beef roast
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can tomato sauce
1 pkg dry onion soup

in a small bowl, mix mushroom soup, tomato sauce and onion soup - don't add any water!

put steaks or roast in baking dish and pour soup mixture over meat. cover and bake at 350-375 until the meat is done.

Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans on the side using the gravy in the pan for the potatoes.

Anonymous · January 2009

Diane-here's one you can make as spicy as you like...

4 skinless/boneless chicken breast (thawed or frozen)

1 sm can chopped green chilies (or more if you like it spicier)

2 med cans red enchilada sause (mild, med, or hot)

2 cups cooked white rice(I cheat and put the uncooked regular rice in with everything else since it will cook all day anyway, seems to work fine)

2 pkg's cream cheese

Dump all the above ingreds(except the cream cheese) into a crockpot and let simmer all day....when I get home from work I use a potatoe masher to shred the chicken right in the pot, add the cream cheese and let simmer until dinner time....

I have used this to make enchiladas, wrapped in flour tortillas like burritos, served over white rice, but my favorite it to eat it as a dip with tortilla chips....YUMMMMMMMMMY

If I get it too spicy I just whip in some sour cream and it tones it down nicely.

Anonymous · January 2009

This is one my daughter thought up when she was a teenager and it was her turn to cook....Ya know if a teen thinks it up, its GOTTA be easy!!!!!

6 frozen pre-made burger patties

2 pkg brown gravy mix

mix gravy as per pkg, layer patties in oblong baking dish, pour gravy over, cover back 20 mintues, uncover bake 15-20 mintues longer for gravy to thicken....

It is actually pretty good as it is her version of salsbury steak like you get in TV dinners and you can make it as large or as small as the need requires....

badboob67 · January 2009

Yum...

Do you have to thaw the patties first? I actually happen to have some on hand right now and couldn't figure out what I was going to do with them because it's too cold to fire up the grill!

Anonymous · January 2009

nope, I never thaw the patties....

The kids love this so Im thinking you might use this quick fix alot....

Its so simple that it almost makes you feel like your cheating Wink

Hope you all like it Laughing

lvtwoqlt · January 2009

You can pour the tomato sauce, mushroom soup, and onion soup over hamburger patties also.

I guess it was my mom's version of Salisbury steak.

Sheila

Anonymous · January 2009

Shelia

I thought of doing that when I read your recipe....I think it would be great, quick and easy that way too!!!!

Hmmmmmm, might be getting ideas on what we are having for din-din tonight Laughing , its Friday and I feel extremely lazy!!!!!!

lvtwoqlt · January 2009

I'm getting ideas too and I only have to cook for my son tonight. my hubby won't be home til Sunday afternoon. I had forgotten that mom would do it over hamburger patties also until you posted your brown gravy recipe. I have even used the soup mixture over roasts in the crock-pot and let it cook on low all day. then all you have to do is make 'hypocrite' (instant mashed) potatoes and some 'whap' (canned) biscuits to go with it.

Anonymous · January 2009

Polska Kielbasa Casserole

1 polska kielbasa

5 hot links

4 bell peppers (mix up the colors)

1/2 pint of whipping cream

1/3 cup of oil

5 potatoes

Chop it all up bite-size throw all of it in a roasting pan EXCEPT the cream. Cook for 45 mins at about 350-375. Remove from oven, add whipping cream, cover with tin foil and put back in oven for 10 mins.

Remove, serve in bowls with some bread ...... omw!

jerseymaria · January 2009

when i was working full time and kids were teenagers, i made a dish ds called hot dog hash. very healthy lol. i took a bag of potatoes obrien (hash browns with onions and peppers) sauted till almost done. added a whole pkg of hot dogs cut into bite size pieces and cooked till hot thru. served with rolls and mustard. it sure was good and kids liked it better than a good steak.

to be honest sounds like diane could use a crock pot for sure. i'll have to start using mine again when i start chemo again (that's if i cook at all, lol).

Anonymous · January 2009

Diane ....... isn't that weird ... when I was on chemo .. the spicier the better! I lived on Kung Pao Chicken, spicy mexican food with tons of salsa ... And I would buy chinese and put that red chile sauce on it.

sue_blue · January 2009

French Dip Sandwiches

Rump Roast

Beef Stock

1 - packet dry onion soup mix

Combine all of this in the crock pot and let cook all day. Slice the roast, use a nice hoagie bun or hard roll. The au jus is ready made. Simple and delicious.

Anonymous · January 2009

What about making homemade chilli? I like to use cooked, canned beans (white ones, pinto, kidney, chile .. 5 cans), chorizo and ground turkey ... just brown the meat and then throw all of it in the crock pot with an onion and garlic ...

LuAnnH · January 2009

what about a good german recipe, I like to use vlassic sauer kraut and put it in a crock pot and sometimes throw some pork with it. I always add one container of water per container of kraut, using the kraut container as my measuring cup. I throw it in my crock pot at bedtime and let it simmer til dinner the next night. An hour or so before dinner I throw in my kielbausa and hot dogs. Whip up some mashed potatoes (they have good frozen ones now and refrigerated ones) and you are done. Its all of about 10 minutes prep time and simmers for a long time really cooks the flavor in, very yummy if you like kraut. All my kids love it!

Anonymous · January 2009

Kraut??? someone say Kraut????

Yummy!!!!!! I love it and so do both my kids and most of my grandkids...

My entire family actually loves it.....

Its a big thing in the fall....mom, myself, my daughter and her little ones all get together for a day and actually make it homemade then can it....

I have one 8 yr old granddaughter that lives in Ohio and when I sent her xmas package my mom added a couple of jars of kraut for her and thats all she raved about when she got her package....heck, if I had known that I would have saved my money and not bought her so much junk!!!!! She loves kraut so much....she prefers it cold right out of the jar....her mom tried to fake her out and bought some, dumped it into the jars that my mom uses, but Anna knew and said it was nasty....

Dianne-did you try the salsbury steak one??? How did the kids like it?

Anonymous · January 2009

I am going to show my dd the hamburger gravy one .. she is dying to learn how to cook a meal on her own!

2new1s · January 2009

I just started making the tater tot casserole - it is so easy and everyone loves it. I switch the soup to cream of chicken (DH does not like mushroom). It takes five minutes to prep! That's the part I like the best!

hopefullady · January 2009

I just wanted to say that i love you girls.

I hate to cook, just got my first crock pot at age 51.

These are all great ideas,

Chris

Anonymous · January 2009

Rock-Im not sure how old your daughter is but its very easy...my daughter was 13 when she created that.....now that she is 30 she and has kids of her own she has thought up even more quick/simple dinners like that....I asked her to write some of them down for me so I could post them here so stay tuned for more!!!!! By the way, she is a wonderful cook so I think you all will like the recipes.

Jdub-I dont know who thought up the tater tot thing but I sure used it alot when the kids were growing up....it filled, cheap and basically healthy....have you tried melting some chees over the top in the last few mintues of cooking? They seem to like that too.

I ended up making a pork pot roast for dinner over the weekend as I was busy doing other things so dropped it all in the roaster, popped it in the oven.....turned out pretty good..

Tonight Im talking hoggie rolls and serving hot bbq pork sandwichs with a nice salad...

I always buy large roasts so I can use them for more than one meal....when I do beef roasts I chop up some meat, add some bbq sauce in the crock pot and do the sandwish thing so roasts always serve for two dinners at my house....

Although now that my house is only two of us, Im thinking I will need to come up with one more recipe that is quick/easy for a third meal....

Any ideas????

Anonymous · January 2009

I am in love ....... with my crock pot, that is!

2new1s · January 2009

Without sounding like a complete fool...what meat do I buy to make a pot roast? I have tried to ask the meat dept. workers at Jewel Foods and both times they were wrong. The meat didn't even taste like pot roast! I just remember the pot roast my mom used to make and it was so tender and yummy! That is what I want to serve! HELP!!!!!!!!

Feeding the Family when you're TOO POOPED TO POP!

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