Week 7 Menus- One pan quick and easy time savers

 Menus for week 7- using shortcut ingredients

This is a week of recipes Made from "shortcut" ingredients that can be quickly put together for those days when you run out of time. They are still hot, healthy and delicious, but only use 1 pan, and takes just a few minutes to pull it together. Keep one or two of these shortcuts in the freezer for emergencies! 

Day 1: Quick frozen veggie stir fry skillet

I start with a package of starter vegetables such at these in a large skillet with a little cooking oil:

Add rotisserie chicken or sliced smoked sausage. (if you have leftover meat such as pork, chicken or beef, these would also work) Having jars of Asian style sauces on hand is a great addition to this recipe.  Once the veggies and meats are heated thoroughly.. If you like a little pasta or rice with this kind of food, there are packages of veggies with the pasta and rice already added. (You can make your own Asian sauce with Teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, garlic and a little cornstarch).  Stir in the sauce and serve hot. Quick and Simple, and a complete 1 pan meal! (Hint- I've also added a package of Raman Noodles to veggies (cooked as instructed on package) when I want to add noodles to the veggies and meat. Cook the noodles until they have absorbed all of the water, then add to vegetables, and lastly add the sauce)

Day 2- Asian lo mein or fried rices using refrigerator leftovers

Another variation on yesterday's theme: Here's an inexpensive meal starter and a good way to use up those leftovers that might go to waste... Also of the Asian variety. When I have leftover Chinese food, or find these on "markdown", We can use any of these in a skillet, add any appropriate leftovers you might have in the fridge, and add a little soy or teriyaki sauce. You can add meats, scrambled eggs, leftover veggies of any kind, beans, etc.  healthy and delicious, and very economical. complete 1 pan meal

Day 3- individual meatball subs.  

These are shortcut ingredients that can be used in multiple ways- Frozen bread dough balls and frozen meat balls. (These dough balls and meatballs can be made from scratch and individually frozen for future use when needing a quick dinner)

Think ahead a little on this one. Set out the dough balls and meatballs so they have time to thaw and the dough has time to rise.  Once the dough balls have risen (2-3 hours or so) roll out flat, add a meatball, 1/2 slice of provolone cheese and a spoon of marinara sauce. Roll up, pinch the sides closed and brush with parmesan and olive oil. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Heat extra marinara to dip subs.

This is a basic recipe. You can mix it up with using other cooked meats such as chicken or italian sausage. You can make it Alfredo sauce instead of Marinara, or use Mozzarella, parmesan or even ricotta cheese instead of provolone. Maybe chop a little spinach or onion to add to the sub. Again, using your creativity can keep you from the added expense of having to purchase ingredients.

Day 4   Sheet Pan Nachos   

Tortilla chips are the quick base to this quick and easy meal. If you have prepared ground beef in the freezer, thaw the beef and add 1 pkg of taco seasoning mix and some prepared salsa. Preheat oven to 400 and use cooking spray on your sheet pan. Place tortilla chips in a single layer on the sheet pan and add your browned ground beef mixture. Add 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans, a drained can of corn, and a mix of shredded Monterrey jack and cheddar cheeses, about 1-1 1/2 cups. Spread evenly over the chips, meat, beans and corn. Place in the oven until hot and cheeses have melted. Serve immediately. You can top these nachos with jalapenos, sour cream, green or red onion, tomatoes, salsa, guacamole or cilantro, whatever you have on hand.

Day 5  Fresh stir fry kit 

This is a variation of the frozen and leftover varieties of Asian one pan meals, maybe a little more nutritious because you start with fresh vegetables. The advantage is that this package comes with sauces. Again, stir fry the vegies in a skillet with a little oil. Add any meat you have on hand if desired. Once the veggies have slightly softened, stir in the sauce packet. serve hot. Really, you can add anything you like to these veggie stir fry meals. A healthy, hot and nutritious meal in minutes!

You may have noticed I love to get things on markdown... as long as I can adjust the menu to include them within a couple of days.

Day 6 - croissant pizza

This is a quick supper. spray a sheet pan with cooking spray, and spread a can of croissant dough on pan and seal the perforations. brush with olive oil, parmesan cheese and a little chopped or dried basil, (or use a little jarred pesto- careful, this is a strong flavor, so use sparingly) or use prepared pizza sauce- or both. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and any pizza ingredients you have on hand. This is another time browned beef, sausage or rotisserie chicken comes in handy. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown, and cheese is bubbly. serve immediately

Day 7  - frozen pasta skillets

This is another variation of the one pan quick supper meal. It is complete, and you just add water, cover and cook. Done in minutes. I like these meals enough that I try to replicate the ingredients on days when I have the time. They are delicious. I do add more frozen veggies to this bag of pasta to stretch the meal to feed more (one of the hazards of feeding a large family), and because it makes me feel good when my family gets plenty of veggies! lol

Dessert and/or bread recipe- quick and easy Apple dump loaf:

Mix 1 yellow cake mix, 4 large eggs, 1 can of apple pie filling (mashed), a chopped apple, 1 C self rising flour and 1 Tbsp cinnamon. Mix together and pour into 2 greased bread pans. Bake at 325 for 35-40 minutes, or until firm and brown. You can use a powdered sugar and water glaze over the top. Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream- so yummy!

Organizational tip- 

Have a morning plan, which starts with a short list of necessary items to start the day successfully. 

First and Foremost, spend time in the Word and Prayer. This is always best before the kids get up, if you can! Make it a special time. I make a cup of coffee, sit down with my devotional book, listen to a set of predetermined scriptures, then spend time talking to God. Have a comfy place. Enjoy this time with God. Find one thing that is especially helpful from God's Word. Think about ways to apply it to your daily life. 

Now, get up and do these things:

1. Make the bed and pick up clutter and laundry

2. Set out meat or frozen foods to prepare for supper prep.

3. Start 1 load of laundry

4. Unload the dishwasher (or put away dishes from drainer) Load or wash whatever is in the sink or countertop.

Think about it. If these things are done before your day starts, you are prepared for the events of the day, and you feel motivated to continue. If you get up with the kids, rush around to get their breakfast, find them something clean to wear, forget to set out meat for supper, bedroom is a mess when I go back in there, my whole day will feel like chaos. (Let all things be done decently and in order- 1 Corinthians 14:40) I have found that I look forward to my early morning quiet time before the family gets up. I seem to acquire a sense of organization and calmness during this time. It keeps my mind from the "whirlwind" and I can think clearly as I contemplate the order and purpose of my day. During this time, I might make a list of things to do that day, assign chores for the kids-organizing their day, Making a grocery list or menus, etc. Ordering your day brings peace to chaos.