favorite great meals that can be prepared fast?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what about a pork tenderloin in a crock pot with brown sugar, mustard, pepper and a bottle of bbq sauce. At the end of the day it is pulled pork and can be served on whole wheat rolls. Yummy!

OP here
I like that idea. I have been gun-shy with my crockpot because it seems to cook too high. The first time I used it it burned the meat I was cooking, second time I bought a frozen package that just went right into the crockpot and I think it was too hot on the low setting so I had to cook it on the stay warm setting I think-probably something wrong with mine maybe?

[Anonymous]

My slow recipes are healthier than my fast ones, but here are a couple easy and tasty ideas:

Chicken Casserole
Combine the following ingredients:
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup parm cheese
1 cup frozen mixed veggies
2 cups cubed cooked chicken (I boil it then tear it in bite sized chunks.)
2 cups wheat pasta (I use penne.)
1/2 cup chedder cheese
black pepper

bake uncovered on 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until hot & bubbly in a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.

Creamed Tuna on Toast
1 cup milk
2 Tbs flour
2 Tbs butter or olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 can tuna

Heat all ingredients to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil & stir 1 minute until thickened to your liking. Pour over wheat toast. (Serves 2 people, 2 pieces of toast each.)

I like this with canned green beans or frozen chopped spinach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what about a pork tenderloin in a crock pot with brown sugar, mustard, pepper and a bottle of bbq sauce. At the end of the day it is pulled pork and can be served on whole wheat rolls. Yummy!

OP here
I like that idea. I have been gun-shy with my crockpot because it seems to cook too high. The first time I used it it burned the meat I was cooking, second time I bought a frozen package that just went right into the crockpot and I think it was too hot on the low setting so I had to cook it on the stay warm setting I think-probably something wrong with mine maybe?

mine is like this too. i don't trust it being on all day.

[Anonymous]

I do not think crock pots would be for sale if they were not safe. These days they have automatic shut offs that will turn the pot to warm after 8 to 10 hours. They are safe. They only cook at 200 degrees. The instructions explain how it works, the temps for high and low and how not to burn food.

[Anonymous]

PP-My DH is petrified of our house burning down from a crockpot so the time the food burned I had cooked it overnight so I was home-glad I was there to turn it off-it was BLACK and charred at the top. They might say they are safe but it's if defective which mine might be and I wouldn't know until using it then I would not trust it on all day--I work from home so I can monitor it now but still have been resistant to using it.

With the crockpot--is it possible that you need a good amount of liquid in there so it doens't burn -I had meat with a sweet topping that I think got way too hot and did not have any liquid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love the Soy Vey teriyaki marinade (sold at Whole Foods) for salmon. I also bake at 400 or 425 for about 25 minutes, but to make cleanup easier I put the fish on foil. If you don't like salmon, halibut is a mild-tasting fish.

I cook this all the time too... drizzle a little sesame oil on top of the fish and it really pops!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP-My DH is petrified of our house burning down from a crockpot so the time the food burned I had cooked it overnight so I was home-glad I was there to turn it off-it was BLACK and charred at the top. They might say they are safe but it's if defective which mine might be and I wouldn't know until using it then I would not trust it on all day--I work from home so I can monitor it now but still have been resistant to using it.

With the crockpot--is it possible that you need a good amount of liquid in there so it doens't burn -I had meat with a sweet topping that I think got way too hot and did not have any liquid?

Um, did you read the directions? You do not put meat in the crockpot without a liquid covering it.

[Anonymous]

What makes me suspicious of a malfunctioning crockpot is that the food was charred on the TOP...usually if I've overcooked something, it's charred from the bottom.

Just an observation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My slow recipes are healthier than my fast ones, but here are a couple easy and tasty ideas:


Creamed Tuna on Toast
1 cup milk
2 Tbs flour
2 Tbs butter or olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 can tuna

Heat all ingredients to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil & stir 1 minute until thickened to your liking. Pour over wheat toast. (Serves 2 people, 2 pieces of toast each.)

I like this with canned green beans or frozen chopped spinach.

I just made this creamed tuna for lunch and served it over english muffins. It was really good. Everyone liked it. Thanks for the simple recipe.

[Anonymous]

My dad just sent me an article from the Wall Steet Journal about a new cookbook called "Cooking with Trader Joes"...

From the article: "Two women who know their way around the aisles at Trader Joe's have borrowed the supermarket store's name and are making a splash with a cookbook that treats the retailers offerings as a prep line for working moms who want to serve home-cooked meals". It's written by Wona Miniati and Deanna Gunn.

I didn't realize there was also a website with TJ recipes, I'll have to check it out. I'm pretty clueless in the kitchen and use a lot of their prepared food. I bought Six-o' clock Scramble but I must admit I'm so new to this that I'm still learning the difference between roasting and baking...those recipes weren't quite quick and simple enough for me. I like some of the recipes posted here... the simpler the better for me! Thanks OP for posting this.