Tag: entree

Cooking in a COVID Crisis: Day Two

If you are tired of cooking or running out of recipes here’s day two of our solution, complete with an easy recipe for your family during this crisis.

Photo of Chick-fil-A

This  is Day Two of our somewhat random series of recipes and other food ideas that might take the pressure off cooking right now. After all, you are likely working from home, fitting in classroom lesson oversight, keeping things reasonably clean and not really sure how many more meals you can make without help. These recipes are specifically designed to rely on a little outside help—giving you the benefit of helping local restaurants AND staying home.

Mom’s Chicken & Stuffing

This is a recipe that came from my much-loved mother-in-law, with a shortcut or two from her version. Part casserole, part fancy dish, it is perfect for everyday or company (not that you are having any company, but you know what I mean). You can prepare it at any point when you need a break throughout the day, or even the night before, and bake it just before ready  to eat.

Step 1: Order chicken strips or nuggets from your favorite drive-through or delivery spot. We like Chick-fil-A (who doesn’t) and are also fans of Slim Chickens, if you have one of those in your area. Get enough to fill the bottom of your casserole dish with one layer.

Step 2: Cover the chicken with one can of Cream of Mushroom soup mixed with half a can of water. If you have a large casserole dish, adjust your quantity as needed.

Step 3: Prepare a stuffing mix, such as Stove Top and mound the stuffing over the top of the chicken and soup.

Step 4: When ready to bake, put it in the oven and bake uncovered at 325 degrees for one hour.

Step 4: Add sides such as green beans, canned pears, or a salad.

Step 5: Serve, add a drink and dessert, and pull out a family  board game for the rest of the evening.

Ingredients needed from your pantry (or the grocery store):

  • Cream of Mushroom soup
  • Stuffing mix, with the butter required to make it
  • Side dishes such as vegetable and fruit

If you prefer to do this the “hard way,” which isn’t that hard, just get some fresh chicken tenders at the grocery store, dip them in a series of flour, then egg, then bread crumbs, and fry until done. Layer these into the bottom of your casserole dish and follow the rest of the instructions from there.

You  can also use a package of herb seasoned bread crumbs, such as Pepperidge Farms, instead of a prepared stuffing. This recipe is so versatile—you can even use different soups, such as Golden Mushroom or Cream of Celery, if your family isn’t into the mushroom flavor.

As always, be sure to plan ahead and limit your trips to the grocery store, and be safe out there!

 

 

Cooking in a COVID-19 Crisis

Are you running out of recipes? Unsure whether to eat out or cook at home? Torn between supporting local restaurants versus braving the grocery store aisles? Here’s day one of a solution, complete with an easy recipe for your family during this crisis.

Photo by Sara Cervera on Unsplash

Day One

When I look at most recipes online or in cookbooks I pass. In fact, I’ve always said that I read cookbooks as though they are works of fiction. Beautiful photos, striking ideas, flavors that sound delicious—but ingredients and instructions that are far beyond what I have any desire to do.

Even in these days of #stayathome, I’m still working, doing my share of hours-long Zoom meetings and following through with my assignments. In fact, I think that there is an extra burst of creativity in some of my work, since I’ve cut out the commute, the make-up, even the getting dressed—like a good part of America. Which means I still don’t have the pure time it takes to do a lot of cooking, let alone the ability to shop for ingredients or equipment (is saffron an essential? Hmmm).

Then there’s the argument that we should be supporting local restauranteurs as much as possible. We’ve done our share of take out and, in fact, have spent a somewhat exorbitant amount on extra tips. We even bought Easter dinner from one of our finer dining establishments, because when else can we sample their variety and easily store the leftovers?

However, I am actually cooking more than usual. As I follow social media, it seems the world is, as well. I see comments about how kitchen appliances have never had such a work out, and how dishwasher detergent should have been what was hoarded. I see people seeking recipes and worrying because they, too, are working AND teaching their children AND preparing not just one, but often three meals a day. No wonder the stats show hot dog sales have been up.

So, without benefit of photos, I’ll take a few days to post simple recipes that are doable with simple ingredients. This is not to say that “simple” is a new idea, but some of these are geared to my own #stayhome experience. If nothing else, perhaps this will help a few of my friends as I share what’s worked for me. Here goes day one, with a recipe that crosses both the home kitchen and the restaurant world.

Spaghetti &  Meatballs in the time of COVID-19

Don’t have time for prep and want to support a local restaurant? Here’s how.

Step 1: Call any local sub shop and order deconstructed meatball sub sandwiches, one per person you  are feeding. Arrange for curbside pick-up or delivery. (We used Firehouse Subs because their meatball subs are really good).

Step 2: Open a jar of spaghetti sauce and put the meatballs in the sauce to warm them back up.

Step 3: Prepare a salad and dressing to accompany the meal (if desired)

Step 4: Take the sandwich bread and turn it into garlic bread, spreading a garlic/butter mixture on it. Just before serving time, broil the bread to melt the butter and make it toasty. Your deconstructed sandwich may come with cheese, and you can use it on the bread for cheesy-garlic bread.

Step 4: Cook your spaghetti (we like thin spaghetti or angel hair) according to package directions.

Step 5: Serve salad, spaghetti with sauce and meatballs, add a little Parmesan cheese to taste, and you have a meal! Add dessert if you’ve been baking then suggest the family do clean-up, and go back to binge-watching Tiger King.

Ingredients needed from your pantry (or the grocery store):

  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Spaghetti noodles
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Prepared garlic
  • Butter
  • Salad/salad dressing ingredients

You can dress up  your  bread with a sprinkle of sweet paprika or Italian spices. You can use garlic powder or the jarred garlic pieces. You can even get Italian sausage and cook it up  in small pieces to throw in if you want to extend the meal—or buy prepared meatballs from the meat department. There are countless ways to make a simple Italian meal your own.

Be sure to plan ahead and limit your trips to the grocery store, and be safe out there!

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