There are, by my count, at least seven levels of fried chicken. The worst of them is good; the best, which I waited forty-four years to find, led to what can only be called an out-of-body experience. Let’s start at …
Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas
Sometimes, it can be nice to plan out your menu in advance and spend a lot of time preparing an extra-special dinner. Other times, especially on a hectic weeknight after a long work day, the only thing that is feasible is taking 30 minutes to throw something together from the ingredients you have in the house and hoping that it will be edible. For nights like those, you need meal ideas that are both quick and easy to prepare. Add this to my Recipe Box.
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Chicken Lo Mein
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Chicken lo mein is not only fast and easy, but it is healthy, as well. Start with a few defrosted chicken breasts and choose vegetables that your family enjoys. Some popular choices that work nicely in this dish are broccoli, mushrooms, baby corn, peppers, water chestnuts and snow peas, but you can use whatever you have in the house, both frozen and fresh. Chop everything into bite-sized pieces and throw into a pan along with a few tablespoons of vegetable oil and soy sauce. Top with a generous sprinkling of brown sugar and a few teaspoons of minced garlic, then add about half a cup of water. Allow mixture to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. While this is cooking, prepare some rice or pasta on the side and when everything is ready, mix together for a delicious meal-in-one.
Homemade Pizza
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Both impressive and immensely popular with kids, homemade pizza is as quick, if not quicker, than getting pizza delivered and usually contains significantly less fat and oil. You can buy prepared pie crusts in advance and keep them in the freezer for nights like these or take 20 minutes to prepare your own dough. Once your crust is ready, simply layer on sauce, cheese, and any vegetables that you like and pop it in the oven for 20 minutes.
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Indoor Grill Out
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You can take advantage of this option even if you don't have access to an outdoor grill by simply using the grill setting on your oven. Put some hot dogs in the oven along with a tray of french fries and pop open a can of corn for an instant dinner that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Customized Quesadillas
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This Mexican treat can become a favorite in your household if you personalize it to suit everyone's individual tastes. Starting with plain flour tortillas, fill the insides with cheese, mushrooms, onions, peppers, beans or even leftovers that you have in your fridge. Everyone can choose their own fillings and enjoy designing their own dish. When the tortillas are full, fold over one side to close and place in a hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with salsa, sour cream and guacamole.
Taco Salad
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This tasty and appealing meal-in-one is as fun to make as it is to eat and doesn't take long at all. Heat up a little bit of oil in a pan and add about 2 lbs. of ground meat. Season with taco sauce and allow to cook for 10 minutes or until the meat is brown. In the meantime, cut up some lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, and avocado and add half a can of sweet, yellow corn. In a separate bowl, mix equal parts salsa and mayonnaise to make the dressing. When the meat is done, add it to the salad along with a handful or two of crushed tortilla chips.
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References
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