Help! Need easy to make recipes using simple every day foods

Beefaith74

Help! I'm looking for some tasty and easy to make recipes. I had spine surgery 4 days ago and need some simple go to meals. Easy meals that teens (13 & 15), without alot of cooking experience, would be able to make. My husband works a lot of hours, so it's hard for him to cook, let alone meal prep for me. I've been trying to teach my kids how to cook over the last several years, but it hasn't been met with much success/enthusiasm. They can cook/heat up the basics: mac and cheese, hot dogs, eggs, grilled cheese, etc. I need some simple, healthy recipes using everyday ingredients that they could follow. For the last two and a half months I've been eating a lot of takeout and processed food, and I just can't do it anymore. I'm looking forward to being able to start cooking myself in a few weeks. Any help would be appreciated!

cmriverside

Crock pot!

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/253/everyday-cooking/slow-cooker/

TheGaudyMagpie

I was just going to suggest the crockpot too. Basic formula = meat+veg+liquid. Cook on low until meat done (8-10 hours). I have a model that has a removable crock, so it can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge, for starting in the morning.

Example of basic formula: pot roast + carrots, potatoes, onions (can be fairly coarsely cut) + can of beef broth. Layer vegetables in bottom, put roast on top, and then pour liquid over. Set to cook. The formula can be varied with whatever meat or vegetables are available. Don't add too much liquid because the crockpot keeps the liquid from evaporating so juices from the meat are retained. One of the staples of my childhood was "stroganoff" made with roast, vegetables, and cream of mushroom soup with a half pack of lipton dried onion soup and one can full of water.

SABoj

Here is a super-easy Tortilla Casserole that the kids should be able to cook without issue... and its healthy too!

Serves: 6

One 16-ounce can pinto or pink beans, drained and rinsed
One 16-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
One 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes
One 4-ounce can chopped mild green chilies
2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 scallions, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (optional)
Salsa for topping

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine beans, tomatoes, chilies, corn, scallions, cumin, and oregano in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Lightly oil a wide, 2-quart casserole dish and layer as follows: 5 tortillas, overlapping one another; half of the bean mixture; half of the cheese. Repeat the layers.

Bake the casserole for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly. Let stand for a minute or two, then cut into wedges or squares to serve. Pass around salsa to top each serving. Enjoy!

mjbnj0001

TheGaudyMagpie wrote: »

I was just going to suggest the crockpot too. Basic formula = meat+veg+liquid. Cook on low until meat done (8-10 hours). I have a model that has a removable crock, so it can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge, for starting in the morning.

Example of basic formula: pot roast + carrots, potatoes, onions (can be fairly coarsely cut) + can of beef broth. Layer vegetables in bottom, put roast on top, and then pour liquid over. Set to cook. The formula can be varied with whatever meat or vegetables are available. Don't add too much liquid because the crockpot keeps the liquid from evaporating so juices from the meat are retained. One of the staples of my childhood was "stroganoff" made with roast, vegetables, and cream of mushroom soup with a half pack of lipton dried onion soup and one can full of water.

vote seconded.

also to help out, get the "crock liner" bags so your family won't complain about the cleanup task.

Rebecca0224

I haven't had this in years but it's so good, I will be making it soon.

2 cans chicken breast
2 boxes stuffing (dressing)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can mixed vegetables

Cook stuffing
mix chicken, soups, and vegetables
Put half of stuffing in bottom of 9x13 pan
Put chicken mixture on stuffing
Put other half of stuffing on top
Bake 10 minutes at 350

Takes less than 20 minutes start to finish and it makes a lot.

RodaRose

In addition to the hot dogs and grilled cheese, have them make salads for you. Good luck in your healing.