Easy Recipes for a Beginner?

I like Chicken Fajitas and they are super easy. I buy a bag of frozen bell peppers & onions already chopped up and ready to go (because I'm too lazy to cut them, haha), a fajitas seasoning packet, and about 2-3 chicken breasts. Slice up the chicken and cook it until no longer pink. Then remove from pan. Throw in the bag of frozen veggies in the same pan and cook for about 10min or so (I like to cook mine until they start to get a little black). Once the veggies are cooked I add the chicken and fajita seasoning packet and cook for 5min or so. Warm up some tortillas and you have an easy meal! If my husband & I are really hungry I'll also cook some spanish style rice-a-roni rice to go with it.


You can also buy chicken and chop it up into chunks & buy some bell peppers, onion, pineapple and slice those up as well. Throw them on a stick and BBQ them and you have delicious healthy kabobs!

* Also, the best invention for "non-cooks" is the crock pot. Everything tastes great every time and is super easy to make. I make Pulled Pork sandwiches all the time. You can get great recipes on tasteofhome.com. I make the "Tangy Pulled Pork" and it's soooo delish!

Sounds like a good recipe, I will have to try. Thanks!

Have u tried skinnytaste.com? I eat lots of skinless boneless chicken n alot of whole grain....but when I snack I like to make homemade baked onion rings.....preheat oven to 450° slice 1 onion as thinly as possible. Seperate rings. Dip onion first into egg whites (i use two), then breadcrumbs (i use italian) place on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes...

Have u tried skinnytaste.com? I eat lots of skinless boneless chicken n alot of whole grain....but when I snack I like to make homemade baked onion rings.....preheat oven to 450° slice 1 onion as thinly as possible. Seperate rings. Dip onion first into egg whites (i use two), then breadcrumbs (i use italian) place on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes...

I forgot to mention ^^^ this recipe is only 51 calories

This involves some chopping, but it is SO good and even I haven't messed it up! It's very forgiving - you can switch veggies in and out depending on what you have around. Good stuff!


Roasted vegetables
Ingredients
• 1 small butternut squash, cubed
• 2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 3 Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
• 1 red onion, quartered
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar _ MORE BALSAMIC!
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
Don’t skimp on the spices
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the squash, red bell peppers, sweet potato, and Yukon Gold potatoes. Separate the red onion quarters into pieces, and add them to the mixture.
3. In a small bowl, stir together thyme, rosemary, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Toss with vegetables until they are coated. Spread evenly on a large roasting pan.
4. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring every 10 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked through and browned.
Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 123 | Total Fat: 4.7g

make some couscous mix it with red grapes (in half) feta cheese peanuts and parsley
its really good simple and makes a lot so you can make it and eat it through out the week

Oooh I love onion rings, sooo going to try those this weekend!

Agree with above poster about crockpot recipes, soooo easy you just chuck ingredients in before work and when you get home you have a delicious meal!

Also agree with the person who suggested stir fries - I usually buy tofu/meat and stir fry, add a packet of frozen vegies, add a sauce (either purchased or homemade, google for millions of recipes) and serve on rice.

Other easy meals are:
brothy soups (seasonal vegies plus stock plus a can of beans all boiled together until vegies are tender)
blended soups (boil pumpkin in stock until completely mushy, blend, serve with a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese)
I soups
Thai green curry (fry chicken/tofu in a tablespoon of green curry paste, add frozen stir fry vegies, stir fry, add a can of coconut milk and a lime leaf, cook until vegies are tender, serve with rice)
Spaghetti Bolagnase (cook mince/nutmeat and onion, add a can of tomatoes and a small can of tomato paste, add a grated carrot or two, add oregano - serve on top of spaghetti with a sprinkling of cheese)

When blending hot soup, only fill the blender half full and use a thick towel to hold on the lid! I was talking to the kids and not thinking the first time I did and burnt the crap out of my hand!

Some tips to read my recipes, C = cup, T = tablespoon, t = teaspoon

Campfire potatoes:

Ingredients
10 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced
3/4 C butter, cut into pieces (I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light)
2/3 C finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 C minced fresh parsley
2 T Worcestershire sauce
2/3 C chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Preheat outdoor grill for high heat.
On a piece of heavy foil approximately 20 x20 inches place the potatoes and onion and dot with butter.
In a medium bowl, mix cheese, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Sprinkle the mixture over the potatoes.
Fold edges of foil.
Cover with chicken broth.
Seal foil tightly and place on prepared grill.
Cook for 35 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

If you want to slice the potatoes ahead of time for any reason (I sliced all the veggies and brought everything in ziplocks to cook when I got to my in-laws for Easter one year) place the pealed and sliced potatoes in a container of cold water to prevent browning.


30 minute Chili:

Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
2 C chopped onion
2 cans (16oz each) chili beans, undrainded (Chili beans are just seasoned pinto beans, if you can't find them, just use pinto)
2 cans (10 3/4 oz each) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
4 t chili powder
2 t paprika
1 t pepper
1 t salt
1/4 t garlic powder

Directions
In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Add beans, soup and seasonings; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until thick and bubbly.




I'm not even through the "C's" in my recipe book here so if you tell me some things you like I can find more recipes that might interest you!

Taco/Fajita seasoning (found the origional on about.com and tweaked it to my liking)

Ingredients:
3 T Flour
2 T Chili powder
1 T Salt
1 T paprika
1 T Sugar
2 1/2 t Chicken bouillon or 1 crushed cube
1 1/2 t Onion powder
1/1 t Garlic powder
1/2 t Cumin

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl, add 1 C water and mix well.
Pour into 3 lbs cooked meat (with fat drained off) and simmer until thickened.

Any time!

bump

I tried a new website the other day, recommended by others of MFP. Emilybites.com. The bubble up enchilada is quick and easy.

Do you have a crockpot? If not I would recommend one. It is so easy to throw in your ingredients and it cooks all day. There are a ton of easy recipes out there. I think the website is skinnycrockpot.com but not sure. They have a facebook page too and everyone shares recipes