15 minutes or less

Now when I think quick and easy, I'm thinking 15 minutes or less. I see these so called "quick&easy" recipes in magazines or cook books that call for 20 or more ingredients. It's going to take me more than 10 minutes just to locate everything I need, let alone mix it into something edible.

When I need fast, kids are tugging on my leg crying for attention, recipes I go for these...

Chicken & Rice
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour

1 can cream of mushroom, chicken, or celery soup
1 soup can water
1 cup uncooked rice
8 frozen chicken tenderloins

Mix ingredients in 9x13 pan. Place chicken on top and cover with aluminum foil. Cook approximately one hour at 350ºF

Fettuccine Alfredo
Prep time: 15-20 minutes

1½ cups half & half
½ cup Parmesan cheese
4 oz cream cheese
garlic salt to taste
12 oz fettuccine

Boil fettuccine according to package directions. Place all other ingredients in microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 2-3 minutes until warm. Stir. Add half and half to thin, Parmesan to thicken. This recipe will seem very runny, but as the sauce cools it will thicken up a lot, so don't add too much Parmesan!

Homemade Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 15-20 minutes

3 cups dry macaroni or other pasta

Sauce
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP flour
¼ tsp salt
Dash pepper
1 cup milk
½ lb cheese

Boil pasta according to directions. Melt butter in saucepan. Add flour, salt, pepper. Mix and then add milk. When the sauce is thick and bubbly add grated cheese. Pour over pasta. 4 servings

German Pancakes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes

5 TBSP butter
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
6 eggs
½ tsp salt

Melt butter in 9x13 pan in 400ºF over. Mix all other ingredients, then add to pan. Cook 15-20 minutes until tall and browning on edge.

Swiss Chicken
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5-7 hours

1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
½ tsp minced garlic
1 cup water
1 onion sliced
8 frozen chicken tenderloins

Throw everything in the crock pot whenever you have a couple minutes. Cook on low or high depending on how much time you have. Serve over rice from the rice cooker!

Amazingly these are also the foods my kids will generally eat without a fuss. Works out great for all of us. Enjoy!)