Fast & Fresh Recipes for Feeding my Finicky Family

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posted by Bridget Algiere | February 27, 2009
1
grok

I am sick of convenience foods! So much sodium & unnecesary packaging! Yet we have a maximum of 30 minutes each night to prepare dinner. I am on a quest for recipes that are simple, inexpensive, fresh, flavorful & fantastic. I know they are out there - please help if you have any ideas.

4 Comments

Comments

Bridget's Bean Burritos

Bridget Algiere — Mar 02, 2009

Here is a fabulous recipe that meets my 5 recipe prerequisites:

Bridget's Bean Burritos

1 can vegetarian refried beans (because if they’re not vegetarian, they include lard)

2 avocados

4-6 tortillas

Shredded cheese (I like marble jack with this one)

Sour cream

Lemon & lime juice, hot sauce (Cholula is my favorite) garlic, salt, pepper & onion powder

 

Mash up the avocados with 1 tbsp each of lemon & lime juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and a dash each of salt and pepper. Set aside, in fridge if desired.

Warm the beans in a saucepan with another minced garlic clove, salt, pepper and onion powder. Stir frequently, as hot air bubbles are well hidden in this pasty mixture.

Lay out the tortillas, 4 if you like your burritos large, 6 if you prefer them skinny. Top with the shredded cheese, hot sauce, avocado spread and a dollup of sour cream.

 

 

A variation on Greek feta salad...no oives

lloydevans — Mar 05, 2009

Hi Bridget, not sure I can match the bean burritos, but here's something I make for my family when we are in a rush:

 

feta cheese crumbled

mixed leaves from the garden (lettuce, rocket, watercress, mizuna, dandelion - whatever!)

cherry tomatoes, halved

yellow pepper, diced

sliced spring onions

some ripped basil

freshly ground black pepper

squeeze of lemon or dash of balsamic vinegar (or both)

 

I get a big bowl and rub a crushed garlic clove all over it, then throw in all the ingredients, with a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil, mix, and serve with some crusty bread. Tastes different every time, and even better the day after. I love it, its light and fresh and tasty - perfect on a warm summer evening after a long dusty day in the hot sun. I bet it'd be good served in tortillas or tacos.  

 

 

 

In wildness is the preservation of the world - Thoreau

Prep Time

Bridget Algiere — Mar 09, 2009

So I decided that it would be a good idea to somehow make 2-3 hours of each Sunday "Prep time" - this way I can get some of the work out of the way, and hopefully make this goal more attainable.

Easier said than done, but I have a supportive Hub who will appreciate added evening time as much as I will.

Now if he would just finish that Mom-Bot I wouldn't have to worry about the work and play with the kids all of my time...

Anyhow my first week-long menu and shopping list is in the works, just want to make sure it will keep to the guidelines before I pass it on to you fellows.

Weekday Dinner List

Bridget Algiere — Mar 18, 2009

As promised, here are 5 meals I can make in 30 minutes or less that are flavorful. Some I would consider fresher than others but seeing as it is the end of winter, there is not much local produce to be had in MN at this time. I look forward to the farmer's markets as well as my own little garden of joy to add much more freshness to the menu! I have numbered each one, followed by the menu items, then the list of what I consider staple items needed. This list costs me about $50 without the staple items - right in our budget for 4 people to feed!

Weekday Menu Shopping list

 

1)Bridget’s bean burritos (recipe above)

(Menu Items) Tortillas, refried beans, cheese, garlic clove, avocados

(Staples needed) Lemon & Lime juice, onion powder, hot sauce

 

Chicken Caesar Salad

Romaine hearts, chicken, Cardinis Caesar dressing & Italian croutons

            Parmesan cheese

 

Spaghetti/salad/breadsticks

Thin Spaghetti noodles, sauce, bakery breadsticks

            Parmesan cheese

 

Orange Chicken

chicken, chow mien noodles, orange juice, peas

            Honey, corn starch, salt & pepper, rice

 

Make Your Own Pizza

Boboli pizza crusts, Davannis pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, toppings

  

Staple Items:

Lemon & Lime juice, onion powder, hot sauce, Parmesan cheese, Honey, corn starch, salt & pepper, Rice

 

Menu Items:

Tortillas, refried beans, cheese, garlic clove, avocados, Romaine hearts, chicken, Cardinis Caesar dressing & Italian croutons, Thin Spaghetti noodles, sauce, bakery breadsticks, chow mien noodles, orange juice, peas, Boboli pizza crusts, Davannis pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, toppings.

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