Roast Turkey and Seasoned Vegetables

roastturkey

What You Need:

1 lb. new potatoes, quartered
1 lb. carrots cut into pieces
1 onion, cut into wedges
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 C of water
1 (3 lb.) turkey roast with netting

How to Cook It:

Coat the inside of the crock pot with a non stick cooking spray.
Mix together the potatoes, carrots and onions in the crock pot.
Sprinkle the vegetables with all the seasonings.
Pour the water over the top of the seasoned vegetables.
Lay the netted turkey onto the vegetables.
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 9 hours.
Allow the turkey it to stand 15 minutes before removing the netting and slicing.

Makes 6 servings

This turkey may be cooked on high for 5 hours. Make use of the leftovers from this delightful dish. Store your leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reuse in a turkey pot pie or a hearty turkey soup or stew.

Preparation Time: approximately 30 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 9 hours
Total Time: approximately 9 hours 30 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 270; Fat 4g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 29g; Fiber 3g; Protein 29g;  Cholesterol 81 mg; Sodium 1,601 mg

Not So Baked Bean Dish

bakedbeans

What You Need:

1 (15 oz.) can pork and beans
1 (15 oz.) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained well
1/4 C of ketchup
2 Tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp dry mustard
2 slices of crisp cooked bacon, crumbled

How to Make It:

Place he pork and beans including the juice and the Great Northern beans into a pan.
Place the pan over medium high heat and stir to combine the beans.
Add in the ketchup, syrup and mustard stirring to blend in well.
Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often.
Sprinkle the bacon into the beans and stir to combine.

Makes 6 servings

Baked beans are always a favorite. These are even better because they are quick and economical. Have leftovers? Stir in some browned ground beef and onion and serve over biscuits for a delicious next night meal.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 10 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 191; Fat 2g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 35g; Fiber 6g; Protein 10g;
Cholesterol 8 mg; Sodium 801 mg

Herb Chuck Roasts with Vegetables

roastveggies

What You Need:

4 carrots cut into pieces
3 potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
1 onion, sliced
2/3 C of beef broth
2 Tbsp quick cooking tapioca
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 (1 1/2 lb.) boneless beef chuck roasts

How to Cook It:

Place the carrots, potatoes and onions into the crock pot.
Add the broth, tapioca, tomato paste and garlic and stir to blend well.
In a small bowl combine the oregano, basil, fennel, pepper, salt and thyme.
With your fingers rub the seasoning mixture into both sides of the roasts.
Place the prepared roasts over the vegetables.
Cover the crock pot and cook low for 11 hours or on high 6 hours or until tender.

Makes 6 servings

There is a lot of meat in this economical dish. That’s what makes it so budget friendly. The extra meat can be used for many other dishes. Place the leftover meat and a little of the cooking juice into air tight containers. Seal and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator then use in casseroles, for shredded beef sandwiches, Manhattans or any of your favorite beef main course meals.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 6 hours
Total Time: approximately 6 hours 20 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 430; Fat 8g; Saturated Fat 2g; Carbohydrates 48g; Fiber 6g; Protein 37g;
Cholesterol 89 mg; Sodium 346 mg

Chicken Chili with Kick

chili

What You Need:

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut up
2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1 (16 oz.) pkg. frozen sweet pepper stir fry vegetables
1 (16 oz.) jar green salsa
1 (15 oz.) can of cannellini beans, drained well
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes with onion and garlic

How to Make It:

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Put the chicken into a bowl and sprinkle with the cumin and salt.
Place the seasoned chicken into the skillet and cook 5 minutes or until browned.
Drain the chicken well then place into the slow cooker.
Stir the salsa, beans and the tomatoes with their juice in with the chicken.
Cover the slow cooker and cool on low 5 hours or on high for 2 1/2 hours.

Makes 4 servings

The kick in this chili is the green salsa. Not fond of green salsa? Use regular salsa in mild, medium or hot depending on your preference. Use any leftovers to top a taco salad or in chicken soft tacos.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 5 hours 5 minutes
Total Time: approximately 5 hours 25 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 305; Fat 5g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 24g; Fiber 6g; Protein 41g;
Cholesterol 88 mg; Sodium 914 mg

Teriyaki Onion Mushroom Sirloin

steak

steakWhat You Need:

1 T of butter
1 1/4 lb. boneless top sirloin steak, trimmed and cut into 4 pieces
3/4 t pepper
3/4 C beef broth
1 T teriyaki sauce
1 onion, cut into thin wedges
1 3/4 C fresh mushrooms, sliced

How to Make It:

Heat the butter in a skillet over medium high heat until completely melted.
Season the steak on both sides with equal amounts of pepper pushing the pepper into the steak with your fingers.
Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium and add the steaks.
Cook the steaks for 9 minutes turning them once half way through the cooking time.
Remove the steaks and keep them warm.
Pour the beef broth and the teriyaki sauce into the skillet.
Scraping the bottom of the skillet to remove the brown bits from the steak, cook the liquid for 4 minutes or until bubbly.
Stir in the onions and the mushrooms and cook 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Top the steaks with the onion and mushroom mixture.

Makes 4 servings

These steaks top the list of quick, easy and tasty. Just add a microwave baked potato and a side of fruit for a quick evening meal.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 23 minutes
Total Time: approximately 33 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 191; Fat 9g; Saturated fat 3g; Carbohydrates 3g; Fiber 3g; Protein 26g; Cholesterol 62 mg; Sodium 403 mg

Sausage Bean Soup with Thyme

beansinpot

beansinpotWhat You Need:

8 oz. mild pork sausage
1/2 C onion, chopped
2 (19 oz.) cans of great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1 t dried thyme
2 C fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1/4 C Parmesan cheese, fine shredded

How to Make It:

Place the sausage and onion into a soup pan.
Cook over medium heat for 6 minutes or until the sausage is browned, stirring often.
Drain well and return to the pan.
Add the beans and stir until blended in well.
Stir in the broth and thyme.
Cover the pan and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the spinach and cook an additional 5 minutes or until the spinach has wilted.
Top with the cheese before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Soups make a fast yet hearty evening meal. Serve with a sandwich on the side to fill them up. The spinach is optional in this soup or celery can be added in its place. If adding celery be sure to finely chop it then add it to the sausage and onion mixture cooking until tender.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 16 minutes
Total Time: approximately 26 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 187; Fat 16g; Saturated Fat 5g; Carbohydrates 39g; Fiber 13g;
Protein 25g; Cholesterol 41 mg; Sodium 1,021 mg

Italian Steak and Cheese Rolls

stkchsesand

stkchsesandWhat You Need:

1/4 C Italian salad dressing, divided
2 green bell peppers cut into thin strips
1 onion, sliced
12 oz. cooked roast beef, sliced thin
6 French rolls, split and toasted
1/2 C mozzarella cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Pour 2 T of the salad dressing into a skillet.
Stir in the peppers and onions.
Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until tender.
Remove the vegetables and keep warm.
Pour 2 more T of dressing into the skillet.
Lay the roast beef into the skillet.
Cook 3 minutes or until heated through, turning occasionally.
Fill each French roll with the meat.
Spread a spoonful of the vegetables over the meat.
Top each sandwich with the remaining dressing.
Sprinkle each sandwich with cheese, cover with the top of the roll and serve.

Makes 6 servings

The hungry men in your house will love these sandwiches. Even the kids will enjoy them. Brown sliced mushrooms with the peppers and onions to add something a little different. Top each sandwich with your favorite toppings like tomatoes and lettuce.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 8 minutes
Total Time: approximately 23 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 311; Fat 13g; Saturated Fat 3g; Carbohydrates 26g; Fiber 2g; Protein 23g; Cholesterol 45 mg; Sodium 732 mg

Onion Beef Patties with Mushroom Gravy

beefpattiesmgravy

beefpattiesmgravyWhat You Need:

1 onion
1 1/4 lb. ground beef
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 (12 oz.) can of nonalcoholic beer
1 (0.88 oz.) envelope of brown gravy mix
1/2 t dried thyme

How to Make It:

Finely chop one half of the onion and thinly slice the other portion.
Place the chopped onion and ground beef into a mixing bowl.
Season the meat with the salt and pepper and mix well with your hands.
Form the mixture into 4 patties and place in a skillet over medium heat.
Cook the patties for 5 minutes then turn.
Cook an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
Remove the patties from the skillet and keep warm.
Lay the onion slices into the skillet and add the mushrooms.
Stir in 1/4 of the can of non alcoholic beer.
Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until tender.
Stir the gravy mix and the remaining non alcoholic beer together in a mixing bowl.
Pour the gravy into the skillet and stir.
Cook the gravy mixture for 1 minute or until it has thickened.
Pour the gravy over the patties just before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Checking your meat to make sure it has cooked through and is safe to eat should be done by using a meat thermometer. Checking for color is not the best way to know you meat is done. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat and when the temperature reaches 160 degrees it’s done. You may substitute beef broth for the non alcoholic beer if you prefer.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking time: approximately 11 minutes
Total Time: approximately 26 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 309; Fat 14g; Saturated Fat 5g; Carbohydrates 11g; Fiber 1g; Protein 28g; Cholesterol 89 mg; Sodium 903 mg

Beef Cabbage and Tomato Layers

cabbage

cabbageWhat You Need:

1/2 C of pearl barley, rinsed and drained well
1 C of water
1/2 t of salt
1/4 t of pepper
8 intact large green cabbage leaves, divided
2 (14 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes
1 T of lemon juice
2 T light brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, grated
1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 t of parsley flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 C of raisins

How to Make It:

Allow the oven to preheat to 450 degrees.
Generously spray the inside and lid of a cast iron Dutch oven with cooking spray.
Pour the barley into the prepared pan.
Pour the water over the barley in the pan and sprinkle in the salt and pepper.
Arrange a single layer of cabbage over the barley.
Drain the tomato juice into a small bowl.
Add the lemon juice and whisk to combine.
Whisk in the brown sugar until dissolved.
Place the eggs, onion, carrot, beef, parsley and garlic into a separate mixing bowl
Mix the ingredients together well.
Fold the tomatoes into the meat mixture until well combined.
Drop half of the meat mixture in an even layer over the cabbage leaves.
Pour half of the tomato juice mixture over the top.
Sprinkle with the raisins.
Layer more cabbage leaves over the top in a single layer.
Evenly spread the remaining meat mixture over the cabbage leaves.
Layer any remaining cabbage leaves over the meat.
Pour the remaining tomato juice mixture over the cabbage leaves.
Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the cabbage is tender.

Makes 4 servings

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour 05 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 350; Fat 8g; Carbohydrates 55g; Cholesterol 144 mg; Sodium 525 mg; Protein 20g; Fiber 7g

Dutch Oven Chili Bake

chili

chiliWhat You Need:

1 small onion, chopped
1 1/4 C of white rice
1 1/4 C of beef broth
1 (26 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck
1 (4 oz.) can green chilies, drained and diced
1 t of salt
1 t of ground cumin
1 t of dried oregano
2 C zucchini, shredded
1 (14 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes

How to Make It:

Set the temperature of the oven to 450 degrees.
Generously grease the bottom and sides of a cast iron Dutch oven.
Spread the onions over the bottom of the pan.
Add the rice and water and stir to coat the rice well.
Put the beans into a mixing bowl and crumble in the ground chuck.
Stir in the chilies, salt, cumin and oregano until all the ingredients are blended together well.
Drop the mixture by spoonfuls into the pan.
Scatter the shredded zucchini into the pan.
Top the zucchini with the tomatoes.
Cover the pan and bake 45 minutes.

Makes 4 servings

Chili comes in many shapes and sizes and this version is like no other. It has a thick stew like consistency that is hearty as well as delicious. Use any type of bean including chili beans or kidney beans when making this dish for your family to try.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 55 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 882; Fat 27g; Carbohydrates 105g; Cholesterol 99 mg; Sodium 102 mg; Protein 57g; Fiber 28g