Quick and Easy Family Dinners

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

06 Aug 2009 06:22 AM

With summer fading, no home cook wants to be chained to the kitchen when she can be making the most of what's left of the beautiful weather. If you are looking for ways you can put nutritious and delicious dinners on the table for your family without having to spend a ton of time cooking and cleaning, then consider the following quick and easy recipes:

FAST AND SIMPLE SOUTHWEST CHICKEN SAUTE

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon garlic salt

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups salsa

1/4 cup chicken broth

1 cup corn

1 cup pinto beans

2 cups Mexican blend cheese

Sour cream

Black olives

Cilantro

Directions:

Mix spices together and sprinkle on chicken.

Heat oil in a skillet.

Cook chicken on both sides until no longer pink (8 to 15 minutes).

Add broth, salsa, corn and beans to the skillet. Cook for two minutes.

Top chicken with cheese.

Cover skillet and cook for two minutes or until cheese melts.

Serve with sour cream, olives, and cilantro.

JAPANESE STIR FRY

Ingredients:

1 pound of strip steak, cut into thin strips

2 cups assorted sliced stir-fry vegetables (broccoli, celery, carrots, zucchini, etc.)

6 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 cup diced fresh pineapple

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Ingredients for Sauce:

1/2 cup Teriyaki sauce

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil on high heat.

Quickly brown beef.

Remove beef to a plate and set aside.

Whisk together sauce ingredients in a bowl.

Add remaining oil to the pan beef was cooked in and stir-fry assorted vegetables and three green onions for two minutes.

Add beef, pineapple, and sauce to the pan. Cook for a few minutes on high heat until sauce starts to thicken.

Garnish with remaining scallions and sesame seeds.

Serve with hot rice.

Related Articles:

Mexican Menu

Spice Up Boring Beef

Easy Picnic Recipes

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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