ISO: Favorite Recipes Using 5 Ingredients or less

[Linda in MO]

OK, I loved the Honey Pecan Pork Chops I just reviewed on another thread. Here is a link to that recipe...
http://pork.allrecipes.com/AZ/AwesomeHoneyPecanPorkChops.asp

I would love to see everyone's favorite recipes that call for 5 ingredients or less, not counting water, salt, pepper, seasonings, etc. I'm mainly interested in main dish and side dish recipes, but others are welcome of course.

Here is one of my favorite chicken recipes (sorry, it's not light)...mainly because it's so easy to throw together, I usually have all the ingredients, and it tastes so good. If I have boneless, skinless chicken breasts, this is the recipe I usually turn to. I also like to marinate them in Italian dressing and grill them.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Easiest Chicken Ever

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Chicken , Main Dish


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast half for EACH person
1 tablespoon mayonnaise for EACH piece of chicken (I've never tried this with light mayo. yet)
1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese for EACH piece of
chicken (not the powder kind)
salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic powder

Season chicken lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder.

Combine mayo. & cheese, and coat breasts with mixture, putting most of the mixture on the top of the chicken.

Lay in a lightly greased, foil-lined (for easy cleanup) pan.

Bake at 400 deg. until done (about 20 - 25 min.?). It will be golden brown and bubbly on top.

[Marian]

I made this on Friday (my usual order out night) and it was so easy and good.

Orzo with Chicken and Parmesan



1 can chicken broth
12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1 1/4 cups uncooked orzo
1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
1/2 cup FRESH grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp basil or oregano




Combine broth and 1 cup water in a dutch oven and bring to a boil.
Add Chicken and pasta, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in peas, 1/4 cup of cheese, basil or oregano, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Top each serving with more parm. cheese.

[Linda in MO]

Thanks Marian. That's exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. Even though I'm a stay at home mom, I don't always have the energy or time to put together a complicated, "gourmet" meal.

[Wendy w]

Linguine w/Red Clam Sauce

Ok, this has 7 ingredients, but it really easy and tastes like you have been slaving over the stove.

1 small can chopped tomatoes (undrained)
1 can clams (drained and set aside)
olive oil (approx 1 tablespoon)
minced fresh garlic (to taste)
chopped fresh sage (about 1 to 2 tablespoons)
white wine (amt.as desired!)
linguine

Saute garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add tomatoes, wine, and sage and bring to boil. Turn down heat and simmer 5-10 min (if famished) or up to 30 minutes (if you have time). Remove from heat and add drained clams. Serve over linguine and top with Romano cheese, if desired. This is great with garlic bread and a salad.

[Marian]

Originally posted by Linda in MO
Thanks Marian. That's exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. Even though I'm a stay at home mom, I don't always have the energy or time to put together a complicated, "gourmet" meal.

Ain't that the truth! I'm right there with you.

[jjsooner73]

I threw this together one night when I didn't have the ingredients for another recipe. I just improvised and ended up with this. It was very quick and easy.
Cooking time can be adjusted for pork chops and it would probably work with chicken as well.

Sweet and Spicy Apricot Pork

8 (2 oz.) pork loin cutlets
½ cup yellow onion
1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup apricot preserves
3 TBSP. balsamic vinegar
3 TBSP. spicy mustard

In non-stick pan, sauté ginger and garlic in olive oil for 1 minute. Add onions and cook on medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle pork with cayenne; add to pan and cook about 2 minutes on each side or until browned.
In small bowl, mix together preserves, vinegar, and mustard. Adjust quantities if needed to suit your tastes!
Remove pork mixture from pan and add preserve mixture. Heat while stirring. When heated, add pork mixture back to pan. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
Serve with rice.

[Jennett]

I'm sure I've posted this somewhere before, but it's so good and quick. From an older issue of CL, I'm not sure when. And I no longer know the exact measurements, since I do it from memory for 1 person.

Balsamic Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a pan, brown chicken breasts, and then remove them and set aside.
2. Add chopped onion or shallots, and saute until tender and golden-brown. Add a pinch of dried thyme while sauteing.
3. Add equal amounts of balsamic vinegar and fruit preserves (apricot or raspberry, though apricot is the best IMHO), and cook until preserves melt and sauce becomes slightly syrupy. (I think you use 1/4 c. each for 4 chicken breasts.)
4. Serve chicken with sauce.

This would also be great for pork.

[RebeccaT]

I put this together based on a pasta dish I had once at California Pizza Kitchen. It's good, quick, and light-tasting. Amounts are approximate - I usually play it by ear depending on what looks right.

Sundried-tomato and Broccoli Pasta with Chicken (serves 2-3)

2 grilled chicken breast halves, cut into strips (I always make extra when I grill, and freeze them to use for this recipe.)
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 cups broccoli florets
3/4 cup sundried tomatoes, cut into strips
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. fusili or rotini pasta, cooked
1/2 cup (or more!) shredded parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste


Blanch broccoli florets quickly in boiling water, drain.

Heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, saute for 1 minute or until tomatoes are soft. Add broccoli, saute for 2 more minutes, or until broccoli is crisp-tender. Add chicken, saute for another minute or so, or until all ingredients are heated through.

Toss with fusilli, add a bit more olive oil, toss with Parmesan cheese and serve.

I also think that it would be good to add some toasted pine nuts to this, but I haven't tried that yet.

[ElinorC]

This is my all time favorite "quickie" dish. It was in an advertisement for Idaho potatoes and is very versatile since you can add any veggie that you want to the dish, serve it with a salad and you have a complete delicious meal.


* Exported from MasterCook *

One Pan Potatoes and Chicken Teriyaki

Recipe By :Potato Advertisiment
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Potatoes Poultry


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------

4 medium potatoes -- cut in wedges
3/4 pound chicken breast -- skinned and boned
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup green onions -- sliced
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

1. Cut potatoes into thin wedges; microwave for 10-12 minutes.

2. Cut chicken into 1/2 inch slices; brown in hot oil over high heat for 5 minutes. Add potatoes; saute and toss until potatoes are lightly browned. Add onions and teriyaki sauce; toss until heated through.

4 servings


Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 253 Calories; 9g Fat (31.0% calories from fat); 18g Protein; 26g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 44mg Cholesterol; 742mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat.

[Linda in MO]

These look great!! Thanks! OK, OK, so the recipes can have more than 5 ingredients. :p I'm mainly looking for recipes that are easy to throw together.

I thought of a couple of easy ones that we really like...Chicken Thighs with Honey-Ginger Glaze and Honey-Pecan Crusted Chicken (except I cut the recipe in half and use 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves and I only bake for about 25 min.--we had this again tonight actually).

[rinsav]

This is a great thread! I just printed some of these to use on nights when I want something quick, easy (and tasty:)) to throw together!

[dixie]

This is one of my family's favorites....tho not too light.

Mexicali

1# ground beef (I use turkey)
1 can diced rotel tomatoes
1 can tomato soup
1 can ranch beans (those chili beans in sauce)
fritos
lettuce/tomato/cheese/onion/sour cream/salsa

brown beef/turkey, drain, add in the three cans and simmer for 30 minutes or so

serve over fritos and top with lettuce, etc.

doubles/triples so easily....great for crowds, my teenagers and their friends request it all the time.

[Jessica]

My favorite is one from CL in 1998. I pretty much have it memorized.

2, 15-oz cans diced tomatoes with basil and oregano
1, 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained (I prefer Great Northern)
5-10 oz spinach, torn (depends on taste)
2 oz feta
box of rotelle or other shape pasta

Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, combine tomatoes and beans in skillet, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 mins. Add spinach and stir till just wilted. Drain pasta, pour sauce over pasta and sprinkle with feta.

[Melanie90]

These are the easiest and quickest peanut butter cookies that I have come across. They whip up so quick:

1 cup peanut butter (can be creamy or crunchy)
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream all together and drop by tsp. and crisscross with fork. Bake in 375 degree preheated oven for 8-9 minutes. Delicious!

[dtuggle]

Not only does this recipe have only 4 ingredients, it's unbelieveably easy, and gets rave reviews with my husband.

Apricot Glazed Chicken

1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/3 cup light bottled Russian dressing
1/2 envelope low-sodium onion soup mix
6 frozen chicken breasts (not thawed)

Mix the apricot preserves, dressing and soup mix in a small bowl.

Place frozen chicken breasts in crock pot and cover with apricot mixture. Cook on low 5 to 6 hours. Serve over rice.

[Fiona1stharp]

Here's one for Cornish hens that 'most everyone likes:

2 Cornish hens, thawed; giblets removed, rinsed and patted dry with paper towels.
2 pkg Uncle Ben's Wild rice (original)
2 cans low salt chicken broth
1-2 cans high quality mushrooms, drained
margarine

Melt margarine in saute pan; I start with 1/2 a stick and try not to go over. Add hens and saute until golden, turning to brown evenly.
Meanwhile, get out the covered roaster and dump in both pakets of rice but only ONE packet of spices. Add chicken broth and mushrooms and stir well. When hens are browned on all sides, place into roaster. Pour off excess pans grease; then scrape pan drippings into roaster with hens (for flavor). Bake , covered , at 325 for about an hour; until hens are tender and rice has absorbed all the broth. (I turn the hens after about 30 minutes and stir the rice when I do.)

[AD]

To make spaghetti sauce, I mix a 15-oz. can of diced or crushed tomatoes with half of a 6-oz. can of tomato paste. Then I stir in some basil, and heat in the microwave 2 minutes. It tastes great, makes no mess and is hassle-free!

[sassafras]

This is my version of No-beef stroganoff ~ quick and yummy! A staple to our weeknight menu....

1/2 bag NO-YOLK egg noodles
2 Cups mushrooms (quartered)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
3 Tbl. Lowfat sour cream
2 Tbl. pesto (I use ?Contandina?-it's near the refrigerated pasta & sauce)
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

boil noodles - drain and place in large bowl
saute garlic in 2tsp. olive oil until golden
add mushrooms and saute on low until all liquid is absorbed (ussually 20 min)
Sppon in sour cream and pesto and let dissolve
Pour mixture onto noodles - Mix and season w/ salt and pepper

(I ussually pepper the mushrooms while the saute, also)

[BethH]

I have two favorite throw-together meals for last minute eating...both are really fast easy and tasty.

Pasta with Tuna, Lemon and Capers
1 can imported tuna in oil (I get the italian stuff at the store and drain off all the oil)
Zest and Juice from one lemon
2 tbsp capers, drained
approx 10 chopped kalamata olives (to taste)
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb. of pasta (I usually use shells or some other shape that will catch all the little goodies in it)

While the pasta is cooking, mix together the other ingredients in a bowl. Once pasta is done, toss everything together and you are done!

Pasta with Spinach, Beans and Asiago
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 can cannellini beans
1/2 package of fresh spinach
1/2-3/4 cup of grated Asiago cheese
1 lb. pasta

Cook the pasta and then toss with the remaining ingredients. The recipe is from CL and says that the hot pasta will wilt the spinach, but I usually will put the mixture back in the hot pot and cover with the lid until the spinach is wilted--but that is my personal preference.

CL's pasta with white clam sauce is another good, quick pantry meal too. That is another favorite of ours.