Simple, Easy, Fast and Cheap???

[monkee831]

I need help! A friend is coming over to my place for Survivor night and I can't think of anything inspirational to prepare. I've been in a funk lately and not willing to put the effort into preparing an elaborate meal. Anyone have any really tasty meal ideas that won't take much effort or $$$? I'm thinking something along the lines of the Black Bean Enchiladas with Tomatillo Salsa so very easy and so very tasty. I would just make that again but I've already made it so many times already!

TIA

Monkee

PS My friend is coming by AFTER working out - he's likely to be ravenous - if it was a good workout....:D

[imloulou]

How about a taco soup? This recipe makes a lot..I would halve it unless you are feeding an entire party:D This is one of our family's favorites!!

Oh...leftovers taste even better!


Taco Soup

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 15 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beef
Make Ahead Soups
The Kids Love This!!

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 pounds ground chuck -- browned and drained
2 cans pinto beans -- drained 16oz
2 cans corn -- drained 16 oz. (or sub one can for cream corn)
2 cans chopped tomato -- 16 oz
1 can rotel tomatoes -- 14oz
1 can tomato sauce -- 8 oz
2 packages taco seasoning mix
2 packages hidden valley ranch dressing mix
3 cups water
tortilla chip
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
jalapeno

Mix all ingredients, bring to a boil. Lower heat simmer on hour. Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, etc.

Description:
"Very good and easy!"
- -

[imloulou]

For some reason this post did not bump and showed zero replies sooo...BUMP!

[tamawrite]

How about chili and corn muffins? Couple cans of kidney beans, couple of tomato sauce, 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 chopped onion, some ground beef, and a packet of chili seasoning. Jiffy muffin mix.

That's my favorite cheap, easy, and very fast meal. :)

[kjh01]

We just made this chicken chili last night - cheap and fast. I subbed FF 1/2 & 1/2 and low-fat cheddar, and I left out the aniseed because I didn't have any. It was still very good! I served it with Jiffy cornbread.


WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILI
2 tablespoons corn oil
1 large onion,chopped
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon aniseed
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 15-ounce cans cannellini beans (white kidney beans)
1 cup canned chicken broth
1 7-ounce can diced green chilies
1/2 cup whipping cream
Grated cheddar cheese
Chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, aniseed and dried red pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Push onion to 1 side of pan. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to pan. Sauté chicken approximately 5 minutes.

Drain beans; reserve 1/2 cup bean liquid. Add beans, broth, chilies, cream and reserved bean liquid to chicken. Simmer until chicken is tender and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat before using.) Ladle chili into bowls. Top with cheese and sprinkle with cilantro.

Serves 4 to 6.


Bon Appétit
Too Busy To Cook

[monkee831]

Perfect. You ladies rock!!! Now I just have to decide which one to try. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

[Darlin]

I got the tastiest and easiest recipe the last time I visited Trader Joe's:

TRADER JOE’S CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
3/4 lb. chicken
2 cans TJ’s chicken broth or 1 box Kitchen Basics
1 can of TJ’s black beans
1 can of TJ’s corn
1 jar of TJ’s Pico de Gallo salsa (or 1 tub fresh Pico de Gallo)
TJ’s white corn tortilla strips
shredded cheddar cheese
salt/pepper to taste
Other garnish suggestions: chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream and/or a squirt of lime juice.
Combine all ingredients except cheese with 1 cup tortilla chips in a large saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until chicken is heated through and tortilla chips fall apart, about 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper if desired. Place more tortilla chips in a bowl and top with soup and cheddar cheese. Serves 6. My Notes: I made this and it’s delicious.