I like to call this the "cheater's" paradise! Here you will find the fastest, easiest and least expensive ways I know of to prepare great meals or other treats in minutes! Browse through the recipes below and remember, like the look of this page, they are simple and down to earth. If you are lucky enough to have and Aldi Food Store nearby, you can get everything you need at bargain prices to create meals your family will think you spent a fortune and tons of time preparing! Have a great time here and check back often! If you would like to share your own similar ideas, please Email me with the details! Grandma's Veggie Beef Soup
Ok, so Grandma spent a lot more time on her soup than you will, but believe me, it will taste just as good! Here is what you will need: 2 cans whole new potatoes cut into quarters. 3 cans stewed tomatoes 1 can whole kernel corn 1 can early peas 1 can green beans 1 can sliced carrots 1 12 oz can roast beef with gravy 1 Tablespoon Onion Salt 1 Tablespoon Celery Salt 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper In a very large pot, combine all the above including the liquid from the veggies and the tomatoes. I like to tear the tomatoes into smaller pieces and I like to tear the beef chunks apart into smaller pieces too. Since everything is already cooked, all you need to do is simmer for about an hour for that great homemade taste you remember from Grandma's kitchen! The longer you let it cook, the more the flavors blend, so feel free to simmer all day if you like. The next day it's even BETTER! (though we rarely have enough left over for the next day)
CROCK POT BEEF ROAST WITH POTATOES AND CARROTS
This one comes from Dwight, a great friend! Here is what you will need: 1 chuck roast (2-4 pounds) 1 medium onion 1 package raw baby carrots 4 large potatoes cut into quarters 1 can Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or other cola (Can you believe that!!!) Season the roast with salt and pepper. Place it in the Crock Pot. Place All the veggies on top and pour on the Cola. Turn the pot on high for 4 hours and finish on low for 2-3 hours. That's it, except for the gravy! I have never tasted anything like the gravy this makes! It is AMAZING!!!!! Sometimes, if I don't have onions on hand, I just substitute a little onion salt. My husband loves this so much, he actually felt guilty thinking I would think he liked Dwight's way better than my old stand-by potroast with onion soup mix, which of course, HE DID! You just have to try this! You can't taste the cola, just a richer than ever beef broth! PS You can do the same thing with a pork roast. Just use 7-Up in place of the cola!
CHOCOLATE CANDY TRUFFLES TO DIE FOR
This can be shaped in any possible way because it feels like dough. It doesn't taste like dough it tastes like HEAVEN! You could even shape it into eggs for Easter or you could form it into almost any shape and add a lolly pop stick. The kids would go crazy for that. This can be made to look so fancy you would be proud to give as a gift, so let your imagination run wild! Here is what you will need: 1 can sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand or like, not evaporated milk). 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 ounce packages). 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Melt the chocolate chips in the sweetened condensed milk over VERY low heat. Stir until blended well and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Put mixture in a large bowl, cover and chill for 2-3 hours or until firm. Form into balls or other shapes. You can also roll in sprinkles, coconut, press walnuts or other nuts into the tops or decorate in any way you wish. Store in the refrigerator! Makes a TON of delicious candy! I like to place each piece in it's own little paper or foil baking cup available at any supermarket for little cupcakes.
Lemon Meringue Pie
The first time I tried this, I was tempted to eat the whole thing! Here is what you will need: pre-heat oven to 350 1 9" graham cracker pie shell 1 can sweetened condensed milk (like Eagle Brand, not evaporated milk) 1/2 cup lemon juice from concentrate 1/3 cup sugar 1/3 teaspoon cream of tartar 2 eggs separated few drops of yellow food coloring (optional) In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until lemony in color. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Blend the lemon juice and food coloring and stir into mixture. Pour into the pie shell. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tarter until soft peaks form. Use a high setting on your electric mixer for this process. When the soft peaks form, begin adding the sugar a little at a time and beat until stiff peaks form. Pile the fluffy meringue mixture on the pie making sure to seal down the edges. Bake 12-15 minutes or until the meringue is set and has a nice golden color on the peaks. Allow to cool completely. Store any left overs in the fridge but be forwarned, there won't be any left!
Chili with a Southwest Flair
This is so easy you won't even believe it. It is also very well suited for a pressure cooker, all you need to do is follow your manufacturer's directions for similar soups. Here is what you will need: 1 pound lean ground beef 1 can dark red beans (drained) 1 24 ounce jar thick and chunky salsa (we like the mild or the hot or a combination) 1 cup water In a large dutch oven, brown the beef with salt and pepper to taste. Drain off any excess fat. Add the remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for one to two hours before serving. For thicker chili, allow to simmer uncovered until the desired thickness is achieved. Optional ingredients: Small chopped onion may be added to the beef during browning. Chili powder (be careful there) 1 cup canned corn (looks very festive) 1 small can tomato paste for extra thickness and tomato flavor This is great the way it is, but in a pressure cooker for about 15 minutes it is outstanding! I like to serve it with flour tortillas stuffed with re-fried beans, onions and cheese.
Kaity's Deviled Egg Salad
One of my granddaughters (Kaity) "hates macaroni salad!" I concocted this special "deviled egg salad" for her and she eats it until it's coming out of her ears! Here is what you will need: 6-8 hard boiled eggs (we like it really "eggy") 1/2 cup mayonaise 1/2 cup salad dressing (like Miracle whip) 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard 1/4 cup sweet pickle juice 1 package cooked elbow macaroni Salt and pepper to taste Peel the eggs and remove the yolks. In a very large bowl, mash the egg yolks with the mayonaise, salad dressing, mustard and pickle juice. Chop the egg whites and add to the yolk mixture. Add the salt and pepper. Add the cooked and drained macaroni and blend well. That's IT! After cooling in the refrigerator, you can add a bit more salad dressing, mayonaise or pickle juice (to suit your taste) if the salad has become stiff. PS: You can substitute Marzetti's Slaw dressing for the mayo and salad dressing, but Kaity would tell you it's not the same.
CANDY BAR BROWNIES
This is gonna make your teeth fuzzy it's so rich, so make sure to cut your brownies into very small servings. It has an almost German Chocolate Cake taste but WAY more rich! GOT MILK??? Here is what you will need: 1 devils food cake mix 1/2 cup margerine 1 cup butterscotch chips 6 oz chocolate chips 1 cup coconut (I like it with 12 oz of chocolate chips and no butterscotch chips, too) 1 cup chopped nuts (your choice) 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk (like Eaglebrand not evaporated milk) Cut the margerine into the dry cake mix(right from the package) with a pastry cutter. Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 15X10 baking pan. Layer on the chips, coconut and nuts. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top evenly. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool and prepare for a sugar coma, but what a way to go!
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