Conference turris::cooks

    
    My daughter's favorite:
    
    	Break open half a dozen (for 3 people) english muffins on
    a rack set on a cookie sheet.
    
    	Top with your choice of:
    
    		Tuna fish
    		tomatoe
    		pre-cooked (leftover?) bird (chicken, turkey, cornish
    						game hen, etc...)
    		celery
    		green pepper
    		onion
    		sliced bologna (or hot dogs, spam, etc...)
    
    	Always top the whole thing off with a good slice of
    	CHEESE!
    
    		Broil for a few minutes and serve with:
    
    		soup
    		salad
    		a piece of fruit
    		yesterday's hard boiled eggs
    		what-have-you...
    
    Diana

    English muffin pizza - toast english muffins to just light brown. Put
    on a layer of sauce (that's why you toasted the muffin - to combat
    sogginess). Top with cheese (just cheddar is fine, or swiss, colby,
    havarti(!), mozz), pepperoni (if you have some, if you like it).
    Heat till the cheese melts (toaster oven assumed, could use the
    oven broiler too).  This is just a variation of the theme in .-1
    
    Tasty, quick (under 10 minutes from conception to consumption),
    and suprisingly filling.
    
    In the processed foods department, I like Louise's cheese ravioli.
    They require about 10 minutes in boiling water; meanwhile you can
    heat the sauce (which you made a couple of months beforehand and
    froze for this very day when you didn't feel like cooking, RIGHT?),
    or just slosh 'em around in butter which has simmered for a minute
    or three in finely minced FRESH garlic. Toss w/parmesan or romano
    cheese.
    
    There are several other things that you can do if you want quality
    foods and are willing to do some preparation and freezing in advance.
    There is not wanting to cook, and there's NOT WANTING TO COOK.
    Personally, I won't sacrifice a decent meal just cuz I'm tired -
    that's why God created Chinese food, right? :-)
    
    Lunchtime! (um, leftover steamed asparagus, and some rice, hopefully
    complemented by a decent soup from the caf)
                          ^ not incongruous ^
    
    -Scott
    

    	There is always the standard fallback to college days....
		Kraft Macaroni and cheeze 
		Budwiser
    		Double stuff Oreos

    Another quick and dirty meal can be made of nachos and some cheese
    and sauce. Make sure you heat the Nachos first so they don't get
    soggy with the cheese and sauce on them. I realize there is a "right"
    way to make nachos, but if you want dinner in 5 minutes, try this
    instead!
    
    And then of course there's my favorite - grilled cheese, chips,
    and a Calvin Cooler! (or try some cheese, crackers, and wine - that's
    a goodie too!)

    some of the new 'frozen dinners' aren't too bad some are even good
    though the better ones are expensive. I have had some of the Mrs.
    Pauls and Groten fish dinners and they are pretty good but my own
    is still better but sometimes you don't have an hour to prepare
    besides 300 calories is what I am looking for and if I cook myself
    I eat too much... :-)
    

    Fish sticks, and canned/frozen corn and then a dish of ice cream.
    
    A can of beans and a couple of franks, plus maybe some salad or
    maybe just some cut up carrots, if salad is too much to ask.
    
    Hormel canned chili topped with grated chedder isn't too bad.  We
    had that last night, served with your choice of saltines or Ritzs.
    
    Of course there's the soup/sandwich routine.  Campbells chicken
    or tomato and PBJ is the final fallback for uncreative evenings.
    I've found that if you add an extra half can of water to the
    tomato soup, you can dump in some Raman/Oodles of noodles instant
    oriental-style noodles and the whole mess is pretty good.
    
    Fried egg sandwiches.  On toasted bread or on english muffins.
    
    --Louise

    When I just don't wanna cook BUT want something good and nutritious
    .... I scrub a baked potato (or 2) and throw 'em in the oven (or
    microwave if you like 'em soft).  Most times I eat with just LOTS
    of butter and pepper but if I do have SOME energy, I'll put some
    cheese on it and let it melt.   Serve with a left over veggie, or
    maybe some sliced tomatoes, or some soup, or some fresh fruit. 
    End with something real cold like .... good ole ice cream!
    
    Another thing I find real easy is chicken.  If you don't like the
    skin then there is a l-i-t-t-l-e bit of work taking it off but if
    you don't care if it's on .... just wash them (thighs, breasts ...)
    and place in a pie plate or pan.  Add soy sauce, and some spices
    like thyme/tarragon/dill (all or a combo) and throw in the oven
    for about 35 minutes.  It's sooooo easy and yummy!  The spices really
    add a nice flavor.  Serve with .... the baked potato of course and
    maybe some cranberry or applesauce.
    
    Weaver's Chicken Stiks served with AH SO sweet and sour sauce ...
    
    Ellio's frozen pizza ...                
    
    
    All topped off with a good dessert .... ICE CREAM ... anytime!!!!!
    

    
    	My favorite fast dinners are of course fattening!
    
    	Tortelini with garlic butter sauce
    
    		You can buy fresh tortelini (stuffed) in the grocery
    		store that freezes well. You just boil it 8 to 10 minutes
    		and top it with butter, garlic, and parmesean cheese.
    		I usually melt the butter, tadd garlic and let it heat
    		up another minute or so.
    
    	Fettuccini
    
    		There is a recepie for Fettuccini Alfredo on the box
   		of store bought pasta. It's real easy, it's just butter,
    		heavy cream or sour cream, an egg yolk, and parmesean
    		cheese. If you like seafood you can broil or bake
    		scallops or shrimp and toss it in with the pasta.
    		If you cannot find a box with the recepie for fettuccini
    		alfredo just let me know.
    
    
                  
    
    	Fettuccini 

    
    My favorite is:
    
    1/3 pound ground pork Cook it up with a little soysauce or tamari
    added.  Remove and drain.  Add about 1 cup water to saucepan and
    start heating.  Add fresh broccoli, a little chopped green onion
    and the flavoring packet from a package of Top Romin Noodles.
    When water starts to boil add noodles and sliced mushrooms.  When
    noodles are done pour into a bowl and meat and top with more Green
    onions.
    

    
    Steve    

    No one has mentioned one really easy meal, especially for this time
    of year....Barbecue!!!
    
    
    During the summer (and winter too!) we cook just about everything
    on the 'ole gas grill.  What a God send!!!  :^)
    
    
    

    Budget Gourmet frozen dinners. Great selection, something akin to
    flavor, low cost, and they stack well in the freezer. Just slit
    open the top, pop them in the microwave for 8 minutes (they all
    have the same timing, very important), and you're eating.
    
    And when I have more than 15 minutes: a quick rice dish is to make
    up one cup of Uncle Ben's by the microwave instructions (1 cup rice,
    2 1/2 cups hot tap water, nuked for first 5 minutes on high then
    20 minutes on 50% then let stand for 5 minutes, so far perfect every
    time and very dependable timing) only add one package of Lipton's
    Cup-a-Soup mix. I like the cream of chicken best, split pea is very
    interesting.
    
    Paul.

    El Charrito Mexican Dinners

                               Just pop 'em in the microwave.
    
    -sunny-

    RE .3
    
    If your making  Kraft macaroni and cheese the add a few (4+) sliced
    hot dogs to the boiling water and noodles just beffore draining.
    
    Steve

    Actually, I spend a day or two at the start of every month making
    Gyoza's or some frozen thing that I made so I can just
    steam it up for dinner.  Otherwise it's the Kosher Dogs for
    me.

    "Cheese Things"... Slice open syrian bread and cut the rounds into
    triangles. Apply(generously) cheeses: cheddar, boursin etc.
    Put on pan & toast until cheese is melted. Allow to cool for 4
    seconds.
    
    Oh and if you're not real lazy cover the cheese with walnuts or
    other suitable nut prior to cooking.
    
    Best accompanied by a glass of wine..
    
    Dennis   
    
    

HEARTY AND FAST (Winter food):

     Kraft Deluxe Macaroni and cheese - add a generous pinch of crushed
     dried dill weed and 8 ounces of Hormel canned ham or swanson's
     white meat chicken or canned tuna.  This will feed three hearty
     eaters with a side of sliced tomato and cucumber salad.

     Mix 4 cups cooked, hot macaroni-type pasta (twists, curls, etc.)
     1 can cream of onion soup (or cream of mushroom, chicken, etc.).
     Add a handful of chopped green pepper, chopped mushrooms, left
     over peas, broccoli, or what have you and milk (if necessary)
     to make it a moist mess.  Season with selected herbs of your
     choice, pepper, paprika.  Place in casserole dish and top
     with grated cheese (swiss is highly recommended) and bake in
     oven or under broiler until hot and cheese is melted.
     The vegetables will be crunchy or you can saute them ahead
     of time.

LIGHTER AND FAST (Summer food):

     In blender or food processor, mix 3 cups chilled extra-thick
     canned tomato juice (low sodium works real well), 2 small
     or one large garlic clove (or to taste), pepper, chives,
     tarragon to taste, and handful of chopped red onion.
     Blend until smooth.  Add ice cubes and blend to thin out
     a little if necessary.  Add handful chopped green pepper,
     chopped, drained tomato, chopped, seeded cucumber to taste.
     Voilla!  You got gazpacho!  Serve with french bread and
     wine or beer or iced tea of choice.

     This requires leftover pasta or pasta that is cooked
     and chilled by plunging into ice water until chilled
     which takes approx 15 minutes:

     Mix cooked pasta of choice with chilled bottled italian
     dressing of choice.  Add chopped vegetables of choice,
     chives (fresh), parsley (fresh), pepper, etc. until it
     looks nice (I like red pepper, cucumber, red onion,
     peas).  You can also add chopped leftover meat, hardboiled
     egg, etc.

     Variation:  Use Ranch dressing instead.  


In most cases, I can whip this stuff up and be eating within
25 minutes of starting the meal....It's all in the wrists...

			American Goulash
    
    1 lb ground beef                     spices: Chili powder
    2 large or 4 small onions, diced             Cayenne
    1 lb. Wide Egg Noodles                       Cumin
    green pepper if you have one, diced          Garlic powder
    1 T safflower oil                            Tumeric
    2 10oz Tomato Soup                           Allspice
                                                 or what have you
    Heat oil in skillet, add onion and fry over moderate/high heat til
    lightly brown. Add ground beef, brown thoroughly, add spices and
    mix. Add Tomato soup and 1/2 can hot water, lower heat to simmer.
    Prepare and drain noodles, add beef/onion/tomato sauce, mix, and
    serves 4. Takes about 15-20 minutes.
                            
    

    My mother used to make this quick stew when we went out in the camper,
    which had plenty of room to store cans but not much capacity for
    refrigeration:
    
    Cook up enough macaroni to feed the number of people who are hungry.
    Drain. 
    For each 3 to 4 people, add 1 large can of whole stewed tomatoes. 
    Add one or two cans of chopped-up SPAM or other luncheon meat.
    Heat until it's hot and bubbly.
    
    Serve in bowls. 

    Lipton's Noodles and Sauce... butter, sour cream & chive or
    creamy garlic pasta shells!  (can add whatever to them too!)
    
    Stouffer's French Bread pizzas or those new pizza croissants.
    
    Theresa.