Healthy, Simple Prep Home Cooked Meals

January 1, 2006

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    Now that the new year has begun and the holiday season is behind us, it's time to take a bit of a break in the kitchen. But just because we don't want to spend as much time cooking doesn't mean we can't make healthy and tasty homemade meals. Here are four recipes that take five minutes or less of active prep time.

CHICKEN MOZZARELLA 

This Italian-style dish is bursting with hearty flavor. No one will believe that it is so easy to make!

Prep Time : 5 minutes
Cooking time : 15 minutes
Servings : 4

Chicken Mozzarella Ingredients

  • 6 oz. dried bow-tie or penne pasta
  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 can (14-1/2 oz.) DEL MONTE ® Diced Tomatoes with Garlic & Onion
  • 1 jar (2-1/2 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary or basil, crushed
  • 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh rosemary (optional)
Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
  2. Meanwhile, season chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper, if desired. Brown chicken in oil in large skillet over medium-high heat 4 minutes per side.
  3. Add undrained tomatoes, mushrooms and rosemary. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until sauce is thickened and chicken is no longer pink in center; stir occasionally.
  4. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 2 minutes. Serve over pasta and garnish with fresh rosemary, if desired.
SKILLET FIESTA PASTA 

This filling meal is a quick and easy fix. Replace ground beef with ground turkey for a lower fat version.

Prep Time : 5 minutes
Cooking Time : 20 minutes
Servings : 4

Skillet Fiesta Pasta Ingredients

  • 8 oz. wagon wheel or penne pasta
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 2 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 cans (14-1/2 oz. each) DEL MONTE ® Diced Tomatoes with Garlic & Onion
  • 1 can (8 oz.) DEL MONTE Tomato Sauce
  • 1 can (8-3/4 oz.) DEL MONTE Whole Kernel Corn, drained
  • Shredded Cheddar cheese, optional
  • Sliced green onions, optional
Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
  2. Meanwhile, cook meat in skillet; drain. Add chili powder, undrained tomatoes and tomato sauce. Mix in drained corn Cook 5 minutes.
  3. Toss with pasta and garnish with Cheddar cheese and sliced green onions, if desired.
SPICY SEAFOOD AND SAUSAGE STEW 

This is a great meal for cold days. When you purchase shrimp at your grocer's seafood counter, make sure to ask for deveined shrimp.

Prep Time : 5 minutes
Cooking Time : 25 minutes
Servings : 4

Ingredients

  • 1 can (14-1/2 oz.) DEL MONTE ® Diced Tomatoes with Garlic & Onion
  • 1 can (11-1/2 oz.) SNAP-E-TOM™ Tomato and Chile Cocktail
  • 8 oz. fully cooked sausage links, sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • 1 cup sliced okra or 1/2 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen cut okra, thawed
  • 8 oz. uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 cups hot cooked rice
Instructions

  1. Combine undrained tomatoes, tomato cocktail, sausage and okra in large saucepan.
  2. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
  3. Stir in shrimp. Simmer, uncovered, 3 minutes or until shrimp turns pink. Season to taste with pepper. Serve over rice.
EASY AU GRATIN POTATOES 

This is a quick and easy side dish that can go perfectly with many different meals.

Prep Time : 3 minutes
Cooking Time : 30 minutes
Servings : 4

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 2 Tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar or Swiss cheese
  • 2 cans (14-1/2 oz. each) DEL MONTE ® Sliced New Potatoes, drained
  • Sliced green onions, optional
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in saucepan; blend in flour.
  2. Add milk gradually and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add garlic powder and 1/2 cup cheese.
  3. Combine potatoes and sauce in 2-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  4. Bake at 375°F, 25 minutes or until golden brown and heated through. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired.
 

Simple Slaw Recipe

This great recipe from Home Maven Allison Fishman is simple to make. Just mix everything together!  
Simple Slaw Recipe 

Ingredients
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 head green cabbage shredded
1/2 head red cabbage shredded
4 cups collards shredded

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper. Mix well.
  2. Add cabbages, collards to bowl. Toss well and adjust seasonings as needed.
 

Granny Smith and Cilantro Slaw -By Deborah Fewell

A tart and sweet take on a classic picnic side with the same simple instructions as the slaw you're used to-just stir, let stand and serve!

Granny Smith and Cilantro Slaw 

Ingredients 

2 Large Granny Smith apples, cut into 1/4" sticks
1/4 head of red cabbage, shredded
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
4 scallions, chopped diagonally
1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
Juice of two limes
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 jalapeño pepper, minced
1 head butter lettuce, cleaned w/leaves separated

Instructions 

  1. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss to mix well. Let stand for 10 minutes and serve in a butter lettuce leaf for optimal presentation.
 

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