I am not a very good cook and i need easy recipes to make simple foods!?

Here are a few that are really easy. Get a slow cooker if you don't they are sooo nice %26amp; easy!!! Hope you like these!!!!!








Chicken and Corn Chili -Slow cooker





INGREDIENTS


4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves


1 (16 ounce) jar salsa


2 teaspoons garlic powder


1 teaspoon ground cumin


1 teaspoon chili powder


salt to taste


ground black pepper to taste


1 (11 ounce) can Mexican-style corn


1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans








DIRECTIONS


Place chicken and salsa in the slow cooker the night before you want to eat this chili. Season with garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 6 to 8 hours on Low setting.


About 3 to 4 hours before you want to eat, shred the chicken with 2 forks. Return the meat to the pot, and continue cooking.


Stir the corn and the pinto beans into the slow cooker. Simmer until ready to serve.











Tropical Beef and Noodles





INGREDIENTS


4 cups uncooked egg noodles


1 pound ground beef


1 (15 ounce) can mandarin oranges


1 (8 ounce) can unsweetened pineapple chunks


2 tablespoons cornstarch


1 tablespoon lemon juice


1 tablespoon soy sauce


4 teaspoon garlic powder


1/4 teaspoon salt


1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg








DIRECTIONS


Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.


Drain the mandarin oranges and pineapple, reserving juices. Set fruit aside. In a bowl, whisk the cornstarch and reserved juices until smooth; stir in the lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt . Pour over beef.


Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the oranges and pineapple. Cook for 2 minutes or until heated through. Drain noodles; top with beef mixture. Sprinkle with coconut.











Kabobs





INGREDIENTS


1/2 cup teriyaki sauce


1/2 cup honey


1/2 teaspoon garlic powder


1/2 pinch ground ginger


2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces


1 large sweet onion, peeled and cut into wedges


1 1/2 cups whole fresh mushrooms


1 pound beef sirloin, cut into 1 inch cubes


1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into cubes


skewers








DIRECTIONS


In a large resealable plastic bag, mix the teriyaki sauce, honey, garlic powder, and ginger. Place red bell peppers, onion wedges, mushrooms, beef, and chicken in the bag with the marinade. Seal, and refrigerate 24 hours.


Preheat grill for medium-high heat.


Discard marinade, and thread the meat and vegetables onto skewers, leaving a small space between each item.


Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill skewers for 10-15 minutes, turning as needed, or until meat is cooked through and vegetables are tender.











Dill Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad





INGREDIENTS


2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces


1 stalk celery, chopped


1/2 pound lemon penne pasta


1 cup and 3 tablespoons mayonnaise


2 tablespoon lemon juice


1 teaspoon dried dill weed


1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon buttermilk








DIRECTIONS


In a large bowl combine the chicken, celery and pasta and toss together. In a separate large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice and dill weed and mix well, then stir in buttermilk.


Add lemon dill mixture to chicken mixture and toss to coat. Cover bowl, chill for 30 minutes, and serve.








Chicken Pasta Salad





INGREDIENTS


12 ounces rotini pasta


1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into strips


1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper


1/4 teaspoon garlic powder


4 ounces crumbled feta cheese


4 roma (plum) tomato, diced


1/4 cup Italian-style salad dressing








DIRECTIONS


In a large pot with boiling salted water cook pasta until al dente. Drain.


Meanwhile, season chicken strips with lemon pepper and garlic powder. Broil in oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until juices run clear. Cool chicken. Cut into bite size pieces.


In a large bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, chicken, quartered tomatoes, and feta cheese.


Serve with Italian dressing poured over top of pasta.I am not a very good cook and i need easy recipes to make simple foods!?
Anyone who can read and follow directions can be a good cook. For simple recipes that will appeal to you check out ladies auxiliary at local churches, volunteer fire departments and other organizations for cookbooks. They compile them from their own recipes and are simple spiral bound books and the fee for them is nominal. These recipes will be the best from your area and will probably suit your palate more than TV concoctions. Follow the recipes until you become more accomplished and then make changes to suit yourself.I am not a very good cook and i need easy recipes to make simple foods!?
Everyone now days is looking for fast and easy and also not so expensive foods to prepare.


Last night it was getting late and I didn't feel like making a big meal but I wanted something filling and healthy.


So I put on a pot of boiling water added salt to it and boiled some healthy pasta that Barilla makes it has added vitamins etc.


While the pasta was cooking I got out some:


fresh Italian parsley


1 garlic clove


course ground black pepper


pinch of red pepper flakes


dried oregano spice


1 whole lemon ...grated the zest or skin not the white part


squeezed the juice from it


1 peeled and chopped tomato


olive oil


butter or margarine


some of the water left from the boiled pasta set aside





After the pasta has boiled for the right amount of time read the package...place in drainer colander. Now in the same pot it cooked in add margarine or butter and olive oil enough to cover the bottom of the pan...then add the rest of the ingredients listed above....stir quickly so nothing burns then keep the heat low then add the cooked pasta and toss and eat with some salad and bread....





This meal was so easy to prepare and very satisfying


I hope you give it a try and add other ingredients to it like canned clams and it's juice...for an Italian dish.





Best of luck,


Mama Jazzy Geri


italmama6060@yahoo.com


If I can be of help to you plz send email....I'd be happy to share more ideas.
Get a crock pot. This is one of the easiest ways to cook and usually has very good tasting meals. You'll need a crock pot cook book to go with it though.
head over to http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/


recipes and step-by-step pics.


Enjoy!
Buy some cook books. Or check out some recipe at http://www.marthastewart.com Or even go for cooking lesson. My mum use to go that every Saturday.
go to the food network website and find rachel ray's show 30 minute meals! they are easy and delicious! also she has two cookbooks out I believe that are 30 minute meal based
mac n cheese peanut butter and jelly stuff like that and you can also go to cooking websites
make raviollie
Hamburger helper
The Best Buttermilk Pancakes





1 cup Buttermilk


1 egg, room temp


3 Tbsp butter, melted


¾ cup all purpose flour


½ tsp salt


1 tsp baking soda





Put the buttermilk, egg and melted butter in a mixing bowl. Stir briskly until the mixture is smooth and blended.





Stir the flour, salt and baking soda together in a small bowl. Stir into the buttermilk mixture only until the dry ingredients are moistened - leave the smaller lumps.


Heat a skillet or griddle to medium hot. Grease lightly and spoon out a 3 TBLS of batter per pancake. Cook until a few bubbles form on top and break. Flip the pancake over and cook until golden brown..not too long.





These are the best pancakes and nothing else will compare after having these!!! Enjoy.





Makes about 6-8 pancakes.


------------------------------





Caramelized Baked Chicken


Yield: 6 servings





3 pounds chicken pieces


2 Tbsp. olive oil


½ cup soy sauce


2 Tbsp. ketchup


1 cup honey


1 tsp. cayenne pepper


1 tsp Worcestershire sauce


1 clove garlic, minced


salt and pepper to taste





Preheat oven to 400º F. Place chicken in a greased 9”x13” baking dish. Mix together remaining ingredients. Pour over the chicken. Bake in a preheated oven for 45 minutes. Turn chicken over, baste, and bake 45 minutes more.


-----------------------------





BBQ CHICKEN (quick %26amp; easy)





2 chickens, cut up


1/4 cup butter


3 cloves of garlic, minced fine


1 large onion, chopped


1 cup ketchup


2 T. Worcestershire sauce


1/4 cup cider vinegar


1/4 cup sugar


1 tsp Creole seasoning, or salt


1/2 cup water


1/2 t. savory





Brown the chicken in your cast iron skillet in the butter. It does not have to be cooked all the way through, just brown outside.





Remove chicken and place in a baking pan/dish.





Add the garlic, onion, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, vinegar, sugar, seasoning, water and savory to the butter in the frying pan.





Mix well, then pour over the chicken.





Cover with foil and bake in 350ºF oven for about 1½ hours until done. Baste and turn several times during baking.


-------------------------





Deep Dish Taco Squares





2 cups biscuit mix


½ cup cold water


1( 8-oz )carton sour cream


1/3 cup prepared Ranch salad dressing


1½ pounds ground beef


¼ cup green and/or red bell pepper – finely chopped**


2 Tbsp. chopped onion**


1 pkg taco seasoning mix (¼ cup)


1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce


½ cup mild salsa


2 cups shredded cheddar cheese





Combine biscuit mix and water, stirring with a fork until blended. Press mixture in bottom of a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2” baking dish. Bake at 375ºF for 9 minutes.


Combine sour cream and Ranch dressing. Spread over baked crust and set aside.


Cook ground beef, green bell pepper, and onion in a large skillet until meat is browned and crumbled; drain well. Stir in tomato sauce, salsa or picante sauce, and taco seasoning mix, spoon over Ranch filling.


Sprinkle cheese evenly over meat mixture. Bake at 375ºF, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until casserole is lightly browned. Cut into 12 squares to serve.





** If serving to picky children, you can omit the bellpepper and use 2 tsp. onion powder instead of fresh onions. Omit salsa and add a second can of plain tomato sauce.


-------------------------------





Taco Soup





1-1½ lbs. lean ground beef


1 onion, chopped


1 can beef broth (or 2 cups water + 2 beef boullion cubes)


1 can whole kernel corn, undrained (I like the mix of white and yellow corn)


2 cans diced tomatoes, any variety, undrained (I like petite diced, w/ onions and bellpeppers in them; if you want heat, use at least one can of Rotel)


1 can red or black beans, drained and rinsed


1 packet Taco seasoning





Garnishes (any or all)


sour cream


diced green onions


sliced black olives


sliced jalapenos


guacamole


shredded cheddar cheese





Brown ground beef over medium heat in large stock pot. When nearly cooked, add onions and sauté w/ ground beef. When onions are wilted but still opaque, stop cooking and drain off any fat. Return to heat and add remaining indredients. Cover and let simmer at least 30 minutes, or up to about 3 hours. (Can be held longer in a slow cooker set on Low.)





Serve in bowls w/ crushed corn chips in the bottom. Top each bowl w/ garnish of choice.


----------------------------





Butter Pecan Sweet Potatoes





8 med. sweet potatoes (5 lbs.)


2 Tbsp. olive oil


Kosher salt


2 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into small pieces


2 Tbsp. light brown sugar


1/3 cup pecans


1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper





Preheat oven to 400ºF. Peel potatoes. Halve lengthwise, slice crosswise into ½” thick slices. On a baking sheet, toss potatoes w/ olive oil and salt. Transfer half the potatoes to a 2nd baking sheet. Bake until tender about 25-35 min., tossing occasionally. Toss potatoes with butter, brown sugar, pecans, and cayenne pepper, dividing evenly between both baking sheets. Bake again until sugar is caramelized and hard, about 10 minutes. Gently toss and serve. Serves 8.





--Everyday FOOD


----------------------------------





Roasted Asparagus with Lemon





A wonderful sign of spring, asparagus is at its best between March and May. Choose spears with bright green stalks and purple-tinted tips. If you do not plan to cook the asparagus immediately, stand the spears upright in a pan filled with 1 inch of water and refrigerate.





2 lb. asparagus


1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil


2 garlic cloves, minced


Zest of 1 lemon


Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste


1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges





Position a rack in the upper third of an oven and preheat to 450°F.





Snap off the tough stem ends from the asparagus spears and discard. Arrange the spears on a baking sheet.





In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic and lemon zest. Brush the asparagus evenly with the oil, turning the spears to coat well, and season generously with salt and pepper. Arrange the lemon wedges around the asparagus.





Bake until the asparagus is tender and just turning golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to a warmed serving platter and drizzle with the pan juices. Serves 8.





--Williams-Sonoma
Favorite E-Z recipes you might want to try.


Good Luck %26amp; enjoy.





COLA CHICKEN


(And more variations of recipe)


(My personal favorites….using this recipe


are the ‘wings %26amp; ribs….ummm good!)





4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts


1 cup catsup


1 12oz. can cola (pepsi, coke, etc.)





Put chicken in a non-stick pan.


Mix together catsup and cola, pour over chicken.


Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and cook 45 minutes.


(turning chicken a few times, while cooking...to prevent from sticking to pan)


Uncover, turn up the heat and continue to cook until the sauce


becomes thick and adheres to the chicken.


It turns into the most incredible BBQ sauce. Yummmm!





You can double the recipe and use more pieces of


chicken....wings...would be ideal...add some hot sauce....presto ';Hot Wings';!





I have used Ribs, just as good.





I tried this recipe with 'meatballs'....was equally


as good...served over rice.





I found another variation.....omit the catsup and add a small jar of Salsa (any variety).


I have tried using Salsa (omitting the catsup....not).


You'd think a recipe with only '3' ingredients couldn't be messed up....wouldn't you??


Well...while I was preparing to fix the 'Cola Chicken' recipe


using Salsa.....I was also trying to carry on a conversation with my


husband...(just proves...I can't do two things at once)....mixed Salsa %26amp; Catsup (before I realized I was supposed to leave out the catsup) %26amp; Cola........still turned out really tasty (to me)...might be a little sweeter than some of you like.





I fixed chicken wings, (using the above recipe)


but...I added the spices from a MILD (I don't care for ';HOT';) Buffalo Wings packet...(the kind you get to bake in the oven).....I thought it was really good.....(but you/I can't find a 'bad' way to fix chicken).





Finally....!! I fixed the 'SALSA' chicken......that's good , too.





Another (bright)idea.....I thought of trying......replace the


catsup with a bottle of Shrimp Cocktail Sauce...and add a bag of (pop corn) shrimp.....!


Fixed the shrimp with cocktail sauce......eh...wasn't all that


great...was OK...probably won't be fixing it again.





Also tried beef stew cuts......that was pretty good.....I can see


myself making this again.


Served both over rice.....think the stew cuts would have been just as


good over noodles.





Gonna try some butterfly cut pork chopes…..or boneless chops…or pork steaks……should be good!





Try little cocktail wieners/sausages…for appetizers…..pork chops….pork steaks. (Maybe Vienna Sausages??)











CRUNCHY ONION CHICKEN





1 1/3 cups French’s Original French Fried Onions


4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves


1 egg, beaten





LIGHTLY CRUSH:





Onions in a plastic bag.





DIP:


Chicken in egg





COVER:


With onion crumbs, press firmly to adhere to chicken.





BAKE:


Preheat oven to 400 degrees.


Place chicken on lightly greased baking pan.


Sprinkle with additional onion crumbs, if desired.


Bake for 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center.








Mushroom Chicken





4 boneless/skinless chicken breast (or any pieces you like)


1 can cream of mushroom soup.


1 can water





Place chicken in crock pot (or sauce pan for stove top cooking)


mix soup %26amp; 1 can of water together


pour over chicken


cook on medium heat until boiling then reduce heat and cook until chicken is really tender %26amp; falling apart.





Serve over noodles or rice or dressing....or???





POT ROAST


Your choice of beef or pork (to fit crock-pot)


1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix


1 pkg. dry Italian dressing mix


1 pkg. dry Brown Gravy mix


1 cup water


Put beef in pot.


Mix together all the dry mixes….then add water …pour over meat and cover %26amp; cook on high 4-6 hours.


Until meat is tender.


The first time I mad it I didn’t have the Italian Dressing mix….so I added a pkg. of Onion Soup Mix….I have to say I liked that better.


If you use more water you might want to add more Brown Gravy mix….to make a thicker sauce. Was gonna add


potatoes and carrots…but never got around to it.








OLD SETTLER’S BEANS


INGREDIENTS:


1/2 lb. ground beef1/2 lb. bacon


1 chopped onion


Brown in skillet and drain excess grease.





ADD:


16 oz. can Red Kidney Beans (drained)


24 oz. can Pork %26amp; Beans (drained)


1/2 cup white sugar


1/2 cup dark brown sugar


1/4 cup Catsup


2 TBLS. Molasses


1/2 tsp. dry mustard





Mix Thoroughly !


Cook in a crock pot until...hot...hot...hot!








Kreamy Kool-Aid Pie





1-(6 g) package un sweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix


1-(14 oz.)can sweetened condensed milk


1-(8 oz)container Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed.


1-(9 inch) Graham Cracker Pie Crust (or Cookie crust)


Cool Whip for top (optional)





1. In a medium bowl mix Kool-Aid and condensed milk, thoroughly.


2. Fold in Cool Whip.


4. If desired, spread more Cool Whip on top.


5. Chill for a minimum of 4 hours.





I’ve used: Strawberry…Cherry…Lemon-lime (Key-Lime Pie)….Lemonade (Lemon Pie…might add some yellow food coloring for a more lemony look.)








E-Z Cake Recipes


NO EGGS, NO OIL, NO WATER .......JUST 1 12oz. SODA AND Cake MIX.





CHOCOLATE CAKE MIX.......CHERRY SODA (BLACK FOREST)


ORANGE CAKE MIX….ORANGE SODA


PINEAPPLE MIX….PINEAPPLE SODA


SPICE MIX…..ROOT BEER SODA ETC





POUR CAKE MIX IN BOWL


ADD SODA USE LOAF CAKE PAN


BAKE 350 DEGREES AS BOX SAYS.


(P.S.PREPARE PAN WITH SPRAY)


Your choice of frostings or use cool whip.











ROBERT REDFORD DESSERT





INGREDIENTS %26amp; INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOTTOM LAYER:


Melt 1 stick butter


Add 1/2 cup nuts and 1 cup flour.





Press into bottom of lightly greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.





MIDDLE LAYER:


Blend together 1 8oz. package cream cheese and 1 cup sugar. Fold in 1/2 small tub Cool Whip. Mix well.





TOP LAYER:


Mix together until mixture begins to thicken:


1 large package vanilla instant pudding %26amp; 1 large package instant chocolate pudding with 3 cups milk.





Spread on middle layer and chill to set. Spread remaining cool whip on top %26amp; garnish with nuts %26amp; grated chocolate if desired.








DIRT PUDDING





INGREDIENTS:


1 pound bag of Oreo’s


1 large box of instant vanilla pudding


1 small container of Cool Whip


1 Tablespoon powdered sugar





INSTRUCTIONS:


1.) Crush 3/4 bag of Oreo’s and spread in 9 x 13 baking dish.


2.) Make pudding as directed on package.


3.) Add Cool Whip %26amp; sugar, spread over crushed Oreo’s.


4.) Crush remaining Oreo’s and sprinkle on top of pudding mixture. Refrigerate.








Banana Pudding





I usually double the recipe....never any left-overs.





Ingredients:


Bananas


Use instant Banana pudding or vanilla pudding fix by directions on box.


Cool Whip...add to pudding mix thoroughly.


Vanilla wafers


Toasted coconut.





Line serving dish with a layer of vanilla wafers (a row up the sides of dish, also.)


Add a layer of sliced of bananas


Gently cover with a layer of 1/2 pudding mixture.


Make a second layer of wafers, bananas %26amp; pudding.





Top with some toasted coconut and/or crushed vanilla wafers.











Mock Ice Cream Sandwiches





2 whole graham crackers


Cool Whip





Spread a thin layer of Cool Whip on 1 whole cracker….top with remaining cracker….freeze.





Make several at a time.





Melt some chocolate and drizzle over top before freezing.














If you like these recipes……





Find more quick – simple – E-Z – few ingredient….recipes…at E-Z Cookin’ group:





http://groups.yahoo.com/group/e-zcookin/…





Lots of interesting ‘stuff’ in files %26amp; links…come join %26amp; check it out.





Pat in Indiana….





pmsbar2@att.net
HAMBURGER HOT-POT (ONE DISH MEAL)





1 lb. hamburger (lean or ground round)


4 raw potatoes, sliced


3 med. onions, sliced


2 cans cream of mushroom soup


Garlic salt or seasoned salt to flavor





Brown hamburger, sprinkle on garlic salt or seasoned salt. Pour off any excess fat.


In 2 1/2 quart buttered casserole, put half of potato slices and half of onion slices. Cover with hamburger (center). Place remaining potatoes and onions on top. Spread undiluted soup over top. Do not stir in. Bake at 350 degrees covered for 1 1/2 hours or until potatoes are done.





PORK CHOPS ONE POT MEAL





4 to 6 pork chops


1 lg. can sweet peas


4 sm. to med. potatoes, sliced


1 can tomato sauce


1/2 c. water and flour


Salt and pepper to taste





Salt and flour pork chops and put in a roaster. Add tomato sauce, sliced potatoes and peas. Pour water over all ingredients. Cover and let come to boil. Cover and reduce heat, simmer for one hour or until meat is tender.





POT ROAST/BEEF STEW (2 HOURS/2 MEALS)





1 chuck steak


6 carrots, peeled, sliced 2 inches long


6 potatoes, peeled, quartered


1 med. onion


2 c. water (maintain 2 cups water level throughout cooking)





Brown steak in frying pan. Place steak in 4 quart pan. Add 2 cups water and onion. Cover with tight lid, cook 1 hour on medium heat. Place carrots in pan with steak. Cover and cook 1/2 hour. Place potatoes in pan, cover and cook 1/2 hour. (Maintain 2 cups water throughout cooking). Remove steak, carrots and potatoes from pan. Mix 2 tablespoons flour with 1/2 cup water. Add juice in pan with 2 beef bouillon cubes (dissolved). Cook on high 2 minutes until thick. Serve with gravy on the side.


STEW: Place 2 cups water in 2 quart saucepan. Add 2 beef bouillon cubes (dissolve completely). Place all leftovers in pan and heat.





MEAL IN ONE POT ROAST





3 to 5 lb. pot roast


1 large onion, sliced


5 to 6 medium potatoes, quartered lengthwise


6 large carrots, peeled (large portions halved)





SAUCE:





1/4 c. cooking oil


1 c. ketchup


1/4 c. water


1/2 tsp. pepper


1 tsp. dry mustard


1/4 tsp. soy sauce


2 tbsp. wine vinegar





Combine in sauce pan and heat slowly on stove, stirring occasionally.


In 5 quart Corning Ware, brown meat in small amount of Crisco to sear. Add small amount of water, cover and put in oven at 350 degrees for one hour.





Place sliced onions on roast and arrange potatoes and carrots around roast. Pour sauce over all, cover and continue in oven to 2 1/2 hours. Baste meat, carrots and potatoes once or twice during cooking.





ONE POT MEALS





Basic recipe (serves 8)


2 lbs. hamburger


1 med. onion, chopped


1 med. green pepper, seeded %26amp; chopped


Salt %26amp; pepper to taste





Cook ingredients together until meat is browned. Add below ingredients according to recipe you want to use. Let any of these simmer slowly 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick enough to serve.


Campers Stew: Add 2 cans vegetable soup.





Hungarian Hot Pot: Add 2 (1 lb.) cans pork and beans.





Squaw Corn: Add 2 cans tomato soup, 2 cans cream style corn and 6 ounces grated cheese.





Chili: Add 2 cans kidney beans, 2 cans tomato soup and chili powder to taste.





Spanish Rice: 2 (4 1/2 oz.) boxes Minute Rice, 2 cans tomato soup and 3 1/2 soup cans of water.





Italian Chop Suey: Add 2 (1 lb.) cans spaghetti with tomato sauce and 6 ounces grated cheese.





hope these help. good luck and enjoy.