simple Analogy

Quick Meal Monday: Taco Cups

It's been a while since we've done a quick Monday recipe...

A variation of this recipe, these taco cups were a hit.  I knew the spinach and mushroom filling that the original called for would NOT be appreciated by my boys; instead I went with a Mexican theme.  Who can go wrong with Mexican?

Mix shredded chicken, salsa verde, and shredded monterrey jack cheese together for the filling and follow the directions starting at #2.  Add shredded lettuce and diced tomato after they come out of the oven, and you're all set.  Dinner on the quick!

Quick Meal Monday: Shrimp Boil

We wanted to do our own crawfish boil a few weeks ago, but after reading all that has to be done just to get those little guys ready to throw in the cauldron we opted for a shrimp boil instead.  Ours was quite a bit more involved, but for the criteria of a quick meal, this shrimp boil recipe does just fine.  Most of the time on this one is boiling time.  There's not a lot of prep work or hands on cooking time involved!

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Part of the fun of a shrimp boil is the way you eat it.  Traditionally you spread newspaper on the table and after the water has been drained dump the contents smack dab onto the table.  No plates, no forks.  Just hands and lots of napkins.

Now, I don't think of my boys as food snobs.  But when they heard they'd be eating off newsprint, they were repulsed.  "Why can't we just use plates and stuff like normal?"  they asked. 

"Because this is the way you DO a shrimp boil!"

They were not convinced, and by the looks on their faces were planning to mutiny.  Their luck must have been running high that day.  It so happened that we didn't have any newspaper around, so we covered the table with freezer paper instead.  They were much happier with that, and it gave an extra layer of protection for the table.  Win-win!

This shrimp boil is an experience no family should miss out on and qualifies for a FUN quick meal for Monday.

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I've had a lot of fun digging up recipes for us to try during this little series.  It's gotten me through three months of very busy Mondays, and I hope it's given you some good dinner ideas to pull out in time of need.  We may visit this series again in the future, but until then you can find all our Quick Meal Monday recipes right here in their own new category (also in the sidebar categories). 

Quick Meal Monday: Pizza (Two Options)

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Pizza Option No. 1 - Grilled Pita Pizza

Forget messing with the dough!  Use a pita for the crust.  For an even quicker sauce, use your favorite jarred spaghetti sauce.  Add your favorite toppings, and dinner's ready in no time.

 

Pizza Option No. 2 - There's always Double Dave's!

Monday through Thursday large one topping pizzas are only $5 each if you order carry out before 6PM.  No coupon necessary!  Our family of four with two teenage boys eats for $10!  That's what I call a deal!  Just make sure to ask them if they are still offering this deal BEFORE you order.

Quick Meal Monday: Fish Tacos With Baja Sauce

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My husband loves fish tacos.  Me... not so much.  I just don't enjoy the flavor of fish, but I must admit that when he brings home blackedned redfish tacos with baja sauce from The Fish Place it looks delicious.  The baja sauce is what makes the taco.

I experimented around with it and came up with an almost exact version of their sauce...

Baja Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2 c mayo (NOT Miracle Whip)

1/2 c sour cream

1 small can of chipotle chilis in adobo

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp milk

Put whole can of chipotle chili in adobo into a food processor/blender and puree.  In a small bowl, add mayo, sour cream, 2 Tbsp of chili puree, apple cider, and milk.  Mix well.

We compromise on this meal.  I grill fish for he and the boys and grill a chicken breast to use on my tacos.  Add all the trimmings (including cheese!) and use baja sauce instead of sour cream.

Quick Meal Monday: Vermicelli With Fresh Herbs and a Gluten Free Alternative

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So here's another quick pasta recipe for you - vegetarian this time:  Vermicelli with Fresh Herbs.  This one is a perfect spring/summer meal.  Fresh herbs.  Fresh tomatoes (homegrown even better, but I can't seem to gather the courage).  Delicate pine nuts.  It's light, but filling.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and pair it with some garlic bread.  Yum!

Gluten free alternative:  Use spaghetti squash instead of pasta!

This meal is on Noah's top ten list, and it doesn't even have any meat.  That should tell you something!

Quick Meal Monday: Black Bean Barley Burritos

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Sometimes the quickest meal to make is a crock pot meal.  While it does have to cook several hours, and takes some planning ahead of time, those cooking hours can be spent doing all the things I do on Mondays:  teaching, laundry, email, grocery shopping, couponing.

I love this little recipe!  I originally found it in Cooking Light's Superfast Suppers.  That version had a few less ingredients, but still tasted good.  When I came across this one, which has a few more spices added, I was all for it!  Plus the fact that dumping guacamole and sour cream on top of it, put it over the top!  I love anything avocado!

How does it stack up with the men?  The like like it!  Even though it has no meat, the barley makes it very filling.  Are you like me and don't normally buy barley?  It can be tricky to find.  After wandering up and down the grain aisle for eons (after all - it IS a grain), I finally asked where to find it.  At HEB:  soup aisle, top shelf - but even the lady I asked had to ask a manager.  

Quick Meal Monday: Tex Mex Cheeseburgers

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Burgers are a great quick meal, and this one has a lot going for it!  A little chipotle in adobo mixed in with the meat gives a bit of smokey spice.  Bacon (yes please!), cilantro, queso, jalapeno...

To make it a little faster to make, go with a jar of queso instead of making your own.  Don't have time to chop onions, tomato, and cilantro?  Use prepared salsa instead.  We can make this work for a quick meal for Monday!

Add a link to one of your favorite quick meals in the comments!

Quick Meal Monday: Oven Roasted Chicken Wings

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Mighty tasty!!!  Serve these up with a salad or your favorite side and you not only have a yummy meal but also a mighty inexpensive one.  My whole family can eat dinner for $12, and I've got two teenage boys and a hungry husband.

Share your favorite quick meal by leaving a link in the comments!

Quick Meal Monday: Taco Turkey Wedges

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Spring Break time!  This week I'm featuring Betty Crocker's Taco Turkey Wedges.  My guys love a good sandwich.  This one is packed with flavor and heavy enough to fill them up.

The star of this sandwich is the sauce:  sour cream, mayo, chopped black olives, and taco seasoning.  You'll want to slather it on!  Serve it up with chips (or more healthy fruit) and you've got dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes.

A Sick Quick Meal Monday: Roasted Chicken Sausage and Potatoes

That may not have sounded the best.  I don't mean that this meal is sick; I mean it's a quick meal to make when your sick.  I've been on the couch for four days with a cough and sinus congestion.  A doctor appointment is in the works, but in the mean time I need something warm, comforting, and quick to make for dinner.

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Roasted Chicken Sausage and Potatoes was calling me.  The prep time consists of halving small white potatoes and poking the sausages - taking all of five minutes!  Woo hoo!  I'll be back on the couch in no time!

If you can't find smoked chicken sausage, use spinach and feta chicken sausage (in the meat market section at HEB) as a substitute.  It's the perfect comfort food!

I'm going to continue this little Monday series through March, so be sure to check back each Monday for more quick easy meals.  And if you have one you'd like to share, link to it in the comments!