So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

Dh ususlly works one nght a week late plus he bowls every friday. he also has season tickets to the rangers so sometimes that menas he is home only one or two nights aweek. i decided i REALLY need to stop orderign out as much when he is not there to start really saving some money. Even ordering for myself and say a slice of pizza or my dd can be like 15 a pop with tip so do that twice a week for one month and it adds up.

So far i make sausage and peppers, chicken cutlets.. and yeah well thats about it.. Any ideas for easy recipies.

Message edited 10/16/2008 9:50:05 AM.

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

go to kraftfoods.com they are amazing and give the easiest recipees. Yum!

Meatballs and spaghetti
chicken parm
stuffed shells
chilli
make your own tacos

all are soo easy

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

what do you cook when he is home?

I would just do the same thing....

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

HE COOKS!! I am a lucky one he LOCVVVVESS to cook. i can cook just not as well as he doe si dont know why

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

Honestly I would start out just getting some Marinades at the grocery store, or spice blends (like Grill Seasonings, Montreal Seasoning, etc.) and you can marinate your chicken, pork chops, shrimp, whatever, and cook in in a frying pan on the stove top. Pair that with rice, pasta, some kind of potato, and steam up some veggies and you're good to go!

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

I had no idea how to cook when I started either. My mother was never much of a cook so I didn't know how. I really taught myself on easy recipes and built up from there. There's so much you can do, even if you're not a gourmet chef. I truly believe everyone has the ability to cook. Here's a really easy recipe to start off with


LIPTON ONION-MUSHROOM MEATLOAF

1 env. onion soup mix
1 1/2 lb. meatloaf mixture, ground beef and ground pork
1 c. soft bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine all ingredients. In large shallow baking pan, shape into loaf. Bake 1 hour.

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

Here are my 'quick' 'not alot of work' recipes

Chili - ground turkey, 1 onion chopped can of beans, can of delmonte and McCormicks mild Chili seasing ... 20 minutes. Make rice while you make the chili.

Baked chicken & potatoes - put chicken parts & cubed potatoes - in roasting pan and season with salt, pepper, garlic and olive oil. Add 1 sliced onion, 5 whole cloves of garlic, 1 can of peas (drained), 1 can of mushrooms (or sliced fresh mushrooms) ... throw in the oven for an hour or so at 375.


Steak Pizzaola - place 2 pieces of thin chuck steak in a roasting pan. Season with salt pepper, garlic powder and basil. Pour 1 28oz can of crushed tomatoes. Cook for 2 hours at 350. Make spagetti and use the sauce from the piazzaola.

Grilled chicken & mushroom sandwiches.
Season boneless chicken breasts and whole portobello mushrooms with oilve oil and mccormicks montreal chicken seasoning. Grill both using an indoor grill pan. Stack chicken, portobello and Place 1 slice mozzarella cheese on crusty bread (or a sandwich roll).

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

i agree with kraft foods website, and cambells soup website-- GREAT, easy recipes!
also i like a lot of rachael ray's stuff too- easy and yummy!
not sure how you feel about leftovers... but we will usually make a meal that is enough for 2 nights, and eat the leftovers another night. so thats at least one less night we have to cook. chili is great for this, or any pasta dish.
also, if you have one- a crockpot is definitely a good investment. SOOO many great things you can make in there with hardly any work at all! just throw stuff in, and 8 hours later its done!

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

thanks so much girls. keep em coming

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

I love the lipton meatloaf too.

This is one of my favorites & makes great leftovers.

Mac & Cheese

1 pound elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar

Cook the macaroni in boiling water for about 10 minutes until tender but still firm. Drain well and set aside.
In a deep skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour to make a roux and cook, stirring, to remove any lumps. Pour in the milk and cook until the mixture is thick and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in Cheddar and continue to cook until melted. Add the cooked macaroni and stir. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish. Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 20 minutes.

I sprinkle Italian bread crumbs on top before I bake it. I usually serve it with a side of broccoli.

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

that mac n cheese sounds AWESOME!

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

costco lasgna--yummy and cheap and already made!!

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

I just thought of another easy dinner. Grill or fry kielbasa. Serve on kaiser rolls with mustard & sauerkraut. I split the kielbasa down the middle so it's easier to eat on the rolls.

I like to make pierogies with sour cream or egg noodles with butter & peas on the side. Not very figure friendly but a great hearty meal for chilly nights.

If you're having this meal with DH, wash it down with a Sam Adams Oktoberfest beer. YUM!

Message edited 10/17/2008 2:36:44 PM.

Re: So i decided no more ordering out when dh is not home.. that means i have to learn to cook. HELP

My best advice is to buy the Fannie Farmer Cookbook. This is a great starter cookbook, it's huge. It has a ton of recipes. My mom used it to learn to cook and she bought me one when I moved out.

I use it all the time.

Good luck.