Simple Casseroles

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A SERVANT’S APRON SAYS TO . . WARM HEARTS AND SOULS WITH SIMPLE CASSEROLES

CASSEROLES ARE THE CAREGIVERS OF COMFORT WHEN THE COLD, SNOW AND WINDS OF WINTER BEAR DOWN UPON US. CASSEROLE COOKERY CAN SURELY SAVE TIME AND MONEY, AND IS LEFTOVER FRIENDLY.

WHETHER YOU CHOOSE ITALIAN, MEXICAN OR AMERICAN – INSPIRED THESE WARM DISHES BRING GREAT FLAVOR WITH LITTLE TIME AND EFFORT.

 

ZITI ONE POT WONDER

2 – ¼ C WATER, 2 LARGE JARS OF PASTA SAUCE, 1 16 OZ. PKG OF ZITI PASTA, 1 – 1LB CONTAINER OF SOUR CREAM, AND TWO HANDFULLS OF GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE

IN A NON-STICK POT BRING WATER AND PASTA TO A FULL BOIL OVER MED HIGH HEAT ; ADD ZITI ; STIR WELL AND RETURN TO A FULL BOIL; REDUCE HEAT TO LOW AND COVER. COOK 25 MIN. STIRRING OCCASIONALLY. REMOVE FROM HEAT; STIR IN SOUR CREAM AND A QUARTER TEASPOON OF ANY DRIED ITALIAN HERB OR COMBINATION.

OPTIONAL ; BROWN ONE LB. OF GROUND MEAT WITH SOME CHOPPED ONION IN THE LARGE POT BEFORE STARTING WITH THE SAUCE AND WATER.                 RECIPE SERVES 12 TO 16 PERSONS

 

CHICKEN VEGETABLE SKILLET . . GUESTS WILL BE IMPRESSED

1 LB BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST, ONE 14 OZ CAN OF CHICKEN BROTH, ¼ C OF HOT WATER,1/2 TEA OF DRIED PARSLEY OR THYME, TWO C. INSTANT RICE, 1 14 OZ CAN DRAINED ASPARAGUS OR FRENCH STYLE GREEN BEANS, ONE CAN OF CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

IN A LARGE NON-STICK SKILLET COOK CHICKEN BREAST IN THE BROTH AND HOT WATER OVER MED. HIGH HEAT FOR 3 MIN COVERED. TURN CHICKEN OVER, COVER AGAIN AND COOK 3 MORE MIN. REMOVE CHICKEN AND CUT INTO ¼ INCH STRIPS AND RETURN TO BROTH; REDUCE HEAT TO VERY LOW; STIR –IN DRIED HERB AND UNCOOKED RICE THOROUGHLY.

GENTLY STIR- IN DRAINED VEGETABLE, AND CREAMED SOUP WELL ; DO NOT COVER. CONTINUE COOKING ON LOW HEAT FOR A FEW MINUTES TO THICKEN THE SAUCE. TURN –OFF THE HEAT AND SERVE. ADDING A FEW BACON BITS IN THE FINAL MOMENT OF COOKING WILL BOOST THE FLAVOR

SERVES 4 PERSONS

 

HOT DOG STIR FRY . . FAST . . FUN . . EAT ON THE RUN

1 LB SMALL POTATOES – QUARTERED, 1 TSP DRIED ITALIAN SEASONING, ¼ TEA SALT, 4 HOT DOGS CUT DIAGONALLY INTI 1 INCH PIECES, ½ C. WATER, 1/3 C. KETCHUP, 1 TBSP. WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE, AND ONE BAG OF FROZEN STIR FRY VEGETABLES

PUT A LITTLE OIL IN A SKILLET OVER MED HEAT; ADD POTATOE PIECES, SEASONING AND SALT ; COOK FOR 5 -7 MIN UNTIL BROWNED ; ADD HOT DOG CHUNKS AND COOK FOR FIVE MIN ; ADD WATER, KETCHUP AND W SAUCE ; COVER, REDUCE HEAT TO MED LOW AND COOK UNTIL POTATOES ARE FORK – TENDER (15 – 20 MIN ). ADD VEGETABLES, COVER AND COOK FIVE MINUTES. THIS DISH IS GREAT SERVED OVER COOKED RAMEN NOODLES OR RICE.

RECIPE SERVES 4

 

RAVIOLI LASAGNE – IS SO EASY IT ALMOST MAKES ITSELF . . ?

IN A LARGE GREASED BAKING DISH LAYER IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER TWICE : JARRED PASTA SAUCE, FROZEN RAVIOLI, RICOTTA CHEESE, AND SHREDD3ED ITALIAN CHEESE BLEND. TOP CASSEROLE WITH THE FINAL 3RD OF THE 12 OZ CONTAINER OF RICOTTA AND THE REMAINING 3RD OF THE GRATED CHEESE; COVER TIGHTLY WITH FOIL WHICH HAS BEEN SPRAYED WITH COOKING SPRAY AND BAKE AT 375 DEGREES FOR ONE HOUR. REMOVE FROM OVEN AND WAIT FOR ABOUT 10 NINUTES BEFORE CUTTING.

SERVES 12 TO 16

HOPEFULLY A SERVANT’S APRON GIFTED YOU WITH A FEW EASY DISHES TO FULFILL SOME OF YOUR KITCHEN WISHES . . UNTIL NEXT TIME