Patriot Recipe
Submitted by Tanya Fifer, Providence mom
All mothers need quick and easy recipes for busy weeknights. As Providence moms, we face some unique challenges on those homeschool days when we have papers and blue folders everywhere (usually on and around the kitchen table), and perhaps a toddler or two underfoot. Here are some recipes and tactics I rely on to keep my family of six fed and satisfied on those busy nights.
Onion Chicken
4 large frozen chicken breasts (or 8-10 smaller chicken breast tenderloins)
1 can french fried onions
1 egg
Thaw chicken breasts. Crush french fried onions in ziploc bag. Dip chicken in egg and then roll in crushed onions. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. I pair this chicken with broccoli (the steam-in-the-bag kind), or a green salad for a quick and nutritious dinner.
Ham and Scalloped Potatoes (slow cooker)
1 lb pre-cooked, pre-cubed ham
8-10 medium sized golden russet potatoes, thinly sliced (I do not peel them to save nutrients and time)
1 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper (according to taste)
1 C grated cheddar or American cheese
10 3/4 oz can cream of celery soup
Layer half the ham, potatoes, and onions in slow cooker. Sprinkle with half the salt and pepper, and then half the grated cheese. Repeat layers. Spoon undiluted soup over ingredients. Cook on low 8-10 hours, or on high 4 hours.
Bear's Creek dry soup mixes are a staple for our family in cooler months. Our favorites are chicken noodle and potato. I use whatever add ins I have available; leftover chicken, ham or bacon, frozen or left over veggies. Corn muffins from a Jiffy mix are an excellent compliment to any soup! Dinner is ready in 20 minutes and everyone loves it.
"Busiest of Busy Nights" Meal
A new tradition this year has become Cereal Night. Even the simplest of homemade meals does require a little prep time and clean up. Every member of our family is active in our church Wednesday night Awana program, meaning we leave the house at 5:15 p.m. sharp. Not wanting to turn to expensive fast food every week, or face a messy kitchen upon returning home at 8pm, we have instituted Cereal Night on Wednesdays. I set out all the cereal choices, bowls, milk, spoons and fresh fruit and let everyone "make" and "clean up" their own dinner! We rarely eat cereal for breakfast at our house, so this is actually a treat for the kids, and a HUGE time saver and stress buster for mom!
Onion Chicken
4 large frozen chicken breasts (or 8-10 smaller chicken breast tenderloins)
1 can french fried onions
1 egg
Thaw chicken breasts. Crush french fried onions in ziploc bag. Dip chicken in egg and then roll in crushed onions. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. I pair this chicken with broccoli (the steam-in-the-bag kind), or a green salad for a quick and nutritious dinner.
Ham and Scalloped Potatoes (slow cooker)
1 lb pre-cooked, pre-cubed ham
8-10 medium sized golden russet potatoes, thinly sliced (I do not peel them to save nutrients and time)
1 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper (according to taste)
1 C grated cheddar or American cheese
10 3/4 oz can cream of celery soup
Layer half the ham, potatoes, and onions in slow cooker. Sprinkle with half the salt and pepper, and then half the grated cheese. Repeat layers. Spoon undiluted soup over ingredients. Cook on low 8-10 hours, or on high 4 hours.
Bear's Creek dry soup mixes are a staple for our family in cooler months. Our favorites are chicken noodle and potato. I use whatever add ins I have available; leftover chicken, ham or bacon, frozen or left over veggies. Corn muffins from a Jiffy mix are an excellent compliment to any soup! Dinner is ready in 20 minutes and everyone loves it.
"Busiest of Busy Nights" Meal
A new tradition this year has become Cereal Night. Even the simplest of homemade meals does require a little prep time and clean up. Every member of our family is active in our church Wednesday night Awana program, meaning we leave the house at 5:15 p.m. sharp. Not wanting to turn to expensive fast food every week, or face a messy kitchen upon returning home at 8pm, we have instituted Cereal Night on Wednesdays. I set out all the cereal choices, bowls, milk, spoons and fresh fruit and let everyone "make" and "clean up" their own dinner! We rarely eat cereal for breakfast at our house, so this is actually a treat for the kids, and a HUGE time saver and stress buster for mom!
