Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Chicken Tortilla Crunch Microwave Miracle

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving & Black Friday!

My family and I had a very nice, quiet Thanksgiving. It was just me, my husband and my kids. We really wish we could be with our family for every holiday, but it was nice just having a nice simple dinner. What I made: Sausage stuffing in Chicken, Mashed Potatoes Microwave Miracle, Steamed Asparagus, Salad, and Cranberry Sauce.  I used the microwave for the potatoes and asparagus, bagged salad, canned cranberry sauce (I've tried making my own, but I LOVE the jellied kind, I'll grow up one day), so the only hard part was making the stuffing, which I could of done a lot of it in the micro, which I probably will do next time. I've really gotten used to only washing one or two things, instead of the various pots, pans, and bowls I used to make the stuffing. 

Oh, and the other nice thing about having a just your family at Thanksgiving...its A LOT easier to slip away and do some Black Friday shopping. I was a Black Friday virgin, not sure if I will go next year, but it wasn't horrible. I went to Wal-Mart at 8pm to wait for one of the 25 trampolines they had for $140 off, it took a while to find them, since the handy map that Wal-Mart hands out was NOT helpful. But once I did find them, to my delight, the trampoline people were in the garden center in front of the lawn chairs. Score! So a nice comfy wait for the trampoline, polite conversation, and I was 11th in line and easily got my trampoline. Now once I left the comforts of the garden center I was met with grabs, pushes, shoves, some "excuse me"s, and the desire to pick up the vacuum I wanted quickly disappeared. I checked out, and now I Santa will be bringing the kids a trampoline for Christmas. :)

Simple Yummy Crunchy

This is one of my favorite recipes! I was a little worried about the mix of ingredients, but really it was surprisingly fantastic! It has a tortilla-soup-like flavor with a bit more hardiness and A LOT more crunch. The kids thought it was a bit spicy but still asked for seconds. I will cut down on the Chili Powder for the kids and just add it to the adult platters after serving.


Chicken Tortilla Crunch Microwave Miracle

(Adapted recipe from AllRecipes.com)

Ready in: 20 min8 min Active

Ingredients


1.5 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 (10.75oz) can Condensed Cream of Chicken
2/3 cup Picante Sauce
2 tsp Chili Powder
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Tortilla Chips - coarsely broken


Side:

Salad

Supplies:
3 qt Dish & Lid
Cutting Board
Chopping Knife
Mixing Spoon or Ladle


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Instructions

Prep - 5 Min




Step 1
Cut Chicken into strips. Place in Dish.

I've heard rumors that if you buy chicken breast from the butchers section, that you can ask them to slice it up for you. I haven't had the guts to ask yet. 
Step 2
Add Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup, Picante Sauce, & Chili Powder to Dish.
Mix well.
Cook - 15 Min

Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.


Step 3
Put Lid on and Microwave on High for 12 Minutes.




Step 4
Add Cheese.

Mix well.










Step 5
Top with Chips.


Serve in Dish.

Enjoy!


__________________________________________________

Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in: 20 minutes!


My Score: 10
Husband Score: 9
Kids' Score: 8



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Sweet Potato Casserole Microwave Miracle

Quick Thanksgiving Side #3

For the finale of the Quick Thanksgiving Sides for your Fast Family Thanksgiving Feast, here is my Sweet Potato Casserole. This came out so wonderful, especially the caramilzed pecan crumble on top. Now this is VERY VERY sweet, so just beware if you use the full amounts of sugar from the recipe. Next time I make this I will definitely cut down on the sugar. Though my diet hated me for eating this super sweet Sweet Potato Casserole, I loved every bite!! :)

Sweet Potato Casserole Microwave Miracle

(Adapted Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe from Allrecipes.com)

Ready in: 33 min20 min Active

Ingredients

5 Sweet Potatoes (4 cups) - peeled & cubed
1/2 cup White Sugar
2 Eggs - beaten
1/2 tsp Salt
4 Tbl Butter - cubed & softened
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Pecan Crumble Topping:
1/2 cup Brown Sugar - packed
1/3 cup All-purpose Flour
3 Tbl Butter - cubed & softened
1/2 cup Pecans - coarsely chopped


Supplies:
3qt Dish & Lid
Potato Peeler
Cutting Board
Chopping Knife
Measuring cup (optional)
Measuring Spoons (optional)
Potato Masher
2 Medium Mixing Bowls


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Instructions

Prep - 10 Min


Peel, wash & cube Sweet Potatoes (about 1" cubes).

It may take you less time to prep, but I'm a slow potato peeler.

Add 1/2 cup Water.




Cook - 23 Min

Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.



Place in Dish and put Lid on. Cook in Microwave on High for 10 min







While cooking:
In a med bowl, combine the White Sugar, Eggs, Salt, Milk & Vanilla. Set aside for later.




Make pecan crumble:
In another med bowl, mix the Brown Sugar and Flour. Cut in the Butter, until a coarse crumble. Stir in Pecans. Set aside for later.

I mixed mine TOO much in the Kitchen-Aid so it became dough. Still yummy, but try it more crumbly.



With Lid still on, drain the potatoes.

Carefully remove Lid away from your face as steam will escape.


Add Butter and Egg mix. Mash.



Top with Pecan Crumble, microwave on High for additional 10 minutes.







Warning: Miracle Dish is not recommended for the broiler. 

I only use the Broiler for 2 minutes or less with the Dish at least 3 inches away from the coils.

So if you want to brave it follow this next step.

Broil on High for 1:30 min to brown the crumble.





Serve in Dish.

Enjoy!



__________________________________________________

Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in: 33 minutes!


My Score: 10
Husband Score: 10
Kids' Score: 10






Mashed Potato Microwave Miracle

Thanksgiving Side #2

Okay this is now my preferred way to make Mashed Potatoes! Super SUPER easy, 1 dish to clean, extra yummy, and best of all save much needed stove space during Thanksgiving Dinner prep!

Hope your family enjoys this as much as ours did! No one will ever know that this was made in the microwave.

Mashed Potato Microwave Miracle

Ready in: 22 min10 min Active

Ingredients

5 Potatoes - peeled & cubed
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Half & Half
4 Tbl Butter
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper - use white if you have it
2 Tbl Mayonaise


Supplies:
3qt Dish & Lid
Potato Peeler
Cutting Board
Chopping Knife
Measuring cup (optional)
Measuring Spoons (optional)
Potato Masher


______________________________________________________

Instructions

Prep: 10 Min


Peel, wash & cube Potatoes (about 1" cubes).

It may take you less time to prep, but I'm a slow potato peeler.

Add 1/2 cup Water.




Cook - 12 Min

Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.



Place in Dish and put Lid on. Cook in Microwave on High for 12 min

With Lid still on, drain the potatoes.


Carefully remove Lid away from your face as steam will escape.


Add remaining ingredients and mash it up.




Serve in Dish.

Enjoy!

__________________________________________________

Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in: 22 minutes!


My Score: 10
Husband Score: 10
Kids' Score: 10






Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Green Bean Casserole Microwave Miracle

Thanksgiving sides!

Its that time of year to remember to be thankful, and get together with your family and friends to celebrate together. Even though we don't have any family close, and will be just the 5 of us I will be cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. All except the turkey; I will be stuffing a chicken. One of the recipes I plan on making is Green Bean Casserole. This is my absolute favorite dish at thanksgiving, well beside the jellied cranberry sauce. The only thing I need to figure out now is which recipe do I use my Miracle Dish for. Hmmmm... I think I need a couple more Miracle Dishes.

Oh and the other thing I LOVE about my Princess House Miracle Dish is how lovely it looks on the table. The design on the side is so pretty. I've never had the opportunity to entertain since we live so far away from our family, so I really don't have any nice serving dishes. This beautiful dish can go straight from the Micro to the Table for the nicest meal.

Our family really likes slightly crunchy green beans, so I used fresh, which I steamed in the Dish before assembling. You can substitute with canned if you wish, just leave out the steaming part.

Oh, and there will be enough room in the dish if you need to double the recipe, just increase the time!

Green Bean Casserole Microwave Miracle

(Adapted from a recipe from Campbells' & AllRecipes.com)

Ready in: 12 or 22 min2 or 8 min Active

Ingredients



1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup*
1/2 cup Milk*
1 tsp Soy Sauce*
1/8 tsp Pepper
4 cups Fresh Green Beans
  - or 2 (14.5oz) cans Cut Green Beans
1 1/3 cups Fried Onions
* Use low-soduim/low-fat options if desired


Supplies:
3qt Dish & Lid
Mixing Spoon
Cutting Board (if using fresh Green Beans)
Chopping Knife (if using fresh Green Beans)



______________________________________________________

Instructions

Prep: 2 or 10 Min


Skip this step if not using fresh Green Beans.

Trim Green Beans and place in Dish. Add 1/2 cup water.

Cook in Microwave on High for 5 min
(tender crisp), or until desired softness is achieved.

Drain.


Add Soup, Milk, Soy Sauce, Pepper, & 1/2 of the Fried Onions.

Mix.




Cook - 10 or 12 Min

Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.



Put Lid on and Microwave on High for 10 Minutes.





Stir it up.

Top with Remaining Friend Onions.

You can stop here if you want!
But if you want browned onions go to the next step. Be sure to read the warning though!





Warning: Miracle Dish is not recommended for the broiler. 

I only use the Broiler for 2 minutes or less with the Dish at least 3 inches away from the coils.

So if you want to brave it follow this next step.

Broil on High for 1:30 min.







Serve in Dish.

Enjoy!

__________________________________________________

Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in: 12 to 22 minutes!


My Score: 10
Husband Score: 9
Kids' Score: 10






Eggplant Supper Soup Microwave Miracle

To bad the kids didn't like this recipe that much, because my husband and I loved it and I WILL be making it again! Sorry girls.

This is a very hearty dish I adapted from Allrecipes. The eggplant seems to take on a wonderful meaty taste. I personally will be leaving out the macaroni next time, the soup really doesn't need it, and really who needs those extra carbs.

Eggplant Supper Soup Microwave Miracle

(Adapted from a recipe from AllRecipes.com)

Ready in: 37 min16 min Active

Ingredients


1 Onion - chopped
1 lb Ground beef
1/2 cup Dry Macaroni
1 clove Garlic - pressed (or use powder)
2 Eggplants - cubed
15 Baby Carrots - sliced
2 stalks Celery - sliced
2 cans Italian diced tomatoes - drained
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Parsley
2 (14 oz) cans Beef Broth
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese - grated


Side:

Salad

Supplies:
3 qt Dish & Lid
Cutting Board
Chopping Knife
Mixing Spoon or Ladle


______________________________________________________

Instructions

Prep - 15 Min


Chop Onion and mix with Ground Beef in Dish.

Microwave on High for 6 min or until browned.

While cooking:

  • Cube Eggplant
  • Slice Carrots & Celery
  • Open cans


Add Pasta, Eggplant, Carrots, Celery, Garlic, & Spices.

Pour in Beef Broth. Its okay if the broth doesn't cover the veggies, as long as it is covering the pasta you are good.






Cook - 22 Min


Note: Recipe tested in a 900 Watt Microwave.


Put Lid on and Microwave on High for 22 Minutes.




Stir it up.

Top with Parsley & Parmesan Cheese.

Serve in Dish.

Enjoy!


__________________________________________________

Fast Family Feast Test:  Passed! 

Ready in: 37 minutes!


My Score: 9
Husband Score: 9
Kids' Score: 5