For all you writers and extremely busy people out there…how do you manage to put dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen…or without serving Hamburger Helper?
My family is going to get really sick of spaghetti if I don't find some good recipes that are EASY and FAST. I love the George Foreman, but again, the dh and kid are going to get sick of grilled chicken breasts and pork chops, no matter how many different ways I season them. I do have a couple of crock pot cookbooks, and with winter coming it's a good time to start cooking that way again, but my picky husband doesn't like a lot of crock pot meals because many have noodles and potatoes (OMG–I can't eat carbs!!!!!) 
So anyway, do you know of any good websites (author websites are great!) that feature FAST and EASY recipes?
I need them desperately! 
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Hey, check out kraftfoods.com. I get their free magazine (I’m a recipe nut). Lots of recipes that take 30 minutes or less to prep and cook, plus this nifty little tool that lets you put in any three ingredients and it returns possible recipes for you.
by Linda
on September 19th, 2006 at 6:53 am
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Try Epicurious.com — it’s got all the Bon Appetit and Gourmet magazine recipes through the years. Select “Everyday/Family” from the menu on the side and that will take you to the family quick meals. Some of it is still too esoteric for the average kid, but a lot of it is very useful.
Because of various circumstances, I’m currently the breadwinner while my husband is stay at home/taking care of his elderly mother. He does the cooking, which he was never trained to use, and we’ve found the Epicurious site to be very helpful. If he can cook from the recipes, anyone can.
by Caro
on September 19th, 2006 at 10:06 am
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Toss a couple of chicken breasts in the crockpot with a jar of salsa (I usually use 2 pounds of chicken and a big jar of salsa so I have leftovers). Let it cook on low all day. Shread and put on tacos.
(Can also make encheladas or pretty much any other mexican meal with this chicken).
The same thing (I’ve recently discovered) can be done with any meat/sauce combination. Pork with BBQ Sause, Roast with Onion Soup - shread and eat on Sandwiches.
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I’m no help. We eat a lot of pizza. 
by Charlene
on September 19th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
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Once-a-month cooking! Love it! I make enoguh for 3 months over 2 days.
by Lydia
on September 19th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
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Try very bestbaking.com. They have a swapped recipe file thet is wonderful.
by Estella
on September 19th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
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for fast and easy we go to Everyday Italian. Giada has a show on the Foodnetwork and we have her cook books as well. They taste good, especially if you like good flavors. Not for those on diets. But easy enough that they got my hubby cooking. Definitely cheer worthy!!
by Cathy
on September 19th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
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Linda, I used to get their magazine, and I loved it! I forgot all about that! Must sign up again–thanks for the reminder!
Caro–LOL–I’ll check out that site. Sounds like something I can handle!
Emma…good idea! I like doing things like that because while I’m a vegetarian, this gives the boys something to eat while I enjoy “my” stuff. Thanks!
Charlene, you crack me up! I could eat pizza every night, I think, but we ate it so much when I was working 60+ hours a week at the weather station in San Diego, that my son got sick of it, and he whines every time we even say the word “pizza.”
Oooh, Estella, good idea! Thank you!
Cathy, Everyday Italian…never heard of it, but will definitely check it out!!!!
Thanks, everyone!
by Larissa
on September 19th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
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Go to the Food Network website, all their cooking shows are listed, and a lot of shows have the receipes of the dishes highlighted in each show.
The Cooking Light site,(love the magazine)is also a good one. The usually have an highlighted dish of the day at the top of the side bar.
by Jaq
on September 19th, 2006 at 8:12 pm
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Hey, wait! Ask, Steph! 
:;geez, that was too easy:: heh.
by Jaq
on September 19th, 2006 at 8:14 pm
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I have a similar recipe to Emma’s. Pour salsa in a 13×9 dish - put boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top - pour more salsa on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes (depending on your oven). Fast, easy, and DElicious. I like to serve it with Spanish Rice. YUM!
Another meal we like to have from time to time is Loaded Baked Potatos. Prep time is short - and you can do other things while the potatos bake. The load ‘em up with whatever strikes your fancy; we sometimes have these when our vegetarian friend comes over - if I can find potatos big enough to take it - because we can include veggies, meats, cheeses, whatever - and no one is “left out” She like to crumble up some veggie burger on hers. Strange, but it tastes pretty good. Use paper plates - and clean up is very easy! 
Also recommend the Cooking Light magazine - the recipes are easy and most are quick. Sadly, if you’re trying to avoid a lot of pasta, it’s not as easy. Pasta is quick and filling, and a lot of one-pot recipes use it.
Good luck! If you discover something other than what we’ve mentioned here - please share.
~PJ~
by PJ
on September 20th, 2006 at 1:32 am
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HA HA HA!!! Cooking??? Me???
Is popcorn a vegetable? 
by Liz
on September 20th, 2006 at 1:58 am
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We’re supposed to cook?
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One of my favorite websites is www.tasteofhomes.com. They allow you to search for recipes that are 30 minutes and less and by category.
by Karen
on September 20th, 2006 at 9:10 am
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:mrgreen:LOL, Jaq! And thanks!
Good ideas, PJ! And I love potatoes, so that would be a good solution for me when I cook meat for the family!
Liz, I’m pretty sure popcorn is a legitimate food group! 
*g* Jaci! If my son wasn’t so young, you bet the boys would be on their own!
Awesome idea, Karen! I LOVE Taste of Home. In fact, I think I’ll subscribe to their Quick Cooking mag!
by Larissa
on September 20th, 2006 at 9:30 am
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I heard that, Jaq!
by Steph T.
on September 20th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
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Seriously, do your guys like seafood? That’s fast and easy… just broil flounder filets for about 5 minutes. Add a baked potato (microwaved, of course) and tossed salad or veggie and there’s dinner in less than 15 minutes.
by Liz
on September 20th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
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There is a cookbook called “15 Minute Low-Carb Recipes” which might please both you and your picky husband. $12.21 on Amazon.
Also, there is such a thing as a low-carb crockpot meal. Here’s another title: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook: Over 120 Delicious Low-Carb Recipies That Cook Themselves
$10.17 on Amazon.
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Um, did you think of calling your MUM?:?
Gee, I have to go to the website to find out what you are doing and what you need. Now you know who sent the CROW!
by Mom
on September 22nd, 2006 at 5:31 pm
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LOL@mom and the crow and going to Steph for recipes. I like allrecipes.com cause not only can you save the recipes it makes a grocery list for you.
Are beans carbs? *DOH* I love beans in the crock pot or not. Or even dishes with canned beans though they’re not my fave.
by Cece
on September 26th, 2006 at 10:22 am
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Allrecipes.com is a great resource. Scroll all the way down to the box in the bottom right, “AllRecipe Recipe Collections” then click on “Quick and Easy”. Member-submitted recipes rated by others who’ve tried them. Make sure you read the ratings. Great tips!
Me, I’m becoming best friends with my crock pot and the Fix it and Forget it Cookbook.
