Recipe of the Week: Fast Meals for Frenzied Moms

Ok, you've got 1 hour until you've got to have supper on the table, and everybody has to get out the door quickly after that:  What're ya gonna have? Here are 3 fast, hearty and delicious meals for your family, that you can cook up in a jiffy.

FAST MEALS FOR FRENZIED MOMS ©

1. Golden Baked Chicken with Spicy Oven Fried Potatoes

(ready in 1 hour or less including prep)

(from "Quick Meals for Healthy Kids and Busy Parents")

Serve with fresh fruit or veggies, or canned green beans.

Golden Baked Chicken

Serves 6 (1 Breast each--these are quite filling, so this will probably serve 8-10)

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup flour

1 tbsp paprika

2 tbsp butter

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.  Place flour and paprika in a resealable bag.  Add chicken to bag and shake.  Melt butter in baking dish.  Place chicken in baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. (You can cut the breasts in half to cook even faster.)

Remove foil. Bake for 10 minutes more on each side until chicken is golden brown.

204 calories per serving; 29 gm. protein; 9 gm. carbohydrates; 5 gm. fat; 68 mg. cholesterol; 1 gm. fiber; 2 mg. iron; 18 mg. calcium; 122 mg. sodium

Spicy Oven Fried Potatoes

Serves 4 (1/2 cup each) (plan on doubling this recipe at least)

3 medium potatoes (Plan on more--I use 7 potatoes to serve 6)

2 tbsp butter

1/4 tsp dired basil or oregano

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp pepper

Directions:

Preheat broiler (or bake longer along with the chicken at 400°--they just won't be quite as crispy)

While chicken is baking: Scrub potatoes and cut into slices or wedges.

Melt butter. Place butter and spices in large bowl or resealable bag (I use a bowl). Coat potatoes with butter mixture by stirring in bowl or shaking in bag.  Place potatoes in single layer on cookie sheet.  Broil potatoes 5-10 minutes on each side until golden brown. Or, if baking along with the chicken in above recipe, bake at 400° for 20 minutes, turning, until golden brown. (It doesn't hurt the chicken to be under the broiler a little, so I've put my oven on broil and finished up the chicken with the potatoes for 5-10 minutes that way.)

217 calories per serving; 4 gm. protein; 38 gm. carbohydrates; 6 gm. fat; 0 cholesterol; 3 gm. fiber; 2 mg. iron; 20 mg. calcium; 131 mg. sodium

Exchanges: 2 bread

2.  Bacon Cheesy Baked Potatoes

(ready in 1 hour)

Serves 6

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  While oven is preheating, scrub 6 medium-sized baking potatoes. Pierce in several places, and prebake in microwave for 5 minutes on high. Wrap in foil and bake for 45 minutes in oven (until done).

Bacon options: cook on stove top; bake on a Pampered Chef Stoneware Bar pan in oven for 15 minutes with the potatoes; or use precooked bacon in a package.

Use your favorite shredded cheese.

Serve potatoes with bacon, cheese, and any other toppings you like: broccoli, sour cream, refried beans, leftover chili... be creative with trying new tastes. Pineapple tidbits with the bacon tastes great!

3.  Southwestern Pasta (Ready in 30 minutes)

Serves 6-8

1 (28oz) can no-salt-added (or regular) whole tomatoes, pureed

(or use diced tomatoes--which just makes this chunkier)

1 onion, chopped or 1 tbsp minced onion

1 tsp dried oregano leaves

1-1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (opt)

(I leave them out)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 (16oz) pkg rotini or other noodles

1 (16oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (10oz) pkg frozen corn or 1 can corn

1 (4-1/2oz) can chopped green chilies, drained

(or use a little more cumin and chili powder, if you like the spice)

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

Spray a large pan with Pam. On the stovetop, heat tomatoes, onion, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, sugar, cinnamon, red pepper flakes (if using), salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, to blend the flavors: 20-25 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta, omitting salt and oil.  Drain. Stir into the sauce the black beans, corn and green chilies (if using).  Cook until the corn is just crisp-tender, about 5 min.

Remove from the heat, toss with the pasta, and serve with cheddar cheese.