A Menu in Minutes!

Family schedules are busier than ever so what better time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of one of our most treasured cookbooks, Meals in Minutes?

That’s just what we’re doing in this week’s Menu of the Week! Filled with recipes that are ready in an hour or less, they all come from our new cookbook, Meals in Minutes, 10th Anniversary Edition.

Below, you’ll find a sampling of recipes from the cookbook that you can mix and match all week long…follow us on Twitter and get an additional recipe EVERY DAY this week too! Click over to our Online Recipe Box for LOTS more from Meals in Minutes, 10th Anniversary Edition!

Stir-Fried Sesame Vegetables

Jill Ross of our Gooseberry Patch family shared this recipe with us. She writes, “This dish is a delicious and easy way to use the bounty from your garden. It’s simple to substitute the veggies for whatever is in season!”

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 c. vegetable broth
• 3/4 c. long-grain rice, uncooked
• 1 T. margarine
• 2 T. peanut oil
• 1/2 lb. asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 
1 red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 
2 c. sliced mushrooms
• 2 t. fresh ginger, minced
• 1 t. garlic, minced
• 3 T. soy sauce
• 1 T. sesame oil
• 
1 T. sesame seed, toasted

In a saucepan, combine broth, rice and margarine. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetables, ginger and garlic; stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Stir in soy sauce and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat; stir in sesame oil and sesame seed. Serve over rice. Serves 4.

Quick & Easy Veggie Soup


Valerie Pierce of Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania shared her recipe with us. This recipe is perfect if unexpected company drops in…just add some more veggies for plenty of hearty soup!

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 c. pearled barley, uncooked
• 6 beef bouillon cubes
• 
6 c. water
• 28-oz. can tomato purée
• 1 t. dried thyme

In a skillet over medium heat, brown beef and onion until beef is no longer pink; drain. Transfer beef mixture and remaining ingredients to a large stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally; add water while simmering to thin consistency, as desired. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Chicken Tetrazzini


Cindy Edgar of Fishers, Indiana sent us this easy recipe…it works with leftover turkey too!

• 12-oz. pkg. fettuccine pasta
• 1 c. sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 c. onion, chopped
• 
7 T. butter, divided
• 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 t. salt
• 
1/4 t. pepper
• 
2 c. half-and-half
• 
1/4 c. chicken broth
• 2 c. cooked chicken, chopped
• 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 c. bread crumbs

Prepare pasta according to package; drain. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté mushrooms and onion in one tablespoon butter until golden; remove from skillet. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in same skillet; whisk in flour, salt and pepper, stirring until smooth and bubbly. Add half-and-half; boil for one minute. Remove from heat; mix in broth, chicken, fettuccine and mushroom mixture. Spoon into a greased 13″x9″ baking pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; set aside. Melt remaining butter and toss with bread crumbs; spread over casserole. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Serves 6.

Muffin-Tin Pizza Loaves


Shelley Turner of Boise, Idaho shared this delicious recipe with us. She writes, “It’s a delicious twist on meatloaf that your whole family will love!”

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 c. pizza sauce
• 1/4 c. seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 
1/2 t. Italian seasoning
• 
1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
• 1-1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
• 
Optional: additional pizza sauce, warmed

In a large bowl, combine egg, pizza sauce, bread crumbs and Italian seasoning. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Divide among 12 greased muffin cups; press onto the bottom and up the sides. Fill centers with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink. Serve immediately with pizza sauce, if desired. Makes 12 servings.

Butterscotch Brownies


Alice Flood of Dallas, Texas shared this favorite recipe with us. She writes, “The brown sugar gives the brownies an extra-rich butterscotch flavor.”

• 1/4 c. butter
• 
1 c. brown sugar, packed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. vanilla extract
• 
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat; remove from heat. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved; set aside to cool to room temperature. Blend in egg; add flour, baking powder and salt, mixing well. Stir in vanilla and nuts; spread in a greased 8″x8″ baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes; cool. Makes 9.

Originally posted on Gooseberry Patch.