Fast and Easy Dishes!

Main dishes, goodies, soups and more!

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I like to call this the "cheater's" paradise! 
Here you will find the fastest, easiest and least expensive 
ways I know of to prepare great meals or other treats in minutes! 
 
Browse through the recipes below and remember, like the look of this
page, they are simple and down to earth. If you are lucky enough to have
and Aldi Food Store nearby, you can get everything you need at bargain prices
to create meals your family will think you spent a fortune and tons of time
preparing! Have a great time here and check back often! 
 
If you would like to share your own similar ideas, please Email me with the details!
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 

Grandma's Veggie Beef Soup

Ok, so Grandma spent a lot more time on her soup than you will, but believe me, it will taste just as good!

Here is what you will need:

2 cans whole new potatoes cut into quarters.

3 cans stewed tomatoes

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can early peas

1 can green beans

1 can sliced carrots

1 12 oz can roast beef with gravy

1 Tablespoon Onion Salt

1 Tablespoon Celery Salt

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

In a very large pot, combine all the above including the liquid from the veggies

and the tomatoes. I like to tear the tomatoes into smaller pieces and I like to

tear the beef chunks apart into smaller pieces too.

Since everything is already cooked, all you need to do is simmer for about an hour

for that great homemade taste you remember from Grandma's kitchen! The longer you

let it cook, the more the flavors blend, so feel free to simmer all day if you like.

The next day it's even BETTER! (though we rarely have enough left over for the next day)

CROCKPOT BEEF ROAST WITH POTATOES AND CARROTS

 
 
This one comes from Dwight, a great friend!
 
Here is what you will need:
 
1 chuck roast (2-4 pounds)
1 medium onion
1 package raw baby carrots
4 large potatoes cut into quarters
1 can Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or other cola (Can you believe that!!!)
 
Season the roast with salt and pepper. Place it in the Crock Pot. Place
All the veggies on top and pour on the Cola. Turn the pot on high for
4 hours and finish on low for 2-3 hours.
 
That's it, except for the gravy! I have never tasted anything like the
gravy this makes! It is AMAZING!!!!! Sometimes, if I don't have onions
on hand, I just substitute a little onion salt.
 
My husband loves this so much, he actually felt guilty thinking I would think
he liked Dwight's way better than my old stand-by pot roast with onion soup mix, 
which of course, HE DID!
 
You just have to try this! You can't taste the cola, just a richer than 
ever beef broth!
 
PS 
 
You can do the same thing with a pork roast. Just use 7-Up in place of the cola!
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 

CHOCOLATE CANDY TRUFFLES TO DIE FOR

 
 
This can be shaped in any possible way because it feels like dough. It doesn't 
taste like dough it tastes like HEAVEN! You could even shape it into eggs
for Easter or you could form it into almost any shape and add a lollypop
stick. The kids would go crazy for that. This can be made to look so fancy
you would be proud to give as a gift, so let your imagination run wild!
 
Here is what you will need:
 
1 can sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand or like, not evaporated milk).
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 ounce packages).
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
 
Melt the chocolate chips in the sweetened condensed milk over VERY low heat.
Stir until blended well and creamy.
 
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Put mixture in a large bowl, 
cover and chill for 2-3 hours or until firm.
 
Form into balls or other shapes. You can also roll in sprinkles, coconut, 
press walnuts or other nuts into the tops or decorate in any way you wish.
 
Store in the refrigerator! Makes a TON of delicious candy!
 
I like to place each piece in it's own little paper or foil baking cup available
at any supermarket for little cupcakes.
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 

Lemon Meringue Pie

 
 
The first time I tried this, I was tempted to eat the whole thing!
 
Here is what you will need:
 
pre-heat oven to 350
 
1 9" graham cracker pie shell
1 can sweetened condensed milk (like Eagle Brand, not evaporated milk)
1/2 cup lemon juice from concentrate
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 eggs separated 
few drops of yellow food coloring (optional)
 
In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until lemony in color. Stir in
the sweetened condensed milk. Blend the lemon juice and food coloring
and stir into mixture. Pour into the pie shell. 
 
In a small bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tarter until soft peaks
form. Use a high setting on your electric mixer for this process. When 
the soft peaks form, begin adding the sugar a little at a time and beat until
stiff peaks form. Pile the fluffy meringue mixture on the pie making sure
to seal down the edges. 
 
Bake 12-15 minutes or until the meringue is set and has a nice golden color on
the peaks. Allow to cool completely. Store any leftovers in the fridge but
be forewarned, there won't be any left!
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 

Chili with a Southwest Flair

 
 
This is so easy you won't even believe it. It is also very well suited for a pressure
cooker, all you need to do is follow your manufacturer's directions for similar
soups.
 
Here is what you will need:
 
1 pound lean ground beef
1 can dark red beans (drained)
1 24 ounce jar thick and chunky salsa (we like the mild or the hot or a combination)
1 cup water
 
In a large Dutch oven, brown the beef with salt and pepper to taste. 
Drain off any excess fat. Add the remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer
for one to two hours before serving. For thicker chili, allow to simmer uncovered
until the desired thickness is achieved.
 
Optional ingredients:
 
Small chopped onion may be added to the beef during browning.
 
Chili powder (be careful there)
 
1 cup canned corn (looks very festive)
 
1 small can tomato paste for extra thickness and tomato flavor
 
 
This is great the way it is, but in a pressure cooker for about 15 minutes
it is outstanding! I like to serve it with flour tortillas stuffed with
re-fried beans, onions and cheese.
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 

Kaity's Deviled Egg Salad

 
 
One of my granddaughters (Kaity) "hates macaroni salad!" I concocted this
special "deviled egg salad" for her and she eats it until it's
coming out of her ears!
 
Here is what you will need:
 
6-8 hard boiled eggs (we like it really "eggie”
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup salad dressing (like Miracle whip)
1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
1/4 cup sweet pickle juice
1 package cooked elbow macaroni
Salt and pepper to taste
 
Peel the eggs and remove the yolks. In a very large bowl, mash the 
egg yolks with the mayonnaise, salad dressing, mustard and pickle juice.
Chop the egg whites and add to the yolk mixture. Add the salt and pepper.
 
Add the cooked and drained macaroni and blend well.
 
That's IT! After cooling in the refrigerator, you can add a bit more
salad dressing, mayonnaise or pickle juice (to suit your taste) if the
salad has become stiff.
 
PS: You can substitute Marzetti's Slaw dressing for the mayo and salad dressing,
but Kaity would tell you it's not the same.
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 

CANDY BAR BROWNIES

 
 
This is going to make your teeth fuzzy it's so rich, so make sure to cut
your brownies into very small servings. It has an almost German Chocolate
Cake taste but WAY more rich! GOT MILK???
 
Here is what you will need:
 
1 devils food cake mix
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup butterscotch chips
6 oz chocolate chips
1 cup coconut
(I like it with 12 oz of chocolate chips and no butterscotch chips, too)
1 cup chopped nuts (your choice)
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk (like Eagle Brand, not evaporated milk)
 
 
Cut the margarine into the dry cake mix(right from the package) with a pastry cutter. 
 
Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 15X10 baking pan.
 
Layer on the chips, coconut and nuts.
 
Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top evenly.
 
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Cool and prepare for a sugar coma, but what a way to go! 
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 
 
 
 
Watch for more exciting fast and easy ideas here!
 

DID YOU KNOW?

 
 
· Instant mashed potato flakes make a great filler for meatloaf. They
 add virtually no taste or grainy texture. Your favorite meatloaf will
 come to life with rich meaty flavor without the mess of cracker crumbs.
 They also stretch hamburger, thicken soups and gravies and will make you
 look 20 years younger! (ok just kidding about the younger, but the rest
 is TRUE!)
 
· A jar of your favorite pepper relish, corn relish or other novelty relishes
 mixed with a little fresh sour cream makes a dreamy dip for crackers or
 veggies.
 
· A generous splash of inexpensive white vinegar added to the dishwasher
 before running a load of dishes will replace the more expensive
 drying agents available at the supermarket. Your dishes will be
 spot-free, virtually!
 
· An inexpensive frozen pizza can taste like it was delivered from your
  favorite pizza shop if you bake it on a baking stone! They are available
 from chef parties and are well worth the 20 dollar investment. They are
 also available in the kitchenware section of department stores. Your food
 tastes great and bakes in much less time. Even brown and serve rolls come
 out tasting like homemade.
 
· You can make great tasting homemade "ice cream" using only one package of
 instant chocolate pudding mix and two cans of evaporated milk. Just mix the
 pudding and the milk together well, then freeze as you would other ice cream.
 It is smooth and creamy and never gets that grainy feel you sometimes get 
 with homemade.
 
 
 
 
 





 
 
 

Mom's Chili

My mom made this chili while I was growing up.

It is not spicy hot nor is it as thick as are many

chili recipes, but it is one of those

recipes that once you have tried, you will want

to keep making. It's easy, fast and just delicious.

Children love it because it is seasoned but dose not

bite! Of course once you do try it, you can certainly

doctor it up to suit your own taste if you find you

can't live without hot spices or being able to stand up

a spoon in your soup!

Here is what you will need:

1 large can whole tomatoes

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 small can light red kidney beans, drained

1 pound lean ground beef

2 tablespoons sugar

Salt and Pepper

In a skillet, brown together ground beef, onion and

green pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Drain excess fat and liquid.

In a medium sauce pan, add the tomatoes and the

juice from the can. Break apart the tomatoes with your

fingers into small pieces. Add one can water (using the

can your tomatoes came in). Add sugar and heat through.

Add the ground beef mixture and the beans.

Add additional salt and pepper, to taste.

Cover and simmer for two hours.

That's it! I know you expect to see chili powder and

other spices, but not in this one. Enjoy!

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