Tuesday, January 8, 2019

One Pot Meals & Math

I absolutely LOVE one pot meals.  That is our mainstay  most of the time.  Whether it be, skillet meals, stir fry, casseroles or soups - most meals contain everything in one pot.  We may have fresh veggies or salad as a side - but we love our 'messes' as G calls them!

So what does math have to do with one pot meals?  It is easy - you just follow simple addition and you have a great meal!

Meat + Veggie + Starch + Sauce + Add-ins = DINNER

SKILLET MATH

MEAT - think about ground beef, chopped chicken, ham cubed, smoked sausage, ground sausage, canned tuna, pork pieces, etc.
VEGGIE - corn, mixed veggies, green beans, chopped cabbage, peas, mushroom slices, chopped broccoli, etc.
STARCH - rice, any type pasta, canned beans, noodles, potatoes, etc.
SAUCE - Tomato soup, any cream of soups, flavored marinades, etc.
ADD-INS - salsa, shredded cheese, diced onion, spices, etc.

Mix and match any of these or any combo you can think of and you have a SKILLET DINNER
There is no right or wrong - you decide what goes in.  Many times I use whatever is leftover in the frig.  This lets you get creative and find some new yummy meals and it saves you a lot of dirty dishes!

Now doesn't that look good!  I actually used 2 pots for this particular one - as the rice was cooked separate.  However it could have all been done in one pot.


CASSEROLE MATH

MEAT - ground beef, chopped chicken, cubed ham, smoked sausage, pork chops, turkey chopped, ham slices, etc.

VEGGIES - chopped onion, mushrooms sliced, broccoli flowerets, diced tomatoes, corn, cauliflower crowns, green beans,  etc..

STARCH - kidney beans, pasta, rice, potatoes, (sliced or chopped), noodles, etc.

SAUCE - Cream of soups (1 -2 cans), pasta sauce, cheese sauce, etc.

ADD-INS - soy sauce, spices, parmesan cheese, chili peppers, etc.

Mix up and top with cheese, crust, etc. and bake in the oven till hot and bubbly.
Serve with a side salad.


EXAMPLES - ground beef, chopped onion, canned kidney beans, tomato soup, salsa = oven chili  (we like to make this and top with a small packet of corn bread mix (follow directions on box) over the top  - bake until corn bread is done!   YUM

Chicken pieces, diced peppers, mushrooms & peas, rice, oriental sauce and soy sauce - yummy stir fry skillet dinner


Follow a simple math formula and WOOHOO you have a one pot meal with all the basics included.
Give it a try.  There are so many great combinations - you will never get bored.
(and who doesn't like less pots and pans to wash!!!!!!)


Hope this gives you some ideas and a creative license to do YOUR OWN THING!
ENJOY

14 comments:

  1. I love these also, although hubs does better portion control with a meat,a starch and a veg.

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    1. We would probably eat less as well, if we did it the other way.
      I do so love my one pot meals however!

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  2. I'm not sure what's in that last photo, but it looks delicious.

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    1. Lasagna! That does sound good - I need to make some again soon.

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  3. I'm with you. That's why I love my crockpot! Fortunately, my husband grew up in a large family and loves casseroles.

    I try and do soup at least twice a week. I'm hoping to make French Onion over the weekend. Yum!

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    1. I love the crock pot too. It sure does make life easier. Glad you husband is onboard as well
      Loooooove French Onion soup!

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  4. I'm a veggie girl and half Italian, so I love one pot meals! : ) Like you wrote, I'm all in when it comes to less dishes too! Woo hoo!

    I love making soups and light pasta gravies with asparagus, spinach etc. New Orleans bean soup with Italian veggie sausage is a favorite along with others. Oh so good!

    I enjoyed your blog as usual. : )

    Blessings! ~Amelia

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    1. My mouth is watering! Everything you listed sounds so good. I love Italian, Mexican, and Cajon food. I guess I like a little spice (not too much.)
      Thank you and glad you follow along and contribute!!

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  5. I'm need to use this plan for clearing out all my freezer!! Thanks for your wisdom!!!

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    1. Oh good plan. The formula works with about anything. So many options!
      Happy cooking!

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  6. When I was teaching I tried to show those little ones that Mathematics was part of everyday life and not something to be scared of. You have provided a beautiful example of how we use these skills at home. Our favourite one pot wonders, besides pot roasts done in the slow cooker are pasta bakes. These really are delicious and use up small amounts of meat and veg. They also taste delicious. It is just a bit too hot to have the oven on here right now. We do use the slow cooker but it is set up in the outside kitchen on the veranda. We also use the hooded barbeque for any baking. Hot food just isnt appealing right now.

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    1. I like all kind of pasta bakes. So many options and varieties.
      I am sorry it is so hot for you right now. You sound like you have come up with some wonderful ways around it, as far as cooking.
      Thank you for the nice compliment. I do believe we use mathematics in absolutely everything we do - as a child I would never have thought!

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