Things are getting tight for a lot of people. Using our pantries and our freezers can be essential. You can still have yummy and fun and easy recipes to fix - just using what you have on hand. No expensive or fancy ingredients and easy prep.
I know some people may NOT have some of the things I list for these ingredients on hand - but if you do - easy peasy is the word!
1 8 oz. pk. corn muffin mix
1 15 oz. can cream corn
1/2 C sour cream (I have used ranch dip too!)
3 eggs, slightly beaten
Combine all the ingredients and pour into a buttered 2-quart pan. Bake at 350^F for 35 minutes
CHERRY CRUSH
1 - 6 oz. box cherry Jell-O
1 - 8 oz. pack cream cheese - softened
1 - 20 oz. can cherry pie pilling
1 - 15 oz. can crushed pineapple w/juice
Dissolve gelatin in 3/4 C boiling water. Beat in cream cheese with a mixer. Fold in pie filling an pineapple.
Pour in a 9 x 13 pan and refrigerate till set
SPICY CHICKEN & RICE
3 C cooked diced or sliced chicken
2 C cooked brown rice (or white)
1 - 10 oz. can Fiesta Nacho Cheese soup
1 - 10 oz. can tomatoes with chilies
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into a buttered 3 quart baking dish. Bake at 350*F for 45 minutes.
POTATO BEEF CASSEROLE
4 medium potatoes - peeled and sliced
1 lb. ground beef - browned and drained (or less if desired)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (or what you have)
1 can condensed vegetable beef soup
salt & pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together and place in a greased 3 quart baking dish. Bake at 350*F for 1 hour 30 minutes or until potatoes are done.
PRESERVE BARS
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 C packed brown sugar
6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) softened butter
MIX THESE 3 together
Press half of this in a 9" buttered pans - TOP with 3/4 C PRESERVES - add remainder of flour mix
Bake at 350*F for 30 minutes. Cut into bars!
Use whatever type of preserves you may have. It is all good!
FINALLY.........
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES
My hack - is use Twinkies instead of cake!!!!!
I know we have all heard about how Twinkies will live forever, even after the apocalypse when we are all gone! LOL!!! Twinkies do contain more REAL ingredients than they do chemicals (really). Yes, they have a shelf life of a good 25 days or so. BUT - they taste sooooooo good. (what store bought cakes don't have some preservatives?)
I use Twinkies and top with strawberries. You have the cake and cream all in one. They are also tasty when frozen first!!!
No chicken? Well use pork or beef or canned chicken.
No cherry Jell-O - use another flavor and maybe a different type of pie filling
No cream of mushroom soup? Use cream of chicken, or onion, or broccoli, or celery - whatever you have.
No ground beef? Use ground sausage or turkey
No brown rice? Use white or long grain/wild rice
Use what you have and stretch those meals and yummies to save a dollar or two. Easy doesn't mean tasteless - it means being smart and providing tasty alternatives for a little money and NO extra shopping.
You can also use the equivalent to ingredient portions from what you have home canned or frozen.
Get creative, have fun and enjoy the 'fruits' of your pantry!!!!
ENJOY