I recently read on another's blog that she hates to cook.  She described why too.  She said she didn't want to spend 6 hours in the kitchen planning a meal that would be eaten up by the family in 10!  LOL  I am sure, at one time or another, all of us have felt like this.  LOL  But I couldn't let it be.  I had to send her a comment and tell her how much I love cooking, but for good reason.  I have researched recipes from cookbooks, my family, church family, internet, etc. and found the ones my family loves that take 15 minutes to prep and the rest of the time is spent either in the crock pot, or in the oven. 

I love to cook for my family because it gives me a sense of accomplishment.  And I adore all the raves about my cooking whether it be from hubby (This is really good hunny), my 2 year old (MMMMMM), or other family members (I need this recipe Amy!!), and especially from church family members when we have a supper night at someone's house, or a church supper (who brought this?  Hello? Does anyone know who brought the sweet and sour meatballs??? Yeah, I think I saw Amy come in with those.  Which Amy??? Matthew's Amy. LOL)  So I told her I would share some with her, but then I had another thought.  Why not ask some of you out there in blog world to share some of your family favorites that don't take alot of time to cook!!!  Please feel free to print out the recipes shared here and enjoy at your own home.  And please help me in collecting some easy prep dinners for my friend as well!!!

Here are some of our favorites:

1.  BBQ Beef Sandwiches

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (I have fixed this with turkey or pork burger as well)

1 onion, chopped

Brown hamburger and onion and drain. Then add:

1 can of condensed tomato soup (no milkor water added please)

3/4 cup of your favorite honey BBQ sauce

1 T Worchestershire sauce

1-2 T brown sugar

31/4 cup water

Simmer until thickened (30-40 minutes), and stir often.  Serve on hoagie buns!  This is delicious!  Sometimes I am not patient, and I don't add the water or simmer it.  LOL  (Serves 4)

2.  Sweet and Sour Meatballs

1 lb hamburger

1 egg, beaten,

1 cup cracker crumbs

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4-1/2 cup milk

Make into meatballs and place in a Dutch Oven with a lid. 

Sauce:

3/4 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup sugar

2T Worchestershire sauce

Mix sauce in a bowl, and pour over uncooked meatballs.  Bake in an oven with lid for 45-1 hour on 350 degrees.  This is also a great dish to cook in the crockpot.  The meatballs cook completely in the juice.  Please taste the sauce before pouring over the meatballs.  I always tweek mine to my own taste since I don't mind them being a little more sour than sweet.  The are my hubby's favorite. (Serves 4)

3.  Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

1 T butter

1 1/2 cucps shredded cooked chicken (use some leftovers if you have them)

1 cup picante sauce (I use milk, but it you like it spicy, kick it up!)

3/4 tsp cumin

1 medium onion, chopped

3 oz cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Medium sized flour tortillas (makes 6 regular sized, and 4 jumbo enchiladas)

Saute onion in butter until tender.  Add chicken, 1/4 cup picante sauce, cream cheese, and cumin.  Heat through to melt cream cheese and remove from heat.  Stir in 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese.  Soften tortillas in the microwave.  Spoon chicken mixture into the center of the tortilla.  Roll up and place seam side down in a baking dish.  Spoon remaining picante sauce over the top and then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over top.  Bake, overcovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  This takes a few minutes to prep, but it is so easy and so yummy, that it is definately worth it.  (Serves 4)

4.  Lemon Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

3 T flour

2 T each: butter and olive oil

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup lemon juice

salt and pepper, to taste

Pound chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness.  Dresge lightly in flour, reserving excess.  Melt butter and oil over medium-high heat until it sizzles.  Cook chicken 4-5 minutes, turning once until done and juices run clear.  Remove chicken.  Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes.  Whick in broth and lemon juice; heat to boiling to let sauce thicken.  Return chicken to pan and heat through.  Season with salt and pepper and serve.    (I personally serve the lemon sauce on the side because Matthew doesn't like the lemon in it. LOL  And I warn anyone getting ready to try this sauce that it is lemon, and not gravy. LOL  I love this sauce over pasta and on steamed broccoli too!!!)  (Serves 4)

5.  South of the Border Chicken Soup (on the stove top or in the crockpot)

This is a good soup for all year round honestly.  In winter, it is warming and comforting, but in summer you can use you fresh produce!!

1 tsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked shredded chicken

1 tsp cumin

2 cans (14 1/2  each) diced tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes!!)

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup frozen whole kernel corn (or fresh)

1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed tomato soup (no added water)

2 cans (14 1/2 oz each) chicken broth (or homemade)

Saute garlic and onion in oil.  Stire in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.  Serve if desired with a dollop of sour cream and tortilla chips.  (serves 4)

6.  Orange Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 T butter

2 tsps cornstarch

2/3 cup orange juice

1/3 cup Heinz 57 sauce

1/4 cup orange marmalade

salt and pepper, to taste

Lightly flatten chicken and saute in hot butter until no longer pink.  Season with salt and pepper.  In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in orange juice and then add 57 sauce, and orange marmalade.  Add mixture to chicken adn heat until thickened, stirring constantly.  Serve!  (Serves 4)

7.  Chicken Taco Bake

2 cups coarsely crushed corn chips

16 oz can refried beans

2 cups (8oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup salsa

\1 tsp taco seasoning

1 medium tomato, chopped

Place cornships in a greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish.  Heat refried  beans and stir in 1 cup of cheese and the salsa.  Spread this over the cornchips.  Toss chicken with taco seasoning and sprinkle over the beans.  Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese and bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Sprinkle with tomato and serve.  (Serves 4)

8.  Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice

1 1/2 cup long -cooking rice, uncooked

1 lbs boness, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

8 oz pkg cream of broccoli soup mix

2-3 cups chicken broth

Place rice into a greased slow cookier and top with chicken, set aside.  Combine soup mix and chicken broth and pour this over the chicken.  Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.  Adding more broth if necessary.

9.  Amy's Chicken Salad  (make this your own by replacing my name if you want)

3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1/2 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/2 cup chopped red apple with peeling

1/2 cup cashew halves

1 tsp sugar

salt and pepper, to taste

Pleace apple, mayonnaise, onion powder, and sugar in a bowl and toss gently to coat.  Add chicken and toss to coat.  Refrigerate several hours.  Just before serving, add cashew and chopped cucumber.  (This is my absolute favorite chicken salad ever!!!  It used to be served at a local tea room called "The Farmer's Wife".  Thank goodness I got the recipe for this and several other favorites before they closed!)  (Serves 4)

10.  Flavorful Chicken Roll-Ups 

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 pkg (10 oz) sliced mozerella cheese

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 tsp dried organo

Flatten chicken to 1/3 inch thickness. Place one cheese slice on each piece of chicken; rollup tightly.  Secure each with a toothpick.  Place flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow dishes.  Coat chicken with flour, then dip in egg, and then coat in breadcrumbs.  Pleace seam side down in an ungreased baking dish.  Combine orgegano and melted butter and drizzle over the chicken.  Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  Discard toothpicks before serving.  (Serves 6)

Now, please add some of your favorites in your comment!!!!  Thanks!