Your Favorite Throw-together Dinner

[miles2go]

I'm almost afraid to ask because I'll be tempted to do this more often in the future and that's not good, but every once in a while I have to cook when I don't really feel like it. And I love to cook when I do feel like it and don't want to ruin that. So what's everybody's favorite dinner that involves little more than opening this or that?

I can think of a can of beans, some hot dogs, cole slaw from the deli and some of George's brownies for dessert for instance. Any others?

Gah, can almost feel the cc now...

Margaret

[OptimisticMom42]

scoops

browned burger

tomato

lettuce

avocado

salsa

sour cream

shredded cheese

everthing in separate bowls on the table to accomodate everyone's allergies or tastes

ice cream or popcorn and juice before bed

The trick is to get the kids involved. Give each one a task. And the guy who doesn't help prepare dinner does the dishes.

[nasalady]

Here are a few dinners that my family will eat, but require minimal effort on my part when I've had a long day at work:

1. Gluten free chicken and apple sausages, Trader Joe's Macaroni and Cheese, and a bag of salad.

2. Fish tacos made with frozen tilapia microwaved with butter and Key Lime Pepper in pre-made taco shells, plus salsa, sour cream, pre-shredded cheese, etc. for toppings. Plus a bag of salad.

3. A bunch of Trader Joe's Mini-Tacos, and a bag of salad.

4. Gluten free kielbasa, mashed potatoes made from Potato Buds (I spice them up with a dash of ranch dressing and garlic powder), plus a frozen veggie cooked in the microwave.

[summerteeth]

La Tortilla factory teff wraps + Sweet Baby Rays + leftover chicken + onions + shredded cheese = mini BBQ chicken pizzas. Takes about five minutes to throw together and heat in the oven. I like the teff wraps as pizza crust more than the frozen pizza crust (taste better and aren't chewy).

[twe0708]

I hate to cook too! I make this a lot!

Chicken Breast cut in to small pieces (like the size of an oreo cookie) or in strips and you can cook them in a pan or on a iron skillet because then it's more like a fajita dish and this only take 5 minutes to cook

White rice (which I know brown is better for you)

Sautee some onions, red or green peppers and zuchinni (zuchinni for only a few minutes because you don't want it to get too mushy) and just put everything on top of the rice and serve. This also taste great with steak if you cook the steak in strips on an iron skillet!

It's a great quick dish and healthy. My kids will add soy or other seasoning. I just usually put salt, pepper and Lowry's or Accent Salt

You can also do the turkey hamburger meat with cheese, tomato's, lettuce, sour cream on a corn tortilla. I also use kideny beans in place of hamburger meat or black beans. Heat the corn tortilla in the microwave for about 30 to 40 seconds and you have a meal! Works with chicken and steak too!

[Shess0816]

I'm almost afraid to ask because I'll be tempted to do this more often in the future and that's not good, but every once in a while I have to cook when I don't really feel like it. And I love to cook when I do feel like it and don't want to ruin that. So what's everybody's favorite dinner that involves little more than opening this or that?

I can think of a can of beans, some hot dogs, cole slaw from the deli and some of George's brownies for dessert for instance. Any others?

Gah, can almost feel the cc now...

Margaret

Hello! I actually love to cook -- but I'm all about easy, cheap, and fast when it comes to cooking dinner. One of my favorite meals is bbq pork sandwiches. Get some gluten free hamburger buns -- you keep them frozen and they take like 45 sec to a minute to defrost in the microwave. If you want them a little more crispy, throw them in the oven for a minute or two. For the BBQ pork, buy one of those pork roasts (unseasoned of course) (you could use beef too, but I am not a big beef fan myself). Throw it in the crock pot with a little bit of water on the 8 hour or medium setting early in the morning. Go to work, when you come home you have a completely cooked pork roast (and it smells awesome!!). Pull out the pork roast and shred the meat with 2 forks (it takes like 2 minutes to do because its so tender). Add the BBQ sauce (I use Cookies BBQ sauces because it specifically states gluten free on the bottle). Let the BBQ sauce sit in the crock pot with the pork for a little bit and then spoon out onto gluten free buns. I usually serve it with either gluten free potato chips or sometimes I'll make a baked potato to go with -- maybe some green beans.

Another meal I make routinely is just marinated meat and veggies. All you do is choose whatever meat you want -- make sure it is thawed -- I use chicken, pork, and turkey a lot (again, I don't like the way beef tastes). Preheat your oven to 375, put the chicken in a dish, pour your veggies over top (I usually just use frozen broccoli, or frozen carrots and green beans, mushrooms -- whatever you feel like). Then pour your marinade (gluten free of course) over the top of the meat/veggies. Put it in the oven covered for about an hour (depending on meat thickness). Then it's ready to eat. Doesnt take much prep on your part and you can do other things while it cooks!

If you want something quick and easy, I will make gluten free tomato soup -- I think AMy's brand has a creamy tomato in grocery stores -- I just heat a bowl of that up and then take a gluten free soft tortilla shell and put some cheese inside. I melt the cheese in the tortilla in the microwave and eat the cheese tortilla as kind of an alternative to crackers with my soup. It's super good!

[missy'smom]

Broccoli cheese rice- take leftover rice, put in a bowl, add froz. or leftover or frozen broccoli, calif. and or corn, chopped leftover chicken(canned or roasted etc.) or ham, grind a little salt and pepper on, a bit of butter if desired, and put plenty of grated cheese on top. Microwave until rice is steamy and cheese melted.

Potato skillet-in a bit of oil in a skillet, saute sliced hot dogs-or any kind of cheesy wieners, link sausages of any kind or ham, cubed or sliced parboiled potatoes(can be leftover), veg. of choice if desired- ie: onion, peppers, cabbage, salt and pepper leftovers are great for breakfast the next day, sometimes I purposely make extra for that reason

[ang1e0251]

I do the chicken breast thing too. Frozen breasts into the micro for about one minute. Then slice into chunks and fry with olive oil/coconut oil and butter with Lawry's Seasoned Salt over leftover rice.

If I have more time but not much inclination, I take chicken thight or parts and bake in the oven. Sprinkle olive oil over chicken with Lawry's and bake 1/2 hr. Turn pieces, sprinkle with more oil and the salt and bake another 1/2 hour. Yummy and very little fuss.

I haven't been eating grains lately but when I did, I would make a sack of burritos about once a week. Take whatever meat you like, I usually used browned hamburger with onion. Take a tortilla and spread refried beans, then meat and last cheese. Roll. I would make a whole package of tortillas worth. After they're rolled up, you return them to the tortilla bag. Seal the bag and put into the fridge. When you're ready to eat, micro to heat and top with salsa. When I made a whole bag worth, I had leftovers for lunches and my kids ate them for after school snacks.

In a pinch we often have eggs over rice too. With quesadillos. M-m-m...

[Rondar2001]

Ok, these previous posters are way more motivated then I usually am.

My quicky don't want to cook meals include meat (usually steak or pork chops), slather them with BBQ sauce and throw them on the BBQ. A baked potato cooked in the microwave and some veggies in a pot.

An added bonus is the only dish to wash is the pot the vegtables cooked in (I throw the plates ect. in the dishwasher).

[BRS-07]

Hey,

Something fast that we do is use Chebe pizza mix to make calzones. The mix only takes about 5 minutes, three ingredients to mix, then we roll out the dough in two circles. We layer half of each circle with cheese, pepperon, peppers, pinnapple, leftover crumbled hamburger or anything else we are hungry for. Then we just place the other half of the circle over the top, squeeze the edges, put um on a cookie sheet, put a little olive oil and garlic salt on top and bake. They are amazing! Instead of putting the sauce inside, since it adds alot of liquid, we dip with marinara when done. These things take only about 30 minutes and are so good.

Another thing is chicken breasts with bbq sauce or seasoning put in the oven to bake, throw a bag of steamable vegetables in the microwave or use mixed fresh fruit as a side.

[JNBunnie1]

A couple of faves are chicken breast in homemade honey mustard sauce (really easy, honey, mustard, garlic powder) and baked, or chicken legs with a pile of seasonings on top with a squeeze of lemon juice, baked. I stick sweet potatoes in the oven 45 minutes ahead if I have that much time to plan. Add salad and that was easy!

[purple]

Tacos and nachos, chili dogs w/o the buns and with cheese and green onions, crock pot of chili with tortilla chips for scooping, steamed chicken breasts with BBQ sauce on top...anything on the side like fried potatoes with a bit of garlic. This summer I have made lots of fresh coleslaw and stir fry. Veggies dipped in ranch.

[digmom1014]

Whatever I make when I feel like cooking I make double of, and freeze the other 1/2 or in individual portions. I haven't had many meals that don't freeze well, and I am not that picky if the texture is a little different. (i.e. I make a double batch of rice with chicken and veggie, Manwich, quiches, brownies, tomato sauce, chili, ground beef taco meat, chicken breats, etc.)

I also eat 1/2 my meal at restaurants and take the rest home and freeze it.

[lpellegr]

Boil a pot of water, throw in the rice pasta, open a jar of sauce. Throw in leftover meat if you have it. Salad if you have lettuce. Bingo, dinner.

Scramble up a bunch of eggs, brown and serve sausage. Add cheese to the eggs if you want. Thawed frozen spinach, too, if you're feeling virtuous and people will eat it.

Open a can of tuna, mix with mayo/fixings, serve with crackers and strips of carrot or pepper.

Microwave baking potatoes until done. Top with whatever is hanging around - leftover meat and veggies, cheese, cheese, cheese, sour cream, bacon. And cheese.

Waffles from the freezer. Top with butter and syrup, or cream cheese, or peanut butter, or jelly. Serve with fruit if you want more nutrition.

Hummus with crackers and veggies.

Bell and Evans breaded gluten-free chicken nuggets or strips from the freezer, with any quick sides you have.

It helps to put a few quick and easy things in your freezer or pantry ahead of time for just such occasions. Because you just know there are going to be those days when you just don't wanna.

[Juliebove]

Some kind of gluten-free pasta cooked and topped with a sauce made of ground beef, cooked then I add a jar of gluten-free pasta sauce. I often use Amy's but have been buying Archer Farms or whatever I can find that isn't too expensive and doesn't contain HFCS, soybean oil or our other allergens. I do like Amy's the best, but it has gotten sooo expensive! Can sometimes find Organic Classico at Costco and it's good. I also add a handful of freeze dried onion and bell pepper and often a small can of tomato sauce and some Italian seasoning. Seems one jar of sauce just isn't enough. If I want to stretch this further, I add a can of corn to it.

Another thing I made is chicken and noodles. Canned chicken dumped in a large, deep skillet. I thicken the water with sweet rice flour and add some more chicken broth. I often add some celery, carrots and onions and cook till soft. Then I add lasagna noodles that have been broken into bite sized pieces and cooked.

Or chicken soup. Again, canned chicken with the same vegetables as above. Sometimes will add green beans. Peas are good in this as well, but daughter is allergic. Add chicken broth. Heat through then add small cooked noodles or spaghetti broken in pieces and cooked or some cooked rice. For extra chickeny flavor I use Uncle Ben's roasted chicken flavor pre-cooked rice.

Tamale casserole. I use Hormel canned tamales. Remove from the wrapper then layer in a casserole with slices of green pepper, white onion and black olives. I also add a jar of salsa or if I don't have that, just some tomato sauce or tomato chunks. Whatever I have in the house. Cheese would be good in here as well. Bake or nuke till heated through.

Similar to that, enchilada casserole. Use corn tortillas and layer with cooked ground beef or chicken. Layer with gluten-free enchilada sauce, salsa or tomato sauce seasoned with a dash of chili powder. Or just some Rotel tomatoes. Whatever I have in the house. Also a layer of the onions and peppers as above. Cheese would be good here as well. Bake or nuke till heated through or do in the crockpot for about 2 hours. Not much longer or your tortillas will dissolve. It will still taste good, but the texture will be mush. Serve with black olives.

Tacos. Purchased shells heated in the oven or corn tortillas nuked till hot and soft. Fill with heated canned refried beans, strips of cooked chicken, shredded beef, (I buy this pre-cooked at Costco, called Carne Deshebrada), cooked ground beef (can add chili powder), then top with shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, sour cream, gaucamole, whatever you like.

Spanish rice. Again something that never comes out the same way twice because I use what is onhand. Brown ground beef and add chopped onion and pepper. When the meat is brown, remove it from the pan and add olive oil. Brown some rice. I use a handful or so for each person. Then add liquid. I use a mix of water and tomato sauce, salsa, canned tomatoes, etc. Add chili powder or Mexican seasoning and some salt and pepper. Cover and cook until most of the liquid is absorbed, and rice is tender. At least 20 minutes. If too soupy, cook for a little while with the lid off then let sit off the heat for a few minutes. The rice will absorb the liquid. If too dry, add water. Can add canned beans to this.

Stew in the crockpot. Either browned ground beef or chicken in bite sized pieces. Add broth or in the case of the beef can add tomato juice, sauce, etc. Not a lot of liquid. Add some cubes of potatoes, slice carrot, celery, onion and whatever other veg you like. Cook for about an hour on high and then on low for at least 6 to 8 hours.

[Juliebove]

Here are a few dinners that my family will eat, but require minimal effort on my part when I've had a long day at work:

1. Gluten free chicken and apple sausages, Trader Joe's Macaroni and Cheese, and a bag of salad.

2. Fish tacos made with frozen tilapia microwaved with butter and Key Lime Pepper in pre-made taco shells, plus salsa, sour cream, pre-shredded cheese, etc. for toppings. Plus a bag of salad.

3. A bunch of Trader Joe's Mini-Tacos, and a bag of salad.

4. Gluten free kielbasa, mashed potatoes made from Potato Buds (I spice them up with a dash of ranch dressing and garlic powder), plus a frozen veggie cooked in the microwave.

Do the mini tacos have beef in them? And do they contain cheese? They sound good!

[miles2go]

Aw, man....

You guys gave such awesome ideas that I ended up making California rolls with everybody pitching in.

We don't have TJ's, Whole Foods or Costco nearby, but we do have some good health food stores here and there. BBQ season needs to be rethunk with fall here in Maine and we eat remarkably well on the standard American diet, but I used to cook a lot of Asian food and now I know that everybody likes it, even seaweed.

Mexican, yes. Chebe calzones tomorrow!

Margaret

[nasalady]

Do the mini tacos have beef in them? And do they contain cheese? They sound good!

There are two kinds: beef and chicken. Neither one has cheese in them.

They are VERY good! You can of course add cheese or other toppings if you want to. My 4 year old son loves them....they're just the right size!

[CeliacMom2008]

We grill year round. I buy Market Day meats that are individually frozen. They thaw in a minute or two in the microwave. Toss them on the grill, add veggies (raw, canned, steamed, whatever is fast and handy), add canned fruit and we're good to go.

LaChoy Chow Mein is gluten free. Loaded with bad things like sodium, but very fast, anyone can make it, and we actually like it.

Mrs. Leepers "hamburger helper" type meals.

We freeze a lot for these situations as well - pizza, lasagna, pulled pork, soup, etc.

[Juliebove]

There are two kinds: beef and chicken. Neither one has cheese in them.

They are VERY good! You can of course add cheese or other toppings if you want to. My 4 year old son loves them....they're just the right size!

I will look for them! Hopefully they don't contain soy...

[amybeth]

Bell and Evan gluten-free Patties - bake em, then add pizza sauce (RAGU) and mozzerella for fake Chicken Parm

Joans gluten-free great bakes English Muffin Pizzas w/ Hormel Pepperoni

Chicken and Spinach Sausage from Sam's over rice

Purdue ShortCuts made into basic chicken salad w/ Miracle whip, Salt, Pepper - scooped onto Tostitos

[RideAllWays]

Safeway (or other store, but I know these ones are safe) roasted chickens! $6, there's dinner.

Save the carcass, boil it, add a many veggies as you can pack in there, gluten-free noodles, and I usually add a chicken breast or two, and you have soup for a week.

I make Sunday my cooking day usually. I cut up veggies and bag them for my lunches, make a big pot of soup for the week, make mashed potatoes to keep in the fridge (which are also good fried into potato pancakes).

Baked potatoes with ground beef and tomato sauce are fantastic, 7 mintues in the microwave.

Can of tuna with mayo and whatever else you want in there, either eat from a bowl, make a sandwhich, or I love it on rice cakes.

And if all else fails....breakfast for dinner!

Scrambled or fried eggs, bacon, pancakes (another thing..I make a big batch of pancake mix to keep in the fridge), freezer waffles, fruit fruit fruit fruit!

Good luck!

[jenngolightly]

1) Personal pizzas on Kinnikinnick pizza crust (usually with leftover meat)

2) browned hamburger mixed with brown rice and peas

3) Sheppard's pie

4) or get my husband to cook - right now he's making gluten-free lasagna - yummy and I don't have to step a foot into the kitchen!