Tag: #EasyandQuick

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Lemony Turkey Rice Soup

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This unique turkey and rice soup will make you glad you had so many Thanksgiving leftovers, and in fact it just might put turkey on the menu well beyond that November holiday. At once savory and tangy, this lemony turkey rice soup is easy to enjoy and hard to forget. It’s also rather easy to make, coming together in less than half an hour, including the prep.

How can such a tasty soup be so quick and easy to make? Well, let’s just say a can of condensed cream of chicken soup may help. That, and the lemon juice and cilantro. There are several unexpected ingredients to be found here, but unexpected hardly means unwelcome!

Turkey Rice Soup Ingredients

  • Cooked turkey: To make the eight servings as laid out in this recipe, you’ll need two cups of diced cooked turkey, either white meat or dark.
  • Long grain rice: Basmati and jasmine are both types of long grain rice. Be aware that this soup calls for pre-cooked rice!
  • Condensed cream of chicken soup: This undiluted chicken soup is what gives this soup its savory base.
  • Pepper: A little dash of black pepper heat helps punch through the richness of this soup.
  • Chicken broth: The base of the soup, you can use turkey broth instead if you’re making this after Thanksgiving. Be sure to reserve a bit of this broth for use toward the end of the cooking.
  • Cornstarch: The cornstarch combines with the reserved broth to acts as a thickener, creating a velvety texture.
  • Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice brings a wonderful tangy taste.
  • Fresh cilantro: A counterpoint to the citrusy lemon, the cilantro balances out this soup and adds brightness.

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Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

In this chicken Alfredo lasagna recipe, we skip the beefy red sauce and creamy ricotta found in traditional lasagna. Instead, we pack the layers with a rich, creamy white sauce and a savory meat filling. The lightly crisped edges of browned chicken, pancetta and prosciutto create a satisfying contrast against the softer textures in the dish.

A combination of several cheeses—Asiago, mozzarella and Parmesan—gives this lasagna an irresistible gooey factor. Each cheese builds on the others, crafting a complex flavor profile that’s just not achievable with mozzarella alone. Put together buttery, creamy Asiago and nutty, sharp Parmesan with wonderfully melty mozzarella, and you have a real winner.

Next time you’re wondering what to do with your leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge, this mashup of classic lasagna and chicken Alfredo is just the ticket.

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna sliced and served
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Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Ingredients

  • No-cook lasagna noodles: These noodles don’t need to be boiled before they’re used. Instead, they absorb moisture from the sauce, softening and cooking as the entire lasagna bakes.
  • Alfredo sauce: This easy sauce combines a roux—a cooked mixture of butter and flour—with whole milk, shredded Asiago cheese and fresh herbs. (Double up on this sauce, and use the leftovers in any of our fave recipes with Alfredo sauce.)
  • Savory meats: We make good use of leftover rotisserie chicken by combining it with savory pancetta and prosciutto. If you can’t find prosciutto, feel free to use deli ham.
  • Cheeses: The combination of Asiago, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses makes a sauce that’s super rich and creamy with subtly nutty undertones. It makes this pasta dish shine.

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22 Flavor-Packed Diabetic-Friendly Chicken Dishes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When you’re cooking with blood sugar in mind, chicken becomes a go-to, both for its lean protein as well as how well it pairs with a wide range of flavors and textures. These diabetic-friendly chicken dishes use nutrient-dense ingredients like artichoke hearts, spinach, citrus and fresh herbs to create balanced meals without relying on refined starches or sugary sauces. The result is satisfying diabetic-friendly dinners that support steady energy, without sacrificing taste or comfort.

We chose these recipes because they help keep blood sugar steady and are easy to prep and adapt, like chicken cacciatore. Even more elevated dishes, like chicken stuffed with spinach and goat cheese or a tropical cauliflower rice bowl, start with lean protein, add low-glycemic vegetables and finish with herbs or spices for depth.

Most of these easy chicken dinner recipes use pantry staples you likely already have. With a few diabetic exchanges and smart cooking techniques, like stovetop searing or slow braising, you have healthy diabetic dinner ideas without trading off flavors. Each recipe aligns with healthy eating patterns and what people with diabetes can eat and drink in everyday routines

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27 Money-Saving Meals to Keep in Your Back Pocket

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our Best Budget-Friendly Dinner Ideas

Cooking on a budget is an art form that balances cost without sacrificing flavor, and making affordable swaps in the kitchen doesn’t have to lead to bland or uninspiring meals. In truth, low-cost cooking invites a world of creativity, where simple, inexpensive ingredients are transformed into delectable dishes and wholesome meals. The key lies in the clever use of spices and pantry staples, strategic techniques, and the magic of fresh, seasonal produce. Some of the world’s great dishes were born from a need to coax flavors out of a few humble ingredients. We’ve rounded up our favorite affordable meals to highlight some of the ways that we make the most out of every single morsel.

One of the best ways to save money without sacrificing flavor is to use your dollars where they count. By keeping the sides for this crispy roast chicken simple, you can go big on a zesty sauce that will pack a punch.

Food Network

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Our Top 50 Thanksgiving Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Plan the Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner

Whether you’re planning a traditional Thanksgiving menu featuring classics like turkey, savory green bean casserole and homemade cranberry sauce or experimenting with new takes on your family traditions, you’re going to need a few ideas to get you started. Luckily, our 50 most-popular Thanksgiving recipes have you covered. This collection of feast-worthy eats includes soups and appetizers to start your meal, turkey and side dishes to round it out — and even desserts. You’ll truly find everything you need to host the perfect holiday meal.

There are lots of great options but this flavorful turkey is truly one of the best. A slather of mayonnaise on the bird pulls double duty by standing in as a flavor-packed rub as well as adding moisture and fat to often dry meat. And what’s particularly great is that it browns the skin beautifully without the constant basting that most birds need.

Food Network

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Whenever I’m putting together a Thanksgiving dessert table, I always make sure to have a nice variety. Of course, there are Thanksgiving pies for the purists, but there are also a few fall desserts to add options and confections for those who just want a small bite of something sweet. So, when we saw these chocolate-covered strawberry turkeys on TikTok, I knew they’d be perfect for the latter. They’re an adorable, few-bite confection for every Thanksgiving dessert table.

These turkey strawberries are made from pretzels, marshmallows, strawberries and milk chocolate. They’re mostly sweet, a little salty and completely festive for the occasion. Arrange them in cupcake liners and serve them among the other desserts. Fair warning: They may outshine the pumpkin pie.

Ingredients for Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys

  • Pretzel sticks: Look for the mini, thin pretzel sticks here, and avoid buying the thick pretzel rods.
  • Mini marshmallows: The mini marshmallows create the look of the turkey’s thighs. If you can’t find mini marshmallows, cut up a big marshmallow into mini-sized pieces.
  • Milk chocolate chips: Milk chocolate creates the lightest turkey brown hue. You can use dark chocolate, but it won’t resemble a golden brown turkey as much.
  • Coconut oil: Coconut oil adds shine to the melted chocolate. You can also use vegetable or canola oil here if desired.
  • Strawberries: Clean the strawberries thoroughly, hull them and dry them very well. I would dry them a few times over to prevent water from mingling with the chocolate.
  • White baking chips: Once the turkeys are assembled, we’ll dip the “legs” in white chocolate to create the leg bones. It’s the perfect finishing touch!

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30 of Our Best Thanksgiving Salad Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Don’t worry, the heroes of Thanksgiving haven’t been dethroned yet. We still enjoy plates piled high with smoked turkey, our favorite Thanksgiving sides and plenty of dessert. But Thanksgiving salad recipes, whether built around leafy greens or root vegetables, deserve a spot on the holiday table, too. From classic to creative, the salads in this collection bring a welcome (and tasty) moment of lightness to the holiday table.

These salad recipes for Thanksgiving include simple lettuce and veggie tosses that you could make year-round, as well as some that highlight seasonal produce, like winter squash, apples and pomegranate. With toasted nuts, sprinkles of cheese and pops of red from cranberries and dried cherries, these salads look almost too pretty to eat.

There are warm salads with grains hearty enough to double as a side dish and cool, crisp ones packed with shredded Brussels sprouts, baby spinach or different lettuce varieties. Look for pre-cut squash or trimmed green beans at the store to save on prep time. You could even use your favorite bottled dressing, though we prefer homemade salad dressing recipes that you can adjust to your own taste. If you always pass on salad at Thanksgiving, take this as your sign to reconsider.

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Homemade Hamburger Helper

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Deciding what to make for dinner is hard enough already. Little Susie likes only chicken nuggets, little Bobby doesn’t eat anything green and your spouse is still holding on to their childhood aversion to onions. Combine these factors with the exorbitant cost of groceries and it’s enough to leave anyone feeling deflated and defeated in the middle of the produce section. Thankfully, solutions like this homemade Hamburger Helper recipe are here to save the day (and your wallet).

This one-pot recipe isn’t just affordable and easy to make but is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will satisfy everyone at your table. While you could grab a box of Hamburger Helper off the shelf, we love this made-from-scratch copycat recipe because it’s every bit as flavorful and creamy as the original but skips all the mystery additives and preservatives. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I bet homemade Hamburger Helper takes way longer to prepare.” Nope! This is a 30-minute meal your family will love.

Lesson of the day: Quick and affordable comfort food doesn’t have to come from a box. The next time you’re feeling a little lost with meal planning, head to the store with this recipe in your back pocket. It will never steer you wrong.

Ingredients for Homemade Hamburger Helper

  • Onion: For maximum family appeal, we finely dice the onions as small as possible for this recipe, making them nearly imperceptible to even the most ardent of onion avoiders.
  • Ground beef: For the best taste and texture, choose 1 pound of ground beef with a fat content of 15 percent or less. While higher-fat options are flavorful, they may cause the sauce to taste overly greasy in this ground beef recipe.
  • Seasoning: A blend of salt, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder and ground mustard is the secret to replicating the iconic flavor of the boxed Hamburger Helper.
  • Tomato paste: Just a smidge of tomato paste adds a hint of robust tomato flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have tomato paste, try adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of ketchup as an alternative. Tomato paste might be worth grabbing, though, especially because there are so many other delicious recipes to make with tomato paste—and you’ll definitely have extra.
  • Beef broth: Using beef broth rather than water infuses the pasta and sauce with extra-rich, beefy flavor.
  • Milk: A touch of milk adds extra richness to the sauce. You may use whatever type of milk your family drinks at home.
  • Elbow macaroni: Humble elbow macaroni is the classic noodle shape for making our old-fashioned homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
  • Heavy cream: This ingredient makes the sauce infinitely richer and creamier—and velvety smooth. It’s the ingredient that will make you never go back to the boxed version again.
  • Cheddar cheese: For the best taste, opt for an extra sharp cheddar cheese to give the sauce as much cheese flavor as possible. We also highly recommend grating the cheese fresh from the block, if possible.
  • Parsley: A sprinkle of vibrant, green parsley is the perfect way to add a touch of color and freshness before serving this homemade cheeseburger Hamburger Helper.

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60 Cookie Exchange Ideas Your Friends Will Love

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’re feeling the Christmas cookie exchange pressure, we’re here to help. A lot goes into picking out the perfect recipe: It must be just as delicious as it is pretty, easy to bake yet able to make a good first impression, and, of course, festive-looking or festive-flavored—no generic cookies allowed! We kept that in mind when putting together our master list of cookie exchange ideas. Any of these recipes would be a knockout at a Christmas cookie exchange party!

There is a lot of variety in this list of Christmas cookie recipes. We included all the traditional Christmas cookies (think cherry snowballs, speculaas and thumbprints), plus lots of modern cookie recipes (hello, eggnog cookies and reindeer Nutter Butters!) in case you want to shake things up. All are festive for the season and very well-reviewed, and most are attainable for even newer bakers.

Whatever cookie exchange recipes you choose, always give yourself enough time to make them without feeling rushed. I like to chill cookie dough for 24 hours so the flour can hydrate, resulting in a more flavorful and tender cookie. If your recipe needs to be decorated, wait for the cookies to cool completely to room temperature first. Depending on the recipe, decorate the cookies the night before or the morning of the cookie exchange. Anyone wanting to host a stress-free Christmas cookie exchange should follow this formula!

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30 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts Everyone Will Enjoy

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Thanksgiving is a holiday all about comforting classics, including a perfectly seasoned roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole with a crispy onion topping. But when the dishes have been cleared, it’s time to bring out the fall desserts everyone has been waiting for. These easy Thanksgiving desserts take away the need to fuss with intricate latticed pies or layered cakes, but still bring the flavors you expect.

This roundup includes pumpkin, apple and pecan pies, quick puddings, fudge and frozen desserts, including homemade ice cream recipes. Each one has 20 minutes or less of prep time, and then it can be baked and cooled or chilled until it’s time to serve. With plenty of no-bake Thanksgiving desserts and make-ahead choices, it’s easy to set up a dessert spread in no time.

These simple Thanksgiving dessert recipes adapt well to different dietary needs and preferences. Use a prepared gluten-free pie crust or coconut whipped topping instead of whipped cream, so there is something for everyone. Whether you make one dessert or five, these quick Thanksgiving treats deliver all the flavors of fall, with warm spices, tart cranberries, crunchy nuts and juicy apples, while still leaving time to enjoy the company around you.

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