From the Homestead

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Life is moving forward with baby steps. My son is home from the hospital and getting stronger each day, praise God!! He has a follow up appointment in a couple of weeks and then we will plan for surgery. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers.

It has been a busy stressful week for sure. I mentioned in my last blog post about quick easy meals. I really could not do fast food for my family. We are not fast food people and the cost would have been ridiculous. So I was scrambling to come up with quick food to prepare in the short amount of time I had at home. One meal that I learned about from a friend is called, Summer Pasta. This meal was so easy and quick. In fact I've made it a couple times now. You can find the recipe here:  http://penniesandpancakes.blogspot.com/2013/06/easy-one-pot-pasta-recipe-and-cooking.html#.U8nkjbHa8dW  What I liked about the recipe was that I could have dinner on the table in 20 minutes. The one big change I made to the original recipe was adding chicken. I added about 3 or 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs that I had cut up into small pieces. I also used ½ chicken broth and ½ water to cook the pasta.

Basically you bring your water (or water/chicken broth) to a boil, add your pasta, cut up veggies (just use whatever you have in the fridge). Add some crushed garlic and salt and pepper. Boil it all until the pasta is done and strain it. Serve with garlic bread and (if your pushed for time and energy) salad from a bag. Just make sure whatever veggies you add will cook in the time it takes your pasta to cook. I used spaghetti noodles.


The second super easy meal I made was Crockpot Orange & Garlic Chicken... seriously ladies it does not get any simpler than this. Put one large whole chicken in your crockpot, cover it with chopped up onions and garlic. Mix together 1 cup orange juice concentrate and 2T vinegar. I used white wine vinegar but I'm guessing anything would work. Pour over the chicken, cook all day on low until the meat is falling apart. Serve with whatever you would like! ~smile~

I'm sorry I don't have pics to share, just have not had a lot of time for that. I hope to have my life back on track soon!  For sure meal planning is on my list this weekend!! 

If you have an easy, quick dinner meal that is your “go to”.. I'd love to hear about it!!


Comments

  1. maureenJuly 19, 2014 at 12:54 PM

    I am so glad your son is on the mend! I have a great recipe that we use a lot when we have company coming or on nights when I know I will be very busy and won't have a lot of prep time, but will have a lot of really hungry tummies! It is called Mexican Minestrone and you can used store-bought canned goods or home canned goods. In a crockpot you put 2 cans of Corn, 2 cans of Green Beans, 2 cans of diced Tomatoes, 2 cans of Black Beans(rinsed), 3 small Red Potates diced, 1 jar picante salsa, and a cup or two of chicken stock. Be sure to pour in the liquid from all the canned goods(Except the Black Beans.) Season with Salt & Pepper. Cook on High or Low, depending how long you will be gone. Serve with Corn Chips and a dollop of Sour Cream. FYI: By accident we found out this soup is also an excellent dip served cold with chips the next day by the pool! Couldn't keep the kids out of it!

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    1. Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity FarmsJuly 19, 2014 at 7:14 PM

      Maureen, that sounds really good!

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    2. CrystalJuly 21, 2014 at 9:38 AM

      Maureen.. this sounds delish and so simple! thank you for sharing it!! :)

      Delete
  2. Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity FarmsJuly 19, 2014 at 7:14 PM

    Wish we all could cook some meals for you while you're dealing with everything else! We'll keep you in prayers and thank you for sharing the recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amanda FiskJuly 20, 2014 at 2:04 PM

    So glad your son has come home! We have prayed for him...I'm new to responding to posts...although I have followed your blog for years...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CrystalJuly 21, 2014 at 9:39 AM

      Thank you SO much for the prayers Amanda ... :)

      Delete
  4. cathie3914July 21, 2014 at 6:37 AM

    so glad Isaac is home :) Praying for speedy recovery
    love ya :)

    Cath

    ReplyDelete

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