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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Jan 30 2014 at 3:27pm | IP Logged
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Is there such a thing as "Oh my, I only have 30 minutes before everyone needs to eat and leave and there is nothing perishable available?" Or "Sure you can come to dinner now!" In other words, do you have a fancy good enough for Sunday and/or guest go-to meal that is shelf and freezer stable? Made in 30 minutes? I'm willing to spend good money on this :)
Bring it on.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 30 2014 at 3:33pm | IP Logged
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ALL EARS!
I know I've thought...as I'm sipping wine  and making dinner, "hey - this would make a fabulous guest meal, and it's so simple"....and of course, I never record my ideas anywhere! Shameful!  So, I'm making a "fancy meal in minutes" page in my planner and I've got it open and I'm taking notes!
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MaryM
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| Posted: Jan 30 2014 at 3:39pm | IP Logged
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I have two chicken meals that I feel fit this category, but that does require having (perishable) chicken available. But of course, chicken is freezer stable - but defrosting and cooking 30 minutes, not so easy. So let me know if ideas like that are what you are looking for and I'll post.
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Mary M. in Denver
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Jan 30 2014 at 3:48pm | IP Logged
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Didn稚 someone here mention Ree Drummond's Spinach Artichoke Pasta?
I知 actually making this for tonight, with my dairy free adjustments...I値l be making it with nutritional yeast in place of the parmesan...and my vegan margarine instead of butter.....but the rest is pretty much the same and looks fabulous! I値l report back for ya値l! 
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4 lads mom
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ANd yes.....I did NOT plan on making this, I was going to make ham and potato soup, as my meal plan stated....but my ham bones were not defrosted...so I知 whipping up the pasta instead.  
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MaryM
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| Posted: Jan 30 2014 at 3:55pm | IP Logged
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We have made this (and ironically for company  ). It is very good.
That makes me think of my own question I have been fretting over...I need company worthy meatless recipes for Fridays. I don't want to serve some of the really simple recipes we do just for family. So I would actually avoid Friday company dinners but it seems a good night for a lot of our guests. I do have a couple fish ones but sometimes folks are not fond of fish (or are allergic). I just feel I have so many fewer options for elegant meatless.
...I'll start a separate thread.
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Mary M. in Denver
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JodieLyn
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By perishables I'm guessing you mean something that can't be frozen.. so you'd have things from the freezer.
spaghetti is fast if you don't have a sauce that has to cook a long time. You might need to plan to have some bread or bread dough in the freezer.
Stroganoff if I have sour cream (we do try and keep this on hand)
I guess it would depend on your company but we like box mac and cheese served with meatballs (kept in the freezer) and broccoli (also frozen)
If you have a microwave a baked potato bar might be possible depending on which toppings you like and what you can keep on hand.
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MelissaClaire
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| Posted: Jan 31 2014 at 7:24am | IP Logged
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We get the frozen Purdue (I think?)chicken breasts from Costco. They have thinner cut breasts in there.
If you put some olive oil on a cookie sheet, then fill it with frozen chicken breasts and top with whatever you have on hand--sliced onions, frozen broccoli, frozen red pepper slices--or carrots and caulifower--then sprinkle seasoning (dried or fresh)on top (I usually use thyme, and salt and pepper). Drizzle with some more olive oil.
Bake at 400 for 20-25. Depending on what I have on hand I might throw some diced tomatoes on at the end and I usually pop it back in for a few minutes when it's finished after adding grated mozzarella. Serve with cous cous or rice or micowaved baked potatoes.
Or Costco carries an awesome frozen marinated wild Alaskan salmon. It's $15 a box and it's enough to feed my family (or 8 eaters--but my oldest is only 12.) I think grilling from frozen takes about 20-25 minutes. I usually serve it with grilled thinly sliced potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions in olive oil, salt and pepper and thyme.
If I'm trying to stretch it though I make a salad and top it with the salmon. (This is actually my family's favorite dinner.)
Grilled salmon
mixed greens
tomatoes
grilled corn (I keep this frozen)
diced dates
goat cheese crumbles
craisins
balsamic vinaigrette
Do you have a pressure cooker? I have an Instant Pot and everyone in the family calls it "Mom's Magic Pot". It's not 30 minutes, but in 45 minutes you can have so many things cooked--put frozen chicken breasts in with a variety of things--spaghetti sauce, salsa, bbq sauce--put the lid on and it's completely cooked and ready to shred in 45 minutes from frozen. (it also is a slow cooker and can keep food warm for hours after it's finished cooking.)
I've not tried it but PW Roasted Red Pepper pasta looks very quick, easy and yummy too. If you keep a loaf of crusty bread in your freezer and you could bake it while the pasta is getting prepped.
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MaryM
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| Posted: Feb 01 2014 at 6:54pm | IP Logged
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So, here is one of the recipes I would suggest if you have chicken breasts readily available (I know, I know, perishable... ). I found it through Pinterest. We have made it several times in the past couple of months - all for company, because it is delicious, looks nice and is quick. They say 20 minutes - I say closer to 30 which fits your criteria, Angie.
Pollo al Ajillo con Tomates Secos (Garlic chicken with sun-dried tomato)
I cut the breasts into thinner cutlets and get more than 4 servings out of it.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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Thanks a bunch, ladies!
Let's see...
Pasta water takes 12 minutes to boil + cooking time (let's say 9 minutes) plus draining and adding stuff...could happen...wondering how to make it well rounded too... with nonperishable sides?
I bought the flat chicken fillets at Costco for the first time! Thanks for the suggestion. I usually buy fresh chicken so I look forward to testing them out. I marinated and grilled them already, but that took way more than 30 minutes.
OK, back to pasta... just last week I found a recipe for Make ahead garlic toast and we love it! So this would be fast in the oven while pasta was cooking on the stove. What if I had all my Mediterranean toppings mixed together, enough for one meal, in a jar just waiting for such a moment. Olives, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and the like stay ready in the refrigerator for some time. Add feta cheese that I keep frozen. Annnnnnnd... how about frozen green beans cooked in a skillet with olive oil, garlic, and dill (a fave side.) The chicken fillet could fit right into this too.
I think this could be it! I might have to give it a test run soon.
Keep the ideas coming! Oooo... and what about dessert?
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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MelissaClaire
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If you defrost the Costco chicken breasts in the microwave it doesn't take too long. Then you can make Outback Style chicken breasts that are done in another 8 minutes. I make this for company all the time and am always asked for the recipe. Because they're thinner you use the 2-2-4 cooking times and you end up with the gorgeous grill marks on them too. Serve with rice or cous cous.
Quick desserts--cookies from the freezer? (or cookie dough balls freshly cooked from the freezer?) Something with pastry dough? Like pastry dough cooked up and topped with Nutella?
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Feb 05 2014 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
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You're killing this, Melissa! Thanks so much! I need a real microwave!!! Mine is small and super low voltage because we have some electrical issues... which gets me to... I'm calling our contractor and getting this whole electricity thing taken care of!
I love when a plan comes together 
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Fancy meal in 30 minutes?
