Yumminess!

Here are some easy, quick, (economical) and delicious meals that are a big hit in our family:

Stir fry (serves 4)
1 chicken breast
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables of your choice (you can always use fresh too)
half onion sliced
olive oil
soy sauce
sugar
vinegar
salt
pepper
prepared rice

Saute the onion in some olive oil over medium low heat. Cut the chicken in strips and add to the pan. Season with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and sprinkle with pepper. Once the chiken is white. Add 1 tablespoon sugar (or more to taste), 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons vinegar and stir till sugar is dissolved. (You want this to have a slight sweet and sour taste, so taste the sauce. You may need to add more sugar) Add the bag of frozen vegies and turn heat to high. Cook till the vegetables are "squeaky". (Stir fry vegetables are best when they are still crisp - don't cook till they are tender)
Immediately serve over rice.

Chicken Fresca and Pasta (serves 4 and sometimes more)
1 chicken breast
1 can mushrooms
half bag of frozen broccoli florets
1 tomato (or 1/2 cup grape tomatoes halfed) chopped
half onion sliced (optional)
parmesan cheese
1/2 box cooked angel hair pasta
sa;t
pepper
basil/parsley (I always use both)
garlic (minced or powdered)
olive oil

Saute onion and garlic (equivalent to one clove) in olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken, about 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook till the chicken is white. Add the broccoli and cook for about 3 minutes - just till steamed. Then add the mushrooms and tomatoes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes just until heated through. Toss through prepared pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese and basil/parsley.

Variation:
Sometimes to make this meal a little more gourmet, I prepare a white sauce using butter, flour and skim milk. I add the cheese to the white sauce and toss the pasta in the white sauce before adding the meat mixture. It's amazing!

We usually serve with a salad.

Homemade Pizza
Pizza crust (This is the best recipe I've ever tried. And I did it without stuffing the crust)
Pizza sauce (See below for my own homemade recipe)
Toppings of your choice

We've found that prebaking the crust for about 5 minutes helps it not be soggy in the middle from the sauce and toppings.

Pizza Sauce (for 2 10-12" pizza's)
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
dash of salt
dash of pepper
sugar (to taste)
3/4 teaspoon oregano
2/4 teaspoon basil
ketchup (if desired)

Mix together and taste. I like my sauce to have a slight sweet taste to contrast the cheesy topping. That is why I add a little ketchup. You may prefer a more tart taste.

1) Prebake the crust at 400F for 5 minutes
2) Allow to cool slightly.
3) Top with the sauce and toppings of your choice.
4) Bake for about 10-15 minutes. (sometimes more)
5) If you are using a metal or glass baking pan, remove the pizza from the pan and allow to bake right on the oven rack for the last 5 minutes. This helps the crust to firm up.

Cut and serve. (The recipe I included for the crust says to spread butter on the crust. This is delicious and I highly recommend it for this crust.)

Hope that inspires you to make some yummy meals for your family. :)