Easy Skillet Meal Tips

I don't know about you... but weeknights are hectic... and

trying to put a supper on the table that's tasty and interesting in a short

amount of time becomes a challenge... skillet meals really help save time and

are really good and can be good for you...

I post a lot of skillet meals... and probably make about 10

times more than I post... I'm often asked how I create my skillet meals.... so

I thought I would post some tips that may help you create your own skillet

dishes...

Many of the tips have just evolved over the years... some

from friends and family... some things I read here and there... and some just

come to me in what I call "duh" moments.. you know those moments when

you think of something and the next moment think... now why didn't I think of

that sooner.

Today is a good day for this post... I just threw some

chicken breasts in the slow cooker aka crock pot... to cook ... what am I going

to use them for... not entirely sure.. I have a couple of appetizer recipes I'm

working on ... some dip recipes.. finger foods... well we shall see how it ends

up...

So let's get started...

TIPS

Chicken... I love boneless chicken breasts... so versatile ...

great for the slow cooker... as a start for a skillet meal.... just throw in..

frozen and all... with some chicken broth... add some spices and set on low... after

about 4 hours.. they're ready to dice....after about 6 hours they should be

ready to shred.. so many recipes start with "cooked chicken".. and

many recipes suggest rotisserie chicken... not a cheap option... and not as fat

free as cooking it yourself in a slow cooker.

I like to cook the chicken in a slow cooker as opposed to

the oven.. it's far moister.. and so easy.. I don't have to watch it... such a

time saver.

I buy my chicken breasts when they go on sale.. and freeze

them in freezer bags of 1, 2 and 3 breasts... this way I have a variety for a

variety of meals... smaller amounts for soup... medium amounts for

casseroles... and larger amounts as the main ingredient... it also depends on

the amount of people you're feeding..

• You can also cut the breasts into your own chicken
• tenders... and freeze them that way.. another great skillet meal ingredient.
• Ground Beef.... so many skillet meals start with ground
• beef.... freeze it in freezer bag packages of 1 to 1 1/2 pounds... a great
• starter to skillet meals...put it in the bags and press it flat.. it's easier

to store in the freezer by stacking the bags.... forget to take out the meat to

thaw in the fridge?... no problem... place it in a large bowl of cold water...

yes... cold water... it should thaw fairly quickly... while you set the table..

and prepare other ingredients for your skillet meal...

Sausage... Italian, Polish, Cajun... the list goes on and

on...all great additions to a skillet meal... stock the freezer!

Rice and Pasta ... I always have them on hand... I store some

basic pasta shapes (think elbows and rotini) in jars... I have rice jars (brown

and white) as well.... easy additions to a skillet meal. I try to plan ahead at least a little bit...

if I make a pasta meal... I make a bit extra so I have it already cooked to add

to a skillet meal in a day or two.

Frozen veggies... I always have the freezer stocked with a

variety of veggies... spinach, broccoli, mixed veggies, carrots, peas and

mixture varieties.... these always can make a meal complete..

Canned Tomatoes... I live by these... truly.. I use them in so

many things... they're a great addition to a stir fry... I use plain,

seasoned.. Mexican... so many varieties...

Sauces... small cans of tomato sauce (8 oz sizes work well)..

have them in your pantry... it's an easy addition that can be adjusted with

seasonings, herbs, cheese... and while I'm not so much a fan of powdered sauce and

gravy mixes ... I'm talking Knorr sauces or gravy mixes.. they do come in handy

for a last minute substitute when I don't have time to make something from

scratch.

Seasoning mixes... I make my own seasoning mixes from scratch..

Fajita, Taco, Cajun... to name a few.. I keep them in jars.... I use them

constantly in my skillet meals...

Fresh veggies... the start of a great stir fry begins with

veggies... when you do your shopping.. think ahead... mushrooms, zucchini,

summer squash, onions, green onions, potatoes, fresh spinach, kale... and plum

tomatoes are almost always in stores looking good... all are great choices...

and don't forget fresh herbs... parsley, basil and chives all last pretty well

and are fabulous in skillet meals...

Stock your kitchen.... with a few good cooking wines .. nothing

expensive... Yellow Tail comes to mind... a white sauvignon blanc, a cabernet sauvignon,

a dry Marsala.... broths and stocks... they will be invaluable.

I probably didn't tell you anything you didn't already

know... I just made a list for you to think about... now go forth and

experiment.... here's a couple of quick examples..

Start with a little olive oil... chopped fresh veggies..

maybe some zucchini, summer squash, sweet onion... maybe some minced garlic....

add some cooked chicken... add a can of diced tomatoes... some chopped basil...

chopped parsley... Italian seasoning.. a shot of white wine... some cooked

pasta... sprinkle some fresh grated Parmesan cheese... and you have

supper! Add some fresh bread... a side

salad... and you can have a five star meal in under 30 minutes...

Another version of this.... start with some Italian

Sausage... already cooked ahead of time gets you ahead of the prep... not

thinking ahead... okay... pierce the skin of the sausage link with a fork...

par boil it for about 10 minutes... remove from the water.. allow to cool a

bit.. slice it up.. and throw it in the skillet... cook it a bit until almost

cooked completely... throw fresh veggies in... some minced garlic... canned

tomatoes... some Italian seasoning... shot of white wine... then the cooked pasta...

done!