Thirty minute meals

Are you rushed to make a good meal after a busy day at the office, working outside helping with farm chores, gardening, washing windows (that’s the first thing to get done on my “bucket list”) fall house cleaning or whatever needs to be done? It takes all day or several days to accomplish these things. Today it’s recipes you can make within 30 minutes from start to finish.

BEEFY SHELLS AND CHEESE
1 lb. ground beef (preferable lean beef)
1/4 c. minced onion
1-12 oz. pkg. shells and cheese dinner mix
2 c. water 1-1/4 c. salsa (bought or homemade)
1-15 oz. can black beans (can use chili beans, etc.) rinsed and drained
1-2 t. chili powder
Few dashes salt In a large skillet, cook beef and onion until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain. Set aside cheese sauce pkt. from dinner mix. Add shells and water to skillet. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer for 14-15 minutes or until shells are tender. Stir in salsa, beans, chili powder, salt and contents of cheese sauce packet. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
Makes six servings.

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MAPLE FLAVORED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
1 medium butternut (not buttercup) squash
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
3/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg Cut squash in half, lengthwise; discard seed. Place cut side down in a microwave-safe dish; add water. Cover and microwave on high 15-20 minutes or until very tender. When cool enough to handle, scoop out pulp and mash. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Makes five servings.

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TROPICAL CHICKEN
6 large boneless chicken breasts
1 T. olive or canola oil
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 T. flour
1-1/2 c. orange juice 1 each, medium sweet red and green pepper
1 c. pineapple chunks
1/3 c. golden raisins (can use dark raisins...golden has a better flavor)
1/8 to 1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 t. each salt and pepper Hot cooked rice, optional Flatten chicken to 1/2 “ thickness. In a large skillet, cook chicken in oil for 4-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Remove chicken and keep warm. In a small bowl, combine broth and flour until smooth; stir into skillet. Add orange juice, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining ingredients, except rice. Cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened. Return chicken to pan; heat through. Serve with rice if you wish. Makes six servings.

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This recipe can be made ahead of time, then heated in the microwave on low heat, for about 2 minutes or until warm. It’s a quick dessert addition to most any meal.
HOT FUDGE SAUCE
1 c. mini marshmallows
1 c. (6 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-5 oz. can evaporated milk In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Serve over ice cream. Makes about one cup.
Note: You can mix the ingredients together and cook in the microwave on medium power (50%) for about 3-4 minutes, stirring after 1 and 2 minutes, or until melted together.

Thought for the Day:
One of the most difficult things in the world is to know how to do a thing and to watch someone else doing it wrong, without commenting.