The Missionary Cookbook Chapter 2--6 Easy Mom-Approved Meals with 6 ingredients or Less

The Missionary Cookbook. Chapter 2

For those who have been following the joyful journey of this family, you know that my youngest son Luke is now a missionary and away from home. I know I'm not the first mom who's had a child leave home and want to be sure they eat healthy easy meals. Missionaries for our church are not paid to serve those who don't know. They actually go on a volunteer basis and pay their own way. Their food allowance is meager. So, I decided to send my son a monthly recipe book with several new easy meals and recipes to try out. Not every missionary has a chef for a mom. Luke told me he has several with him who have no idea where to begin. So here's where to begin. This stuff. The basics. I hope this helps you as much as I hope it helps him.

Month Two.

Luke sent me a picture of his apartment kitchen. I think it is pretty nice compared to many! Plus two blenders. Seriously. What? Smoothies? Milkshakes? German pancakes.

He's really proud of the fact that he learned how to make German pancakes too. He sent me the recipe, so now I guess I need to know some new recipes! Hey mom. Make these! 

Last month, for those who missed it, we started with All Purpose flour recipes, which can be found here. To ensure Luke always has access to these recipes, I decided to share these recipes here on the blog. Plus, I figure this is also an excellent place for other moms and missionaries, college students, new parents, beginning cooks, and, well, anyone, to access the basics. 

This month, it's 6 Easy Meals with 6 Ingredients or Less. Included in his envelope with these recipes, I sent a Chili Powder, All-Purpose Seasoning, and Taco Seasoning packet. 

Mom's Easy Meal Recipes

2-Ingredient Ravioli Eggs

2 cups spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce with your favorite seasoning in it
6-8 eggs
Italian seasoning (optional)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

·    In a heavy 10-inch skillet with a lid, pour tomato sauce.

·    Turn on heat to medium and slowly crack the eggs into the sauce as you would for poached eggs.

Sprinkle the top with Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Cover and reduce heat to low for 10-12 minutes until cooked through... yolks cooked silly.  

 Serve warm with bread for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For a spicier version see My Shakshuka

Camping at Home Foil "Hobo" Dinner's A La Mom

2 Russet potatoes, cut into chunks
1 cup frozen or fresh carrot
½ c chopped onion
1Tbsp. All-purpose or steak seasoning
4 hamburger or Turkey patties

2-3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
4 sheets of heavy-duty foil (use the heavy stuff if you don't want a mess) about one foot long each.

Directions: 

·       In a large bowl, combine the carrots, onions, potatoes, and seasoning.

·       Place one cup of vegetable mixture onto a lightly oiled sheet of foil. 

·       Place the hamburger on top of the vegetable mixture and wrap tightly.

·       Roll the ends and sides very well. Repeat until you have used all your hamburger and vegetable mixture. You can use veggie burgers if you choose instead of meat. Top the beef with a few tablespoons of gravy if you want. 

Baking directions: Place a 400-degree oven on a sheet pan for 20-25 minutes until the hamburger is cooked through.

Mom's Home-Style Chili

½ lb. hamburger or ground turkey (about 2 patties of frozen meat)
½ cup chopped onion
1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 (15 oz.) cans kidney beans
2 Tbsp. chili powder or Fajita Seasoning

Directions:

·       Cook the beef and the onion on the stove in a quart-sized pot.

·       Add the seasoning and remaining ingredients. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

·       Serve with shredded cheese or biscuits if desired.

 

Mom's Super Easy Cheesy Taco Rice Casserole

3 cups cooked rice*
2 cup tomatillo salsa or red salsa
1 packet taco seasoning of your choice (or homemade),
1 cup shredded cheese

Directions: 

·       Mix the taco seasoning with salsa. Mix the salsa mixture into the rice. Place in a 9X13 casserole dish. You can add any cooked beef or chicken if you want. 

·       Cover with cheese.

·       You can cover and store up to 5 days in the fridge or bake and eat right away.

·       Bake 20-25 minutes uncovered at 350°F or 10-12 minutes in the microwave on high until heated through.

*Basic Rice on the stovetop

1 cup white rice
2 cups water
salt to taste (about 1/2 tsp)

Directions:

·Combine water and salt in a 1 and a half quart (6 cups) capacity heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a boil.
· Add the rice, cover the pot, and turn the burner to the lowest setting.
· Cook covered without stirring for 20 minutes. Fluff.

Mom's Home Style Simple Chicken Noodle Soup (just the noodles and the chicken)

1 cup cooked chicken (about one breast or thigh chopped and cooked)
1 1/2 cup broken dry linguine or fettuccine noodles (I go by weight 3.5 oz)
1 Tbsp Chicken Bullion (or 4 cubes)
2 tsp garlic granules or powder
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/8 tsp turmeric (for color and flavor)
¼ cup flour (optional)

Directions:

·       Combine all the ingredients in a pot. Add 6 cups water. 

·       Bring to a boil, stir and simmer 12-15 minutes until noodles are tender. Serve hot. 

*You may add frozen vegetables like peas, carrots, onions, and so on. Put them in when the noodles are cooked and warm through. This will make sure the noodles cook correctly.

Mom's Roasted Corn, Potato, and Chicken Green Chile Skillet Meal

3 cups frozen corn (fresh corn pictured)
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped roasted mild green chiles (one small can)
1 cup chopped peeled potatoes (cut in small cubes)
2 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless chopped
Fajita seasoning (to taste and optional)
1 can (15 oz) stewed Mexican Style tomatoes like Ro-tel

Directions:

Sauté the onions, chicken, and corn in 1Tbsp. hot oil for 5-6 minutes until well cooked and slightly caramelized. Add all remaining ingredients.

Sauté 10-15 minutes more until potatoes are cooked through. 

 

There you go! Make some healthy meals away from home.

Love you!

Always My Very Best,

Chef Tess