(un)Sloppy Joes

This has to be one of my favorite meals. It's such a simple summer camp food, but there's something about Sloppy Joes that I love. Every time I go home my mom asks what I want for dinner. I always say "Sloppy Joes please!" No steak or fancy meals. Sloppy Joes satisfy my hunger pains.

It was actually my mom that suggested making these for dinner. It sounded perfect - until I saw that they're supposed to simmer for 1 hour! (It was already after 6:30) But don't worry. If nothing else, just bump the heat up and everything cooks faster.

Sloppy Joes
2 tbsp butter
1 lb chopped beef
2 stalks celery, diced
1 onion, chopped
salt to taste
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 C catsup
1/2 C water

1)  Chop up the celery and onions.  

2)  Brown the celery, onions and beef in 2 tbsp butter. Once the beef is browned, make sure to drain the grease. (I forgot to do this once and I had Sloppy Joe Soup instead). Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for about an hour. NOTE: I would recommend just turning up the heat a little (medium-low roughly) so the water will evaporate faster. Once most of the liquid is gone, you're ready to eat!

I know, I know. This doesn't look too appealing. But it gets my seal of approval.

That's more like it!

This is what I was munching on the whole time I was cooking: Calidad Tortilla Chips. Under $2 at Walmart! And they are GOOD. I always try to find chips that don't have a lot of salt on them. I would say this bag is pretty light on the salt.

Veri Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli

Lately I've been on a chicken and rice kick. Surprise, Surprise. We already know that I always make chicken dishes - I really need to start changing my menu. I also never seem to use an actual recipe. I tend to just throw together anything I can find, but it all manages to turn out just fine.

My mom introduced me to this Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce when she used it to marinate grilled chicken. It's a good switch from the usual Italian dressing marinade. Check out their website for a bunch of delicious looking recipes. 

Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli
Boneless chicken breast
Teriyaki sauce (I like Soy Vay's)
Broccoli
Instant rice
Chow mein noodles (optional)

1)  I used my handy-dandy George Foreman grill to cook the chicken. Marinade it in some teriyaki sauce before in a bag. You can also just pour it over the chicken as it grills, but this gets a bit messy. Or you can cook it in a skillet on the stove.

2)  Cook the rice as directed on the box. I used the microwave since it would take less time. It overflowed a little, so I would recommend putting some paper towel under the bowl. 

3)  Cook the broccoli as instructed on the bag (if you're using the frozen stuff).

4)  Once everything is cooked, mix it all in a bowl. Add some extra Teriyaki sauce for more flavor. 

  
This took probably 15 minutes tops. Next time I make it, I'll probably add some onions to the mix.

Quick Chicken Potato Bowl

I remember seeing KFC commercials years ago for this little bowl of food. They called it a Chicken Potato Bowl...and I thought they looked disgusting. I have never liked my food mixing together. Everything needs to be on a separate portion of my plate. I still consider using my kiddie airplane plate with the 3 sections every now and then.

While away at college, I finally had my first Chicken Potato Bowl. I fell in love and it became a weekly staple. Every Tuesday was Chicken Potato Bowl day at the dining hall. Boy, was I missing out. My friend and I have started a Tuesday night dinner together. We switch off who cooks and this week it was me. I haven't this since last year (when I was still eating dorm food) so thought I would bring back the tradition. And they are SO easy to make!


Chicken Potato Bowl
- frozen chicken (I used popcorn chicken you just heat up in the oven)
- 1 can of corn
- mashed potatoes
- cheddar cheese
- chicken gravy (optional for me)

1.  Boil a pot of water and peel the potatoes. I went a little potato happy and made 4. Put the potatoes in the water until they start to fall apart when you touch them with a fork.

2.  In the meantime, start cooking the chicken. Follow the directions on the package. Cook the corn in the microwave according to the directions on the can.

3.  Mash the potatoes to your liking. I just used butter and milk this time, with a little garlic powder. I really like mashed potatoes with sour cream. Add the chicken and corn. You can add chicken gravy and cheese to your liking. Just heat the gravy on the stove. I personally prefer mine plain, but if you want it true KFC style, make it with all the fixings.

(I'm still not the greatest with this food photography, so you may be thinking what I thought the first time I saw that KFC ad)


I also made some garlic bread, just because. (OK, because I LOVE bread and eat it all the time)

Just spread some butter on bread, add garlic powder and Parmesan cheese, and pop it in the oven. Yum. So quick and so easy. And a great meal with as few ingredients as possible!

What meals did you think looked disgusting before actually trying them and loving them?