It's holiday time and who has time to cook with all the errands to run, greeting cards to address, gifts to wrap, and getting the family ready for the season? This month we're keeping our eye on the clock and offer four suggestions for wholesome, delicious family meals that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.
The first menu makes the shrimp sing for their supper. We have given both fresh and canned tomato equivalents for the pasta sauce. Fresh is better as it keeps its shape during the cooking and does not have the acidity some canned tomatoes impart to a dish. If you do use canned tomatoes, add a pinch of sugar, no more, to cut down on this problem. With the shrimp pasta we're serving a Caesar Salad -- the nation's #1 favorite salad, according to the National Restaurant Association. Cooking time's up so we opted for a bowl of chilled seedless grapes. Try for a colorful mix of green, red, and black.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
Our second meal takes advantage of the cut-up stir-fry vegetables that are available in cello bags or pre-packaged by the produce department in most supermarkets, to be served with strips of spicy pork. If you can't find the fresh vegetables, use a package of frozen vegetables for stir-fry. You can also buy the pork already sliced thin for stir-fry or substitute strips of chicken. Look for the chile paste in the Asian section of your market. It's great to have on hand to flavor chicken and fish dishes. If you want to cook regular long-grain rice, start that first (it only takes 20 minutes in a pot of barely boiling water), or use instant rice. For dessert there's a quick apple cake made in the microwave.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
The third menu features a quick meat and mushroom pie, much like the savory pies served in British pubs. With the pies we're suggesting serving steamed Brussels sprouts and our lightened version of Strawberry Fool for a sweet 'pudding' to end a very British meal.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
Our last menu features catfish, a farm raised, mild-flavored white-fleshed fish that bears little resemblance of the catfish we used to catch in the muddy river than ran alongside the family farm. Once considered Southern fare, catfish is now the 5th most popular fish in America. With catfish we always serve a tangy tartar sauce; and thanks to a Texas friend, we're offering a 'killer' sauce that you'll use again and again with other fish. Here in Texas, a catfish dinner also calls for a slaw and we've concocted one that's festive in flavor and appearance. Our dessert, Ambrosia, is just that -- a stunning assemblage of citrus and coconut.
(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)
