Making an entire meal in a single pot is not only an efficient way to produce a delicious entree, but it’s also healthy. You can ensure you have protein, starch, and vegetables, and the juices or sauce that the food cooks in is chock-full of vitamins that are eaten.
Summer Stew
- 1 cup of pasta, rice or diced potatoes
- ½ pound of cooked hamburger
- 1 cup of diced onions
- 1 cup of fresh or frozen vegetables, such as peas, green beans, broccoli, carrots or kernel corn
- 1 teaspoon of spices and seasoning, such as salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, oregano, sage, basil
- 1 jar of spaghetti or pasta sauce
- 1 cup of chicken broth
Assemble ingredients and simmer for an hour. Try to choose items that have similar cooking times. Serve with a tossed lettuce salad on the side and a whole wheat bun, and you have a complete and wholesome meal with little effort.
The crock pot or slow cooker is the king of one-pot meals. You can assemble the ingredients in the morning, and be comfortable all day knowing your dinner is going to be ready for you and your family when you get home from work or school. And it’s a great way to vary your menu with other summertime fare without turning on a hot oven.
Family Pot Roast
- 1 4-pound pot roast
- flour for dredging
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup water or beef broth
- 4 medium potatoes, halved
- 6 carrots, halved lengthwise
- 4 onions, cut in wedges
- 1 small turnip, cut in 2-inch pieces
Dredge pot roast with the flour. Brown in hot oil in a heavy pan, turning to brown all sides, then place in crock pot. Season with salt and pepper; add sliced onion and water, then other ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Make Gravy: Remove roast and place on warm platter. Add enough water to liquid to make 2 cups. Heat and mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a little cold water; stir until smooth, stir flour mixture into the broth and season to taste. Serves 4 to 6.
If you wish to use the oven, a casserole dish is a wonderful entree.
Easy Chicken and Rice Dinner
- 4 chicken breasts, chopped in quarters
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup uncooked rice
- 2 cups diced celery
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 3 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes
- ½ cup butter or margarine
Cook rice and celery in chicken broth for 12 minutes. Put in 9x13 casserole pan or large round cooking dish. It will be watery but the rice will absorb the excess moisture. Mix chicken, mayonnaise, and soup and pour over. Top with mixture of corn flakes and butter. Bake at 350° for 1 hour.
Start today to experiment with delicious and easy-to-make one-pot dishes. They will be a treat for yourself, your family, or even the most discerning guests. And best of all, you can prepare your meal in minutes and free up valuable time. A win-win situation no matter how you look at it.
