Need a quick meal?!

Everyone is always in a rush! Have to go to work, have to go to school, need groceries, need to go to the bank, blah blah blah.
When cooking, I think it is time for us to slow down, take our whole day in, and relax. Cooking shouldn't stress you out. If you drop the chicken on the floor, big deal (I'm not saying still use it) move on with life.
However, I like a quick fix meal, especially a cheap one! Here, I have two great, easy recipes for everyone! The first one, I made in my Catering class. The only thing missing was a hot bowl of white rice. Next, is my own original creation, BBQ Spaghetti and Meatballs. Remember, to have fun while cooking!!! Otherwise, it will become one more thing that stresses you out.

Spicy Brown Sugared Shrimp and Rice

Ingredients:
-1 lb of shrimp, peeled and deveined
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-2 tbsp of butter
-1 cup of green onions, chopped
-1 cup of bean sprouts
-1 cup of brown sugar
-1 tbsp of curry powder
-1 tsp of onion powder
-1 tsp of paprika
-Less than a pinch of cayenne
-Salt and Pepper TT
-1/2 cup of medium grain rice
-1 cup of water
-1 tbsp of butter

Directions:
-Combine rice, water and 1 tbsp of butter in a medium size pot. Bring to a boil, stir, cover, and reduce heat to low.
-While the rice is cooking, in a medium skillet over medium heat add the butter and garlic. Let that slowly cook, then add the green onions and bean sprouts.
-Combine the brown sugar and all the spices in a bowl. When the rice is almost done, add the shrimp and brown sugar mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. The brown sugar mixture will melt and turn into a sauce like consistency.
-When serving, place rice on the bottom of the bowl and add the shrimp and sauce over. All you need are some chopsticks to make it a meal to remember!

BBQ Spaghetti and Meatballs

Ingredients:
-1/2 lb of spaghetti
-20 oz of your favorite BBQ sauce
-1/2 can of evaporated milk
-1.5 lbs of ground beef, lean as you can find
-1 cup of quick cooking oats
-1 egg, slightly beaten
-1/2 an onion, finely diced
-A pinch of red pepper flakes
-Salt and Pepper TT

Directions:
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put on a large pot of water for the pasta, add salt. And a small pot for the BBQ sauce to heat up in.
-In a large mixing bowl, add the evaporated milk, beef, oats, egg, onion, red pepper flaked, and salt and pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are combined. Do not over mix!!
-Make the meatballs about a inch wide. Place on a cookie sheet. Drizzle about a teaspoon of BBQ sauce on each meatball. Place in oven and cook for about 30 minutes.
-Add the BBQ sauce to the small pot and turn the heat on medium low.
-When there is ten minutes left for the meatballs, and the water is boiling, add the pasta. Taste a noodle when they seem to be almost done. If it is to your liking, strain through a colander. Take the meatballs out after 30 minutes.
-Just like regular pasta and tomato sauce, place pasta in the bowl with the meatballs and BBQ sauce.
-Serve and enjoy!

These are both really easy dinners with cheap ingredients! I hope everyone tries them! I just made the BBQ Spaghetti the other night and it was delicious!!! Remember, right now in our lives are busy, but we need to make time for ourselves, always.


"It ain't a party until you drop the milk container on the floor."
-Rachael Ray