I got a chance to try the new Romano's Macaroni Grill Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta boxed dinner. Let me first off say that I do not normally like boxed meals, so I was a bit skeptical when preparing this. However, after the first bite I was hooked! The pasta was delicious and the seasoning packet was very flavorful! I also liked the fact that preparation and clean up was quite simple. Oh and of course it was nice that the meal comes with everything. All I needed to add was chicken and a side salad. In my opinion, these boxed meals are nice to have on hand for those busy nights. Plus, they'll save you money... especially if your alternative is to order pizza.Alright, so would anyone of you like to try this?!?
If so, I've got a fantastic "What's For Dinner" gift basket for not one, but three of my lucky readers. The gift basket includes a box of the Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken Pasta variety, three coupons for you to try the other varieties FREE, a colander, serving spoon and cheese grater!
Wanna enter?
Just give me one quick tip for preparing a meal in less then 20 minutes! Then just leave your name and contact info below. I will announce the lucky winners on Monday, April 20th at 6 p.m. EST.
Want another entry?
Subscribe to my email updates or RSS Feed and let me know by leaving a separate comment. You can also leave an additional comment if you are already a subscriber!
**Even if you don't win you can still try the Romano's Macaroni Grill boxed dinners for a fraction of the price! Just wait for a sale and use the $1 coupon from here!
285 comments:
1 – 200 of 285 Newer› Newest»My tip is - always look on packaging and use the microwave method instead of the stove top directions!!! :-) I have 4 kids so this helps A LOT! And you don't heat up your kitchen as much.
laurad_1978 at yahoo dot com
THANKS!
How fun! I tried one of these awhile ago too and was impressed. My tip for cooking quick is using the crock pot. There are so many meals you can use with the crock pot and minimal work!! I always make smoothies too and that's a yummy meal on occasion.
I also wanted to tell you I got my Tulle jackets...and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I got 3 for myself and 2 as gifts and I wish I would have got more. They are fabulous!!!!
-Jill
Love your blog!
I would love to win! I am a subscriber to your site...
Great EASY Salmon Dish
500 Degree Oven
1 2 lb Salmon
3 Tablespoons evoo
2 Tablespoons Dijion Mustard
3 Tables Soy Sauce
3 Cloves fresh minced Garlic
a few green onions if you have them
A shaking of panko breadcrumbs (or any crumbs you like - frenchs onions work great too!)
Combine all except pankos ( you can do this earlier and cover it and continue later)Line pan with foil for easy clean up
Pour over Salmon- shake on crumbs
Roast at 500 for 15 minutes..
Take out a rest for 5 minutes....
Yum! I am NOT a huge fish eater but we all love this! You wil too!
Meredith
Bloom4ofus@yahoo.com
My tip is that I always have Parmesan cheese, green onions, cilantro, red onions and lettuce in the fridge. I buy then every week at our local farmer market and then I always have them on hand. These few ingredients can always perk up any dish!
Love your blog!
My tip is cook big patch then divide into smaller bag or container. Next time you just reheat the food.
When ever I make a nice cassarole I put half in the frezzer the all I have to do is pull it out and put it in the oven for about 30 minutes.
marx12345 at cox dot net
Ashley
My tip is to cook a lot of hamburger or chicken all at once then you can freeze it in small ziploc bags and get it out when you are ready to use it! That way the meat is alredy cooked!
gentryjudd at yahoo dot com
My tip.....use the crockpot in the morning. It usually takes under twenty minutes to put together and dinner time...voila :)
I'm already a subscriber, and I forgot to add my email: luckiestgirlalive at hotmail dot come.
I am a subscriber to your blog!
Yay!!!!! I love giveaways :)
Healthy tip- use the seasoning packet but sub in ww pasta!!!
Love you site, i'm already receiving your emails!
i love cooking. my whole family hates cooking so its weird for me to like cooking. my tip is to not follow just what the directions say. add your own touch to your meals. thanks (:
fashionpolice16@aol.com
If you have 20 minutes in the morning to start spaghetti sauce or chili, you can put it in the Crock Pot and let it cook on Low for the rest of the day (you don't HAVE to cook it that long but you can). This way, you don't have to completely cook the meat, just get it a little browned, and mix everything else in the crock pot. The vegetables can just go in the Crock Pot uncooked if you can let it cook all day. This is my favorite quick meal to fix if I know I'm not gonna have a lot of time in the evening and the slow cooking makes both meals much more flavorful. Thanks for the contest and your site is amazing!
merrittstevenson@yahoo.com
If I need cooked chicken for a recipe, I use my crockpot to cook the chicken all day. It makes throwing together enchiladas or a casserole so much easier!
bennjen@hotmail.com
my tip: plan the meals out at the beginning of the week and use some of the same ingredients...for instance if I'm making tacos and browning meat - then i double it and use brownd meat for another night that week. One meal will be longer to prep but the rest are all shorter!!
hscovill2000@yahoo.com
Ok, I've subscribed to your site via email! Thanks again!
merrittstevenson@yahoo.com
oh and i am a subscriber!
heidi
hscovill2000@yahoo.com
I make big batches of homemade wheat noodles and dry them out so I can use them to make any quick meal nutritious and taste delicious! Here's an easy, great recipe.
2 C. wheat flour
2 eggs
1 tsp.
enough water to make it the right consistency, not stick (about 6-7 T.)
whitneydaley@hotmail.com
I would love to win this - My tip would be to make ahead and freeze leftovers for quick lunches or dinners!
Molly
Kbroderi@msn.com
I cook lots of hamburger and then separate it into smaller freezable containers. Then it's ready to go at a moments notice.
hendershotwedding08@yahoo.com
I subscribe
hendershotwedding08@yahoo.com
My tip is to always have pre-cooked meat on hand- whether its left over rotisserie chicken, or browned ground beef (that I freeze)- then I just throw it together with rice or pasta, mushroom soup and some frozen veggies (broccoli or peas or corn) and bake- it makes a great casserole and is easy and everyone enjoys it!
amtami08 (at) yahoo (dot) com
My tip is to use beans as a substitute for meat. If you use canned beans, you don't have to take the time to cook the meat, and beans are good for you too.
I became an email subsciber too! I just really love your blog - it is so great how you update all day!
Kbroderi@msn.com
I am signing up for e-mails
I am a big crock pot cooker. Alot less heat than the oven and easier too.
Love your site!
I'm a working mom, so my tip would be to get everything ready the night before (as much as you can) and then when you get home from work, just pop in oven and it will be cooking as you unwind a bit!
ChristyBrooke33@hotmail.com
I always have 6 meals in my foodstorage that I can make in twenty minutes or less, for those nights when I just don't have the energy or creativity to come up with anything else.
my tip is to utilize a bread machine in the morning to have fresh bread, rolls, pizza crust and presto bake-o.
darlindancer37@gmail.com
I love steamers you can cook in the microwave,so fast and no pot to wash.
katiewhitecwc@yahoo.com
The way I like to keep dinner easy and under 20 minutes is call for pizza!
Scrappybyashley at aol dot com!
When I make chicken enchiladas I always make a double batch and freeze 1/2 for those crazy nights, no time to cook nights!
My tip is to cook up enough meat, like chicken or hamburger for 2 meals so the second day you already have your meat ready to go.
Thanks!
I am a huge fan of using the crockpot for dinner meals. I always have more energy in the morning so preparing an entire meal (like roast and veggies or chili) in the crockpot is great!
Sara
sjleiffer at yahoo dot com
My tip: keep cooked ground beef or turkey in the freezer at all times. I store homemade taco seasonings in my cabinet. To make tacos/burritos/nacho topping in 10 minutes, defrost cooked ground meat, place in small pan with taco seasoning to taste, a dollop of tomato paste (I freeze individual dollops) and a 1/3 cup water. Simmer to blend seasonings and melt tomato paste. Serve however you wish.
Rhonda
rgbarron01 at yahoo dot com
Sounds great!
My tip is to have a food prep day once every couple of weeks. I cook up a whole chicken, ground beef, and whatever else I'll need, then it's ready to go in the freezer!
Laura
Laurasu82@yahoo.com
I LOVE to precook on Sundays for the week, I make a list of the dinners I would like to have and when possible I try to precook (and over cook) as much as possible so I have plenty of ready to go meals in the fridge or freezer.
Cassaroles, stews, pot roast, shredded chicken etc... are always quick staples.
Aprieto84 at aol (dot) com
Keep it simple and don't let the kids in the kitchen.
mspaytonjones@yahoo.com
I prep all my veggies the night I bring them home from the store, that way all I have to do is throw em in the pot, they're ready to go! Thanks for the great giveaway!
sfigg22@hotmail.com
The crock pot is wonderful! Start it before you leave for work in the morning and when you come home it is all ready, so more family time then!!
stephaniegundry@yahoo.com
Make hamburger ahead just plain, freeze and then take out and add whatever you have on hand to make dinner
My tip - I always wash my produce before I put it in the fridge. When you are preparing a meal or salad you can just take it out and use it. It makes food preparation much faster.
Thanks for a great site, too!
clodyo at roadrunner dot com
My tip, like many others, is the crockpot! Short prep time and then walk away!
heathbar3688 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I'm a subscriber!
clodyo at roadrunner dot com
My tip: Plan ahead! I plan our meals for the rest of the week and do as much as I can on Sundays. That way, during the week, its only 15-20 mins per meal.
Thanks for a great giveaway! Love your blog!!
Kristen.Lee17@gmail.com
My tip is to use recipes that have simple ingredients and simple steps. Using basic ingredients and a simple recipe produces a no fail meal for my family.
roxymb402 at aol dot com
My tip is to have my husband cook it. He will have it burned within 20 minutes and you will get to go out to dinner.
I haven't heard of this product before, but it sounds good.
My tip is to prepare a reasonable meal. There's is no need to prepare several side dishes. Keep it simple.
A tip for a quick meal, is keeping a stockpile of essentials in the cupboards. Throw canned tomatoes, beans, corn, etc and you have taco soup in minutes!
justmons at hotmail dot com
I just subscribed to your emails as well. Thanks.
One quick thing I like to do is to cut onions, bell peppers, etc. in bulk and place them in ziploc baggies with date label and amount measured written on bag so that when you're in a hurry (or don't feel like crying from the onion) you can pull it out and throw it in whatever you're making. Also spend 20 minutes throwing things in a crockpot (but 8 hours of cooking) and it's a quick easy dinner waiting for you!
Also, when I make lasagna, I never cook the noodles...I soak them in hot water in the pan I'm going to use for about 5 minutes while I'm stirring up the other ingredients (meat sauce, salad, etc). They turn out perfect!
My tip is menu planning. Thanks!
Amy
amadajo30 at yahoo.com
I buy boneless, skinless chicken breast, cook them, chop them and freeze them in 2-cup portions. This allows me to whip up a casserole in a snap or use the chicken in salads. This makes dinner so much easier in our house.
threejordans@hotmail.com
Also, my name is Mary Famer and my email is maryfarmer4@gmail.com...
I am a subscriber! I would love to win a set...would make a great B-day present for me. ;-)
biancarobleslopez at yahoo dot com
I usuALLY COOK UP ENOUGH MEAT FOR TWO MEALS. uSE HALF AND THEN USE THE OTHER HALF THE NEXT NIGHT FOR DINNER. sO ONE NIGHT MIGHT BE SLOPPY JOES AND THE NEXT NIGHT SPAGHETTI. Thanks, Kristin
norton_kristin@yahoo.com
I think it's great to use a scrap bowl like Rachel Ray does. My personal tip is to find some toys or books to entertain the kids so they're not clinging onto your legs or eating all of the food before it's finished - or does that only happen to me?! Thanks for the giveaway!
jessrkynoch(at)gmail(dot)com
My tip is: I love those McCormick season packets with the bag. I am making a potroast for dinner tonight with it. Just throw in the meat, veggies and seasoning in the bag and Voila! in the oven it goes and no need for major clean up just toss the bag when your done! I have a new addiction and it is your blog! ":-D
biancarobleslopez at yahoo dot com
used the crock pot method! all i have to do is grab thawed meat and a a can of cream of something, can of veggies. Let it cook all day (that takes all of what minutes in the morning. Then when I get home make instant rice, and im done!
laura
lauriec_728@yahoo.com
I say cook your "stinky" stuff right away. Bacon, sausage and broccoli fall in this category. Once cooked, bag it up and put in the freezer or fridge. This way, you only smell up your house once instead of several times throughout the week and as a bonus, it will save you a lot of time!
I am a subscriber!
I save time by grating cheese, cutting vegetables, cutting meat, etc. during the kiddo's nap time. Then I put them in baggies or tupperware and when dinnertime rolls around and things are crazy, I just throw everything together and pop it in the oven. It's saved my sanity and my time every night!I'll cross my fingers I get picked!Thanks!
Kirsten
short_and_sweet@msn.com
My tip would be to buy the precut, chopped onions, green peppers, etc that you find in the freezer section. So many meals call for 1 cup of onion, etc. This really cuts down on not only time, but having to get out the knife & cutting board!
Oh and by the way, I'm a subscriber to your emails. Thanks!
Kirsten
short_and_sweet@msn.com
My quick tip is to plan the week ahead and then you already know what you are going to cook and it always goes faster when you have a plan! If you don't have a plan--plain old spaghetti is quick and good!
freedurt at msn dot com
I use the crockpot a lot to save time in cooking, nothing like that slow-cooked taste!
jfkidder(at)hotmail(dot)com
I subscribe :)
jfkidder(at)hotmail(dot)com
When fresh veggies are in season such as bell peppers, onions, okra, potatoes, etc., I dice and freeze them. They are always handy when I need to throw together a soup casserole or chili.
My tip is to have your husband do the cooking. It works for me!
saracoral16@hotmail.com
my tip is to always make extras to freeze. It's so nice to pull a whole meal or even just an already prepared side dish out of the freezer!
Sarah
savingmom3 at gmail dot com
I make homemade pesto and put in in ice cube trays so i can pop a few out at a time. I also chop chicken breasts up into cubes and add seasoning. I freeze these. While the pasta water is boiling, saute the chicken, toss in peas, mix in cherry tomatoes and add pesto. Pretty chicken pasta in the time it takes to boil water and cook pasta. I use whole wheat.
my tip is to cook a bunch of meat at the beginning of the week and then you'll have it on hand for later dinners. My favorite is to do ground beef for spaghetti and use the left overs for tacos!
love the blog!
shelbygoodmandesigns@gmail.com
I love having pre-browned ground beef in the freezer. Fast start to many dishes! Love your blog.
sajjw at comcast dot net
My tip is this: when I buy ground beef I like to brown 5-6 lbs and freeze them in 1 lb increments. They thaw super quickly and are great for super speedy tacos, chili, soup, etc.
vickicoupons at yahoo dot com
Best advice- Get the kids busy so that they will leave you alone for 20 minutes! :-)
camelenalink@sbcglobal.net
Thanks!
It's always good to get more fruits and veggies in your meals and snacks and so what i've discovered is that if I dice, slice, cube and grate in advance (freeze or refrigerate until needed) I'm more likely to throw these fruits and veggies in my casseroles, salads, topping for cereal, yogurt and frozen waffles, soups, in my sndwiches or toss into my one pot meals... most of my meals are 20 minutes or less b/c the prep work was done over the weekend!
My tip is to use your crockpot. Most recipes only call for a few ingredients.Dinner will be all ready when you get home at night.
Noreen
norclingan at hotmail dot com
My quick tip: I always buy two whole chickens and throw them in the crockpot overnight. The big chickens from Costco are always .99/# and make about 10 cups of cooked chicken. I freeze most of it in two cup portions and some of it in one cup portions so I always have the right amount on hand for chicken pot pit, quesadillas, chicken tacos, enchiladas, etc! (Or for a certain box dinner... hint, hint... :^P )
Jill jbearbentler@sbcglobal.net
My tip is always keep vegetables pre-cut and frozen in the freezer. I always keep peppers sliced and frozen in my freezer, because I use them quite often when making egg omelets or stir fried vegetables. This saves time in washing and slicing when making a recipe that calls for fresh vegetables. All you have to do is grab some out of the freezer and toss them into the pan!
kimberly dot mcfadden at yahoo dot com
thanks :)
I already subscribe to emails.
Noreen
norclingan at hotmail dot com
My tip, is to only spend one day a week prepping for your meals (like cooking your beef, chicken, slicing up veggies etc.). Then put everything in ziplock bags in the fridge, and just pull them out during the week when you need them!
for a quick meal think early and think crock pot. most recipes are super fast and require few ingredients. at the end of a busy day it feels so good to have something already prepared.
We make more than we know we need for one meal, and do creative things with the left overs for the next! My husband is good at this.
And, I'm already subscribed to your site with google reader!!
I am a subscriber!
kimberly dot mcfadden at yahoo dot com
I chop up all my veggies for salads and for dipping, as well as my fruit on Sat-Sun and store them in the ziplock vacuum sealed bags. They stay fresh and are easy to pull out and pop on the table for the kids to snack on while I cook dinner...that way they are getting their fruit and veggies while they are really hungry, plus i can use the chopped up food to throw into pasta and chicken that only takes ten mins to cook on the stove top. Add a salad that is already cut up and wah-lah...less than 20-30 mins.
My tip is to use eggs. Make a fritata, quiche, or just have breakfast for dinner. My kids think it's great. Best of all, eggs are really inexpensive and a good source of protien.
Sherri
Sherri6berri@yahoo.com
My tip is: crockpot Black Bean Salsa Soup.
In your crockpot, dump 2 cans black beans, 1 can ro-tel tomatoes, 2 cans chicken broth, 1 lg jar picante sauce, and 1/2 bag frozen corn kernels. Set crockpot on low, put lid on and go about your business. Six hours later, you have fantastic soup that took less than 5 minutes of prep work!
I also just subscribed to your RSS feed...me and my sister are addicted to your site!!!!
and i'm an email subscriber, too!
Fish as a main course! It cooks in no time, so is perfect for a 20 minute meal.
Colleen -- cmbcall @ excite.com
I Love your blog. I have already signed up for emails.
My tip is to put meal in the crockpot in the morning and have you will have a nice meal at night! Also, make double batches of a dinner and freeze the extra for another quick meal.
Thanks!
thefranciscos at aol dot com
Spaghetti-We all love it. Use the jar sauce, bought on sale, of course. Brown the hamburger, sausage, or venison with whatever you have-celery, onions, green peppers or substitute spices; or do both to taste.
Put water in large pot to boil, and when boiling, put spaghetti in.
If you have any leftovers, add sauce to spaghetti and it is wonderful reheated the next day!
While this is cooking just make a salad or a vegetable-canned or frozen will do nicely. :-)
Bonnie
AR
My tip? One word -- CROCKPOT!!! My kids think it is normal to start cooking dinner immediately after serving breakfast, and it makes life SOOO easy in the evening rush...
kimsqs@comcast.net
Love your blog!
A bag of salad topped with grilled chicken and bread on the side is quick and great during warm weather.
I'm a subscriber too. I read you all day long on my phone through my Reader.
kimsqs@comcast.net
Thank you! Kim F.
My go-to quick meal is angel hair pasta, pre-cooked chicken strips and jarred pesto sauce. Add a salad and you're set!
lisasturg @ yahoo.com
My tip is to simply be organized. Every week before shopping I make a weekly menu. That way we know what we are having each night and frozen items can be thawed if need be. I also prep dry ingredients while my kids eat lunch or play so if we have after school activities, I can come home and get everything together with minimum prep. For example, tonight I needed chopped celery, cooked chopped chicken breast, crushed crackers and potato chips and some seasonings for hot chicken salad. Everything is all ready to go thanks to a couple of minutes of prep during lunch.
My email address is jsdorbin@verizon.net
I also suscribe to your feed through Google Reader!
lisasturg @ yahoo.com
My quick tip is keeping Romaine lettuce, Caesar Salad Dressing and Croutons on hand at all times. It takes 5 minutes to throw together a quick Caesar salad and it dresses up anything from Hamburger Helper to grilled chicken to Steak.
joy7093 at yahoo dot com
if a recipie calls for a halph onion cut the other halph at the same time and toss it in the freezer, it is super handy for the next time you make a quick omlet or want to add a few pieces of onion in your cup of soup or stirfry or any other onion quick fix you could think of
idasjungle@yahoo.com
subscriber
My quick tip is to prep as much as you can in the morning. Dice veggies and meat, grate cheese, etc...and stick everything in the fridge until it's time to assemble your meal.
Love your blog!
~ Jennifer
I like to have several "user-friendly" ingredients on hand that could easily be made into something. For example, cans of Rotel tomatoes and black beans and corn, onions and bell peppers in the fridge, and some fat-free sour cream. You can pull together a spicy pasta, a Mexican lasagna, a special black-bean quesadilla or anything else you can come up with!
My tip: Have a well-stocked pantry and an open, creative mind for putting ingredients together.
P.S. Oh, yes, I am a subscriber!!
I Do a lot of bulk cooking whick helps me b/c I can pull a package og bbq or taco meat out of freezer and place in pan and it is ready to go in like fifteen minutes while it is cooking I prep the other ingredient so to go with lettuce tomato rolls cheese whatever the case may be. it has ben great for my family.
I subscribed to you feed today Thanks
My favorite quick tip is to have pre-chopped vegetables in the freezer. My favorite is onions because we cook with them so often, but occasionally I will throw some parsley or cilantro in with the onions to freeze and have a nice flavor when I go to use the onions in the dish I'm cooking.
I stock up on meat when it's on sale. Then I will slice, dice, chop, brown, etc all of it and freeze it for later use. It is so nice to have chicken already cut into chunks or hamburger browned ahead of time.
Renee
renee@richins.net
Chicken Voila from Birdseye! You can cook a great meal in about 10 min. I always have a package in the freezer just in case I come home and have no time to cook.
I have just recently found your blog and I LOVE it. Thanks for all of your helpful finds.
lsallen88@yahoo.com
My tip is to cook enough to last 2 nights. So I am only cooking 3 nights a week :-)
I just subscribed! Love your blog!
My tip is to chop up veggies as soon as you get home from the supermarket, and either freeze or refrigerate for use during the week. And i subscribe through google reader. Michelle Thanks!
vondeech at gmail dot com
Thaw in advance!
I love those meals too! Let's see, tip for a quick meal....have lots of marinades and spices on hand. I've pulled so many random things out of my cabinet and wound up with some really good things, even when I had zero ideas when walking into the kitchen.
eagorg at gmail dot com
I've had you on my RSS feed for months! Love it!
eagorg at gmail dot com
I cook rice ahead of time and freeze it in 1-2 cup portions. Then I can throw the Ziploc in the microwave for a couple of minutes and I have fresh rice! So fast and so inexpensive compared to convenience rice!
Hey, Love, love your website and my quick tip is to bake about six large chicken breasts and then use them throughout the week in different quick dishes. I also bake some of them with the new Kraft Asian sesame? salad dressing. YUMMY! You can use their "Italian House dressing also"
Can use them for salads, casseroles, enchiladas.....everything!!!
I can whip up this 'Mexican Meal' in no time flat and kids love it.
•Taco Dogs
Combine sliced hot dogs and salsa in a skillet and cook until hot. Serve in hot dog buns with chopped tomato, lettuce, crumbled taco chips, chopped green onions, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
easyreader48@gmail.com
My tip is to get the Make A mix cook book...It make's your life so much easier. See my blog http://familyfrugalness.blogspot.com/
shortinthebay@gmail.com and i will subcribe to your blog!
I am mom and work full time. I use part of the day on Sunday for food prep. I chop and dice everything I think I will need for the week. Some of it I put in the fridge and some even in the freezer. I will chop up veggies even peppers and it works. Then I just have to add the meat etc. I have an especially quick meal that my family absolutely loves. It is sliced peppers and onions, saute them in oil until tender crisp. The recipe calls for round steak but I use flat iron as it is more tender. Use the amount you like and slice thin and fry in a tbs. of oil. Combine the two veggies and meat with a jar of Heinz Beef Gravy mixed with Worchestire sauce (1 tsp or so) and garlic pwdr to taste. You then just simmer this for a minute or two. If you have veggies already bagged up then this is done in a flash!!
I also will grate cheeze and put it in baggies when I find cheeze blocks on sale. I find that the blocks go on sale for a lot cheaper than the already grated stuff.
bellasmybaby@hotmail.com
I'm a subscriber and love your blog... would also love to win giggles4danny@gmail.com
My tip is to prepare two meals at one time. I like to make supper while I make lunch or even make breakfast and supper together. Then pop it in the oven or crockpot and there you have it hot and ready.
I subscribe to you in Google reader!
I love to have cooked chicken on hand. I cook a big batch of chicken in my crock pot, shredd and store in 1 pound bags. I then freeze and I have ready cooked chicken on hand.
Lisa
shopsmartandsave@hotmail.com
oops and my contact info is;
rani.gordon@gmail.com
my tip is: I always brown 1 lb. of meat at once and divide it in half. Half a pound tonight, half a pound ALREADY cooked for later in the week. Thank you for this oppurtunity!! Also, I ordered the jackets from Tulle...awesome!!!
For quick cooking meat - portion out meat & freeze it so it's ready to be thawed & cooked --- or cook up a bunch of taco meat ahead of time & freeze it in smaller portions for a fast taco dinner!
Kendra kksco@yahoo.com
I always cook several pounds of ground hamburger and freeze to use in things like Hamburger helper and for spaghetti dinners...it always saves me alot of time
tmillenderswain at yahoo dot com
My tip is to pick up a rotisserie chicken from Costco or the supermarket. I have my husband do the dirty work of picking off all the meat. We use the meat for enchiladas,quesadillas, casseroles, soups, chicken and gravy, chicken salad...everything! I also save the wonderful juice dripping and bits in the bottom of the container. If I'm not using it that night I freeze it for a sauce or gravy later. Yummy!
I make my menus a month at a time and we grocery shop once a week. When we come home from the store I prepare all of the veggies (and meat if possible) that I will need for the week. Chopping things once a week save a considerable amount of time.
Stephanie@eyeballgirl.com
I just subscribed to your email feed! I love your site!
saracoral16@hotmail.com
I try to make enough meals by doubling it so we can have leftovers the next night. One of these days I'm going to try the once a month or once a week cooking, but haven't ventured there yet. But, I agree on these boxed dinners, they are YUMMY!
My tip-have a bunch of these macaroni grill meals in the freezer :) so if I win thats a great addition to the other meals I have! we love them!
I also subscribed via RSS
When I am making a casserole for dinner, many times I will make an extra to freeze. It is super easy to grab and reheat and easy on the wallet as well!! laura 519 at hotmail dot come
I am also a subscriber via Google reader. laura 519 at hotmail.com
I blanch, clean and precut all my veggies cut them up and freeze them in ziplock containers.
Whenever I need to stirfry, I just pull them out of the freezer.
imttran @ hotmail.com
I must say I just subscribed to your blog and I am absolutely obsessed with it now. I check it several times throughout the day like it is my email. Thanks for all you do!
I always buy frozen chicken/fish/steak. I cut it into smaller pieces with seasoning/marinade to bake/fry/grill and it cooks much faster than being whole (About 10-15 min.) I buy big bags of frozen veggies or the steamer veggies that microwave for about 5 min and prepare a small serving of potatoes/pasta/bread while meat is cooking. Healthy and quick in under 20 min :)
Litchfield217@yahoo.com
my tip: have your husband help! mine is usually in charge of the main dish, while i get the salad together or cook side dishes.
i signed up for email. thanks!
It's hard to prepare a meal in 20 minutes. My fastest and easiest meals are the one-pot meals or stews.
viaprintin@aol.com
I'm a subscriber too.
viaprintin@aol.com
A quick meal in 20 minutes: Open a jar of spaghetti sauce (I know, I know), but add some sugar. I hate that acid taste from the tomatoes. Sugar makes it sweet. Throw in some packaged meatballs or sausage. You can use the sausage raw, just cook for at least an hour. Boil a pot of water, throw in some pasta. You can have some Italian bread with butter, and salad from the bag. Good in my book. Thanks Hip2Save.
frannyangel@comcast.net
A friend of mine tried the Chicken Marsala and RAVED about it - and she is practically a professional chef! I'm ging to try it - and thanks for the $1 coupon which I clicked twice. Every little bit helps.
Mi tip: always veggies, bread : chicken, meat balls, tacos, brisket, AND hot dogs or hamburger (friday) I'm a working Mom, husband and 2 kids. inc.rosa@gmail.com
I love your blog-
My tip- I precook ground hambuger, then freeze it so if I need to make a quick meal all I have to do is warm then meat up in the microwave and I can make Spaghetti or sloppy joes (to name a few) in a jiffy-
bauer.valerie@gmail.com
A quick dinner at my house means that I have put something in the crockpot to cook all day. Then all I have to do is make a quick side salad and poof dinner is ready.
(lindashifflett@yahoo.com)
I am a subscriber.
(lindashifflett@yahoo.com)
Double the recipe you're cooking and freeze half. Then you can just thaw and heat for another meal.
pkildow at gmail dot com
Always have diced onions in your freezer. That way, when you need them for a recipe, they're already cut up and ready to go!
twocuff@precisionvarminting.com
I haven't tried this particular boxed meal from Macaroni Grill, but I've made the Chicken Alfredo one several times. My family loves it!
My tip is cook with someone rather than alone. When I cook with my fiance instead of just by myself everything gets done so much quicker. And it's a lot more fun to have someone else in the kitchen with ya! =]
I subscribe via RSS.
tiffany AT realsimplesavingmethods DOT com
Tip: Serve a fruit salad with dinner. Add some fresh fruit to one can of peaches or pears and you have a really quick and healthy side dish!
Sounds like a great give-away!
kahiestand at comcast dot net
Minestrone soup. All canned ingredients except browned hamburger. I make it 10 minutes and its a favorite! Also when I buy bulk, i cook most of my meat ahead of time and then freeze so all I have to do is thaw and season. -Kim couponclipperkb@yahoo.com
My tip is having basic food staples already prepared. For instance, in my family, we love chicken, cheese and hard boiled eggs. So I have seperate containers in the fridge that have chicken already cooked and shredded or cubed, cheese already grated and eggs already boiled. I also tend to have produce already chopped or diced. When making a recipe, it is amazing how much time you save by having everything already done. It's just a matter of putting it all together at that point.
If you're cooking pasta, start boiling the water the first thing when you start cooking the meal! Also if you are adding small frozen veggies - like green peas or chopped broccoli - to the pasta, they can cook in the boiling water with the pasta . Just add a few extra minutes to the pasta cooking time! Also cook proteins ahead of time - like in a 3 meal size batch. Use one portion of protein for the current meal, and you have 2 proteins cooked for 2 future meals. That how you make meals in 20 minutes! Enjoy!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I'm also a subscriber - thanks!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Reuse leftovers from the night before - if you had chicken then it's already cooked so making it into a casserole will be super fast!
My tip is to cook several meals at once and freeze them so that you can just pull them out and heat them up when you're ready to have them.
Love your blog!
I like to reuse meals. Like I'll make meatloaf one night then use it in beef strogonoff the next night! It also saves money!
I love the freezer. I chop up a whole onion or two at once and put it in a freezer bag. Then I just use it as needed. I also do this with green and red peppers. Saves so much time!!
I buy my hamburger at least 10 lbs at a time. Cook it all on the same day and put it in freezer bags, marking it with 1 lb or 1 1/2 lb. It stays well in the freezer and when life happens, it's there to be heated up fast for stews, casseroles, helpers, etc. (Or when the S.O. is lazy... his not-so-famous 'burger and ketchup'... LOL)
slightlyfrustrated@hotmail.com
My tip for quick mashed potatoes is to use the Ziploc steam bags and steam the potatoes in the microwave. In about 10 minutes you'll have them ready for mashing without having to wait for a pot of boiling water! You'll also save time when you're ready to clean up.
thecouponproject@hotmail.com
I subscribed!
I subscribe via e-mail and wouldn't have it any other way!!!
slightlyfrustrated@hotmail.com
I make brown rice and then freeze it in smaller portions, so that we don't have to wait 40 minutes for the rice, just micorwave it.
Quick cooking: cook ahead! This works great for burger and chicken. Just take what you need out of the freezer and add veggies and a side dish!
klacrosse@verizon.net
Okay this might take a little longer than 20 minutes but it's totally worth it in the end.
Pour 1 jar of Ragu into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Any kind of Spaghetti sauce will work. (I make my own in BIG batches and then freeze it.) Stir in about 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
Place 4 to 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts in sauce. Turn over to make sure they're coated. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. I start checking at 45 minutes to see if it's bubbly and the chicken's internal temp is 160º. Serve over hot pasta. This is Easy Chicken Parmesana. My family loves it, I like to serve it with steamed broccoli, pecan pie, and ice cream! Mom told me it's like eating at a restaurant. And the prep doesn't take any time at all.
My tip is to prep the meat in bulk all at once. If you do this you'll be ready for so many meals in just 20 minutes!
I also subscribe to your blog! LOVE IT!!
We try to talk about it in the morning and put whatever meat we decide in the fridge that morning, it is all defrosted by the time I get home and ready to do whatever with! kraftfoods.com has also saved me on many ocasions!
Taco Salad (just had it tonight)!
Dole Southwestern Salad Mix (has the dressing and everything)
1 pound of meat cooked with
Ortega (we like the hot) Seasoning
and a REALLY good and fast dinner! Thanks for the chance.
chericehodges@gmail.com
Love the blog, just became a subscriber a few weeks ago, I check it almost every day!
My quick tip is Rachel Ray's 30 Minutes meals. I know you said 20 minutes but her meals are well worth the extra 10 minutes. Thanks for the chance.
Melissa
melry628@aol.com
I also subscribe to your blog.
Melissa
melry628@aol.com
If I am going to be in a hurry to make dinner I make sure to have the meat done ahead of time! It really speeds things up!
I wouldlove to win!
beth(dot)hackworth@gmail(dot)com
I also subscribe!
beth(dot)hackworth@gmail(dot)com
My tip would have to be....
have your husband take the kids somewhere so it is nice and quiet. I don't think well, in the kitchen, when there is lots of noise and kiddos getting into stuff. My example would be when I made snickerdoodle cookies. I got them out of the oven and thought, "why do they look so white??" Finally, I figured out that I left the cinnamon out. I am much better at cooking when left alone. : )
If I want a fast meal I make a meal with pasta. Just add a sauce / dressing and veggies. Fast family meal.
I am a subscriber.
Use rotisserie chicken for your soups for added flavor and because it can save some prep time.
I'm already a subscriber and really love this blog. Thanks for all your hard work. Contact me at spencerlori@hotmail.com
Whenever you cook up taco meat/ground beef/etc, make an extra batch for another day. Then you can just pull it out of the freezer when needed.
jprice2@gmail.com
I LOVE your blog! It is my favorite of all the ones I check every day!!
When I make chicken I try to cook a lot of it at one time and then I already have cooked chicken to add to any dish.
I subscribe to your emails!!
My tip for preparing a meal in 20 minutes or less.....make the kids go outside to play or have the hubby watch them. Amazing what I can get done when alone....
shannon1254@comcast.net
To cook something in 20 minutes and from scratch, choose quick to cook ingredients like salmon. Just sprinkle salt, and fry over the stove. Serve with salad. If using beef or pork, use a pressure cooker. On high heat, you can cook tough briskets or stew meat in 10 minutes. In the meantime, start making sauce over the stove, add and dump the tendet pressure-cooked meat in.
My tip is- on Sunday night, chop a bunch of veggies up and put them into ziplocs or tupperware and store in the fridge...they make a great side to any dish. Also I like to organize my fridge into what I'm going to use in conjunction with each other. That way you're not hunting around each night for ingredients.
Thanks for the chance to win!
-Allison
allisomccullough@gmail.com
I marinate meat (pork chops, beef, etc) etc) and freeze them. That way, some evenings come that I am either lazy or too tired to cook, and I just fry them. I have frozen vegetables in my freezer all the time which I sautee in butter.
jemtanghal@yahoo.com
I would say to cook extra meat (especially chicken) when prepping for a dinner one night. Then when the next night rolls around, you already have the meat cooked.
lists at masondixon dot us
My tip is to double recipes and freeze. Also, if I am browning ground hamburger or chicken I will do multiple pounds at a time and freeze smaller portions. This helps when meat is really cheap and you need to freeze it before you are able to use it all.
Cook a large package of spaghetti noodles at once to barely al dente (almost not done yet) and freeze into meal size ziploc bag portions. When your are ready to cook, just drop the frozen chunk into boiling water for a 1-2 minutes. If you don't have time for sauce saute up some butter, garlic and italian herbs for some garlic noodles.
Since we are so busy during the week we do all of our cooking for the week on Sunday and then all we have to do is warm them up during the week. It really helps us when we only have 30 minutes to eat and get out of the house in time for practices.
My tip is- have everything started and have my husband do therest of the cooking while I have a glass of wine. I love my darling hubby he is so good to me.nicolealton@hotmail.com
Others have said it, but it's very helpful to have pre-browned meat on hand for a very quick meal.
Thanks for the giveaway! I haven't tried these, but have wondered if they're worth the cost.
My tip is to do tacos. They are so simple. Just throw a pound of hamburger (ours is all frozen) in a pan, add a dab of water and cover, it takes me 15 min. to get dinner on the table.
I'm also a subscriber (Google Reader).
I melt cheese on something :)if it has to go fast. Love cheese.
eva.and.bill@hotmail.com
Thanx!
I love to use the crockpot!!!
amyjoemoleski@hotmail.com
Fun! I double my meals and freeze a meal every once in a while, so I have something to just thaw and serve.
Thanks for a second chance!
Love your blog, especially on Thursdays for the Old Navy craziness!! I guess my tip for preparing quick meals is to always have certain ingredients on hand that I can prepare many different meals with. Usually it's nothing fancy at all, but if I at least have tortillas, lunch meat, and cheddar cheese on hand I can put the meat and cheese in the tortilla, fold it over once, and microwave it for a quick & easy little meal.
hamoth @ gmail.com
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