Easy Recipes for Nursing Students

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 12, 2009

Here's what I do- I have a gigantic pot and I cook spaghetti sauce (the homemade kind) and freeze it in freezer bags in 4-6 cup portions (enough for our family of 4). Then when I need to, I thaw out a bag and make lasagna, or chicken parm or shells with noodles. I also use my big pot for chix noodle soup, and homemade enchilada sauce. I use those freezer bags like crazy for all my portioning, but thinking I might try one of those food saver things!!!
Kelli

If you decide to get a home vacuum sealer, you might want to consider a "snorkel" type machine. These can use smooth vacuum bags (the type that are used for chunks of meat in a store), rather than the very expensive textured FoodSaver bags (which cost at least 2x as much as the smooth interior pouches). I initially bought a FoodSaver machine, but found that I wasn't using it very much, just due to the cost of the bags.

See:

http://www.sorbentsystems.com/sinbosealer.html

This is the machine I've used at home for a couple years. It is great for vacuum packing stuff. If you're sealing "juicy" stuff like meats & sauces, it's best to freeze the stuff first, then vacuum seal it. That way, the juices don't gunk up the "innards" of the machine. I buy chicken breasts, freeze them on a cookie sheet, then vacuum pack portions. It works great for fish, tamales, home smoked pulled pork/beef brisket, veggies,.....

My favorite source for vacuum bags (& bulk spices) is Butcher & Packer, up in Michigan. See:

http://www.butcher-packer.com/

conandcait · Aug 12, 2009

ooohhhh, thanks! Great info!! Kelli

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Aug 12, 2009

ooohhhh, thanks! Great info!! Kelli

You're quite welcome. The vacuum packed foods in the freezer suffer from MUCH less freezer burn, compared to regular ziploc bags (even "freezer" ziplocs).

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Aug 12, 2009

I second the vacu-savers!

madnurse2b · Aug 12, 2009

I like to do stuff in the crock pot. Especially when I have evening clinicals.

I like to make lamb shanks with the Trader Joes Masala Indian Simmer Sauce, and make cous cous (whole wheat 5 minutes) when I get home, I usually put some dried apricot and toasted nuts in the cous cous (I keep these things as staples in the pantry).

Or the basics -

Put a roast - pork, beef, lamb (I don't like doing whole chicken in the crock pot 'cause I'm too lazy to deal with the bones). Put either a can of cream of mushroom soup and a pack of sliced mushrooms and either wine or chicken broth to finish. Or put a can of diced fireroasted tomatoes sliced onions and garlic, tomato paste and a small amount of chicken broth over the roast.

Cook

serve with some of the Steam and Mash potatoes, microwave potatoes, or make quick rice.

I always have salad stuff in the fridge to serve first, and during school I splurge on prechopped. Leftovers make great sandwiches to take to school.

I used to be a chef, I could do way more than I do. But when it comes to school I don't want to! When I really cook it's not to provide fuel it's for special occasions.

Kyla.ann · Aug 13, 2009

Love this thread! Even useful for us pre-nursing students, still juggling a full time job, our pre-reqs and family!!!

THANKS!!!!

ok2bme · Aug 13, 2009

Great thread!

I would highly recommend getting a George Foreman, I live by myself so I just got a small $20 one at Wal-Mart and I'm so glad I did! I just marinade a chicken breast..usually with Mrs Dash lemon peper, and grill it for about 10 minutes. Cut into strips and put it over a salad with cheese and dressing, so delicious and healthy!

I am also a huge fan of the Magic Bullet, you may have seen it on infomercials but I got mine at HEB, a Texas grocery store. It's basically a very functional blender..it's way smaller, so easy to clean, and you can drink right out of it. I make a smoothie every morning..with yogurt, frozen fruit, 1/2 banana, and juice. Delicious!! I can feel the difference when I skip it.

Ok so I am not much of a cook lol but these little gadgets make my life easier. Good luck with school everyone!

mkblakley07 · Aug 13, 2009

I make a smoothie every morning..with yogurt, frozen fruit, 1/2 banana, and juice. Delicious!! I can feel the difference when I skip it.
Ok so I am not much of a cook lol but these little gadgets make my life easier. Good luck with school everyone!

I like to make smoothies in the morning too, but I do mine a little different.

I put some non fat vanilla yogurt, some milk, some honey, a banana, and some frozen blueberries and strawberries in mine, and it's really tasty, and it keeps you pretty full for a while. I frequent allrecipes.com, and there's all kinds of stuff you can do w/smoothies. You can put protien powder in 'em, or flax seed oil (though I tried that one and it was kinda nasty.) I bet you could even blend some granola in them and it would be good! :) Smoothies are awesome.

Another easy meal that I just thought of was stuffed pork chops. I actually just tried this one yesterday and the hubby loved it, but I didn't like it as much (not really a fan of blue cheese)

I just got some really thick, good looking pork chops, cut a pocket in the middle, and put the stuffing in them (I used blue cheese, green onions and mushrooms, but you could probably put just about anything in them...), then cooked them for probably about an hour at 325 degrees.

It went great with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli, which are easy to make too, so that's a pretty simple meal! :)

I also really love this meal, which is really simple too and goes great w/rice and garlic bread :) : http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Broccoli-Ca---Uniengs-Style/Detail.aspx

Allrecipes.com is a really good place to find quick easy meals.

Also, if you wanted a really easy meal, pizza is a good one. Buy the crust premade and then just put the sauce, cheese and all the desired toppings in and cook it :)

I keep thinking of stuff! lol

Natingale, EdD, RN · Aug 13, 2009

great thread!!!

my specialty -- italian dressing chicken

you need chicken (breasts thin sliced by purdue is great) and italian dressing (thats it)

dont shake the bottle of italian dressing, and dump all the oil so that you only get the good stuff settled on the bottom

wash your chicken in lemon juice (get the poultry smell out) --- throw about 1/3 of a cup of italian dressing on there, let it marinate for at least an hour

grab a skillet, throw some dressing on there till it starts to sizzle, throw the chicken on there, let it cook ....dump the rest of the dressing contents into the pan, and let it caramelize

GREAT with rice a roni, a baked potatoe, or anything really. fast and easy, i usually cut the chicken into small strips, fun to eat and you get the good stuff on every noko and cranny

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2009

This is a family favorite. I serve it in warm tortillas! Yumm-o
Salsa Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup salsa
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 can reduced fat cream of mushroom soup (condensed)
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
Directions
Add chicken to slow cooker.
Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.
Pour salsa and soup over chicken.
Add can of soup and mix mixture.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
Great with spanish rice and served in a warmed tortilla

I'm cooking this right now as I type. . .it's almost done. I tasted a little bit of it and it's so delicous! The chicken is so tender and full of flavor! I'm going to eat it with a warm tortilla as well!

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 10, 2012

CHICKEN OLE~

1. Box of Goya Rice ( Spanish Yellow Rice) follow box directions you stir it once and let it do it's thing REAL EASY!

While the rice is cooking...

Get one bag of Tyson's Time Trimmers or (Chicken breast Strips)

Cook the chicken on a dry skillet until is slightly brown, then add...

1- whole bottle of balsamic dressing

1- 14.05oz can of Diced Tomatoes in Garlic any brand stir then add...

2- heads of fresh or frozen broccoli chopped or substitute with 1 can of green beans..

At this time you can add a 1/2 cup of slice Spanish Olives with pimentos, stir and cover let it cook for 8min.

Finally serve the Chicken Ole~ over the Spanish Rice with a slice of garlic bread and wine of choice Enjoy~

P.S. you can save the leftovers from the chicken in the freezer and ,make some pasta and serve it in the same manner. therefore, you have two recipes in one~ :cool: