The Best Recipes to Try This Year

I don’t know about you, but I have been spending more time in the kitchen these past few weeks than I have for the past year! I’ve been eating A LOT, but also cooking way more. I’ve had to get creative with my recipes. It’s forced me to remember some of my quick and easy meals. I thought I would share my favorite ones with you. None of them take literally more than 20 minutes to prepare and some not much longer to actually cook. You have most of the ingredients in your house. They’re easy meals that taste delicious!

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EASY BEAN TACOS

 Ingredients

  • 1 can of pinto beans

  • 1 can of red beans

  • 1 can of garbanzo beans

  • 1 can of black beans

  • 1 packet of taco seasoning

 Toppings

  • Lettuce

  • Tomatoes

  • Shredded cheddar cheese

  • Salsa

  • Guacamole

  • Hot sauce

Drain beans. Place them in a skillet over medium heat and soften them up. Add the taco mix with the specified amount of water indicated on packet. Cook the same amount of time on low heat specified on the taco mix. When done place bean mixture in heated taco shells or tortillas. Add toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, guacamole and hot sauce. Easy!

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BAKED CHICKEN

Ingredients

  • Bone in chicken breasts and thighs; with or without skin

  • 4 Sliced onions

  • Apricot jam, 1-2 jars

  • Lemon Pepper seasoning

  • Garlic Powder

Season chicken with lemon pepper and garlic powder. Slice onions and place on the bottom of the pan. Spoon the apricot jam over the chicken making sure to cover each piece. Bake on 350 for 1 hour basting the chicken every 20 minutes. After 1 hour, broil for 5 minutes. Sweet and saucy!

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GARLIC PASTA

Ingredients

  • 1 box of pasta

  • 3/4 stick of butter

  • 8 garlic cloves; minced

  • ½ cup of fresh parmesan cheese; grated

  • ½ cup of Romano cheese; grated

  • Salt and pepper

  • ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you want a bit of spice

  • 1 over-easy egg

Melt butter in pan. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook the mixture until it appears translucent. Cook pasta. Drain it. Add butter and garlic mixture to pasta and mix well. Add both cheeses to pasta and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook 1 egg over easy or sunny side up and add to top of pasta. Delish!

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I have also been cooking this banana bread that is quick and easy. It’s great for breakfast heated with cream cheese spread on top or just for a sweet snack.

EASY BANANA BREAD

Ingredients

  • 3 overripe bananas, smashed

  • 1 cup of white sugar

  • 1 egg

  • ¼ melted butter

  • 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Optional

  • Nuts (diced or cut into small pieces)

  • Chocolate chips (milk chocolate or semisweet)

Combine smashed bananas, sugar, egg, butter and mix well. In a separate bowl combine flour and baking soda. Mix well. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and stir.  Add the salt.  Add nuts and/or chocolate. Place into a well-greased loaf pan and bake on 325 for 40-50 minutes. Yum!

Happy cooking! See ya next time!

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Kitchen, LifestyleAndi MorseComment