I love Mix N Match Pasta for summer meals
Posted By: Dreamweaver on 2007-06-08
In Reply to: dinner ideas for summer - hungryMT
Just boil up a big batch of tricolor rotini pasta and add whichever of the following that appeals to you, or whatever you happen to have on hand.
Chicken, tuna, ham, shrimp, crab meat
Celery, carrots, onion, green peas, mushrooms
Ranch dressing, Italian dressing, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip
It's a great "clean-out-the-refrigerator" meal! 
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
Oriental, Thai, Indian meals. Pasta primavera. Hummus w/
s
We met on Match.com. I was age
64, and he was 61. Have been happily married 3 years.
Don't know what starting this p-ing match
It's pretty funny really, because I never thought agreeing with another poster would get anyone so fired up. I have friends and family that I can depend on, but there are things I expect my husband to do for me that I would not expect from a friend or even my family.
I think if I would end up widowed, I'd have no problem being alone. I really don't know that I would want to get back into the whole dating thing again. I only stated that when being married works, it works well.
However, I get a definite hostile vibe from you, which I really don't understand. I don't know you, I don't know your situation and if you say you're happy, that's fine. Just don't try to make me feel like an incomplete human being because I say I'm happy being married.
I think your view does not generally match
up with most.. She looks like a real gold-digger to me. What about others out there?
Try this site...you can mix and match the different recipes.... : )
http://southernfood.about.com/cs/easterrecipes/a/eastermenu.htm
Will they still match the bedspread if you change them out? ..sm
Some things won't take dye depending on what they're made of...You can find some cool comforters/spreads/curtains at JCP and Target lately. ...And the cheapest curtains around can be made from twin size flat sheets. Many styles/colors can be ordered from JCP that you won't find in the store. I've done that several times..... And try hgtv.com for ideas, too. ....And lastly, bamboo and other type of "natural" material shades can be found inexpensively at Lowe's and Home Depot if want to take it in that direction. They'll cut them to fit right there, too. Have fun!
Anyone out there have their baby's ultrasound and gestational estimates not match?
I'm 7-8 weeks pregnant according to the last menstrual period; however, at the doctors office on ultrasound today it appeared that I'm only 5-1/2 to 6 weeks. The technician thought she saw a yolk sac. They drew a HCG and will repeat this on Wednesday. Anyone else have this happen and what was the outcome? My husband & I are trying to not worry and are focusing on being positive until we find out the lab results on Thursday.
...oops! Have fun with it. Alternate the pieces in groups of 3, mix and match
s
Pasta and peas...
When I'm in a bind, like tonight, I take 2 jars of Bertolli alfredo sauce, add a little white wine and garlic powder and a little milk to stretch it, add frozen baby sweet peas and some ham, sometimes I get sliced and sometimes I get a ham steak. Let it cook a little and toss with linguine, top with parm, get a bag of salad and you're good to go. yummmm
I warned you about the pasta
No pasta or beans. More meat. The poo should be much less than with dog food. My dog likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and vanilla wafers for treats. Hang in there. You will have a customized diet for your dog in no time, just keep watching the poo and keep adjusting.
Pasta Express = junk...sm
Took longer than boiling pasta in a pot, and it came out gunky or undercooked the few times I tried it. The clear plastic container is a nice tall flower vase now.
Gabby, if you buy Bar S franks, the number of buns match the nubmer of dogs. LOL. nm
nm
Crab in Tomato Sauce with Pasta
CRAB IN TOMATO SAUCE WITH PASTA |
|
1 lb. blue crab meat, flaked
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 med. onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. flour
1 (16 oz.) can whole tomatoes, drained and quartered
1 c. chicken broth
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2/3 c. Parmesan cheese
Spaghetti or linguine, cooked and hot
In a large skillet, combine butter and olive oil and saute onion and garlic over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, add the flour and cook and stir until flour is well blended. Stir in broth, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add crab meat and cook for 5 minutes. Toss hot pasta with 1/3 Parmesan cheese, then top pasta with crab-tomato sauce. Pass remaining cheese.
Makes 4 to 6 servings. |
I practically live on pasta salads. (sm)
Warm or cold. Often I start out as dinner, with just-cooked rotini or something similar, add chicken, tuna or tofu, steamed veggies, olives or artichoke hearts, maybe some almonds or sunflower seeds, tasty dressing, and it's good hot for dinner, and cold for other meals. Lasts for several days, takes no talent to make, and yummy!
I've cut out pasta and never gave beans.
PBJ's?? I know she likes peanut butter but thought it was probably bad for her.
So now I have a diet of hamburger-rice and PBJs. She's gonna have to fight me for the food dish!
Prepared meals sm
We have a new service in our rural area which has been very successful and branched out. They rent space (have taken chefs courses). There are several different types of foods already prepared and you are given a container and choose which entree and side dish you want, pack it up yourself and just bring it home. Most women working outside the home stop on their way home from the office and love it, all they do is pop it in and warm it up. You sound like you want to do it from home. I don't know what the licensing requirements would be, but busy people need help, perhaps you could check around with local rules and regulations for food handlers. This business took off really well and is expanding to other parts of the state. I will ask my sister who uses it how they charge if you're interested, I'm not sure if it's by the food choices or by the pound. They like the variety of choosing their own diverse food choices, no pots and pans, no dishes, etc.
I have 3 rescue meals (sm)
1) Southwestern Chicken in a crock pot - 4-5 ingredients
This works either with or without the chicken. The chicken can be breasts, tenderloin strips, or legs, doesn't matter.
2 cans corn
2 cans black beans
1 large jar salsa
sour cream or cream cheese to taste
chicken if desired, as explained above
Toss it all in the crock pot, set the crock to low. Come back 3-4 hours later and eat.
2) Chicken casserole, Easy Style
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
Mix the above up with 2 cups of instant rice on the bottom of a casserole baking dish. Top it off with chicken breasts or strips. salt and pepper that chicken to taste. Add whatever other seasoning you want to the chicken while you're at it.
Bake at 350 until the chicken is done.
3) If you have an Aldi, their stir-fry chicken or shrimp in a bag for $3.99 is really good. If I'm feeling extravagant, I toss in an extra bag of jumbo shrimp for another $3.99. Cook according to package directions in about 10-15 minutes total. Cook a cup of instant rice to go with. Feeds 2 adults easy, sometimes we get the kids to take no-thank-you-bites of that one (they're not big fans of veggies, LOL!)
I would do pasta salad (I make mine with Ranch and chicken!)
dip for the chips, cheesecake and some kind of potatoes, maybe on the grill?
Pasta with zukes, carrots, onion, garlic, basil...sm
sauted in olive oil, with a garden salad. All of that (except the pasta, of course) from the garden. You guys posted lots of yummy plans.
Well skipping meals no matter
what kind of condition you have is not good. I have also heard that thyroid problem causes weight gain, but good food choices should still override this condition. We all have vices, and we all can have excuses. Just keep trying!
Do you plan meals in advance
I'm used to going to the grocery store and just looking around (I do have a list of things I need) and deciding on what to make for dinner while I'm standing there. I've never 'planned' meals before.
I am separated and getting divorced and seriously need to cut back on the food bill. We typically spend $700-800 a month for 4 of us. (food and toiletries)
I use coupons when I have them and most things are generic, but not all. Our bill is so high in part because my husband goes to the store everyday to buy breakfast on his way to work and also has special dietary issues. Right off the top without those two factors, I think I will save about $100 a month. Also, two teenagers who eat nonstop is expensive.
I buy lots of vegetables and try to use less meat/chicken, and more veggies but it doesn't always work! I do make soup often but my kids aren't into that as a main meal, just as part of their meal.
I don't buy sodas so that's not an issue.
Should I make a lot of bean type dishes? my kids would rather starve first! Hmm, maybe not a bad way to cut back...!
Does it save money if you plan your (dinner) meals in advance? Any other tips would be great.
cheap and easy meals?
What are your favorite quick and cheap family meals? I have to bring my grocery budget down. I need some ideas for meals that can be made for about $10. My family is getting tired of spaghetti, chili, pork barbecue sandwiches and sloppy joes. What do YOU whip together on the cheap? I'm all ears.
Healthy meals for fussy 7-10 YO sm
"Yuck, ugh," sick of these words from young kids whose Mom wants them to eat healthy. They are also label readers (believe it or not), want to know where everything is on the food pyramid, yet they balk at everything in front of them. I am so tired of trying to please them and don't want to go against the Mom's rules. Anything tasty and healthy? Forget vegetables!
10 kids all demanding different meals
that would be crazy! I can't even imagine making dinner for 10 kids (I only have 1)
I don't know why many kids don't like vegetables. Perhaps if the parents don't have enough variety of them, or only tasteless overcooked ones.. raw or lightly cooked vegetables taste good and are colorful. I know you weren't recommending the force feeding. I am just reminded of the one time my father thought I should start eating scrambled eggs (which I don't like) because "everyone else eats them." I just swallowed, no chewing. He gave up after 1 time.
do you have Meals-on-Wheels in your area?
nm
I definitely agree with you there. I cook all meals and we
rarely eat out. I am very particular in what I cook and how I cook it. At least food that is eaten early in the day has a better chance of all the calories being burned off. A lot of times as well it will give them that extra boost of energy that they need. We as parents should have taught them how to make correct choices. That part is not the schools problem.
hypoglycemic child- kid friendly meals?
The ped endocrinologist said to cut out all processed sugar. Does anyone have experience with this? Would post any snacks/meals/names of cookbooks?
I'm going to see if our public and church libraries have any diabetic diet cookbooks. I've never liked cookbooks because they always list at least 15 items per meal that would cost a week's worth of our food budget to buy!
It's just the two of us so I don't have to worry about cooking for other family members.
Thank you :)
does your local grocery store off meals you can
buy that you just have to pop in the oven for a little while..I did this last year because I was so busy.. and it was a hit, we had prime rib and fixins, they also have turkey/ham dinners, it might save time and the dinner I got was tasty....(Obviously I am not much of a cook) Just a different idea.
I can't imagine affording all those meals out, but I have some suggestions sm
I usually cook from scratch. My idea of "fast food" is a can of lentil soup, and I have that about once a month, occasionally twice. I make crockpot soups a lot because I am busy.
I will tell you, there is a place that is sort of between a restaurant meal and home cooking. I used to have kids at home, lots of them, and I would get too tired to cook. My answer was to hybrid the dinner, so to speak.
You can get Stouffer's lasagne which is good. You can pickup some ready-made stuff in your grocery store deli or freezer case. We liked the frozen Banquet chicken back in the day. I might get that, a box of flavored instant potatoes, potato salad or ready-made mashed to go with it. We might get a bag of salad too. Fresh fruit cups were nice if they were on special. You know, make a nice meal you don't have to 100% cook, but isn't going out.
These days, I see that you can get beef tips in gravy, or sliced beef in gravy and other prepared stuff at the store. It just takes looking. It is more expensive than doing it all yourself, but it is much cheaper than going out.
You can try another thing that is NOT everyone's cup of tea, and that is OAMC or Once A Month Cooking. This is my favorite website:
http://snider.mardox.com/plans.htm
I don't have the energy to do this one a month, but the above site doesn't advocate for that. They advocate for "mini plans" using what is on special in a given week. They have breakfast plans, muffin plans, potato plans, chicken, beef, pork plans, ground meat plans, even some dessert plans. With planning, you can do this in bits and pieces. From people who have done far more of this than I have, they tell me that with soup already made, no chopping or messing, they are more likely to make fresh rolls, salad and even a quick dessert...round out any meal because the work is done. Obviously, it saves money.
As for the meals you've made that you end up tossing, sm
why don't you freeze leftovers in single-serving sizes, in microwave containers? I do this for lunches with leftover main meals, and it works quite well. Almost everything is freezable - chili, spaghetti, etc.
Do you plan your week's meals in advance?
I try to, but I don't cook every night so I don't do a good shopping list.
I usually think of 2 or 3 meals before I head out to the grocery store and just wing it the other days.
My meals include the main dish and a side or two, plus a bread (for DS1, who loves biscuits, rolls, etc.). I never do desserts but I keep ice cream on hand for the boys and WW fudge bars for DH & myself. Dessert isn't part of our meal, but we may have it - or not - later in the evening.
I'm amazed at those who prepare full meals every single day plus dessert! Even though I was brought up that way, it's just not the way we eat. I'm not a big dinner eater, sometimes DH and I skip it altogether. I always feed the kids, though!
Pasta primavera, Oriental stir fry with tofu, potatoes and eggs, quiche and salad. nm
s
Whole wheat pasta with sauce, put in chunks of chicken instead of beef, and drained canned tomatoes.
X
I LOVE love love shallots! I use them in everything that calls for an onion and/or garlic. Mmmmmm. n
x
it is the same in summer or
and we don't have fleas where i live - i was surprised when the vet told me this and said i dont need flea treatment for the cat and dogs.
we did do the oatmeal shampoo which didnt help.
and she only goes out in the backyard where we have no grass, only dirt. new housing and havent landscaped the backyard yet.
thanks for the ideas tho!
I am 37 and went through this the summer before
I have lumpy or fibrotic breasts too. A lump was found on the right side. I also had tender breasts with some pain once a while. The lump I had was excised and completely benign. I've been right where you are with two children and a husband that was worried to death. We got through it together and it turned out benign. I had three opinions all stating it needed to be biopsied. The images are to try to delineate the mass. You'll be in my prayers, but I decided to see a different surgeon because the surgeon that excised my mass had a terrible office staff. The surgeon I see now states that lots of women have lumps and that if they excised every lump from every breast they've palpated, there would be a heck of a lot of women walking around with surgical scars. It is better to be safe than sorry, but I wouldn't worry too much if I was you that this is a malignant mass. However, if God forbid it is, then you have found it early. Take care and God Bless. Feel free to e-mail me if you have other questions.
It has been summer here but
we've been under tornado watches and warnings (central Florida)for 2 weeks now. Even my children have to undergo tornado drills. We went out to eat last night for the first time in months and on the TV, all they were talking about was the severe tornado warning and watches. Brother, when I moved to FLA to get away from the cold, I did not know I was moving to the land of OZ! LOL. I'll switch back to cold for a bit as long as my son's grandma does not have to keep evacuating her mobile home down here!
oh summer!!
and thank you!
That was this past August and I can't wait to get in the Atlantic again!!
This morning it was 27 degrees, hopefully will warm up to 40 today. I know it is still way colder in other parts of the country but I'm sure staying in with the heater! :)
I still haven't spent a summer here, that pic was taken when we were over here visiting when my niece was born. I'm a little nervous about the humidity... but I hope it's not super super awful like ive heard...
Stay warm!
Last summer s/m
My daughter (age 17) and I stayed at the Hotel at Times Square. It used to be a Super 8. It's a couple of blocks from Times Square, Rockafeller (SP?) Center. There's also a Comfort Inn that's about a block closer to Times Square. Check the Apple Core web site. Have a great time. We saw a few plays, walked everywhere, and I never once didn't feel safe. We also took the subway down to Chinatown for lunch. I'm jealous.
Summer
Why not make him get a job at McDonalds or somewhere like that. Tell him if his grades don't go up that's what he has to look forward to for the rest of his life.
My kids paid their own insurance. If they didn't have the money for that then they didn't drive. They kept up the good student discount because they didn't want to pay the higher insurance rates.
We normally don't do too much over the summer - sm
but this one is quite busy so far. They have art day camp one week (June) and drama day camp (August) another. They will do swimming lessons too (2 weeks) if I ever get off my butt to sign them up. They have bikes they can ride, a trampoline in the backyard, a new slipe-n-slide to play with (Intex pool died this year, will get a real nice above-ground next year, we want to do it right so need to get our ducks in a row first), of couse my older daughter will try to be on-line all summer which is not happening. I am sure they will still complain of being bored when we are home of course. We have a weekend at the beach planned, a weekend camping and a weekend family reunion, of which the only thing costing us is the camping fees and food for each outing (DH get hotel points so staying for free at the hotels, yippee), and will probably have one more weekend (hopefully 3 nights instead of 2) at the beach in August, he is building up our points now so we can do that, so only weekend "vacations" for us this year. My DH is taking our younger daughter on his guys weekend to a car show as well. Our money is tight but I think the kids will have a fun and busy summer. I am trying to find time when I can visit my dad as well, but our schedule is so full don't know if it is going to work out, can only lean on everyone so much at work for time off, but as I never take time off normally they know in the summer I do want to have some fun with my kids. I usually go on working vacations but that has grown really old and no longer want to do that. Plan to relax more than usual this year!
American Idol - Love, love, love Adam!!!
I think he'll make it til the end! At least I hope so!
I still like him, but I want him with Phyllis and Summer.
nm
This happened to us last summer..sm
We had no idea and then one morning we found six babies! Make sure you take the male rabbit out of the cage and away from the babies or he will kill them. Also, they are tiny now, but they grow quick and will need to be separated by 6-8 weeks old! I thought that was too young, but we had a vet come out and check them over and stated they will start to reproduce anytime after 6-8 weeks old! Sure enough at about 7 weeks the male babies were starting to show signs of...well you know! Anyway, we got them separated and kept them all. My kids loved watching them grow into adult bunnies. You have to put the males in separate cages or they will fight. We kept the mom and girl babies in one cage. Some females are okay with other females and some will need to be separated. Good luck and congrats!
It should be out next summer -- staring
Cameron Diaz or maybe Christina Applegate. LOL! 
Summer reading
I'm currently reading a great book on Einstein. It was published in 2007, after all of his papers finally became public. Author is Walter Isaacson, and it's called: EINSTEIN - HIS LIFE AND UNIVERSE. He also wrote BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - AN AMERICAN LIFE, which I may read next. Funny how as one gets older, fiction often is less interesting than real life.
Many, many people were involved in getting the details of Einstein's life and the science right, and even HS science teachers were brought in to bring the scientific explanations down to high school level so we'd all have a chance of understanding it. It's 551 pages long, plus an additional 125 pages of credits! It starts out with a few pages describing the "main characters" in the book. I'm just getting started, but I can tell it's going to be fascinating.
Tell me what you are reading this summer
I love to read. Anything and everything.
But!
I lost my reading muse awhile back and can't seem to find it.
And!
When I had it I almost read 24/7.
Nora Roberts/JD. Robb, Bea Small, Linda Howard, Karen Marie Moning, Janet Chapman, Kristin Hannah *old books*, and many, many more.
So, what you're reading, what you've read and what you want to read.
Well, I DID lose 10 lbs. this summer without even trying-
That's about the only good thing that's come of all this. The rest sucks.
Summer classes for men
Wanted to give all you ladies out their a chuckle for the day!
Summer Classes for Men at
THE
ADULT LEARNING CENTER
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Friday, July 10th 2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
at 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined
Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
T hree nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
Send this to all the guys that you think can stand the heat, and to all the ladies for the best chuckle of their day!
Plans for the Summer
One of the weeks in July my daughter's friend is coming up from Florida to spend the week. We plan on going on day trips to a water park, the beach, ect. Hopefully in late July or August our family and our best friends' family are going to go to the Jersey Shore or Maine (we haven't decided yet). We had planned on a bigger vacation to Florida, Mexico or a cruise, but the money held us back this year.
in summer camps
Send him to camp. This is puberty. He is not going to discuss it with anybody. Send him to a camp where he will feel normal instead of pointing out that hates. Heck I had public school cafeterias, crowds, amusement parks, vomiting in public. He sounds so normal to me!
|
