In reading others recipes you learn tricks. The one I picked up and use the most is from Nigella where you cook the peas with the pasta. It adds flavor to the water so if you are using it in this dish to thin it out you get that layered taste. This is a great dish for a quick meal but is elegant enough to serve to guests with a salad and crusty bread.

Pasta with Ham and Peas
prep time 15 min
cooking time 20 min 

Ingredients
1 13.5 oz pkg rotini pasta (I used the tri color)
salt
1 cups frozen peas
1 8 oz pkg mushrooms sliced
1/2 cup half &half or cream
1/4 – 1/2 cup cream cheese w/ chives
1/2 – 1 cup diced ham
2-4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

In a pot of salted boiling water add pasta. About 5 minutes into the cooking of the pasta add the peas. This should allow for approximately 5 minutes to cook the peas. Drain pasta and peas and set aside. In emptied pot add 1 tbsp olive oil or butter and saute mushrooms for approximately 5 minutes. Add ham and heat thru. Stir in cream cheese and cream blending until nice and smooth. Add Parmesan cheese and blend. Add pasta and toss to coat. The cheeses add salt so salt this dish sparingly. Add pepper to taste and serve .

This week I found two great buys. One was a large package of sirloin pork steaks. Some of which I cut up into cubes to make a large batch of chow mien. I was feeling nostalgic about a dish I grew up with. This is great to feed a crowd or it freezes and re-heats so well. I then f  .

SUNDAY
Brunch scrambled eggs, toast w/ jam, orange juice
Dinner Chow mien w/ brown rice, steamed broccoli

MONDAY
Breakfast Cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch salami sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner split pea soup

TUESDAY
Breakfast Cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch chow mein, fresh or canned fruit
Dinner roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes gravy, frozen vegetable, fresh or canned fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch split pea soup, fruit
Dinner pan fried sirloin pork steaks, salad greens, fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange juice
Lunch  turkey sandwich, carrots
Dinner chow mien w/ noodles, fresh or canned fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch PB&J sandwich fresh or canned fruit
Dinner  hot turkey sandwich (make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie)

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash, orange juice
Dinner turkey broccoli creamy pasta bake, salad, cookies

SHOPPING LIST

sirloin pork steaks, whole turkey breast, eggs, cereal (hot or cold), frozen vegetable, salad greens, celery, canned water chestnuts and bean sprouts, pasta ,bread, orange juice, milk, fresh or canned fruit

This quick and easy recipe is good old fashioned comfort food with a twist. Using the crescent roll dough for the topping gets rid of that heavy pie crust. Just open the package and spread on top. I didn’t even bother with an egg wash. If I was having company and served the dish at the table I might have. It just isn’t necessary.  If you use cream you need less flour to thicken the sauce, Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees to get a nice golden crust.

Chicken Pot Pie
prep time 15 min
cooking time 30 min 

Ingredients
1 breast and  both thighs from roasted chicken shredded
salt/pepper to taste
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup milk or cream
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp parsley
2-4 Tbsp flour for thickening
1 tube crescent roll dough

In a pot add shredded chicken to pot stir in frozen vegetables, spices and flour. (if you use cream use less flour) Add chicken broth and stir. As it thicken stir in milk or cream to desired consistency. Pour mixture into a square baking dish.Top off with dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until crust is golden and dish is bubbly.

This week I was short of time and decided to pick up a roasted chicken and see how many meals I could make with it. I count 5 meals. Wow I know that is a lot of chicken to consume in a week. I tried to have it mixed in with very different flavors. Chicken soup is wonderful and the taste is pure and simple. Also the chicken pot pie is so easy. What I like about this recipe is that the herbs and spices you use will determine it flavor. I used a mix of parsley and thyme. The topping of crescent roll dough is so easy and makes a delicate crust. Much better than a pie dough. I found a roll of dough for under a dollar at a national chain. Yes 5 meals is a lot of chicken but I did not have to cook the chicken first and the time I saved was worth it.

SUNDAY
Brunch scrambled eggs, toast w/ jam, orange juice
Dinner Salad with cubed chicken, tomatoes, cheese and hard salami

MONDAY
Breakfast Cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch egg salad sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner chicken noodle soup

TUESDAY
Breakfast Cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch hard salami sandwich, fresh or canned fruit
Dinner grilled burger, lettuce and tomato, chips, fresh or canned fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch chicken noodle soup, fruit
Dinner omelet, salad greens, fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange juice
Lunch  cold chicken sandwich, carrots
Dinner chicken pot pie, fresh or canned fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast cereal hot or cold, orange juice
Lunch PB&J sandwich fresh or canned fruit
Dinner  grilled cheese and frozen soup (make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie)

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash, orange juice
Dinner home made sauce and spaghetti, salad, cookies

SHOPPING LIST

ground beef, whole roasted chicken, hard salami, eggs, cereal (hot or cold), frozen vegetable, salad greens, tomatoes, canned tomatoes, pasta ,bread, orange juice, milk, fresh or canned fruit