The Scramble for Dinner

Ever notice that in those hours of pure desperation you are able to come up with something that turns out pretty good.  Being a mom of three incredibly busy teenagers I tend to live on that very edge.  That precipice where as long as you don't look down you will be ok.  That moment when busy can easily become overwhelming.  Yesterday, was such a day.

It wasn't that yesterday was running-with-my-heat-cut-off busy, it was actually somewhat normal aside from the added dental appointments which kind of threw off the day.  It's just that when it was all said and done, I suddenly found myself at 4:30 needing to have dinner on the table by five so we could leave the house by 5:30 for a Bible study and a church presentation.  I looked at the menu, and realized the meal of salmon (still in the freezer), sliced potatoes and onions (made from leftovers that didn't exist), and broccoli, was probably not going to work.

Plan B.  I looked in the fridge for some inspiration.  Nothing jumped out at me and said, "Make me!"  Hate it when that happens.  Looked at the pantry.  Nothing.  Inspiration was definitely hiding.  Then I thought...okay this just needs to be quick, so what is quick.  I know........

What...doesn't everyone think chicken when they are in a hurry.  Well maybe not chicken, but eggs are quick.  I will just make breakfast for dinner.  Perfect. 

 Let me be honest here.  I am not a big breakfast fan.  Never have been.  I usually eat leftovers for breakfast, after all, it is dinner somewhere in the world.  Another issue, I really don't like eggs.   Hard boiled are okay, fried flat like a pancake are good, but that is usually my limit.  Sometimes scrambled eggs with ketchup, but a little goes a long way.  My dinner was going to be eggs, what was I thinking.

Scrambled eggs, fried ham slices from Sunday's ham, and toast.  Then I thought what if I made the eggs more like dinner food.  So I tried it.  It was good.  No, it was really good.  I would even have it again, it was that good.  You know what else?  It didn't taste like scrambled eggs.  My family, who I will admit looked at me rather strangely when I announced dinner was scrambled eggs, really liked it.  That's the true test, isn't it!

So, I thought I would share it with you.

DINNER SCRAMBLE:

12 eggs, beaten

1 carrot chopped

3 celery stalks (including the leaves) chopped

1 onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic minced

1 Tbsp butter (I use Earth Balance)

1 large can of mushrooms or 4-5 fresh mushrooms sliced

Garlic Salt

Garlic Pepper

McCormick Basil and Garlic (Perfect Pinch) 

Shredded Mozzarella cheese

Saute carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the butter.  Cook until vegetables are soft and onions are translucent.  Add mushrooms.  Add eggs and thoroughly cook.  Season with garlic salt and pepper and Basil and Garlic blend.  Top with mozzarella cheese.

This is a meal that is great when you are in a hurry and dinner needs to be on the table yesterday!  The "Dinner Scramble" itself, is approximately $4.30 and feeds six.  So, its cheap, and fast, and delicious.  What more could you want out of a meal?  Yeah.  I know.  Bad question.  But when dinner is on the table by five and my family is out the door at 5:30  with smiles on their faces, its all good!  So very good!

It Ain't Fancy, But It's Good

Life is busy!  Sometimes I can't believe how fast the day goes.  Between homeschooling and activities we always seem like we are running.  We still manage to eat together most nights, but sometimes it is a bit crazy.

On those crazy days dinner just needs to be fast.  Fast and inexpensive.  Well this is one such meal.  This is a no frills meal, that with a little planning, can be made in a quick fifteen minutes, start to finish.  That is no easy feat when we are talking gluten free!

This meal is perfectly designed to use hamburger you have already cooked and frozen.  This is when batch cooking saves the day.  You can also use rice that has been made ahead of time and frozen as well, or you can use minute rice.  When I make rice in my rice cooker, I always make the most I can.  What is left after dinner is divided into containers to freeze and use later.  It is great to thaw and use in stir fry meals or in something like this.

HAMBURGER RICE:

4 cups Minute Rice or rice from your freezer (8 cups already cooked)
1 pound of hamburger, cooked and from your freezer
1 onion chopped
1 large or 2 small cans of mushrooms
1 large can of tomato sauce

If you are taking the hamburger from the freezer, put it in the microwave for approximately 3 minutes to thaw.  Meanwhile, make your rice according to the directions on the box.  I do not add the butter for this recipe.  While the rice is cooking, chop your onions and place them in a deep-sided skillet.  Add the hamburger and mushrooms and cook over medium heat.  Once the onions become translucent your rice should be finished.  Add rice to the hamburger mixture.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add the can of tomato sauce and a half can of water.  Mix together and heat thoroughly.

Okay....so I told you no frills.  It is not gourmet, that's for sure, but it is quick, easy, and kids even love it.  My nephew, who has to be the cutest, but pickiest kid on the planet even asked for more!  Now that's saying something.

I serve this with a side vegetable, like steamed broccoli.  My kid's favorite is canned peas with vinegar and oil served cold.  Probably sounds weird.  Definitely, not Iron Chef worthy, but hey, it does taste good!

The total cost of the meal: $6.22.  Just so you know, I use the cost of hamburger you can find in the store.  The cool thing about this meal is this:

That's right.  One dinner and six lunches for $6.22.  I freeze the leftovers in smaller containers.  Great for a quick lunch. 

So it might not be fancy, but saving money never is.