Cheese Ravioli & Fresh Salad

This is the perfect "I can't stand another drive thru but you have soccer tonight" meal....however last night it was more of a "work sucked, the laundry is all piled up, and you're all looking at me like "what's for dinner?" kind of meal. Either way...I felt better after dinner (which was done in about 15 minutes).

The Fastest Cheese Ravioli - Fresh Salad

- and Garlic Bread

What you'll need:

Cheese Ravioli (1 or 2 pkgs - deli section of store)

Spaghetti Sauce (1 can or jar)

Lettuce - Tomatoes - Onions - Cucumbers

Garlic Bread

The garlic bread will probably only take 4-6 minutes to bake but since this meal is done quickly you're going to want to start by pre-heating the oven to the temperature on the package. I did have frozen premade garlic bread tonight (you can find great coupons for this) but hamburger/hot dog buns, or bread can be buttered and sprinkled with garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper for a quick buttery side too.

Fill a large pot with water and heat on high until it boils. While you wait you can wash your lettuce and other veggies. I occasionally buy the bagged salad but if I have the time I like to wash lettuce and dry it in the salad spinner (that I'm so glad I invested in) and then put it in a gallon bag for later. (tip * put a paper towel folded in half in with the lettuce to keep the moisture from causing it to spoil.) Then, for a meal like this I can just pull out the bag of fresh clean lettuce and get to the rest of the meal.

When the water comes to a boil add the ravioli and reduce heat to med or med-high (don't forget to set a timer for the suggested time on the package). Put your lettuce in a bowl and chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Top the salad with the other veggies. These are just what I happened to have around at the time but I also love using peppers, onions, parm cheese, fresh mushrooms, or carrots. When your pasta timer is about 5 minutes from done get the garlic bread in the oven.

When the timer goes off strain the ravioli and put it back in the pot. And don't forget the garlic bread should be about done too. Pour the spaghetti sauce into the pot of ravioli (don't worry, the ravioli will heat the sauce). You can switch this meal up by using a different flavor of ravioli (meat, spinach, etc) or using alfredo sauce.

Serve with the salad and garlic bread.....and see....you still have time to fold the laundry :)

Bleu Cheese Chicken

This idea originated honestly because I was tired and out of ideas.....and I had a package of chicken thighs that were getting dangerously close to their expiration dates. It actually turned out pretty good. I wouldn't say it was a favorite but it was easy and I'll definitely be making it again.

You could actually use other salad dressings, most people make chicken with Italian dressing, but I wanted something new.

What you'll need:

Chicken (thigh, legs, breast...your choice)

Bleu cheese dressing

Horseradish, creamy - optional

Salt + pepper

Packaged rice - or plain white

Vegetable - I used broccoli

Shredded cheese

Bread would go well with this also

Preheat the oven to 375.

Start by washing the chicken and putting it in a baking pan. Make sure the pieces aren't too close together or it will take the chicken longer to cook. Top the chicken with salt, pepper, bleu cheese dressing, and creamy horseradish. I use the back of a spoon to smooth this out over the chicken. Once the oven is preheated get it in there for about 40 minutes. Halfway through you'll want to flip over each piece. If you don't have a meat thermometer they're pretty in expensive and very handy. Just don't poke your meat too often because it will drain the juice out of it. Chicken should cook to 170, and after sitting for 5 minutes out of the oven it will continue to cook to 175. If you let it get warmer to 170-175 it will start to dry out.

Once the chicken is in the oven you'll want to start cooking the rice as directed on the box. Rice usually takes 30 minutes or so to cook so it's better for a meal like this than something you need ready right away.

I didn't start the broccoli until about 10 minutes before the chicken and rice were done. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil and then add the broccoli to it. You can use fresh or frozen. I prefer fresh, but the frozen (florets) are really good too and I don't have to worry about it going bad before I use it. And who likes to clean spoiled veggies out of their fridge drawer? Not me! Once the broccoli is tender enough to easily stick a fork through it I strain it out with a slotted spoon and put it in a casserole dish. I sprinkle it with salt & pepper (and sometimes cumin, or Italian seasoning), stir, and then top with shredded cheese. Bake in the oven for about 5 minutes.

This meal gave me time to clean up while it cooked, made the house smell yummy, and everyone was full. Job complete!