Easy Dinners

This week has been pretty busy, what with it being Christmastime and all. During these stressful...I mean, joyous times; I need dinners that are quick to put together. More importantly though, I need dinners that are yummy!

Cue brainstorm!! I have lots, and I mean lots of cookbooks! I've collected hundreds of recipes over the years, and now that pinterest is here, I'll collect even more! But more often than not, I keep returning to the tried, and true favorites.

One of my go to soups just has to be, my creamy tomato soup! It's so easy to make, and yummy to eat. I start at the stove, sauteing onions and garlic. Then I move over to the slow cooker, and add the rest of the ingredients. Canned tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, carrots, salt, pepper, and herbs of choice. I cook on low for a few hours. Then I use an immersion blender to make it smooth. I add some milk, or cream, whatever I have on hand. I also add some brown sugar! Heat awhile longer, taste test, and serve with grilled cheese sandwiches. Or with cheese quesadillas like I did.

This next meal is my absolute favorite thing to eat; ever! Fettuccini Alfredo!! There are lots of recipes for this one. However, in my opinion simpler is better. Start with some cooked pasta. Then heat a stick of butter, and some cream in a pan until it thickens slightly. Add two HUGE handfuls of parmesan. Season with salt, and pepper. Once the cheese melts, you're done! Serve with garlic bread, and a salad, like I did.

Pizza, pizza, pizza. Is there really someone out there who doesn't like pizza? I didn't think so. That's why it's another one of my family's favorites. I start with homemade dough, but I have used store bought, and that works just as well. After prebaking the crust, I sauce it up with my homemade sauce. I've tried the jarred sauces, and nothing comes close, but if you like it; that's all that counts. Next add some cheese, and toppings! Here we used Genoa salami, and leftover sausage. Bake until cheese is melted.

After all that good food, make sure you leave room for dessert! Below is a semi homemade cream pie I made, after my daughter talked me into buying a huge can of vanilla pudding. I started with a homemade crust, but a store bought one will do fine. After that was prebaked, I tossed sliced bananas with some lemon juice. Then I layered the slices on top of the crust. I put as much pudding as I couldn't top of the bananas. I still had a ridiculous amount of pudding left. Next I crushed up a handful of Nilla wafers, and sprinkled that on the pudding. Lastly, I outlined the pie with whole vanilla wafers. Pop it in the fridge until it's firm, 3 - 4 hours. Then just slice and enjoy!

Good meals don't have to be a ton of work to be great! Enjoy!!