If you find that you’re eating out too much—which isn’t good for your bank account—try getting your hands dirty in the kitchen with some of Holly Clegg’s quick and easy recipes.
Pulled Chicken
Forget barbecue when you can instantly whip up this awesome and simple pulled chicken recipe.
Makes 4 (3/4-cup) servings
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup chili sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon cocoa
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup fat-free chicken broth
2 cups shredded skinless rotisserie chicken breast
1. In a nonstick pot coated with nonstick cooking spray, sauté onion until tender. Add remaining ingredients except chicken, stirring. Cook about 7 minutes.
2. Add chicken and continue cooking until well heated.
Terrific Tip: Chili sauce is found where ketchup is in the grocery. If you want to substitute ketchup for chili sauce, add 1 teaspoon chili powder to ketchup.
Serving Option: Serve on sandwiches, sliders, or as an entré.
Easy Meat Sauce
By using a jar of marinara with fresh vegetables, you get an easy homemade meat sauce that’s great with any pasta.
Makes 8 (1-cup) servings
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium yellow squash, thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
2 pounds ground sirloin
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
Pinch sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1. In a large nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, sauté onion, squash, and zucchini about 5 minutes. Add meat and garlic and cook over medium heat until meat is done and vegetables are tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
2. Add marinara, basil, oregano and sugar. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes or time permitting. Season to taste.
Terrific Tip: Meat sauce freezes great, so freeze in individual zip-top freezer bags to pull out for meals. The squash may be left out if desired.
Pork Tenderloin with Peanut Sauce
Fantastic fork tender pork with this marvelous peanutty sauce is a home run dinner. Top with crunchy peanuts and lime wedges for a fabulous finish.
Makes 6 servings
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons chopped peanuts, optional
Lime wedges, optional
1. In 3 1/2 -6-quart slow cooker, insert plastic liner if desired. Place onion slices into bottom of slow cooker and top with pork tenderloins. Add brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic and peanut butter.
2. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours, or on HIGH 4-6 hours. About one hour before serving (if can), turn tenderloin over. Serve with chopped peanuts and lime wedges, if desired.
Terrific Tip: For most slow cooker recipes, there is no need to stir.
Recipes adapted from Kitchen 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence, by Holly Clegg, 2012.
