Food Storage Menus

My dear friend, Arlene, requested some recipes for inspiration.  I don't know if these are inspirational or not, but they are easy and can be made with pantry items.

Scratch Chicken Marengo (from my sweet Aunt Es) 

1 chicken cut-up

1 stick butter,

2 onions cut up, sauté onions until translucent

add mushrooms and stir

sprinkle 1/2 cup flour and stir together

add 2 cups water or chicken stock and cook to thicken

add 1-2 tsp. garlic powder

2 bay leaves

salt and pepper

Bake 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees

Serve over rice

another way

Chicken Marengo 

1 chicken cut-up (or favorite pieces)

1 can tomato soup

1 can golden mushroom soup

1 onion, rough chopped

2 bay leaves

1-2 tsp. garlic powder

sliced mushrooms (optional)

Place chicken in bottom of casserole

mix soups and all other ingredients, pour over chicken

Bake 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees

Serve over rice.

Tomato Basil Pasta (Martha Stewart)

12 ounces pasta

1 can diced tomatoes with liquid (15 ounces)

1 onion sliced

garlic

2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves

1 teaspoon dried basil 

4 1/2 cups vegetable broth

2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Parmesan cheese for garnish

Place all items in the pot. 

Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes.  

Season to taste with salt and pepper, garnish wit parmesan cheese and enjoy.

Lentils and Rice

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1Tablespoon curry powder

1/4 teaspoon red pepper

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

2 Tablespoons garlic

3 1/2 cups water

1 cup lentils, rinsed

1 cup rice

Heat oil in pan and sauté onion, add spices and cook for a few minutes (smells wonderful)

Add water and the cleaned rinsed lentils. Cover and cook 15 minutes; add rice, stir well turn burner to low and allow to simmer covered for 20 minutes. Turn the burner off and let it sit for a few minutes.

I love curry so this smells wonderful. This is a good basic recipe. You can change the spices to fit your personal tastes. I also think adding raisins, and almonds would enhance this curry dish even more. Serve with a big salad and you have a healthy, filling people pleasing supper.

Hopefully these are some inspiration for some pantry meals.  I will try and add a few recipes from time to time.

~ a little bird