ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS?

By Louise Whiteside

            That’s right — only three ingredients each to prepare an appetizer, a soup, a salad, an entree or even a dessert to be proud of!

You may have thought that meal preparation couldn’t get any easier with all the modern appliances and quick cooking methods available. But did you know that you could prepare a delicious, home-cooked meal, one fit for a holiday feast, using a mere three ingredients for each dish?

The following recipes can help the busiest person to cook a memorable meal in minutes.  Here are just a few samples of easy, short-cut meals which will save time but not jeopardize taste.

APPETIZER 

Easy Vegetable Dip

1 cup cottage cheese, drained

1 cup low-fat mayonnaise

1 – 1-ounce package ranch-style salad dressing mix

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Chill until ready to serve.

Serve with raw vegetables or crackers.

SOUP

Tortilla Soup   (2 servings)

1 can (10-1/2 ounces) low-sodium chicken and rice soup

1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles

12 baked or low-fat tortilla chips

In a saucepan combine soup and tomatoes with chiles.  Bring to a boil.

Place tortilla chips in the bottom of two soup bowls, then pour soup

mixture over them.  Serve immediately.

SALAD OR RELISH

Applesauce De Luxe  (4 servings)

1 package sugar-free raspberry or cherry gelatin

1-1/2 cups sugar-free applesauce

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Dissolve gelatin in one cup boiling water. Blend in applesauce and lemon juice.

Pour into individual molds or a serving dish.  Chill until firm.

(A wonderful accompaniment for poultry or ham.)

ENTREE 

Crispy Baked Chicken  (8 servings) 

8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

2 eggs, beaten

Crushed corn flakes (or any crushed cereal), seasoned to taste

Dip chicken in eggs and roll in crushed, seasoned cereal until well coated.

Place chicken on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until golden brown.

DESSERT

Fruit Cocktail Cake

1 – 18-ounce box yellow or white cake mix

3 eggs

1 – 15-ounce can juice-packed fruit cocktail (with juice)

In large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.

Pour into 9 x 13-inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.

            Be easy on yourself!  Check out the references below for many additional delicious, quick-to-prepare meals in all categories.

REFERENCES

Simply Colorado  Colorado Dietetic Association.

Eastwood Printing, Denver, Colo. (1989)

The Best of Cooking With Three Ingredients By Ruthie Wornall

Cookbook Resources, LLC Highland Village, Texas  (2002)

Joys of Jello  General Foods Corp. White Plains, N.Y. (1963)

 

 

 

 

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