Simple Starter Recipes

These are some of the most simple recipes ever. They may sound pretty boring but think about the additions you could make to change these into wonderful family meals or party foods. Add your favorite seasonings, cheeses, vegetables or sauces. Think of these as starter recipes and create your own deliciousness from them. There are no special ingredients in any of these, no nut flours, no sweeteners….nothing but everyday foods.

Artichoke Ranch Dip

• 8.5 oz water packed artichokes
• 1 Tbsp ranch dressing mix
• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1 cup mayo

Drain and chop artichokes

Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate

You could add cheese and bake for a hot dip too

Shrimp Dip

• 8 oz sour cream
• 8 oz softened cream cheese
• 1 pkg italian salad dressing mix
• 6 oz finely chopped shrimp

Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate.

Spinach Salad

• 1 lb spinach, torn into bite sized pieces
• 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 8 slices bacon, fried and crumbled

Toss together and serve with favorite dressing.

Ranch, blue cheese or italian are good

Feta or blue cheese crumbles would be a great addition

Asparagus with Curry Sauce

• 2 10 oz pkgs of frozen asparagus
• ½ cup mayo
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1.5 tsp lemon juice

Cook asparagus while mixing remaining ingredients for a sauce.

Pour over asparagus and serve warm

Garlic Green Beans

• 1 10 oz pkg frozen italian-style green beans
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic

Combine everything but the parmesan, bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes

Remove cover stir and cook 3 more minutes

Season to taste and you could add parmesan and/or bacon crumbles

Simple Alfredo

• 6 Tbsp butter
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream

Melt butter in saucepan, add cream and cheese.

Season to taste

Heat thoroughly and pour over veggies or zoodle.

Add cooked chicken for more protein.

Spinach Casserole

• 16 oz cottage cheese
• 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar
• 1 10 oz pkg frozen spinach (chopped and drained)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• (season to taste)

Combine all ingredients and mix well

Pour into buttered dish and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Squash Casserole

• 6 yellow squash or zucchinis
• 1 small onion
• 1 cup cheese, any kind
• 1 can green chiles, chopped
• (use pepper jack cheese and jalapenos for a spicier dish)
• 1 can stewed tomatoes, chopped (optional)

Saute squash and onion until tender.

Mix with cheese and chiles

Pour into buttered dish and bake for 15 minutes at 375

Tomato Stack

• 1 10 oz pkg frozen chopped broccoli
• 1 cup grated monterey jack cheese
• ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
• 3 large tomatoes, halved

Cook broccoli and drain.

Mix broccoli with onion and cheese, saving some for top

Place tomatoes in greased baking dish

Cover each tomato half with broccoli/cheese mixture and top with extra cheese

Broil 10-12 minutes at 350.

Easily cut recipe in thirds to serve 2.

Sour Cream Meatballs

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 8 oz sour cream
• Garlic, salt & pepper (season to taste)

Mix beef, seasoning and ½ of the sour cream together

Form balls

Brown balls in skillet

Mix meatballs with remaining sour cream and bake in 350 oven for 30 minutes

Could be covered in cheese for last 5 minutes if desired.

Fancy Chicken

• 6 chicken breasts
• ¼ cup white wine
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated parmesan

Put chicken in baking dish.

Pour wine and broth over chicken

Season to taste

Add parmesan and bake covered for 30 minutes

Uncover and bake another 15 minutes.

Soy Sauce Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ cup soy sauce

Place chicken in greased dish.

Mix sour cream and soy sauce together and spread over chicken.

Bake covered for 30-45 minutes at 350