Healthy Eating With Quick Prep Meals

Here are some wonderful recipes for quick and mostly painless preparations and great results.

*pictures are not necessarily representative of dish to be prepared*

Honey Curry Baked Chicken

Honey Curry Baked Chicken was my one and only poultry recipe for years and years. Although I've eaten it countless times, it's still one of my favourite recipes. Honey Curry Baked Chicken is quick, easy and tasty.


			Preheat oven to 350F/175C.


2/3 cup	150mL	butter, melted	Combine in a baking dish.
1 cup	250 mL	liquid honey
1/2 cup	125 mL	prepared mustard
2 Tbsp	30 mL	curry powder


2 lb	1 kg	chicken pieces, skinless	Roll in mixture to coat all sides.
			Place in pan, meaty side down.


			Bake 50-60 minutes, covered,
			until no longer pink inside.

Being in chronic pain can many times make those who love to cook, leave the kitchen and give up on their favorite hobby. One of the main things we have to do is to maintain as much of our normal routine as we can to help offset the depressing effects of being in constant pain. Try finding recipes that are not only quick to prepare but that taste good as well and work on completing a new one each week. It may require the help of your cook's helpers but that should just add to the fun as you bring family members and or friends into the kitchen and enjoy your favorite hobby together again. Enjoy yourself.

Coconut Oven Fried Chicken

Coconut Oven Fried Chicken is a healthy choice. If you love fried chicken but don't want to be eating all that fat, you'll want to try this recipe. It has an interesting texture and a subtle, delightful flavour.

			Preheat oven to 350F/175C.


1/4 cup	60 mL	butter	Melt.


2 lbs	1 kg	chicken pieces	Brush with melted butter.


1/2 cup	125 mL	flaked unsweetened coconut	Stir together in a shallow bowl.
1/4 cup	60 mL	fine bread crumbs

			Roll chicken pieces in coconut
			mixture. Place in a baking pan.


			Drizzle any remaining butter
			over chicken.


			Bake 50-60 minutes, or until
			no longer pink inside.

Chicken with Lime Ginger Sauce

Chicken with Lime Ginger Sauce is a versatile poultry recipe that is equally good hot or cold. The sauce is tangy and the meat is delicious. This is a great make-ahead choice for a summer picnic!


			Preheat oven to 375F/190C.

2 lbs	1 kg	chicken pieces, skinless	Place in a greased baking dish.


1 cup	250 mL	plain yogurt	Mix together.
3 Tbsp	45 mL	lime juice
2	2	cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp	5 mL	ginger root, grated
		salt
		pepper


			Spoon yogurt mixture over
			chicken.
			Turn chicken pieces to coat
			both sides.

			Bake 50-60 minutes or until
			no longer pink inside.

			Serve immediately, OR
			Cover with foil and place in
			the fridge.
			Refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Fight back. Don't let fibromyalgia, sciatica, arthritis, back pain, neck pain or migraines stop you from not only enjoying a wonderful meal but being part of the creation of that meal. Perhaps the pains limit you from doing everything in preparing the meal. Take what you can and work with your spouse, kids or friends and make the meal a joint effort. Not only can that be fun, it will result in getting that hot and tasty meal to the table for all to enjoy. The effort will keep you around your family and friends and push the pains back for albeit a few momenst while you immerse yourself in the joy of cooking once again.

Fish Sticks Parmesan

These are tastier and healthier than processed fish sticks - but take almost no more time to prepare! You can use either fresh or frozen fish fillets - just be sure to thaw frozen fillets first. I use kitchen shears to cut the fish into sticks. For a fun meal, try Fish Sticks Parmesan with home made oven fries.


			Preheat oven to 450F/230C.

1	1	egg	Beat lightly in a shallow dish.


1/3 cup	75 mL	bread crumbs	Combine in a shallow dish.
1/3 cup	75 mL	grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp	2 mL	paprika
1/2 tsp	2 mL	dried parsley


1 lb	500 g	fish fillets	Cut into fingers (about 3 inches
			long and 1/2 inch wide/
			8 cm long and 1 cm wide).

			Dip each strip into the egg,
			then into the crumb mixture.

			Place the fish fingers on a
			lightly greased baking sheet.

1 Tbsp	15 mL	butter, melted	Drizzle over fish fingers.

			Bake for 7-10 minutes, or
			until fish flakes easily with
			a fork.

Salmon Recipes: Easy Salmon Loaf

Looking for some easy salmon recipes? Easy Salmon Loaf is a quick and easy supper idea - just mix everything up in one bowl, turn it into a loaf pan, and toss it into the oven! If you don't happen to have wheat germ or one of the other ingredients on hand, just add more of something else until you have a good consistency for a loaf. Salmon recipes are a good source of calcium - just make sure you leave in the bones. This healthy recipe works equally well with tuna fish.


			Preheat oven to 350F/175C.

1 lb	500 g	canned salmon, not drained	Mash in a bowl.


1/2 cup	125 mL	milk	Add to salmon.
1	1	egg, beaten	Mix well after adding each
1/2 cup	125 mL	rolled oats	ingredient.
1/2 cup	125 mL	bran
1/2 cup	125 mL	wheat germ
1/2 cup	125 mL	chopped onion
1/4 cup	50 mL	sunflower seeds
2 tsp	10 mL	lemon juice


1 Tbsp	15 mL	butter	Use to grease loaf pan.

			Spoon salmon mixture into
			pan.

			Bake 45 minutes or until firm.

Baked Fish with Creamy Dill Sauce

This fish recipe is fancy enough for a special dinner, but takes almost no time to prepare! If you use frozen fillets, make sure to thaw them ahead of time. You can use any mild fillets - even salmon! This dish goes nicely with a side dish of pasta.


			Preheat oven to 425F/220C.

1 Tbsp	15 mL	butter	Use to grease baking dish.

1 lb	500 g	fish fillets	Place in baking dish.

1/2 cup	125 mL	sour cream	Combine.
2 Tbsp	30 mL	butter, melted	Mix well.
2 Tbsp	30 mL	onion, minced	Spread over fish.
2 tsp	10 mL	dried dill
1/4 tsp	1 mL	thyme
		salt
		pepper

			Bake until sauce is bubbly and
			fish is opaque (about 10
			minutes per inch of thickness/
			5 minutes per cm).

While your cooking up those hot and tasty entrees, don't forget to indulge yourself with some really delicious desserts as well. Why not spoil yourself? You battle daily with the intense pain created by your chronic pain condition so who better to deserve a little spoiling? When done in moderation, desserts can be a welcome change of pace to the ordinary meals of the day. Pick your favorite dessert and if you need it, get some help in getting the items from the grocery store and back home. Don't let fibromyalgia, sciatica, arthritis, back pain or migraines stop you from enjoying the wonderful smells and tastes of your favorite desserts. You definitely deserve to be rewarded with a succulent, mouth watering dessert after all you endure day in and day out. Who better to spoil you than yourself?

Warm Fruit Crisp

This wonderful Warm Fruit Crisp is an easy dessert recipe that makes a comforting fall or winter dessert. You can use your favourite berries - or even substitute apples, peaches or cherries. (My favourite combination is a mixture of raspberries and buleberries.) Warm Fruit Crisp is delicious served with ice cream.

			Preheat oven to 375F/190C.

6 cups	1.5 L	berries	Put into a baking pan.

1/8 cup	25 mL	maple syrup or honey	Drizzle over berries.

1 cup	250 mL	rolled oats	Mix together in a bowl.
1 cup	250 mL	flour
1/2 tsp	2 mL	cinnamon
1/4 tsp	1 mL	allspice
1/4 tsp	1 mL	nutmeg
1/4 tsp	1 mL	salt
1/3 cup	75 mL	butter, melted

			Spoon oat mixture over berries.
			Pat down firmly.

			Bake 35-40 minutes
			(uncovered), until berries are
			bubbly and top is light brown.

Cheese Cake Recipes: Cream Cheese Yogurt Pie

Looking for some no-bake cheese cake recipes? Cream Cheese Yogurt Pie is a light, refreshing treat. It's a perfect summer dessert. This pie is especially delicious topped with fresh or frozen fruit. If you're looking for cheese cake recipes but want something quick and easy, this is the dessert for you!

Note: You'll need a prebaked pie crust.


1 cup	250 mL	cream cheese, softened	Blend together.
1 cup	250 mL	plain yogurt


1/4 cup	50 mL	dry milk powder	Add.


1/4 cup	50 mL	honey	Add.


			Mix well.
			Pour into a baked pie shell.
			Freeze until firm.


		H	Let stand at room temperature
			for 15-30 minutes before
			serving.

VANILLA POUND CAKE WITH RASPBERRY COMPOTE

Makes 2 loaves, each 9 by 5 by 3 inches

Melted butter, for brushing loaf pans

1 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 pound sugar

8 large eggs

1 pound cake flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Raspberry Compote (recipe follows)

Whipped cream, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Brush the insides of two 8-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pans with melted butter. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper and brush the paper again with melted butter.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat the butter and vanilla extract until creamy, about 5 minutes; alternatively, put the butter and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat with a hand-held electric mixer on high speed. Add the sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and continue to beat until all the sugar is incorporated and the mixture is light and fluffy, 10 to 12 minutes.

Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, making sure each egg is completely incorporated before adding the next one. Reduce the speed to low and beat in the flour and salt until well blended.

Pour half of the batter into each prepared loaf pan. Bake until the tops of the cakes are golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Transfer the pans to a rack and cool for 10 minutes; then, carefully invert the pans onto the rack, lift off the pans, and continue to cool the cakes.

Serve the pound cake slightly warm or at room temperature, cutting it crosswise into slices. If you like, serve each slice topped with Raspberry Compote and whipped cream.

RASPBERRY COMPOTE

Makes about 2 cups

3 cups ripe raspberries, rinsed

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

In a nonreactive saucepan, combine the berries, sugar, and lemon juice. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves and the berries give up their juices. Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, until the juices thicken to a syrupy consistency, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a nonreactive bowl. Serve warm, or cool to room temperature, cover, and refrigerate.

Here are some additional free recipe sites that can have you preparing quick, relatively painless meals for you and or your family and friends:

titlepage.gif - Recipes from traditional to modern, covering all styles of cooking from around the world, vegetarian, curries and seafood.
CyberSoup - View hundreds of free recipes at our new international cooking site! Share your favorite recipe with others around the world!
Salt and Pepper - An archive of the best recipes collected from publicly accessible USENET newsgroups and mailing lists.
Recipecenter.com - RecipeCenter has 100,000+ recipes. Recipe Galleries with pictures include Halloween,Thanksgiving,Valentines,Christmas,Salads,Desserts,Fish,Seafood,Lamb. Download RecipeCenter Software offering online resizing and nutritional value of recipes.
Home and Hearth Recipes - Home & Hearth is full of recipes for comfort food that will remind you of your childhood, helpful information about cooking, and numerous links to other recipe sites.
Top Tastes - A small collection of recipes to pay tribute to The Queen Mother who passed away Saturday, 30th. March 2002 at the age of 101.
The Redwall Kitchen - The largest online collection of Redwall recipes made from descriptions of foods in the Redwall series by Brian Jacques.
Simmer Stock - A Culinary Theatre - Recent updates on Simmer Stock - A culinary theatre. Tales about food and cooking.
SimpleStupid - SimpleStupid is the Recipe Resource for the Home Chef. Find easy to understand recipes. Create an online cookbook to store your favorite recipes. Print up easy to use grocery lists.
Meat UK - Provides information about meat, including the nutritional value of meat, handling and storing meat, and cooking meat.
Debbie's Country Cookin' Archives - contains recipes for meat, vegetables, desserts, breads, and more.
RecipeLand - A selection of recipes including vegetarian, Italian cuisine, finger food, barbecue, salads, and desserts, in forum format.
Reluctant Gourmet - A collection of recipes for home cooks including appetizers,
www.kissinginthekitchen.com - Provides recipes for couples to cook together. Includes Meal and a Movie suggestions for date ideas.
Berta's cooking - Find great cooking recipes and kitchen tips.
In The Kitchen - The Recipe Box - Collection of recipes which are suitable for the whole family.

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