Works For Me: What Do I Fix?

Welcome to WFMWTWDIFE!  (That's "Works-For-Me Wednesday: the What Do I Fix? Edition", for those of you who are unable to speak in acronyms.)

We've all had days like this (if you haven't, then really, I don't want to hear about it):  The day has been crazy, kids have too much homework, you have a sinus headache, laundry is piled high, you've been too busy to get to the store, 5:15 rolls around, and your in-home cook hasn't shown up yet. 

That's when you remember that  you don't have an in-home cook, and feeding that rag-tag bunch is somehow your responsibility.

I know, the obvious answer is "carryout", but lets imagine that you can't.  Let's imagine that an asteroid struck your house yesterday and melted your car.  And while we're at it, let's imagine that giant bread-loving aliens invaded earth and stole all our bread, so sandwiches are out.  You have to fix a meal.  What are the catch-all, quick-and-easy-dinners-that-still-manage-to-taste-decent that you keep on hand?

Here are mine:

The Recipe Which Has No Name
1 lb cooked ground beef
1 can Rotel
1 Rotel can-full of rice
2 Rotel cans full of water
1 beef bouillon cube

Simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.  Slop it on a plate.  Sprinkle cheese on it, if you want.

(You should know that "sprinkle cheese on it" is the proper Southern cook's mantra.  That, or, " stir in some Miracle Whip" or "add cream of mushroom soup").

Other quick meals for which I try to keep ingredients on hand:

Grilled cheese sandwiches
Tomato soup
Apple salad (chopped apples with Miracle Whip stirred in.  See?  Told you.)

A couple of packages of these:

plus spaghetti sauce and easy garlic bread equals my kids' FAVORITE meal.

Hamburger night (frozen burger patties + frozen french fries)

Breakfast for dinner (any number of breakfasty combinations)

Taco night (another big favorite around here)

Basically, those are my catch-alls.  What about you?  If you'd like to play along with this edition of WFMW, check out the guidelines here first.  Then leave your link below!

1. liz 2. Staci at Writing and Living (Dirty Rice) 3. ellen b- tuna&martini 4. Activities Coordinator (It\'s not frozen pizza) 5. Smockity Frocks (Macaroni Spaghetti) 6. Christa @ No End in Site (quick smothered chicken) 7. phyllis (meal in a minute) 8. Melissa Markham 9. Lisa @ The Preacher\'s Wife (The BEST Potato Soup) 10. Lady Why (Taco Soup) 11. An Ordinary Mom (Sweet and Sour Meatballs) 12. Shirley (Favorite Quick Meal) 13. WorksForMom (Quick Healthy Salad) 14. Tina in Thailand ( mustard potatoes and chicken) 15. Ronnica (Chicken Soup Casserole) 16. Jen (garbage casserole) 17. Beth @ The Natural Mommy (Scrumptious White Sauce) 18. Many Little Blessings (Asian Style Chicken and Broccoli) 19. Capturing Today (Chicken Pesto) 20. Amy (Mush McPuna) 21. Autumn Daisy (Italian Pie / Chicken Sandwiches) 22. Jes @ BeautyFromChaos (Dinner in a Pinch) 23. Robin (Hearty Chicken Stew) 24. Christy (Chili--Book Giveaway) 25. Mari 26. Lynnae @ Nachos 27. Jill (rotisserie chicken) 28. Mom Is Teaching (quick meal idea) 29. Wired For Noise (quick easy chili) 30. Vickie@Pursuing Simplicity (easy potato soup) 31. Tammy\'s Recipes (pizza and taco salad) 32. Jen (garbage casserole) 33. Alaina (Quick & Tasty) 34. Ann Kroeker (Crepes, Pizza) 35. Jenni (Lady Ida\'s Prize) 36. Cyndy (Chicken Noodle Soup) 37. Happy Geek (Tortellini Soup) 38. The Correspondent (Dinner in a Pinch -- Breakfast) 39. Moobeema 40. Sarah @ Real Life (Beans/Rice, Freezer Meal Ideas) 41. margalit (cuban chicken, rice and beans) 42. Peggie(quick snack) 43. Moobeema (Bionic Burritos) 44. Stretch Mark Mama (Rice Bowl A La Lazy) 45. Peggie(wrong link at #18) 46. Frazzmom (chicken and rice bake) 47. Liza\'s Eyeview (Quick Baked Potato) 48. Abel (12 Kids Recipes) 49. Mrs. Nicklebee 50. Susanne(cheeseburger macaroni) 51. Julianne (crock pot) 52. Alison (Orange Chicken n\' Rice) 53. FamilyBriefs (recipes & meal plans) 54. Mommy Cracked (Chicken & Rice Casserole) 55. Linz (Goup & Hibachi House) 56. NerdMom (10 minute chicken&rice) 57. Mommin\' It Up! (Mexi-Stew) 58. Michelle (quesadillas) 59. Holding little Hands (Getting Rid of Under Eye Circles 60. Pure Joy (easy beef dip and more!) 61. Kandy (EASY beef stew) 62. Duckabush Blog (Easy Meals) 63. My Twenty Cents Keeps Moving (chiken n dumplins and more) 64. Laura (12-Minute-Meal) 65. Jeni (Simple Lasagna Casserole) 66. Alli ~Mrs Fussypants (Save Money & Feed the Kids Healthy Meals!) 67. Robin (stir-fry and sloppy joes) 68. Infinity Goods (10 Minutes Flat) 69. Suzanne (Allowances) 70. Suzanne (Frittata) 71. Kate (Lemon Honey Chicken over Salad) 72. Owlhaven (Yummy Quicky Stirfry) 73. Christine (yummy soup) 74. Jenni (gourmet open-faced sandwiches) 75. Burger Mom (several recipes) 76. It Coulda Been Worse (Chicken Piccata) 77. Corrie (3 Quickies - kid faves) 78. Yew Nork Babe(Poor Man\'s Dinner) 79. Jillian @ Hearth and Homemaker (super-easy Mexican Soup) 80. The Travelling Family (quick meals in room)

81. Shalee (food for the soul) 82. StuckInNorthIdaho(several recipes) 83. Georgia Mom (Trader Joe\'s) 84. Coach Marcia (chicken stir-fry) 85. Susan(EasyGermanSpaghetti) 86. Trixie @ Farm Home Life ( 5 Emergency Meals ) 87. Laura (easy, tasty!) 88. Mrs. G (Shrimp Spaghetti) 89. Goslyn (Panic Pantry Pasta) 90. Heather (alphabet soup) 91. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (chocolate pancakes) 92. Katie (Chicken with Yummy Sauce) 93. RamblingsbyReba (egg noodles) 94. Kim (Breakfast for Dinner) 95. Heather L. (Dessert) 96. Tiffany (Spaghetti) 97. Edi (Simple Spicy Black Bean Soup) 98. Feminine Pursuits (Bring Dinner Rolls Back!) 99. Beth (easy pot pie) 100. Thia(creamy ham pasta) 101. Jen(Dinner,dessert & appetizer) 102. Simple_Chic (loaded potatoes) 103. Jerri (Pasta!) 104. Melissa (Egg and Pasta Pie) 105. Amy@P2P 106. Nicki (My Boys and Me)--baked chicken 107. Sarah (From Scratch Mac & Cheese) 108. Tickled Pink (serni-TEA and my first Giveawar) 109. Beth (quick pizza!) 110. BJ (quick beef & gravy) 111. Mamabug ( a BestBug) 112. monica (breakfast burrito) 113. Renee @ Count it Pure Joy (Black Bean Quesadillas) 114. Hollie@CheaperthenCheap(great Canadian sites to help us Frugal Contesting Moms) 115. Lindsie@Reflections (Breakfast Ideas) 116. Mrs. Troop (Mexican Casserole) 117. Dawn (European Style Knockwurst) 118. Angela-Shephard\'s Pie 119. stephanie (several mexican themed recipes) 120. Karla ~ Looking Towards Heaven (Beefy Cornbread casserole) 121. Carrie @ Three-Girl Circus 122. bohgirl (Steak with tomatos, peppers & pasta) 123. Sharinskishe (Fajitas and chili mac) 124. Jennifer (several meal ideas) 125. Tonsofsons ~ no excuses on what to cook 126. Jen S.(Chicken and Mushrooms) 127. Ames (Chicken Korma) 128. Amy @ By His Grace (quick and easy soup) 129. Ann\'Re (Omelettes) 130. Amy (real spaghetti & bean burritos) 131. SueEllen 132. Milehimama (Fideo is your Friend) 133. Liisa (a few favorites) 134. Jen M (Chili from frozen beef) 135. Britni (Two) 136. Erin (burrito skillet) 137. Hollie CheaperthenCheap-(Fix it) 138. Alicia ( gluten free) 139. chilihead (pumpkin pancakes) 140. Veggiemomof2 (tater tot casserole) 141. Kara (3 quickies) 142. Tamara (Breakfast for Supper) 143. Clappy Shoes (two ideas) 144. Angela (A few ideas) 145. Kathleen Marie (Unnamed Wonder - Swaps 146. Christine (MUCHO ideas! - for real this time) 147. Liza\'s Eyeview (Updated: chicken tenders yummy) 148. Lora Lynn (Smoothies) 149. Kisses of Sunshine (Quick "Bare-Pantry-Leftover" Meals) 150. SAHMmy Says (Freeze and Serve Ideas) 151. Veronica (Chicken with peppers) 152. Martie\'s House (soups galore and more!) 153. Deb (breakfast for dinner) 154. Lorraine (BBQ Chicken) 155. Candace (Easy Egg Casserole) 156. Kaffee Klatsch - Magi (Baked Chicken) 157. Texastanya (Quick Fixes) 158. Song of the Sagebrush 159. Laurie (fish, beans,rice..) 160. Amblin (Cuban black beans & rice)

161. Heather (recipe question) 162. Coralie - (Free Photos not on theme, please forgive me) 163. Barbara H. (Several quick meal ideas) 164. Brandi (Vienna Sausage anyone?) 165. Not the Queen (couscous) 166. Kirstin (whatever night) 167. shelley at joyful homemaker 168. Jen (Three Minute Soups) 169. Heart Of A Mommy (Treating Fevers) 170. Momma 2 Beans (Cheeseburger Chowder) 171. Dimplequeen (Black beans, Chicken and Rice) 172. Pieces (several ideas) 173. Holly (Easy meals) 174. Harmony (Fake Alfredo and others) 175. Abbi (Tuna Melts) 176. Abbey (Almost Expired Pizza) 177. DeputyHeadmistress (Pizza dip, or pizza fondue) 178. Melinda (how to on gravy and dessert) 179. Womanly Pursuits (lentil soup recipe for freezer meals) 180. DeputyHeadmistress (Pizza dip, or pizza fondue- a better link than above) 181. Mo (four favorites) 182. Aunt Murry (Monkey Bread for Breakfast) 183. Jessica ($5 pizza) 184. Jen (baked north pole xmas eve dessert) 185. Heidi (3 oldies but goodies) 186. Jean 187. Mrs. Nicklebee (Broiler is a great option) 188. Janelle@NowPlayHappy (tomato soup & toasted cheese, others) 189. Shannon @ A Reforming Mom (goulash, homeade mac and cheese and a crock pot pot roast!) 190. Dawn (Salsa Chicken) 191. AmyG (supper casserole) 192. Heather (quick fixes with food allergies) 193. Lisa (Pizza Quesadillas) 194. Stephanie (Using what you have to save money on groceries) 195. Amyswandering (cheesy chicken, salisbury steak) 196. Kris (4 Ingredient Meal) 197. Erica (A Yankee In Jawja) Chicken & Rice Soup 198. Mummymac (Fritatta) 199. Saph (reward programs-extra cash) 200. Laane (against manipulation and lazy professionals) 201. Sandi (8 quick meals) 202. Jules\' Diner-Slapdash Lasagna 203. Nichole (Dinner) 204. Lorie(Sweet and Sour, BBQ Pizza) 205. Angela (Chops w/ Apples and Stuffing) 206. Emily(a few simple beginnings) 207. Laane (feeding the crowds) 208. Linda(Frozen Hamburger Meal Ideas) 209. Mrs Pear (AHH Panic! Chicken Parmensan) 210. cyn 211. cyn (Sweet and Sour Chicken) 212. Katie (chicken & rice bake, pineapple chicken) 213. Megret (a couple of good recipes!) 214. April (school lunch) 215. carrie (green chile enchiladas) 216. Amy W (1 quick & 1 for company) 217. Sarah (got extra guests?) 218. Proverbs 31 (potatoes) 219. Kerith (yummy eggs with a secret) 220. talking hairdryer (baked spaghetti) 221. Elena@ MyDomestic Church (Fast Grilling on my George Foreman Grill) 222. Elizabeth (delicious pitas) 223. praynwork 224. ertlnet (fried rice & others) 225. Rhen (yestheyareallmine!!) 226. Beth (Tomato Bacon Quesadillas with Rotel) 227. Totallyscrappy (pot pie) 228. MemeGRL (not much, can\'t wait to read your ideas!) 229. Sarah (fun lookin\' quick fixes & chicken randomness) 230. Donetta@ A life Uncommon 231. Mer (Pizza Rolls) 232. Stewardship Living (tuna mac) 233. Ang (only 3 ingrediants!!) 234. Reynie (veggie soup) 235. Toblerone (corn & potato chowder) 236. Jenny (chicken and pasta) 237. JulieBaby 238. Kathy of the HavinsNest (Meatball Dinner) 239. JB @ Titus 2 Journey

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THE LINKS ARE NOW CLOSED.  PLEASE PLAN TO PARTICIPATE NEXT WEEK!

Comments

[phyllis]

i love breakfast for dinner. the best quick meal there is. especially when it's cold-cereal-night!:-)

[Staci at Writing and Living]

I just realized that I pretty much posted the "Recipe That Has No Name," except that I call it "Dirty Rice."

Great minds and all.

[Smockity Frocks]

Thank you, Shannon. My recipe also included, "Add shredded cheddar if you like." I laughed when I saw something like that in your recipe!

[Ronnica]

The "recipe that has no name" actually sounds pretty good, I might get the ingredients to have on hand to have for the next time I lazy (which will be quite soon). Thanks!

[ellen b]

Oh I love rotel. I'm going to have to try this one. Blessings...

[Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife]

This is a great theme idea...I'll be bookmarking this one.

We are also a grilled cheese and tomato soup family. I'll often make quesadillas instead. This is pretty much a standard Sunday night meal.

Lisa

[Robin (the pensieve one)]

My recipe is the easiest chicken soup known to man...but it's surprisingly simple and substantial.

It was a FAVORITE during long, winter swim meets.

[elizabeth]

what's rotel? Is it a Southern thing?

[Christy]

Yum. That sounds good. I LOVE that you measure by "soup can" volume also! I'm glad that it is not just me!!

(Any idea how I managed to get a smiley face after my link above?)

[JIll]

Shannon- you can delete #11. I was sending out the link to the Hillary article and it pasted that instead of my blog post. Also can you tell me why my link always is bold with a smiley face? I don't do that on purpose, it just happens.

[tas]

Quick question from the great white, frigid north (Canada)

What is Rotel?

[Vickie]

Thanks Shannon! I can't wait to read all the great ideas that I know are coming! Both my recipes were tried out in the past week with great success.

[Everyday Mommy]

1-800-Pizza-Hut

[The Correspondent]

Thanks for hosting WFMWTWDIFE. I look forward to perusing all these menus.

Lisa
The Correspondent

[MooBeeMa]

This is an excellent idea! Thanks you so much Mrs. Dryer!

[Stretch Mark Mama]

Oooooh, Miracle Whip. Ranks right up there with Jello Salad.

[Michelle at Scribbit]

Another great idea--love fast tips in the kitchen.

[Mrs. Nicklebee]

Oh, man. It looks like Draino on a plate for this dairy challenged individual. If I wasn't dairy challenged, I would add that to the menu. I LOVE apples.

[Karen@FamilyBriefs]

You and I should eat together, or shop together, or both! Our meals look VERY similar! Grilled cheese, tomato soup, and apple slices (never thought of the "salad"), spaghetti night, hamburger night (on the George Foreman grill), and tacos (you ought to check out my dip night if you like Mexican food).
Thanks as always for hosting. I'm hungry now and headed for a snack!

[Lindsey]

Sounds good! Thanks for hosting WFMW, especially theme ones like this - helps me out a lot! :D

[jenny]

I'm loving this weeks themed WFMW!! I hope to find a few new EASY recipes that my kids will be happy with!! Plus, I haven't posted on my blog in a year or more and this WFMW actually made me want to post something. :)

[Laura]

Hi Shannon - first time to participate - hope I did it right! :-)

[margalit]

What is rotel? I don't think I've ever heard of that before.

[Alyson]

Um, I think your last minute emergency meals are the same as our standard menu around here, except that no name recipe, my kids would gag if I put that in front of them (though I think it sounds good!). I'm a pathetic slacker when it comes to making dinner, I really should work on that!

[Theresa aka Yew Nork Babe]

I've got to start writing a list of recipes for my daughter, she keeps asking me for all of the recipes I've made so she can have them. This post has inspired me to get started. Thanks.