Dinner Recipes for the Holiday Weekend

Sometimes a major holiday meal just - for whatever reason - isn't on tap. Be it a nice but lower "energy level" dinner or just dinners that surround the holidays that aren't turkey or ham, there are many easy to fix solutions to the question "what's for dinner?" Here are some ideas to celebrate together without breaking the budget.

For example, ordinary pork chops take on new heights with a peppery sauce. Brown six thick cut pork chops and place in a 13x9 inch pan. Set oven to 350F and place a 7 ¼ ounce jar peppers, teaspoon oregano, 2 garlic cloves (halved), ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ cup vegetable oil, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts and ¼ cup each parmesan cheese and wine in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour over the chops and bake until chops are tender, about an hour. Top with pepper rings to serve.

Brown a pound of ground beef with a medium onion (chopped) and 3 tablespoons chopped pepper. Add a teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper along with 2 tablespoons chili seasoning. Place some of this mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish, top with a tortilla then cheese. Layer this until all are used topping with cheese and pouring a can of tomato sauce around the outside edge of the layers then add a can of water. Top with chopped bell pepper and bake 35-40 minutes at 350F. .While this is not an expensive meal, served with cornbread and trimmings it can provide something different for the table!

Another inexpensive meal can be made with three pounds of le quarters and a half pound ham, cubed, browned together in 3 tablespoons oil. .remove the meat and sauté a cup of chopped green pepper and a cup chopped onion with a clove of minced garlic 5 minutes over low heat. Add 2 teaspoons each salt and Worcestershire sauce, ¼ teaspoon each thyme, Tabasco and black pepper. Add 3 cups canned chicken broth or broth made from cubes. Simmer 10 minutes then add the meat and 1 ½ cups uncooked rice. Cover and cook on low for 25 minutes, fluffing rice then cooking 5 minutes more.

With expenses high and budgets not these are easy meals to get through but not do without! Enjoy the holidays with filling meals that celebrate the season.