Mission meal ideas #2

Before I start with the meal ideas, here are a few tips for you:

Tip #1: Sit down with your mom or someone and type up all the recipes you have grown up with that you think would be mission friendly. I will warn you that they probably won't turn out just like you remember them (different brands of food, different pots/pans, different stoves, etc) but you'll still enjoy being able to cook things you are familiar with.

Tip #2: Like I mentioned above, remember that you will be working with different foods, different dishes, different stoves, etc. They may be very different if you go foreign. Be ready to be flexible and try new things! You may want to make sure you are comfortable enough with cooking that you can be flexible without too much stress. Even if you go state-side though, you will have to learn to cook with whatever is in the apartment, and that could take some getting used to.

Tip #3: Be sure to eat healthy as a missionary. It will make a world of difference in how much energy and strength you have if you are eating healthy. You all know how... now do it! Eat your fruits and veggies. (It's not that difficult - and pretty cheap - to pull out canned or frozen fruit or veggies to add to your meal.) You'll thank me later. :)

One of my favorite dinners is crock pot salsa chicken. But since you most likely will not have a crock pot as a missionary, here's an alternate. It's not quite as good, but it's still pretty good.

Baked Salsa Chicken:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/salsa-chicken/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=salsa%20chicken&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page

- 4 chicken breasts
- 4 tsp taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup cheese
- 2 tbl sour cream

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2) Place chicken breasts in a lightly greased 9 X 13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle taco seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts, and pour salsa over all.
3) Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is tender and juicy and its juices run clear
4) Sprinkle chicken with cheese and continue baking for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Top with sour cream, if desired, and serve.
It goes well with rice or pasta and corn.

Here's one I grew up with:

Pizza Casserole:

- 1 lb hamburger
- 1/2 cup chopped onion (or dash of onion powder)
- 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 2 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni
- 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- pinch garlic powder

Brown hamburger and onion in large pan. Add tomato sauce and spices. Let simmer while cooking elbow macaroni. When macaroni is cooked, drain, and dump into hamburger mixture in frying pan. Top with slices of mozzarella cheese. Cover and let cheese melt.
Options: Can put anything on top of casserole that you would want on a pizza: pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, etc. Can also use different type of cheese if you want.
*This recipe makes quite a bit... maybe 6 servings?? So you could half-it or save the rest for later.