Eating well

Thirty minutes or less skillet dinners

They happen to everyone -- those evenings when the family is starving, but the cook doesn't feel like cooking. Take-out is one option, though not a very economical one. So, when economy rules use your imagination and ingredients you have on hand to magically create a home-cooked meal-in-a-skillet in 30 minutes or less. Here are just a few examples.

Leftover rotisserie chicken, sliced mushrooms, frozen peas, canned soup and cream cheese become a tempting topping for that can of buttermilk biscuits in the fridge. Feeling like pasta? Add broccoli and leftover ham to that jar of Alfredo sauce you got on sale and serve it over tender fettuccine.

The meat and potatoes crowd will love hamburger hash skillet supper. Make this tasty dish in 20 minutes with a pound of ground beef, a bag of frozen hash browns, whipping cream, diced tomatoes and seasonings and watch them dig in. Who knew a hot meal could be so quick and delicious?

Quick Stovetop Chicken

and Biscuits

8 buttermilk biscuits (frozen, canned or from scratch,) baked according to directions

1 small onion, diced

1 T. cooking oil

1 (8-ounce) package sliced mushrooms

4 cups sliced cooked chicken (save time with a rotisserie chicken)

1 (10.75-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

4 ounces cream cheese, cubed

2 tsps. packaged dry Italian dressing mix

1 cup frozen baby peas, thawed

Directions: In large skillet, saute onion in hot oil over medium-high heat till golden. Add mushrooms to pan and saute 5 minutes till tender. Stir in chicken, mushroom soup, broth, wine, cream cheese and dressing mix. Cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or till cheese is melted and mixture is thoroughly heated. Stir in peas and cook 2 minutes longer. Spoon chicken over hot split biscuits. Serves 8.

Fettuccine Alfredo

with Broccoli and Ham

(An easy, satisfying 4-ingredient main course)

1 (9-ounce) package refrigerated uncooked fettuccine, or dry fettuccine pasta

3 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets

1 jar prepared Alfredo sauce

4 ounces deli sliced ham, cut into strips, OR leftover ham, cubed

Directions: In large pot bring salted water to a boil. Add fettuccine and broccoli to pot and boil till both are tender. Drain.

Meanwhile, in large skillet over low heat, cook Alfredo sauce and ham till thoroughly heated, stirring frequently. Season with pepper, if desired. Add hot pasta noodles and broccoli, tossing to coat with sauce. Serves 4.

Hamburger Hash

Skillet Supper

(Meat, potatoes and vegetables all in one easy dish)

1 pound lean ground beef

1 pound bag frozen diced potatoes with onion and peppers

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1/3 cup whipping cream

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. celery salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 1/4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes, drained

Directions: In 12-inch non-stick skillet, saute ground beef, potatoes and red onion over medium heat 10 to 15 minutes or till beef is cooked and potatoes are tender. Drain well.

Stir cream, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt and pepper into beef mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, an additional 2 to 5 minutes or till bubbly around the edges. Gently stir in tomatoes. Serves 4 to 5.