Monday Meal

Where do the weekends go?  Seriously.  It feels like the last two days didn't even happen!!  I'm back here, at work, doing what I always do.  I think I spend more time at work than I do at home - especially when you factor in sleep.  *sigh*  If only I could afford to work part time.  Enough lamenting.  I am not complaining about my job.  I am complaining that there's never enough time in the day.

It's been a morning full of food here at the clinic, so I thought I'd share a recipe with you today.  I picked up Betty Crocker Simple Winter Meals way back in November 2006 (2006?  Really?) while waiting in the check out line at the grocery store.  You've seen those little digests full of menus, right?  One for each season, each holiday, etc.  I love cookbooks, and this one was less than $5 and FULL of great recipes.  SCORE!  I've made quite a few recipes from this book, and many of them are make-agains.  This is one of those recipes.


Skillet Ham & Vegetable au Gratin
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups cut up fully cooked ham
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 box (4.9 oz) au gratin potato mix
2 1/2 cups hot water
1/4 tsp pepper
1 bag (1 lb) mixed frozen vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), thawed
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Cook ham and onion in oil about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until onion is tender.

Stir in potatoes, sauce mix from potato mix, hot water and pepper.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low.  Cover; simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in vegetables.  Cover; simmer 5 to 6 minutes or until vegetables are tender.  Sprinkle with cheese.

NOTES:  I don't use all the onion - it makes it quite onion-y if you use the whole cup.  This reheats very well.

We don't usually have ham, so I buy pre-cooked ham steaks.  What I don't use for this recipe, I save for scrambled eggs in the morning.  Looking at this picture makes me realize I buy generic a lot.  Not necessarily a bad thing...gotta save pennies when I can!

The recipe says to simmer for 5 or 6 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.  I have a tendency to forget to thaw the veggies, so I usually end up simmering for closer to 10 minutes.

Mmmm! Cheese!!  Ham.  Veggies.  Potatoes.  Cheese.  It don't get much better than this!

Dished up and ready to go.  This is one of those recipes that the boys like, too.  It makes me feel like a good Mom when the boys gobble up their food.

Later this week, I'll be posting a recipe for a certain cookie (just for you, B!), a couple manis and hopefully a "My Favorite Things" - if I can remember to take the pics.  I've really appreciated all the suggestions of what you want to see more of on my blog.  I like what I'm doing now, but I like trying new things, too.  Speaking of new things...I'll be doing my first ever reivew!  WOOT!!  Hope you enjoy the rest of your Monday.  Why do the weekends fly by but Monday lasts forever?