Teriyaki Ground Beef and Rice

Last night I needed to make two quick dishes for my lunches and dinners for the rest of the week, so I opened my freezer and pantry to see what I could whip up in a jiffy. For one meal, I saw rice and hamburger as my main ingredients and then browsed my fridge and pantry to see what else I could add. I didn’t want to do my usual cream of whatever soup with veggies, rice, and beef, so I looked deeper into my stash and found teriyaki sauce! I have made teriyaki chicken before, but I’ve never used it with ground beef, so I wasn’t too sure what the result would be.

You may have already tried something like this, but here’s what I came up with and how I did it. It was super simple!

Here is what you need:

• 3 cups rice, brown or white
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 3/4 cup teriyaki sauce (I just guessed at this; you want it to be more liquid than beef and onion)

Here is what you do:

• Cook rice
• Chop onion into small pieces
• As rice is cooking, sauté the onion with the garlic
• Add ground beef and cook until beef is completely done
• Add teriyaki sauce and reduce heat to a simmer
• Simmer for 8 minutes (or so—this is a guess)
• Serve beef and sauce over rice
• If you want to make a bunch, freeze whatever you don't use and then you'll have an instant meal later!

It. Was. So. Delicious!

Here it is with all the sauce and beef mixed with the rice.

The pic makes it look dry, but it certainly WAS NOT!

Seriously! I loved every—single—bite!

Hamburger Tomato Curry

My mom used to make this delicious curry dinner for me when I was growing up, and I still make it to this day...often. This is nothing like the curry you would get from an Indian or Thai restaurant. It simply has the flavoring of curry, but it is very much a mellow, hearty dish that is perfect for a cold, rainy night. I tell you that in case you are scared of the word "curry." LOL.

Here is what you need:

• 1 lb hamburger
• 3 cans stewed tomatoes (14.5 oz cans)
• 1 can water
• 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbs A-1 sauce
• 1 tb curry powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• Pinch of salt
• Rice, as needed (brown or white or a mix of the two)
• Celery is optional, to taste

Here is what you do:

1. Brown hamburger in a deep, large skillet pan. Season with a tish of salt. (If you are using your precooked hamburger from shopping day (see hint below), you can skip this step. Just place it in the skillet and cover with lid so it defrosts.)
2. Add chopped onions (and celery if you choose to do so.) Season with a dash of salt and cook until tender.
3. Add all other ingredients, mix well, and bring to a boil.
4. Turn heat down and let mixture simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Cook rice while curry simmers. I use a combination of brown and white instant rice. (If you are using your precooked rice from shopping day (see hint below), you can skip this step. Just pop it in the microwave to reheat.) 
6. Let curry rest for a few minutes and then serve over rice.

Here are some hints for making your cook time less than 30 minutes:

1. On shopping day, precook rice and ground beef (separately), portion it and place in freezer bags for later. 
2. Also on shopping day, chop onion and store in tightly sealed container in the fridge. You can then use the onion as needed during the week.

PS ~ If you end up cooking the rice and ground beef the night you want to make this dinner, it will take about 45 minutes instead of 30.

Meatballs with Country Gravy

This just might be the easiest, most filling meal on the planet. Seriously. All kinds of taste buds will love it because it has common ingredients, meaning there aren’t any off-the-wall ingredients required. And still, the flavors and textures all combine together to make a perfect, affordable dinner. (I don't really cook with off-the-wall ingredients, but ya know...this is one of those meals that even the most picky person will love.)

One thing to note: In order to make the gravy, you will need to make some Magic Mix ahead of time. Haven’t heard of Magic Mix? Well, it’s a make-ahead white sauce in powder form that only needs water and heat in order to complete. Crystal from Everyday Food Storage will tell you all about it; she even has videos to show you how to make it and what it should look like when you’re done. (She learned about the must-have from the USU Extension Service.) It is a wonderful staple to keep in your fridge.

Here is what you need for the actual meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp lemon pepper

Here are the other things you need:

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp lemon pepper
• 4 cups rice, prepared (I use a combo of white and brown rice)
• 2 batches Magic Mix, for gravy (1 batch is 2/3 cup mix and 1 cup water)

Here is what you do:

1. Mix all ingredients needed to make meatballs.
2. Combine 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and remaining spices.
3. Form meatballs so they are slightly smaller than a golf ball then roll in seasoned breadcrumbs.
4. Place half of meatballs in skillet and cook until meat is well done.
5. Finish cooking remaining meatballs. As those cook, make your gravy from Magic Mix, as directed, and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve meatballs and gravy over rice.

You’re going to love the leftovers!