Erica's Basic Chicken Bake

1 cup of uncooked jasmine rice
1.5 cups of water
1 standard can cream of mushroom soup
3-4 chicken breasts
2 medium tomatoes diced
1 cup fresh mushrooms sliced
3 green onions sliced
Lemon pepper seasoning
1 lemon (5-6 slices + juice)

In the bottom of a 9X13 mix dry rice, water and soup. Place the raw chicken atop this. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning all over the dish. Top with the tomatoes, green onions, mushrooms and lemon slices. Squeeze the remaining parts of the lemon over the top of the dish. Cook approximately 1 hour at 375-400.

Easy Afternoon Broccoli, Shrimp and Pasta

1 package of shrimp Ramen
about 1/2 to 1 cup of broccoli florets
handful of shrimp

Boil the water with the broccoli. After broccoli is half tender fix Ramen according to the directions (I drain most of the water). Heat the handful of shrimp til cooked. Mix the shrimp in with the Ramen and ta-da!

What is good about this meal? It is cheap, quick, and full of nutrients!

Ramen alone is high in fat and salt, whereas the shrimp is a great source of protein and iron, and the broccoli is a also a good source of fiber, and a whole host of vitamins and minerals.

Bad parts of this meal: likely high in sodium and cholesterol....but in retrospect...this is far better than that Big Mac.

Potato Soup

1 standard can chicken broth
2 medium red potatoes
2 cups of fresh broccoli florets
2 cups shredded Gouda
2 cups milk
2 Tablespoons of flour
2 cups shredded escarole

Dice the potatoes and boil in the chicken broth for about 10 minutes. After the potatoes are soft, smash in pot. Add 2 cups of milk and broccoli. Bring to a simmer, however be careful to avoid over-boiling. While simmering toss the Gouda with the flour. After the soup has simmered 5-10 minutes add the Gouda/flour mix slowly while stirring. After all the Gouda is added, add the escarole. Simmer for 5-10 minutes more. Serve.

Bacon can be added to this recipe, likely with great results. Roughly a half pound should work.