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Life moves quickly and people need to eat. If you’re tired of taking your family through the drive-thru there is a healthier, and less expensive, option. Here are seven emergency meals made quick:

#1 Kebabs

Your grocer’s deli counter is jam packed with ready to go meals. You can grab a package of kebabs, toss them on the grill and have dinner in ten minutes. Kebabs are great because it’s veggies and meat in one meal. All you need is another veggie or starch and you have a complete meal.

#2 Roasted Chicken

You’ll likely also find whole roasted chickens in your grocer’s deli. Grab a bagged salad and you have a complete, and healthy, meal that takes you less than five minutes to get on the table. And if your family doesn’t eat the entire chicken at dinnertime, you have leftovers which can be made into chicken salad for lunch or dinner tomorrow. Two meals for one.

#3 Gnocchi or Frozen Ravioli

Italian is always welcomed and you don’t have to top frozen pasta or gnocchi with jar tomato sauce. In fact, gnocchi, a sliced onion and a few sautéed veggies with some pre-shredded parmesan cheese makes a quick and tasty meal.

#4 Sardines

Sardines pack a wallop of protein and they’re tasty. If you like tuna fish, you’ll like sardines. Cook a package of spaghetti, toss with chopped sardines, sautéed onions and a touch of garlic and you have a meal that takes less than 15 minutes to cook.

#5 Frozen burgers

You can buy organic and non-organic frozen hamburgers and turkey burgers in your grocer’s freezer. A package of buns, cheese slices and a few minutes on the grill and you have fresh juicy hamburgers on the table.

#6 Turkey Breast

Many marketers have fully cooked turkey breast in their deli. Slice it at home or have your butcher slice it in ¼ slices, grab a bag salad from the produce section and a can of gravy. You have an instant meal. Warm the turkey and top with gravy heated in the microwave. Another great topping for turkey breast is a warmed apricot preserves. Lightly brush the turkey slices with apricot preserves and serve. (You can use the remaining turkey breast for lunches tomorrow).

#7 Ham

Ham is generally pre-cooked and all it needs is a good warm up to be ready to serve. Grab a bag of chopped cabbage and a jar of cole-slaw dressing and you have a picnic ready meal.

Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the great convenience of pre-made pizza crusts. You can top them with any of your favorite ready to serve toppings and have a pizza for the family in less than ten minutes.

It just takes a little creativity and planning in order to get a meal on the table. Skip the drive through and feed your family well in less time.

American Farmer Cooking Tips

The summer is a great time for growing. It offers unique flavors and treats including berries, apples, citrus and melons. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could enjoy these delicious fruits well into the fall and winter months? You can. Here are four ways to extend summer fruits well into the fall.

#1 Dehydrate Your Fruit

Dehydrated fruit is fantastic as a snack. You can also add it to things like cereal, breads, muffins, and even sprinkle it on salads. You can make fruit leathers this way too by pureeing the fruit and then spreading it on a tray to dry. There are three main methods you can use to dehydrate fruit including:

* Sun Drying – This works well if you live in a hot climate where it is commonly sunny and warmer than 100 degrees. Position cleaned, washed fruit on a tray or foil and leave in the hot sun for four 100 degree or hotter days.

* Oven Drying – Because most fruits take 16-26 hours to dry, this is an expensive way to dry fruit. However, if you choose to oven dry you simply place your oven at 135 degrees Fahrenheit, prop the oven door open and let fruit dry.

* Electric Dehydrating – this is the most energy efficient and generally tasty way to dehydrate fruit. Electric dehydrators can be purchased online or in a kitchen store.

#2 Jams & Jellies

What’s better than fresh berry jam? Not much. You can make fresh jams and jellies with or without canning. In fact, you can make a basic jam in your kitchen in an hour and pop it in the freezer. No canning necessary.

#3 Freezing Fruit

If you want to be able to use the fruit in the future without drying it or making it into a jam or jelly, then your next best option is to freeze it. The process is simple, you need washed berries, a baking sheet or other flat sheet and storage bags or a vacuum sealer.

Wash the berries. Place them on a baking sheet and spread them out so they’re not touching or clumped together. Position them in the freezer. When they’re frozen, put them in an airtight bag and you’re good to go.

#4 Canning

Canning is another option. It’s a bit more complicated than freezing or dehydrating. However, you can make some amazing spreads, jams and jellies that will last for years to come.

There’s no reason to be sad when summer fades into fall. You can enjoy summer fruits all year around. With a little preparation and a plan your summer fruit harvest can be enjoyed for months.

American Farmer Cooking Tips

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Emergency Meals Made Quick

American Farmer Cooking Tips

Extending Summer Fruits Into Fall

American Farmer Cooking Tips