A Kitchen Keeper Original - 15 Minute Chicken Hash O'Brien

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Including hash in a collection of my favorite recipes will seem strange to some. A quick glance at the recipe will show just how easy this dish is to make. As a matter of fact, it's so simple that there are foodies who will reject it out of hand. That is their loss, not yours or mine. While I make it less these days, this was a staple in my kitchen when the children were at home and I was working. When the clock and calendar got the better of me, I, without embarrassment, would buy the chicken and frozen potatoes needed for the hash on my way home from work. This hearty dish can be made in one large skillet and you can have on the table in about 15 minutes. While it's completely lacking in sophistication, the hash makes a great weeknight meal, and if you are rushed and the gang is hungry, you might want to give this recipe a try. The only caution I have to share with you regards the amount of salt you add to the dish. I use a chicken bouillon paste to add quick flavor to the hash, but it is salty. While this dish will need additional seasoning, you'll want to add additional salt in small increments if you use the paste. Frozen Potatoes O'Brien contain peppers and onions. Make sure you use them rather than regular hash brown potatoes which are not seasoned. I think you'll like this hash. It is hearty, easy to make and tasty. Your family will enjoy it. Here is how it's made.

Oatmeal Pecan Skillet Blondies

Photo courtesy of Southern Cast Iron

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...These cake-like blondies, combine the taste of oatmeal and toasted nuts in cookie wedges that bake in a cast iron skillet. I rely heavily on cookies such as these because they are so easy to transport to gatherings at this time of year. They are perennial favorites, so transportation is usually a one-way affair. It is hard to resist a treat that is nearly effortless to make, and tastes so good with milk or coffee. This recipe is best made in an iron skillet, and if you change the type of pan you use to make the blondies, you will have to alter cooking time as well. If like downhome flavor in your cookies, you will love these. They are great keepers and should you have leftovers, you'll find they do not easily stale. Here is how the blondies are made.

Smoked Sausage and Cabbage Skillet

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I just saw a cartoon that inferred, nay actually said, "If it is fast, easy and cheap, it's not food." Hah! The food police can't scare me 'cause I carry a knife and have been in the kitchen for more years than they have been alive. I've developed formidable knife skills that more than match my attitude, so they generally stay clear of me. Chop enough onions and that is bound to happen. So, whilst they while away, I went ahead and made a fast, easy and cheap meal for our dinner just to spite them. I'm happy to report it's good enough to share with all of you tonight. While I've made a few changes, my recipe is based on one that was first posted on the blog Happy Living with Tina which you can find here. This dish has the added attribute of being easy to clean up after. Everything is mixed and cooked in one skillet, so even if you choose not to make this now, keep the recipe in mind for the barely adequate kitchens that are found in summer rental cottages. I do hope that at some point you will try this. Here is how the casserole is made.

Child's Play - Penne Pasta Skillet

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Here's a simple family meal that young cook's can make with little or no supervision. It relies on a commercial spaghetti sauce for flavor, so a bevy of spices is not required for seasoning, and better still, even young hands can have this 5 ingredient, 1 pan wonder on the table in about 30 minutes. That makes this a perfect dish for the summer kitchen and you'll find it's a nice meal to serve after a long day in the sun or on the water. The recipe comes from the Kraft test kitchen, so it is nearly foolproof. While I prefer to use Rao spaghetti sauce and penne pasta when I make this dish, any sauce and small pasta can be substituted. If you are looking for a quick and tasty meal, or a way to keep the kids busy, do give this a try. It's truly child's play. Here is how this simple skillet meal is made.