Lunch

Joan's MACARONI & CHEESE

Sauce: Melt 6 T butter; add 6 T flour and 1 tsp. salt. Whisk until thick and bubbly. Gradually add 2 cups milk, whisking as needed. Remove from heat and add 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese. Cook 4 cups macaroni according to package directions. Drain; add cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly and serve.

Just wanted to tell you how I do QUESADILLAS. They are a staple at my house too! My way may not be the most frugal, but it sure it fast and easy! All I do is put one flour tortilla on a paper plate, cover w/ grated cheese (I buy a big bag of grated cheddar) and top w/ another flour tortilla. Cover w/ a paper towel or I use a plastic cover made just for the microwave (I got it for a dollar at one of those dollar day sales). Microwave for 1 minute. Then I use a pizza cutter to slice into 8 slices. Ta Daa! Really great when the kids are "starving"!

QUESADILLAS: I put several tortillas on a large cookie sheet, top with cheese and another tortilla over each. I bake for a few minutes till crispy on the edges. Makes a lot more at a time this way, but not as fast as the microwave, I suppose.

Another quickie is to take a coffee filter (the ones that look like big cupcake holders) put a large handful of tortilla chips (the kind at Costco for $2.79/ per very large bag) and top with the grated cheddar cheese you can also buy at Costco pre-grated in 5 lb bags. Microwave for 1 minute...instant nachos....let the kids add sour cream, guacamole, etc., if you like. Mine love sour cream and would eat it by the bowl if I let them!

As for fast lunches, one we love is to take some more of those soft flour tortillas, microwave them for 20 sec apiece, and then spread them with warmed refried beans (we currently use canned, but I would like to either make or can my own). Add cheese (my guys love grating it), tomato, lettuce, sauce, *AND* sour cream, and you have a very delicious easy lunch, where the children have done 95% of the work! We also like to put a bit of salsa in with the beans when we warm them, it really improves the flavor!

BENDERONI (I always double this)

1/2 cup crushed fine egg noodles (Put them in a towel and crush them in your hands)

2 T butter

1 14.5 oz. can chicken broth

1/3 cup water

1/2 cup long-cooking rice

Brown noodles in butter. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Caveat: Most of the information on this site comes from back issues of The MOMYS Digest, an email-only forum for mothers of many young siblings. It is offered in good faith and is not intended to replace medical advice, pastoral counsel, your husband's opinion, or your own good sense.

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