Pantry Challenge Week One

 Pantry challenge 2025, Week one done! Three Rivers Pantry Challenge 

Well that was a first fun week. Here is what we ended up having for Dinner the first week, which is only five days. 

Day One: 

Basic Baked chicken

Red Rice

Green Beans

Cheezy Bread

Cottage Cheese 

Peaches.

The Basic chicken, no recipe to share, Boneless Chicken thighs, seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, and parsley baked for 30 minis in 375 degree oven. 

Rice, I added a sazon seasoning packet to and cooked in my insta pot on the rice function. 

Cheezy bread I sliced in half, buttered, added left over salami and left over cheese and baked in the oven for 5-7 minutes @ 375 degrees.  

Day Two: 

Got Left overs? Using the Left over Chicken repurposed into something new!

I took the left over chicken I made the night before cut it up. I then made a simple salad. Using up a few other items left over from the night before.  

We had a green salad with cooked chicken. Buttered tortillas for a side.

Day Three: 

Pintos Con Carne 

Saltine Crackers 
 

This is a real simple recipe and tastes really good. 

Here is the recipe for  Pintos con carne:

Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cooker Cookbook 1976 pictured above

Pintos Con Carne

In saucepan combine 3 ½ cups water, 1 cup dry pinto beans and ½ tsp salt; bring to a boil, reduce heat; simmer covered for 1 ½ hours. Pour beans and cooking liquid into bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In Skillet brown 1 pound ground beef; drain and place in slow cooker. Stir in beans and liquid, one 15 oz can tomato sauce, ½ cup chopped onion, 1 TBSP chili powder. Cover and cook on low setting for 8-10 hours. Stir before serving. Pass shredded sharp cheese to sprinkle on top of each serving. Serve with corn chips if desired. Makes 6 servings.

****my notes you can substitute canned beans for dry if you do not have time to make them. 

Also, I would only recommend cooking for 3-4 hours on low. The newer slow cookers do not need to cook as long; and the beans and beef are already cooked.

This taste great the way it is, but you can always add green pepper, celery. ******

I also made this week with all the pinto beans I pre cooked for the week: 

Country Beans 2005

Easy Bean Dip

2 Cups cooked Pinto Beans

2 Tablespoons Mild Picante sauce

Mash beans, add picante sauce and whip until smooth. Add grated cheese if desired. 

January 2025