Cookbook Features Meals in Twenty Minutes

If you're in a dinner-time tight spot, you might resort to running through a drive-thru for burgers or picking up pizza. That's OK on a busy night, but this solution is better as a treat and not as a habit! Our cookbook today is full of recipes for meals that can be made in 20 minutes; it takes you that long to call in pizza and wait for it. The book was published by Meredith Corp. in 1987 and was a cooperative effort by Better Homes and Gardens and Kraft Foods.

Better Homes and Gardens 20 Minutes to Dinner is a softcover cookbook that's only 80 pages, but is full of speedy meal ideas. Its chapter topics include: Timesaving Tips; Fast Main Dishes; Suppertime Soups and Stews; Full Meal Salads; Hearty Sandwiches; Make-Ahead Freezer Mix and Mealtime Extras.

These recipes seem to have a broad appeal and that's great if you're cooking for adults and kids. Many of the meat dishes have sauces that you could leave on, serve on the side, or even omit if you cook for health-conscious adults or picky eaters. I appreciate the variety of meal ideas presented, as well. Our sample recipe today is for Sweet and Sour Pork, which is a dinner plan loved by both adults and children....and served in only 20 minutes after you come in the door! That's a winner.

P. 18 Sweet and Sour Pork

1/2 lb. lean boneless pork or turkey breast tenderloins
2 TBSP teriyaki sauce
2 tsp cornstarch
One 10-oz. pkg. frozen Japanese-style stir-fry vegetables w/ seasonings
1 TBSP cooking oil
One 8-oz. can pineapple tidbits (juice pack)
1/4 C water Chow mein noodles

Thinly slice pork or turkey into bite-size strips, then set aside. Preheat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a bowl stir together teriyaki sauce and cornstarch. If vegetables contain a seasoning packet, stir it into teriyaki mixture.) Set sauce aside.

Add cooking oil to hot wok or skillet. (If necessary, add more oil during stir-frying.) Add pork or turkey to the wok. Stir-fry over high heat about 3 min. or until pork is no longer pink or turkey is tender, then remove meat from wok or skillet.

Add frozen vegetables, undrained pineapple, and water to the wok. Stir sauce, then add it to the wok or skillet. Cook and stir over medium-high heat till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 min. more. Stir in meat and cook about 30 seconds more till heated through. Serve over chow mein noodles. Serves 3.

I will be joining Grocerycartchallenge,DesignsbyGollum, FoodonFriday and Momtrends for their recipe swaps today.