5 Ingredient Fixes!

For the next few posts, I am going to focus on yummy dishes with only 5 ingredients! (salt and pepper not included) These are great for people on the go who don't want to spend forever in the kitchen! This post will have Balsamic-glazed chicken wings, Peppered Portobello penne, Blackberry beer cocktail and Hawaiian barbecue beans!


Balsamic-Glazed Chicken Wings

Prep: 20 min. + marinating     Bake: 25 min.      Makes: 1 1/2 dozen

• 2 lbs. chicken wings
• 1 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp. fresh rosemary or 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 c. packed brown sugar

1. Cut chicken wings into 3 sections; discard wing tip sections. Combine the vinegar, garlic, rosemary salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour 1/2 c. marinade into a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
2. Drain and discard marinade. Place wings in a greased 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 min. or until no longer pink, turning every 10 min.
3. Combine brown sugar and reserved marinade in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced by half.
4. Place wings in a large bowl, pour glaze over wings and toss to coat.

Note: Uncooked chicken wing sections (wingettes) may be substituted for whole chicken wings.

Cost: $ .76 per serving

Peppered Portobello Penne
Prep/ Total time: 30 min.     Serves: 4


• 2 c. uncooked penne pasta
• 4 large Portobello mushrooms, stems removed, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 c. shredded pepper jack cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, sauté the mushrooms in oil in a large skillet until tender. Stir in the cream, salt and pepper; heat through. Stir in cheese until melted. Drain pasta. Add to skillet and toss to coat.

Note: Serve as a side dish with a flame-grilled steak for a fantastic backyard meal.

$2.12 per serving







Blackberry Beer Cocktail

Prep/ Total time: 10 min.  Serves: 10

• 4 bottles (12 oz. each) beer, chilled
• 1 can (12 0z.) frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 3/4 c. fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed
• 1/2 c. vodka ice cubes
• lemon slices

1. Combine beer, lemonade concentrate, blackberries and vodka in a large pitcher. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.

$1.04 per serving





Hawaiian Barbecue Beans

Prep: 10 min.    Cook: 5 hours   Serves: 9

• 4 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 bottle (18 oz.) barbeque sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh gingerroot
• 1/2 lb. bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1. Combine beans, pineapple, barbeque sauce and ginger in a 4 qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Stir in bacon before serving.

Note: For easier cooking you can replace uncooked bacon with fully cooked ready-to-serve bacon.

$ .98 per serving