181 easy optional Recipes

uncooked penne pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves, chopped, yellow squash, sliced, zucchini, sliced, spinach, diced tomatoes (italian style is great here), salt, pepper, shredded mozzarella cheese (optional) or 1 tbsp parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional), fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

vegetable oil, fresh button mushrooms, bell pepper, any color chopped, green onion, sliced, bamboo shoots, drained, boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut into bite sized chunks, chicken or 1 (14 oz) can vegetable broth, soy sauce, minced garlic, dark sesame oil, cornstarch, cold water, chopped cashew pieces, roasted peanuts (optional) or walnuts, for serving (optional)

cream-style corn, low sodium chicken broth, eggs, beaten, cornstarch, water, corn niblets, drained (optional) or 1 cup frozen corn kernel (optional), salt and black pepper

plain flour, soft light brown sugar, salt, egg, egg yolk, milk, butter, orange liqueur (optional) or 1 tbsp rum (optional), plain chocolate chips, icing sugar , to dust

russet potatoes (peeled or unpeeled ), butter, onion, finely chopped, salt and pepper (i use seasoned for this), dried thyme (or to taste), garlic powder (optional) or 1 tbsp minced fresh garlic (optional), shredded cheddar cheese (or to taste), chopped fresh parsley

barbecue chicken, pasta spirals, lemons depending on your taste, a few handfuls of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped, crushed /minced garlic, cobs of cooked corn, olive oil, extra optional ingredients - cubed , roasted pumpkin or sweet potato, cubed fetta cheese, sundried tomato

food cake mix or 1 (18 1/2 oz) package fudge cake mix, instant chocolate pudding mix or 1 (3 oz) package instant vegetarian chocolate pudding mix, semisweet chocolate or 6 oz mint chips, eggs, vegetable oil, water, vanilla, chocolate frosting (optional) or powdered sugar (optional)

baking potatoes, extra light olive oil, flour, parmesan cheese, ground black pepper, onion salt, garlic powder, hot salt (optional) or ground cayenne pepper (optional) or salt (optional)

boneless chicken breasts (cut into about 1-inch cubes ), salt and pepper, dried red pepper flakes (optional and to taste, add in for heat), cornstarch, chicken broth, cornstarch, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, vegetable oil, green onions, chopped, chopped fresh ginger (you can add in more or less if desired), fresh minced garlic, red bell pepper, seeded and diced, cooked white rice

frozen dough rolls (ie. rhodes), brown sugar, butter or 1/2 cup margarine, non-instant vanilla pudding mix, walnuts (optional) or 1/2 cup pecans (optional), cinnamon

betty crocker dark chocolate fudge brownie mix, water , as called for on brownie mix box, vegetable oil , as called for on brownie mix box, eggs , as called for on brownie mix box, cream cheese, softened, powdered sugar, peanut butter, semisweet chocolate, melted (optional), semisweet chocolate chips (optional) or chocolate sprinkles, as much as desired (optional)

frozen unsweetened raspberries , still frozen, mint sprig (optional), sugar (optional) or shortbread cookie (optional)

butter, all-purpose flour, egg yolks, sour cream, egg whites, grated walnuts, granulated sugar, grated lemon , rind of, vanilla sugar (optional but good )

shallots or 1 small onion, peeled and coarse chopped, fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped, fresh coriander , with roots, cleaned and coarsely chopped, nam pla fish sauce or 1 tsp anchovy paste, tamarind paste (soaked at least 10 minutes in 2 tbsp white or cider vinegar or lime juice) or 1 1/2 tbsp dark raisins (soaked at least 10 minutes in 2 tbsp white or cider vinegar or lime juice), dark brown sugar, fresh chili peppers, stemmed or 1 tbsp fresh chili paste or 1 tbsp tabasco sauce or 1 tsp dried red pepper flakes, good quality chicken broth or 3 cups vegetable broth, salt or soy sauce, to taste, if needed, thick fish fillet, divided in 3 to 6 serving-size pieces (snapper, cod, halibut, bass, haddock, or salmon), scallions, fresh minced basil, fresh coriander leaves, minced fresh green chilies (optional) or 1 tsp red chile (optional), very thin sliced or slivered fresh ginger or 1 tsp pickled ginger

chunky applesauce, pineapple tidbits, drained, sliced peaches, drained and chopped, sliced pears, drained and chopped, mandarin oranges, drained, cherry pie filling, flour (all-purpose), brown sugar , packed, butter or 1 cup margarine, melted, topping (optional) or ice cream (optional)

ground sausage, onion or 1/2 medium chopped, green pepper(optional) chopped, shredded cheddar cheese, dozen eggs, milk, frozen shredded hashbrowns, salt and pepper

prawns , per person you re serving,shelled and deveined, raw bacon , 5-6 inches per slice,1 for each shrimp, spicy barbecue sauce, cayenne (optional) or prepared horseradish, to taste (optional)

bananas -- sliced, strawberries --diced, fresh bulk raisins (more for raisin lovers), orange (optional) --diced, nectarine - diced, ripe plum - diced, other favorites can be added. i usually buy whatever is on sale at whole foods or similar and mix it all together. just avoid kiwi and watermelon