You didn't even know you were having company next week, and suddenly you're hosting a whole family from Nigeria. What do you serve?

Here are some recipes for sumptious company meals that won't break your piggy bank.

Many of these come from The Meat Stretcher Cookbook by Better Homes and Gardens.

Frozen Beef Starter:

Use anywhere you normally use plain ground beef!
3 beaten eggs
2 c. soft bread crumbs (3 slices)
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. shopped onion
1 c. shredded carrot
3 pounds ground beef

Combine first 5 ingredients and 1 t. salt. Mix in beef. In large skillet, cook half the mixture at a time till lightly browned and still moist. Cool quickly. Seal in 2-c. portions in freezer bags. Label; freeze. 2 Cups substitutes for 1 pound ground beef. Great in spaghetti, lasagna, sloppy joes, chili.


Seasoned Coating Mix for chicken, pork, or fish.

2 c. fine dry bread drumbs
2 T. onion powder
1 T. salt
2 t. poultry seasoning
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. paprika
1/2 t. died thyme, crushed
1/8 t. cayenne

Sift all together. Makes 2 1/2 c. mix. Store in tightly covered container.

To use: Coat either chicken or pork chops with light buttermlk salad dressing. Roll in seasoning mix. Bake in moderate oven on lightly greased cookie sheet.

Cheese-Topped Beef Bake

2 T. chipped onion
2 T. cooking oil
2 T. flour
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. sugar
1/4 t. dried basil, crushed
1/8 t. pepper
1 16-oz can chopped tomatoes
1 16-oz can cut green beans, drained
1 1/2 c. chopped cooked beef (leftover roast)
1 t. instant beef bouillon granules
1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1 c. Basic Biscuit Mix or Bisquick
1/4 t dry mustard
2 T. margarine
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. shredded sharp American cheese

In a skillet, cook onion in oil until tender. Stir in flour, salt, sugar, basil, and pepper. Add next 5 ingredients. Cover and simmer the ixture 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine Basic Biscuit Mix and dry mustard. Cut in margarine; stir in milk till well blended Stir in cheese. Roll dough out on floured surface to a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 6 wedges. Turn beef mixture into 10X6X 1 1/2 inch bakeing dish. Top with biscuit wedges. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes. Makes 6 servings.


Copyright 2001 by Beth Waltman