Recipe: Ultra-easy dishes to make from our readers

OK, Thanksgiving is almost pau, and gone with it is the annual pressure to perform feats of kitchen complexity. So now, with the rest of the holiday hustle approaching, here are ways to uncomplicate dinner.

These very simple, very quick recipes are good starter cooking projects for kids, who might need something to do when even online school goes on hiatus for the holidays.

The first recipe could also be adapted to make use of Thanksgiving leftovers by swapping turkey in for the canned chicken.

Betty Demarke, a retired curriculum librarian for Kamehameha Schools, says this recipe is easy to pull together should you need dinner in a hurry. “I pulled out some cans from my shelf and with some suggestions from my husband, Joe, I made this meal that we really liked.” She says it can be served with rice, pasta or potatoes, and canned sliced green beans can be added for a boost of green.

CHICKEN SUPREME

• 2 (12.5-ounce) cans chicken breast packed in water. (I save the water for my cats but you can also use it in other ways.)
• 2 (10.5-ounce) cans turkey gravy (I use Campbell’s)
• 1 (4-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
• Dried onions, optional
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan and heat thoroughly. Serves 4 to 5.

Keith Luke enjoys taking basic recipes and techniques and, drawing on a background in chemistry, making adjustments to suit his tastes. He’s experimented to good result on some complex dishes (lemongrass/ginger/kaffir lime flan anyone?), but also enjoys the simple things. This recipe was inspired by chef Jose Andres’ potato chip omelet, printed in Crave a few months ago. Luke opted to swap in his “fave TV-viewing sports snack,” Cheetos, and turn the omelet into a quesadilla.

EZ-PZ QUESADILLA KRUNCH

• 2 slices cheese (slices melt better than grated)
• 8-inch tortilla (I prefer Sinaloa whole wheat)
• 1/3 cup cheddar-jalapeno Cheetos, or other crunchy cheese puff

Tear cheese and spread over tortilla, leaving a border to avoid leaks. Spread cheese puffs over half the tortilla (see photo). Microwave 20 seconds, until cheese is melted. Fold in half. Serves 1.

>> VARIATIONS: Try spicy arare (kaki no tane) and furikake sprinkles or flavored potato chips (crush slightly before spreading) and furikake.

Nutritional information unavailable.

SHARE A RECIPE IN CRAVE

We welcome contributions of favorite family recipes, or for any creative dish worth sharing. Send us the recipe, listing all the ingredients, with measurements. If any ingredients are hard to find, tell us where you buy yours. Make sure the instructions are complete, including oven temperature and pan size, if applicable, and number of servings. Photos are welcome. Be sure to include your phone number and full name. Email crave@staradvertiser.com or write Crave, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu, HI, 96813.