Secrets to 14 Fast-Fix Recipes

June 01, 2012
We all have one: A dish that convinces everyone you cooked for hours, when—ssshhh!—you whipped it together in a few minutes. Ready to hear our secrets?
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Spinach Quiche

This easy breakfast pie, packed with nutrient-rich spinach, isn't overly eggy like some quiches. The recipe comes from Carol Reimer of  Brownsburg, Indiana.Spinach Quiche

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Zippy Cinnamon Rolls

A Midwest Living editor contributed the recipe for these gooey-good rolls. "Frozen bread dough and pudding mix can fool anyone into thinking you spent the morning baking cinnamon rolls," she says.Zippy Cinnamon Rolls

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Co's Candy-Bar Brownies

Colleen Weeden, Midwest Living® Test Kitchen project supervisor, combines packaged sweets with homemade frosting for her easy dessert. "My family has no idea I'm using a box brownie mix when I cover the brownies with from-scratch chocolate frosting and sprinkle on candy or chopped candy bars," Colleen says.Co's Candy-Bar Brownies

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15-Minute Raspberry Sauce

"This one always impresses people," says Lynn Blanchard, Test Kitchen director. "It's great over chocolate cake, cheesecake and ice cream."15-Minute Raspberry Sauce

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Potato Chips Meet Fish

How do you get your family to eat fish? By serving them tilapia coated with potato chips, herbs and honey-mustard dressing.Potato Chips Meet Fish

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Fast Paella

"Paella is a snap when you use precooked turkey sausage, precooked shrimp and pouch rice," says Colleen Weeden, Test Kitchen project supervisor. Serve this delicious dish with warm, crusty bread to sop up the juices at the bottom of your bowl.Fast Paella

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Fudgy Coffee Brownies

Sandra Granseth, food consultant for Midwest Living®, turned a brownie mix into a grown-up dessert by stirring in cinnamon and coffee liqueur. A chocolate drizzle decorates the top. Or, top with white and dark chocolates.In our picture, Sandra's Fudgy Coffee Brownies are shown with a candy-topped variation of Co's Candy-Bar Brownies (slide 3).Fudgy Coffee Brownies

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Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Leftover chicken and frozen noodles help recipe creator Sandra Granseth cut meal prep time for this ultimate comfort food.Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

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Lemonade Ice Cream

Dessert doesn't get much easier than this. You'll need three ingredients and an ice cream freezer (ideally electric) for this puckery, creamy chiller from the Midwest Living® Test Kitchen. Serve with sliced fresh seasonal fruit, if you like.Lemonade Ice Cream

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Fresh Tomato Tart

Geri Boesen, creative director of Midwest Living®, combines Midwest-grown tomatoes (her favorites are from her home state of Iowa, of course) with fresh basil in a cheesy tart that uses refrigerated piecrust for easy prep.Fresh Tomato Tart

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Peppery Grilled Steak With Tomatoes

More affordable steak cuts like top sirloin or flat iron taste great with this tangy tomato topper, too. For a perfect meal, pair the steak with Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges.Peppery Grilled Steak With TomatoesGrilled Sweet Potato Wedges With Dipping Sauces

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Mini Italian Beef Sandwiches with Pepperoncini Slaw

These little beef sandwiches make a great appetizer for a party. And you can put them together in just 20 minutes.Mini Italian Beef Sandwiches with Pepperoncini Slaw

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Ridiculously Easy Whole-Apple Crisp

No peeling, no slicing in this recipe from our Test Kitchen -- just assemble the "crisps" the night before and bake right before serving. Brushing apples with a citrus juice keeps them from going brown.Ridiculously Easy Whole-Apple Crisp

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More quick-and-easy Midwest Living recipes

6 Quick-and-Easy Dinner Menus14 Sweet Quick Bread TreatsDinner in 30 Minutes or Less17 Quick and Easy Muffin RecipesQuick-and-Easy Dessert Recipes

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