As you would guess, the pantry and refrigerator/freezer of the RV is small. Food storage space limits the amount of left-overs we can plan on. Food storage space also severely limits the number of food items we may want to have on hand. Usually, there is just about enough space to store the ingredients of the menu especially prepared for the outing. However, this recipe uses a few items that I have found handy to have along, can be used in a variety of ways for the quick-and-easy, ad hoc meal, and they don’t require a lot of storage space. Prepared chicken nuggets, 4–ounce fruit cups (mixed fruit or diced peaches), and frozen Bell pepper strips are usually found in the pantry or the freezer. Don’t forget that jar of jam for the breakfast toast, and the bottle of catsup in the refrigerator door. All have been used in this recipe.

• 10 Breast Nuggets (or 5 per person)
• 1 cup frozen pepper strips
• 1/4 cup apricot jam
• 1/4 cup tomato catsup

• 1 4-ounce cup mixed fruit, with juice
• 1/2 cup sliced onion
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Prepare foil-lined toaster oven pan with a spritz of non-stick spray. Place breast nuggets on foil and roast at 400°, turning once, until just starting to crisp, about 10 minutes.
2. Sweat onions in a small amount of oil. Season with salt and pepper. When onions are just beginning to soften, add pepper strips and cook until peppers are soft.
3. Add catsup, apricot jam, fruit juice and soy sauce. Cook and stir until blended, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced to desired consistency, about 5 minutes. Add reserved fruit and breast nuggets. Toss to coat all pieces evenly.
4. Serve with fried rice.

   

Foster Farms and Tyson both make frozen and breaded Breast Nuggets, precooked chicken white meat nuggets. They are not highly seasoned and work well in any recipe where the other ingredients provide the majority of the flavoring. They require freezer space but the soft bag allows them to be fitted into the available space. From freezer, 8 to 10 minutes in the toaster oven will give you nuggets heated through with a nice crispiness to the breaded coating.

Popcorn chicken is usually coated with a spicy breading. But in a pinch, it does make for a tasty, quick and easy sweet and sour chicken dish. With a bit of Minute Rice simulated fried rice, prepared frozen egg rolls and a pot of green tea, you are all set for a nice Chinese-style meal.

Del Monte makes 4-ounce fruit cups and are available in mixed fruit or diced peaches. They don’t require refrigeration until opened. A few on the pantry shelf make for a quick dessert of a bit of fruit to round-out the breakfast, or even a nice snack.