What things to you "Doctor" up?

[momoftwins]

What can, package, or storebought item do you "doctor" up? Me, about the only thing I can doctor up was can baked beans. Now, Bushes even does that for me

Would love to hear your recipes, especially as things get busier for the season and of course, no eating out! Thanks all!!!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

If I use jarred pasta sauce, I doctor it up. Add onion, basil, a little sugar and salt.

 

[NannyBeBe]

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese - I add shredded cheese, use half & half instead of milk; Kraft spaghetti in the box - I use crushed tomatoes, add butter and Parmesan, mushrooms, and seasoned cooked ground beef. I save the water from cooking potatoes and use it to dilute canned soup - greatly improves the flavor.

 

[DLgal]

I doctor up Bush's baked beans. I add Heinz chili sauce, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, pepper, and a bit of ketchup. If I'm feeling really fancy, some crumbled bacon and sauteed onions.

I also doctor up oatmeal. I can't imagine making it with water or plain milk. I use a mix of evaporated milk, regular milk, and water, then add a cinnamon stick ,sugar, and a lime peel and then cook over low heat until it boils. It's the Puerto Rican way.

I sometimes doctor up frozen pizza with extra toppings.

I doctor Bisquick Cheese Garlic biscuits with sliced green onions and bacon and extra cheese.

 

[Kittyblue]

I doctor up jarred spaghetti sauce with lots of fresh veggies.

My kids doctor up top ramen with some seasoning and an over easy egg.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I add a can of milk instead of water to Tomato soup. Same for instant hot chocolate. It's just richer with the milk.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I put a teaspoon of good vanilla extract and a teaspoon of butter extract into boxed cake mixes. Makes them taste more homemade.

 

[disneychrista]

Does blend the jar spaghetti sauce count? Do NOT like chunks if tomatoes in my sauce. But do like the flavor of Classico Four Cheese.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Does blend the jar spaghetti sauce count? Do NOT like chunks if tomatoes in my sauce. But do like the flavor of Classico Four Cheese.

it counts if you throw in sliced buttered cooked mushrooms and a type of meat, be it meat balls or shrimp....have visited homes where all they did was dump the jar on the hot noodles.

 

[chickapin parterre]

My kids doctor up top ramen with some seasoning and an over easy egg.

....and frozen peas, bacon bits and large slab of butter....but alas...this only works if you throw away the foil packet.

 

[Kittyblue]

....and frozen peas, bacon bits and large slab of butter....but alas...this only works if you throw away the foil packet.

I'll share those ideas! I bet they'd love the bacon bits and butter, but I know for sure they'll throw out the peas

 

[disneychrista]

it counts if you throw in sliced buttered cooked mushrooms and a type of meat, be it meat balls or shrimp....have visited homes where all they did was dump the jar on the hot noodles.

Definitely no fungi nor shrimp. I will add ground beef on occasion or let grilled chicken & sauce do it’s thing in a crockpot while I’m at work. I will confess it is usually sauce on noodle. That’s what make it such a fast & easy dinner.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I'll share those ideas! I bet they'd love the bacon bits and butter, but I know for sure they'll throw out the peas

Foiled again.....on making healthy eating habits.

 

[disneychrista]

My kids doctor up top ramen with some seasoning and an over easy egg.

My sister would make ramen and add ketchup and mustard.

 

[Kittyblue]

Foiled again.....on making healthy eating habits.

Hey I tried when they were little, and I eat plenty of veggies myself, I should at least get an E for effort

My sister would make ramen and add ketchup and mustard.

Yuck!!!

 

[fly girl]

Spaghetti sauce, like everyone else.

Campbell's Chicken and Rice Soup. I add extra rice (either leftover or minute rice).

My current favorite is adding a kick to my frozen edamame. Once they are cooked and hot, I dump them in a bowl with a little olive oil, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. SO GOOD! I pop those suckers out of the shell like candy.

 

[crazylady]

I doctor up my hot chocolate with kahlua.

I also have a couple take recipes that add a bunch of stuff to boxed cake mixes.

We do eat spaghetti sauce without doctoring it.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I add a can of milk instead of water to Tomato soup. Same for instant hot chocolate. It's just richer with the milk.

Half and Half or even heavy cream works well with the Tomato Soup. And I add a can of stewed tomatoes, instant minced onion, and celery flakes.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What can, package, or storebought item do you "doctor" up?

Hamburger/Tuna/Chicken Helper. Usually load it with fresh chopped veggies.

Also baked beans. Brown sugar & ketchup.

Tomato sauce. Fresh, diced tomatoes, onion, green pepper.

Suddenly Salad. Extra veggies.

 

[Imzadi]

it counts if you throw in sliced buttered cooked mushrooms and a type of meat, be it meat balls or shrimp....have visited homes where all they did was dump the jar on the hot noodles.

I think of jarred pasta sauces as a component or ingredient in making a sauce. Not an end in itself.

For a meat bolonaise sauce: I used to brown meat that I flavor first with salt, pepper, garlic, onions, & fennel (for more of a sweet sausage flavor.) Now, instead of browning the meat, I pour about a half inch of the boiling pasta water to the bottom of the sauce pot, add in the meat & spices above. The meat stews in the starchy pasta water, instead of the added fat from browning. Then I add in the jarred pasta sauce, add more spices, and some sugar to mellow the sauce. Many jarred sauces are too sour for my taste.

For a meat-less pasta sauce, I always add in parmesan cheese & some butter, extra oregano & basil to a jarred, chunky tomato sauce.

To Classico or Ragu alfredo sauce, I add in a dollop of butter (per serving) & lots of black pepper.


To Kraft mac & cheese I sometimes add a little dill to change up the flavor.


For tuna salad, I add in crushed Italian or Caesar croutons to the tuna, mayo, salt & pepper. It adds a nice burst of flavor & some crunch.