January 13, 2025 "go to meals"
- Thread starter Angie
- Start date
No worries. It may be a question about your particular needs, but there's nothing wrong with asking about this.
Not much equipment is needed for the cooking I describe. The main things are a microwave oven, microwave-safe dishes, and silverware. I think pretty much any glass or ceramic dish that you might get at a store that sells home goods would work.
1. Microwaved mixed vegetables (same instructions for most other kinds of frozen vegetables). I usually get a mix of corn, peas, carrots, and green beans. I love carrots too.
Get a one or two pound bag of mixed frozen vegetables.
Open the bag and pour about a quarter to a third of a pound into a microwave-safe dish.
Add about a tablespoon or two of water to the dish (I usually just eyeball it).
Put a rubber band around the bag of vegetables to keep it closed in the freezer.
Microwave the dish on high for about 6.5-8 minutes, until they're as crunchy or soft as you like them. Maybe add a butter or little olive oil.
2. Microwaved Potato.
Get a microwave potato cooker bag. I'm not sure what the official name is. One brand is called "potato express". It's just a quilted bag with a flap on it that works great for cooking potatoes in the microwave. There are probably other brands that work just as well.
Buy a bag of potatoes. You can usually get a 5 pound or bigger bag for cheap. I usually take the potatoes out of the plastic bag to give them some air, they usually last longer that way.
Wash the potato and remove any eyes or anything else you don't like from the potato.
Put the potato in the bag and microwave on high for about 4.5 minutes. Then flip the bag over and cook again for another 1-4 minutes, depending on the size of the potato.
Maybe add some butter or olive oil if you'd like.
3. Microwaved beans.
Ok this one is so simple it's kind of ridiculous to give directions, but...
Get a can of beans (black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, etc)
Open the can and wash off the beans in a sieve, or rinse them right in the can using the lid to strain them (rinsing is important for canned beans, because they often are packed with a lot of salt, or a chemical preservative).
Put the beans in a dish and warm them in the microwave for maybe a minute.
Sometimes I'll get chick peas and heat them up for 1.5 minutes in the microwave, then add some spaghetti sauce.
You can get silicone dish covers to put over the dish so the beans don't explode everywhere, or a glass cover.
Same instructions for other canned foods, though others may not require rinsing. Canned food is not ideal, but a little is not so bad.
4. Microwaved oatmeal.
Get a container of rolled oats.
Pour about a cup into a microwave safe dish. There should be enough capacity in the dish to hold more the amount that you add, because oatmeal will tend to boil up when it's cooked.
Add enough water to cover the oatmeal.
Microwave for about 1.5 minutes on high.
Microwave it again for about 3 minutes on 50% power. You may have to make adjustments based on the size of the bowl or dish you use and the strength of the microwave to prevent it from overflowing.
You could also just follow the instructions on the container of oatmeal. My cooking directions may help to prevent the oatmeal from overflowing.
5. Microwaved turkey burger.
Get some ground turkey burger. The lower-fat kind is usually more expensive, but probably better for you. There's kind of a trade off between price and low-fat. I've found that 99% is too pricey, but 96% is ok. Your results may vary.
Scoop some out with a fork and make a flat patty in a m-safe dish.
I usually poke a doughnut whole in the middle, because that part tends to cook more slowly otherwise.
Cook on high for about 2 to 2.5 minutes.
Pour off the fat, or maybe pat the burger with paper towel.
Turkey burger has gone way up in price in my area, so I've been buying pork and slicing it into small chunks and then microwaving it on 50% power.
6. Tuna salad.
Open and drain a can of tuna. "Chunk light" tuna is best, because it has less mercury in it.
Mix the tuna with about 3-4 spoon fulls of mayonnaise.
You can heat the tuna, eat it as is, or put it on a slice of bread to make an open-faced sandwich.
7. If you like rice, you might want to try getting a rice cooker. I don't like rice because if I eat quite a bit, I'll usually feel ill afterward. There's a complicated Chinese medicine explanation for this, but suffice it say that if you don't feel bad then next day after eating a lot of rice, it's probably ok.
Not much equipment is needed for the cooking I describe. The main things are a microwave oven, microwave-safe dishes, and silverware. I think pretty much any glass or ceramic dish that you might get at a store that sells home goods would work.
1. Microwaved mixed vegetables (same instructions for most other kinds of frozen vegetables). I usually get a mix of corn, peas, carrots, and green beans. I love carrots too.
Get a one or two pound bag of mixed frozen vegetables.
Open the bag and pour about a quarter to a third of a pound into a microwave-safe dish.
Add about a tablespoon or two of water to the dish (I usually just eyeball it).
Put a rubber band around the bag of vegetables to keep it closed in the freezer.
Microwave the dish on high for about 6.5-8 minutes, until they're as crunchy or soft as you like them. Maybe add a butter or little olive oil.
2. Microwaved Potato.
Get a microwave potato cooker bag. I'm not sure what the official name is. One brand is called "potato express". It's just a quilted bag with a flap on it that works great for cooking potatoes in the microwave. There are probably other brands that work just as well.
Buy a bag of potatoes. You can usually get a 5 pound or bigger bag for cheap. I usually take the potatoes out of the plastic bag to give them some air, they usually last longer that way.
Wash the potato and remove any eyes or anything else you don't like from the potato.
Put the potato in the bag and microwave on high for about 4.5 minutes. Then flip the bag over and cook again for another 1-4 minutes, depending on the size of the potato.
Maybe add some butter or olive oil if you'd like.
3. Microwaved beans.
Ok this one is so simple it's kind of ridiculous to give directions, but...
Get a can of beans (black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, etc)
Open the can and wash off the beans in a sieve, or rinse them right in the can using the lid to strain them (rinsing is important for canned beans, because they often are packed with a lot of salt, or a chemical preservative).
Put the beans in a dish and warm them in the microwave for maybe a minute.
Sometimes I'll get chick peas and heat them up for 1.5 minutes in the microwave, then add some spaghetti sauce.
You can get silicone dish covers to put over the dish so the beans don't explode everywhere, or a glass cover.
Same instructions for other canned foods, though others may not require rinsing. Canned food is not ideal, but a little is not so bad.
4. Microwaved oatmeal.
Get a container of rolled oats.
Pour about a cup into a microwave safe dish. There should be enough capacity in the dish to hold more the amount that you add, because oatmeal will tend to boil up when it's cooked.
Add enough water to cover the oatmeal.
Microwave for about 1.5 minutes on high.
Microwave it again for about 3 minutes on 50% power. You may have to make adjustments based on the size of the bowl or dish you use and the strength of the microwave to prevent it from overflowing.
You could also just follow the instructions on the container of oatmeal. My cooking directions may help to prevent the oatmeal from overflowing.
5. Microwaved turkey burger.
Get some ground turkey burger. The lower-fat kind is usually more expensive, but probably better for you. There's kind of a trade off between price and low-fat. I've found that 99% is too pricey, but 96% is ok. Your results may vary.
Scoop some out with a fork and make a flat patty in a m-safe dish.
I usually poke a doughnut whole in the middle, because that part tends to cook more slowly otherwise.
Cook on high for about 2 to 2.5 minutes.
Pour off the fat, or maybe pat the burger with paper towel.
Turkey burger has gone way up in price in my area, so I've been buying pork and slicing it into small chunks and then microwaving it on 50% power.
6. Tuna salad.
Open and drain a can of tuna. "Chunk light" tuna is best, because it has less mercury in it.
Mix the tuna with about 3-4 spoon fulls of mayonnaise.
You can heat the tuna, eat it as is, or put it on a slice of bread to make an open-faced sandwich.
7. If you like rice, you might want to try getting a rice cooker. I don't like rice because if I eat quite a bit, I'll usually feel ill afterward. There's a complicated Chinese medicine explanation for this, but suffice it say that if you don't feel bad then next day after eating a lot of rice, it's probably ok.
I have a bunch of them, but I'll try to put 3 here which are pretty simple, are warm & full of nutrition without any sugar, which I have to say, is not food. These don't use cheese or bread.
Easy quick soup comfort food:
In a medium large heavy pot put: 1 litre container of chicken or vegetable broth, a heaping cup of dry lentils such as Spanish Browns or French Greens, Chop into small pieces and add a cup of each: carrot, celery, & 1 small red potato. Stir in 0.5 tsp each of: paprika, dried onion, Peppercorns, dried Thyme, dried Turkish oregano. Bring to a boil, put the lid on and turn it to a simmer for half an hour or so. Add salt to your liking at the end. Salt toughens the lentils if you add it at the start. This smells good as it cooks and makes enough for a couple of days suppers or lunches.
Quick greens with pasta and protein:
1 small can tuna in olive oil, OR 1 small can chicken, 5 handfuls of baby spinach, a Tbsp of water, and a shake of garlic powder. Warm this in a little pan with the lid on. The spinach shrinks down a lot, so don't worry if the lid doesn't cover it all the way at first. Then while that's happening make a portion of your healthy pasta at the same time (in a separate pot). When the pasta is done, stir it all together, add a pat of butter or a little more evoo, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Pan of protein and veggies:
In a heavy iron skillet or if you must, a non-stick one, heat up some evoo (extra vigin olive oil) and when it's medium hot add and gently saute half a cup + or - cubes of ham, chpped pieces of half a red capsicum, a sliced shallot or spring onion. Pour in 3 eggs that you've whisked a little with a fork. Turn off the heat and put a lid on it. The residual heat wll finish cooking the eggs.
I hope you feel better very soon @Angie ⭐️
For myself it is the simple cheeseburger. I always portion off and individually freeze out the meat in patty form in Ziploc bags. As long as you have buns or a substitute bread or bun that you prefer all you have to do is drop the patty in the pan, heat and a quick and easy burger with any toppings you may have and like. I like that hamburgers are also one of my favorite foods.
Angie, I would suggest making a large batch of whatever you are fixing. Something that will last several days. Then you don't have to cook that much. A large meatloaf for example.
I also like making a chicken soup. I start with a large can of Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup, add some real chicken, some chopped carrots and barley. Simmer it until barley is done. You also might want to add oregano and other spices.
Good luck.
I also like making a chicken soup. I start with a large can of Campbells Cream of Chicken Soup, add some real chicken, some chopped carrots and barley. Simmer it until barley is done. You also might want to add oregano and other spices.
Good luck.
I read “mercury” as “memory” and, for a moment, considered veganism.
A go to of mine (back when I could cook) is egg-in-a-hole. I’m sure you’ve seen it and know how to make it. That’s what they’re making in almost every movie where they make breakfast. It’s the first thing I learned how to cook, from watching my mom when I was little.
It only takes a few minutes, the only ingredients are eggs, bread, butter, and salt, it only dirties one pan (and if you use non-stick for eggs it’s easy to clean) and it tastes good. It’s one of very few things that doesn’t take 10x as long to cook as to eat.
Also, sandwiches of various types. I can make them in advance and fridge them so there’s something easy to grab later when I might not have the mental energy to make anything. I just use whatever is in the fridge, if there’s anything appropriate.
Also whatever the fuck I want from DoorDash. Everything takes so much effort now (either making food, or going to get it). I never used it before, and try not to use it too often, but sometimes the extra cost is worth it.
A go to of mine (back when I could cook) is egg-in-a-hole. I’m sure you’ve seen it and know how to make it. That’s what they’re making in almost every movie where they make breakfast. It’s the first thing I learned how to cook, from watching my mom when I was little.
It only takes a few minutes, the only ingredients are eggs, bread, butter, and salt, it only dirties one pan (and if you use non-stick for eggs it’s easy to clean) and it tastes good. It’s one of very few things that doesn’t take 10x as long to cook as to eat.
Also, sandwiches of various types. I can make them in advance and fridge them so there’s something easy to grab later when I might not have the mental energy to make anything. I just use whatever is in the fridge, if there’s anything appropriate.
Also whatever the fuck I want from DoorDash. Everything takes so much effort now (either making food, or going to get it). I never used it before, and try not to use it too often, but sometimes the extra cost is worth it.
i have a few quick, less then 30 mins, meals my family would devour.
i get a bag of mixed salad, (this has all the makings in it, dressing, mixed greens, often toppings like nuts n such as well) whatever you like. Open a can of chicken or tuna or beef, drain it (i often use the beef n chicken stock in something else later), use a fork directly in the can to break the meat apart and add it to the salad. Insta-meal.
my Sicilian family probably roll in their graves for this one... but... 1 box of pasta, one jar of sauce and 1 lb of meat. Cook whatever meat you want with any seasonings you like, my go to is salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook pasta according to directions. Pasta and meat usual take the same amount of time. Drain pasta, add directly into the pasta pot the meat and sauce, mix, heat through, n enjoy. You can use canned meats as well n just cook the pasta n use whatever sauce n meats you prefer n just add them all into the same pasta pot once pasta is drained.
The next day you can use some of the leftover pasta n make a grilled cheese with it. Butter n garlic 2 slices of bread, and get whatever sliced cheese you wish, (or shredded and mix it into the pasta), lay a slice on a preheated pan or griddle, place your pasta n cheese, place the other slice on top, cook at a lower temp to heat n melt all the cheese, flip, remove and enjoy once its at the color you like the bread to be.
Another pasta is with a box of mac n cheese, cook accordingly, brown some meat, we usually use ground beef, while it's cooking add seasonings like cumin, chili powder, green chilies, salt n pepper. Whatever flavors you like. Once pasta is cooked n drained, make the mac n cheese, mix in the meat n add extra cheese if you wish. Sometimes we put it into a baking dish to get even more crunchy bits on top.
One that isn't pasta (shocking)
i have recently found chicken meatloaf. 1lb chicken, Italian seasonings, salt pepper, 1/4C parmesan cheese, 1/2C breadcrumbs and an egg. Mix all together, add 1/4C milk, mix well. Form into small loafs and cook at 375 for about 30 mins. i also sprinkle EVOO on the top and add a bit of shredded cheese. recently i also cut up potatoes, add around the meatloaf and sprinkle with whatever seasonings' i wish (salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasonings) Let them all cook together n its little clean up.
You can use that same thing n add Italian sausage and make meatballs. Cooking a little less time.
i have many low cost, short cooking time, minimal ingredient, recipes my kids lived on. and can post them later if you would like. True cooks would be baffled at them and become livid with all my shortcuts.
i get a bag of mixed salad, (this has all the makings in it, dressing, mixed greens, often toppings like nuts n such as well) whatever you like. Open a can of chicken or tuna or beef, drain it (i often use the beef n chicken stock in something else later), use a fork directly in the can to break the meat apart and add it to the salad. Insta-meal.
my Sicilian family probably roll in their graves for this one... but... 1 box of pasta, one jar of sauce and 1 lb of meat. Cook whatever meat you want with any seasonings you like, my go to is salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook pasta according to directions. Pasta and meat usual take the same amount of time. Drain pasta, add directly into the pasta pot the meat and sauce, mix, heat through, n enjoy. You can use canned meats as well n just cook the pasta n use whatever sauce n meats you prefer n just add them all into the same pasta pot once pasta is drained.
The next day you can use some of the leftover pasta n make a grilled cheese with it. Butter n garlic 2 slices of bread, and get whatever sliced cheese you wish, (or shredded and mix it into the pasta), lay a slice on a preheated pan or griddle, place your pasta n cheese, place the other slice on top, cook at a lower temp to heat n melt all the cheese, flip, remove and enjoy once its at the color you like the bread to be.
Another pasta is with a box of mac n cheese, cook accordingly, brown some meat, we usually use ground beef, while it's cooking add seasonings like cumin, chili powder, green chilies, salt n pepper. Whatever flavors you like. Once pasta is cooked n drained, make the mac n cheese, mix in the meat n add extra cheese if you wish. Sometimes we put it into a baking dish to get even more crunchy bits on top.
One that isn't pasta (shocking)
i have recently found chicken meatloaf. 1lb chicken, Italian seasonings, salt pepper, 1/4C parmesan cheese, 1/2C breadcrumbs and an egg. Mix all together, add 1/4C milk, mix well. Form into small loafs and cook at 375 for about 30 mins. i also sprinkle EVOO on the top and add a bit of shredded cheese. recently i also cut up potatoes, add around the meatloaf and sprinkle with whatever seasonings' i wish (salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasonings) Let them all cook together n its little clean up.
You can use that same thing n add Italian sausage and make meatballs. Cooking a little less time.
i have many low cost, short cooking time, minimal ingredient, recipes my kids lived on. and can post them later if you would like. True cooks would be baffled at them and become livid with all my shortcuts.
Along the lines of meatloaf and meatballs those are great ideas for things for future meals. When that big freeze was approaching a number of years ago I made up three pounds or so of meatballs, naturally leave in the fat and dump in a can or two of cream of mushroom soup, some Lipton dried onion soup mix a good amount of water. I had meatballs and gravy enough for days. I was glad I never lost electricity but that was something that kept well and even if the power went off I could always just light the gas stove with a grill match and keep going.
Tonight i made a quick comfort meal for the guys in the house as they are each dealing with their own daemons.
Opened a can of a thick beef stew and heated it through. Made some instant mashed potatoes. in about 5 mins everything was done. Added the stew over the potatoes. i also add a tiny bit of cheese over the top once served.
Was able to have a couple of bites... it brought back some wonderful memories of camping.
Opened a can of a thick beef stew and heated it through. Made some instant mashed potatoes. in about 5 mins everything was done. Added the stew over the potatoes. i also add a tiny bit of cheese over the top once served.
Was able to have a couple of bites... it brought back some wonderful memories of camping.
Bread and butter is the bread and butter of my quick meals (both literally and figuratively). Pre-heat oven to 400, bake a baguette (or similar) for 4-7 minutes until crisp, spread some butter (it melts well), and add any toppings (blue or brie cheese, ham, tomato slices, etc. -- whatever you like on a sandwich).