Cooking hacks for the solo

[bobcat]

I prefer not to buy processed foods because I know they're not that healthy, so I've been learning to cook for myself, and it seems there is so much to grasp.
I know there are no shortcuts to gourmet meals, but I feel I should leave that to the gifted among you and stick to the basics.
I was thinking there are a number of you that have learned cooking hacks and shortcuts for solo cooking.
So, if there is anything you would care to share, I would be appreciative.

I have learned that you can mix Lipton Beefy Onion Soup mix in a pound of hamburger, and it makes burgers tasty.
I have learned that you can put little slices of cheese on tortilla chips and microwave them for 25 seconds and you have nachos.
But beyond that, I am just learning by mistakes, so if you have quick tips, feel free to chime in.

 

[BC Flash]

My go to: A seasonal vegetable stir fry with boneless skinless chicken (usually thighs as breast seem to be dry) with rice or noodles.

https://therecipecritic.com/vegetable-stir-fry/

 

[CarolfromTX]

Pinterest is your friend. Also, we like several different YouTube cooking channels. I recommend Food Wishes with Chef John For approachable food. And make sure your knives are sharp.

 

[RadishRose]

you can mix Lipton Beefy Onion Soup mix in a pound of hamburger,

Processed food and high in sodium. Just fry real onions with the hamburger.

Fish cooks quickly either baked or sauteed. Heat up a rice packet in the microwave.

Bags of frozen veg are just as healthy as fresh. Just boil or steam in the microwave. Drain.

 

[bobcat]

My go to: A seasonal vegetable stir fry with boneless skinless chicken (usually thighs as breast seem to be dry) with rice or noodles.

https://therecipecritic.com/vegetable-stir-fry/

Of course. I forget about stir frys, and I have little packets of frozen chicken meat I debone from Costco roast chicken, and the frozen food section has bags of stir fry vegetables. It would be a snap. Thanks !

 

[bobcat]

Processed food and high in sodium. Just fry real onions with the hamburger.

Fish cooks quickly either baked or sauteed. Heat up a rice packet in the microwave.

Bags of frozen veg are just as healthy as fresh. Just boil or steam in the microwave. Drain.

Thanks. Are the rice packets not processed, and are they near the dry rice in the store?

 

[Gary O']

I learned to cook early on

A filling economic breakfast for a working bachelor;

Pancake mix
add water



Syrup mix
a few drops into a pot of boiling water
and sugar to taste
Better than any fake maple syrup on the grocery shelf
cheaper too





Heat up a flat skillet


Black coffee

voila

Breakfast that'll last you all day

 

[Lilac]

When you find a recipe you like, don't worry about making too much because you can freeze it for quick meals later.

It may be a little expensive at first, but buy herbs & seasonings so you have them on hand. I buy mine from a bulk food store where they are always fresh & are much cheaper than the grocery. Sometimes you can find bulk seasonings at health food stores too.

In some recipes, I find it can be just as easy to add granulated garlic or granulated onions instead of fresh. Especially if I ran out.

I like the magazine & website Taste of Home. They have easy & tasty recipes & sometimes they will feature some for two servings.

 

[bobcat]

I learned to cook early on

A filling economic breakfast for a working bachelor;

Pancake mix
add water

View attachment 297250

Syrup mix
a few drops into a pot of boiling water
and sugar to taste
Better than any fake maple syrup on the grocery shelf
cheaper too



View attachment 297247

Heat up a flat skillet


Black coffee

voila

Breakfast that'll last you all day
View attachment 297249

I have the Krusteaz mix. I had forgotten about the maple flavor. My mom always made pancake syrup with that. Man, that takes me back.

 

[oldaunt]

Thanks. Are the rice packets not processed, and are they near the dry rice in the store?

With an inexpensive rice steamer, you can make your own rice packets and freeze them. I fill my cooker once, and freeze portions in baggies for later. Just add a dribble of water when thawed and nuke right in the (opened) bag.

 

[RadishRose]

Thanks. Are the rice packets not processed, and are they near the dry rice in the store?

 

[bobcat]

When you find a recipe you like, don't worry about making too much because you can freeze it for quick meals later.

It may be a little expensive at first, but buy herbs & seasonings so you have them on hand. I buy mine from a bulk food store where they are always fresh & are much cheaper than the grocery. Sometimes you can find bulk seasonings at health food stores too.
In some recipes, I find it can be just as easy to add granulated garlic or granulated onions instead of fresh. Especially if I ran out.

I like the magazine & website Taste of Home. They have easy & tasty recipes & sometimes they will feature some for two servings.

Thanks. I do have lots of seasonings from before my wife passed, so I am pretty covered there. Just knowing what they are used for is another matter. I'm sure some of them are for baking, so they probably won't get used for now.
I tried freezing some stew, but I found out the hard way that potatoes don't freeze well. They come out mealy when you thaw them. Live and learn I guess.

 

[RadishRose]

With an inexpensive rice steamer, you can make your own rice packets and freeze them. I fill my cooker once, and freeze portions in baggies for later. Just add a dribble of water when thawed and nuke right in the (opened) bag.

I just cook rice in a pot on the stove, or covered in the microwave. No rice steamer needed,

 

[Gary O']

My mom always made pancake syrup with that. Man, that takes me back.

She knew how to economize without sacrificing taste

Good Momma

 

[oldaunt]

And did you actually read the ingredients list? Bioengineered? I'll stick to my plain brown rice.

 

[bobcat]

Thanks, I will see if I can find them. They look great, and no preservatives.

 

[oldaunt]

I just cook rice in a pot on the stove, or covered in the microwave. No rice steamer needed,

Yep. The rice pot just makes it a lot easier, and shuts off when done.

 

[bobcat]

I just cook rice in a pot on the stove, or covered in the microwave. No rice steamer needed,

I like that, only I didn't know you could freeze it. I guess I just figured it would turn to mush.

 

[oldaunt]

I like that, only I didn't know you could freeze it. I guess I just figured it would turn to mush.

Only if its really overcooked.

 

[Lilac]

After I retired, I started to look for recipes for making my own mixes of all types like pancake & spices. I didn't like the ingredients I seen listed. I also found out that if I had all of the basic ingredients, there isn't too many mixes that I can't make myself when I want them without having to have a lot of different boxes on the shelf.

Here is the recipe I use from a Nigella Lawson cookbook for pancakes.

4 cups flour 2 tsp. baking soda 2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt

Mix the above ingredients together and store in a jar.

TO MAKE BATTER: 1 cup pancake mix 1 cup milk
1 egg 1 Tbsp. melted butter

Add wet ingredients to mix and whisk together. Heat griddle or pan, add some butter to melt.

Spoon 4 Tbsp. of batter in pan and when bubbles appear on the surface, flip. They should be golden brown on both sides.

Makes approximately: (7) 6"-pancakes

 

[Gary O']

do have lots of seasonings from before my wife passed, so I am pretty covered there. Just knowing what they are used for is another matter. I'm sure some of them are for baking, so they probably won't get used for now.
I tried freeezing some stew, but I found out the hard way that potatoes don't freeze well. They come out mealy when you thaw them. Live and learn I guess

Know this;

Anything you experiment with is salvageable

Just need this




That and a package of flour tortillas
you've got lunch and dinner for days

 

[OldFeller]

Bachelors recipes

Johnsonville sausage patties on slider rolls. Cook patties in fry pan 4 mins per side. Refrigerate leftovers and microwave 30 seconds high when reheating.

A quick breakfast or lunch.

Birdseye microwavable frozen peas make a good side dish.

Black bean Taquitos:

1 cupChicken broth
2 14 oz cans Black beans
1 Sweet onion

Broth in a sauce pan.
Add 1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
Drained and rinsed beans
Chopped onion

stir, bring to boil, then turn down and simmer on medium heat until broth looks close to completely absorbed. (About 20 mins)
Remove from heat, stir in 1 tbsp butter and 1/4 cup celantro.

Use a potato masher or similar to mash the mixture into more of a paste.

For each taquito,
Fill and then roll up a flour tortilla with the bean filling and grated cheddar cheese.
Spray olive oil on alum foil, place each rolled taquito on foil and place in toaster oven.
Bake taquitos at 400 degrees in a toaster oven for 10 minutes.

Serve with a salsa sauce for additional flavor.

I get a few days of quick lunch from the bean filling. And it's easy to make a quick lunch out of it.

 

[Lilac]

I tried freezing some stew, but I found out the hard way that potatoes don't freeze well. They come out mealy when you thaw them. Live and learn I guess.

With frozen mashed potatoes & au gratins, I let them thaw out & allow the moisture to go back into the potato. For the mashed, I reheat them in the microwave. They seem running at first, but tighten back up to the original consistency. I reheat the au gratins in the microwave too with a piece of wax paper over them & then let them sit for a minute or so.

I haven't frozen potatoes in stews because they aren't my favorite, so I'm not sure about what you could do about them. Maybe freeze the stew without the potatoes & add a few fresh boiled later?

 

[bobcat]

Only if its really overcooked.

Ahhh, got it. Thanks, that helps.

 

[Gaer]

Love to help but it would be better if we knew what you like to eat.