Cooking hacks for the solo

[bobcat]

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

Copied, pasted, and saved. Thank you.

 

[bobcat]

Know this;

Anything you experiment with is salvageable

Just need this

View attachment 297251


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

That's probably not all I'll have for days. Lol

 

[bobcat]

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.

I may try that, I love Mexican food and black beans.

 

[bobcat]

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?

Didn't know that about microwaving mashed potatoes, and as for the stew (Which I love), maybe you're right, just make the potatoes separate.

 

[bobcat]

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

I am not a picky eater. I love Mexican dishes, stew, soups, casseroles, vegetable dishes, Mediterranean, noodles and pastas, stir frys, sea food, chicken, pork, some beef (sparingly), salads, desserts, breakfast dishes, so pretty much everything (Except sauerkraut or cottage cheese - Don't care for either one).

 

[Jules]

Allrecipes.com is a good reference site. People add comments to how they made the recipes. There’re many great sites. If you have a cupboard full of spices, that’s great to work with.

In the winter, I make huge batches of soup and freeze it up. Find a recipe and improvise. Throw in a little of this and leave out some of that.

 

[oldaunt]

Bacon tip: Layer a serving of bacon between layers of waxed or parchment paper and wrap in plastic to freeze. You can easily separate portions while still frozen, thaw and cook.

 

[bobcat]

Bacon tip: Layer a serving of bacon between layers of waxed or parchment paper and wrap in plastic to freeze. You can easily separate portions while still frozen, thaw and cook.

I have learned now how to do bacon in the microwave. I just put two paper towels on a plate, then 3 pieces of bacon, and then a paper towel on top. Micro for about 4 minutes, and then check, if it needs a little more, then add a bit more time.

 

[oldaunt]

I have learned now how to do bacon in the microwave. I just put two paper towels on a plate, then 3 pieces of bacon, and then a paper towel on top. Micro for about 4 minutes, and then check, if it needs a little more, then add a bit more time.

Yep, been doing that since the first microwave.

 

[MountainRa]

The site whattomaketoeat.com gives you ideas of what to do with leftovers or ingredients you have on hand. For example, if you have a can of green beans ,etc. and want ideas of ways to eat them.

https://whattomaketoeat.com

 

[bobcat]

The site whattomaketoeat.com gives you ideas of what to do with leftovers or ingredients you have on hand. For example, if you have a can of green beans ,etc. and want ideas of ways to eat them.

https://whattomaketoeat.com

Wow, there is a lot of stuff on there. I saved it to favorites and will visit periodically.

 

[hollydolly]

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.

unless you've grown or picked your own Veggies..Frozen are MUCH more healthy than fresh. Frozen within 2 hours of harvesting.. they keep all their protein and vitamins, whereas fresh have lost most of theirs by the time several days have passed before they end up on the supermarket shelves

 

[Kaila]

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 love how easy the rice cooker is, too.
I usually put either quinoa or buckwheat groats (kasha) in it, instead of rice;
or a combo of 2, or all 3 of those. Nutritious, and good to have some canned salmon or something else, simple with it. Voila!
Leftovers of the quinoa and/or kasha, are good for breakfast, lunch or supper! By themselves, or next to something else.

 

[Kaila]

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.

Cooked potato, stores fine for a few days in the fridge, to use with anything else.

 

[hollydolly]

The site whattomaketoeat.com gives you ideas of what to do with leftovers or ingredients you have on hand. For example, if you have a can of green beans ,etc. and want ideas of ways to eat them.

https://whattomaketoeat.com

that's a great site.. I bookmarked that years ago.. and I keep forgetting all about it..

 

[bobcat]

Cooked potato, stores fine for a few days in the fridge, to use with anything else.

Plus I could nuke 'em in the microwave as I need them I guess.

 

[oldaunt]

Plus I could nuke 'em in the microwave as I need them I guess.

Or slice them thick and fry up in a little butter for breakfast....

 

[Jackie23]

I make different types of tacos..you can cook the hamburger ahead and freeze then just take out what you need for a meal.. add spices....or use deli chicken, I freeze strips of green peppers and onions for the tacos or you can buy frozen onions and peppers together ....the deli chicken is great to debone, freeze and use in different dishes..tacos, soups, salads or noodles with a cream sauce and as others have said, try different spices.
I love mash potatoes and have found some of the instant box potatoes are good when you add butter, a dash of garlic powder, chives, salt and pepper. There is a fairly new Kraft mac and cheese (different types of cheeses) boxed item out that is very good, cook the macaroni, drain and add the prepared cheese sauce...good for 2 meals.
Good luck!

 

[bobcat]

I make different types of tacos..you can cook the hamburger ahead and freeze then just take out what you need for a meal.. add spices....or use deli chicken, I freeze strips of green peppers and onions for the tacos or you can buy frozen onions and peppers together ....the deli chicken is great to debone, freeze and use in different dishes..tacos, soups, salads or noodles with a cream sauce and as others have said, try different spices.
I love mash potatoes and have found some of the instant box potatoes are good when you add butter, a dash of garlic powder, chives, salt and pepper. There is a fairly new Kraft mac and cheese (different types of cheeses) boxed item out that is very good, cook the macaroni, drain and add the prepared cheese sauce...good for 2 meals.
Good luck!

I love tacos, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese (I'll have to look for the new one).

 

[palides2021]

Whenever I have cooked in the past, I was always mindful of the time an ingredient needed cooking. For example, if I were to make an omelette, I would first add the chopped onions, chopped pepper into the pan and sauté in the oil first. They take longer to cook than the 2-minute egg. Then beat the eggs and add the cheese (usually shredded cheddar) into the eggs and pour that over the sautéed vegetables and cook until the omelettes become fluffy. Tip: I would fold it over and cut into two for easy handling.

Same concept for other foods. Timing is essential so you don't get overcooked or undercooked meals. Microwave is really a big help for solo cooking.

Try and avoid processed foods and focus on Whole Foods to get the most nutrition. As others have said here, frozen vegetables are pretty packed with nutrition. Frozen vegetables can also be microwaved in the bag in just a short time.

If all else fails, you can eat out at a restaurant once in a while.

 

[bobcat]

Whenever I have cooked in the past, I was always mindful of the time an ingredient needed cooking. For example, if I were to make an omelette, I would first add the chopped onions, chopped pepper into the pan and sauté in the oil first. They take longer to cook than the 2-minute egg. Then beat the eggs and add the cheese (usually shredded cheddar) into the eggs and pour that over the sautéed vegetables and cook until the omelettes become fluffy. Tip: I would fold it over and cut into two for easy handling.

Same concept for other foods. Timing is essential so you don't get overcooked or undercooked meals. Microwave is really a big help for solo cooking.

Try and avoid processed foods and focus on Whole Foods to get the most nutrition. As others have said here, frozen vegetables are pretty packed with nutrition. Frozen vegetables can also be microwaved in the bag in just a short time.

If all else fails, you can eat out at a restaurant once in a while.

Yeah, I'm kinda learning that thing about some things cooking faster than others. If I put raw carrots in anything, they are never done when other things are. Thanks.

 

[hollydolly]

Yeah, I'm kinda learning that thing about some things cooking faster than others. If I put raw carrots in anything, they are never done when other things are. Thanks.

Carrots take the longest of all veggies to cook... so when using them cut them as small as you want this will cut down the cooking time , and always let them cook first for a while before adding other ingredients...

If you get the time or inclination, you can always cook up a whole batch of Carrots.. boil them..or roast them... then mash them with salt & pepper, and freeze them in individual portions.. . You can add them still frozen to any dish you're cooking..or microwave for a couple of minutes..

Also remember Canned carrots are just as good for you as fresh....

 

[Kaila]

Or slice them thick and fry up in a little butter for breakfast....

Or slice those potato's thin, and do them that way, with those sliced onions, someone mentioned above! Yum!

And for a more complete breakfast (or for any meal)
when they are nearly done, toss in an egg on top of them or with them. Yummy and nutritious and filling and satisfying.

Plus, I'd heard you say in a different thread, that you like cheese, which would go great on top of those 3 items, all in the same pan when very nearly finished.

 

[bobcat]

Carrots take the longest of all veggies to cook... so when using them cut them as small as you want this will cut down the cooking time , and always let them cook first for a while before adding other ingredients...

If you get the time or inclination, you can always cook up a whole batch of Carrots.. boil them..or roast them... then mash them with salt & pepper, and freeze them in individual portions.. . You can add them still frozen to any dish you're cooking..or microwave for a couple of minutes..

Also remember Canned carrots are just as good for you as fresh....

Could I also just peel the whole thing with a potato peeler, cook them in oil or butter, salt and pepper like you mentioned, and then freeze them?

 

[bobcat]

Or slice those potato's thin, and do them that way, with those sliced onions, someone mentioned above! Yum!

And for a more complete breakfast (or for any meal)
when they are nearly done, toss in an egg on top of them or with them. Yummy and nutritious and filling and satisfying.

Plus, I'd heard you say in a different thread, that you like cheese, which would go great on top of those 3 items, all in the same pan when very nearly finished.

I have bought hash brown patties before, but this way seems much better. Slice potatoes thin, put them in oil, along with onions, cook them, add an egg on top and sprinkle some cheddar. Sounds like a great breakfast. Thanks.