In a hurry? Need food fast? Sick and tired of fast food joints, pizza delivery and other junk like nuke-a-meals? Welcome friends! I have a few ideas that might ease that weekday rush. Of course these will just be a few of my personal favorites, not a whole cookbook. They have people that write those books, I'm not one of them unfortunately. They make way more money than I do and also have more ideas!
But for a down and dirty meal..here's some ideas I use.
When cooking for just me I tend to be lazy as heck...but if I want something approaching nutritious and tasty I'll boil some water, break some pasta into it and let it cook. While that cooks I'll get out sauté some minced garlic and onion in a mixture of olive oil and butter, ( I tend more towards a 80% olive oil mix), add in some veggies from the freezer-whatever is on hand) sautéed until the pasta is done and after draining the pasta I combine and top with fresh grated parmesiano reggiano. Takes less than 20 minutes and is easy as heck.
When I'm in the mood (usually warmer times I keep more fresh produce on hand) I'll toss a boneless chicken breast in some Italian dressing. after I check email and newsgroups, I'll heat up a pan or my convection oven (table top version) and cook the chicken until its cooked through but not dry. I'll put together a salad of whatever is on hand and add the cut up chicken and a light vinaigrette. Sometimes I'll top it with more Italian, but more usually some raspberry vinegar and walnut oil (or olive if I'm out of walnut).
Of course there is always the "toss a steak in a hot cast iron pan, sear both sides and finish in the oven with sides of salad and baked potato". Its a nice thing once in awhile.
I won't have the audacity to deny a ramen meal once in a while but I do doctor the noodles. I'll boil the noodles and toss in some frozen veggies, then drain and toss in some bottled salad dressing (the ginger/Asian blends are good) or maybe a little stir fry sauce. I have also used soy but in general its too salty for me on its own. I really like pea pods and baby corn with a ginger/soy dressing I found commercially. takes less than ten minutes.
Of course there is always the eggs and toast dinner-scrambled or an omelet. I use egg substitute mostly (eggs in a box) and add in whatever veggies I have and call it dinner.
So-what are your favorite quick meals for one or two people?
