Hello and happy Tuesday to all that have found their way here. Hope you are all well. It was 54* when I got up this morning! So above average. Another day to be in the mid 70's. This is so great. It is just about perfect in my view. All above normal for sure. Sunrise was lovely and there was also that big old full moon still hanging out!
It is great to be given nice days and evenings for being outside, doing yard work and just sitting. The cats LOVE it; they stay out and play and play.
Ok, let's get to it. I know for ages, I have said homemade is the best. I like homemade, and I try to cook often. I like cooking. I still think that using basic ingredients is probably healthier - but not everyone LIKES to cook. I understand! I get it.
Do what works for you!!!!!!!
As I get older, I am starting to realize that we don't like to 'cook' the same. I realize that cooking means different things to different people. I also realize that many just don't like to cook. No problem. Do you! It is just fine.
If you want to buy premade meals and can afford to - do it. It is your kitchen, you can do what you like.
Maybe some might do better with some premade items that just make cooking a little easier.
Lately I have had questions about easy meals, that don't require standing at the stove a lot, maybe using a crockpot. There are lots of things you can do.
There are many items that can be purchased that makes it easier - sort of semi-homemade.
I ran across a You Tube station the other day call Stacey's Simple Meals - and there was an episode called Crockpot Cooking for One - you might want to look it up. Great ideas.
Think about having a meal of simple things (my favorite): I am a big one pot fan.
Baked potatoes - all loaded up with whatever you have. Chef salads. Pancakes, waffles or breakfast foods. Sausage gravy can be served over toast. Omelets, eggs with whatever you have left added.
Scrambled eggs cooked with diced potatoes. YUM
Pasta - with sauce (can be jarred) or in a salad with cut up veggies or meat. Wraps or rollups - with fresh items or leftovers add some cheese and sauce and yum. Tuna salad, egg salad. Eggs over toast. Add meat or veggies to mac and cheese. Tacos, grilled burritos.
Tortillas can be purchased for next to nothing - fill with leftover meat, cheese, rice, beans, cheese - whatever - roll and slightly grill on a non-stick pan or gridle. Easy and filling.
Mixes can be used. It makes soup making so easy. They can be found in lots of different stores, for various pricing. I get several every year in my Christmas basket from nephew, and I use them. Use as they are or add things yourself to jazz them up. The rice mixes can be added to broth and made into soup as well. I have done that several times. These are super easy to make and very tasty. Just get a little creative with a mix and you can have a fun and tasty, easy meal! Usually all you need is water - broth works too.
If you like using the crockpot - there are lots of fun things to make. Yummy too.
You may want a smaller pot is cooking for one.
One thing I like is pork loin - it is meaty (little fat), and I can fix in numerous ways. I often find these little ones marked down and I get several when I see them. They are about 1 1/2 lbs. and make a few meals. Can cook in the crockpot, add some veggies and you have a meal(s). Cook with BBQ and you can make pulled pork. Cook alone with seasoning and you can do anything you want with it. If I don't like the flavor they have available, I just wash it off and add my own seasoning.
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Use some frozen meatballs and add some sauce for any pasta dinner. Meatballs and BBQ or seasoning for sub sandwiches with some fresh veggies an/or cheese.
Cook up some ground beef with onion (if you like), then add a drained can of sliced or diced potatoes and cook it up together.
Leftover mashed potatoes - add a little flour and an egg and make potato cakes.
You can add fresh veggies to a crockpot (with a bit of liquid) and have a nice fresh dish. A little cooked sausage/meatballs and sauce and cheese w/acorn squash and yum!
There is just no end to quick, easy and delish dishes you can do at home. You can have one pot meals and do fine. They do NOT have to be handmade!!!!!! Hey, I have had my share of frozen lasagna, deli chicken, pot pies, and store-bought pizza (I love Aldi & WM fresh).
There is NO shame in doing what you want to do and what you can afford to do. NONE!
When I suddenly became a one-person household, when I did eat, it was cold cut sandwiches and maybe salad (prepackaged). That was basically it. It took a long while to get back into cooking. I do enjoy cooking, and when I do have company, I want to be able to still cook good things. So, I kind of keep in practice. Plus, I really love food!
No one person has all the answers. No two people have to do things the same. We are each very different and unique and wonderful individuals, and we all have our own ways. I am so glad we are all different - as life would be pretty boring if we weren't.
So happy eating. Eat what you want, what you like and what you can afford. Do you, it is your kitchen.
Any easy ideas you have to offer for others? Have you found any premade items you love?
Have a fantastic day.
Now this was listed as things our Grannies and Mommas always did to watch their dollars - they said no one does these anymore. I do!!!
