Post # 1
Member
438 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: August 2017 - Bahamas
My fiance and I are guilty of eating out more than we eat at home. Sure, we go out to eat with friends once a week, but we have also fallen into the habit of going out to eat just because it’s easier. Well… easier isn’t always cheaper and we’ve run the numbers. We can save up a TON of money every month just by limiting how often we go out to eat. SOLD.
I bought a cute weekly calendar that is hanging on our fridge with big blocks for us to write out our meal plans for the week. It’s actually been really fun trying to come up with options and planning it out. Plus it makes my-TYPE A-self incredibly satisfied. Problem is, I never learned how to cook from my mom…we lived off of ramen and spaghetti… so I have spent the last year learning how to cook basic things and haven’t really ventured into anything too complicated.
I’m not a huge meat eater. I like chicken, mostly. My Fiance isn’t too picky, but I am. I’m trying to try new things so this is also the perfect opportunity for that!
SOOOOOOO…. share your favorite recipes and meals!
We’re looking for easy, yet delicious.
Fool-proof and simple.
We’re open to slow cooker recipes, pre-frozen options (ie: the ravioli that you buy in bulk at Sam’s), and from-scratch recipes.
Thanks so much in advance! If you have any photos of these meals that you’ve made, feel free to share!
Post # 2
Hostess
826 posts
Busy bee
I love the frozen raviolis! I’ll boil some. Then saute spinach/mushrooms/onions in a little olive oil. Add sauce then done!
Easy favorite crockpot meal is… frozen pork chops. 1 packet of dry ranch. 1 can of cream of mushroom 1 can of water. Cook 8 hours in low. 4 hours if your pork chops are thaw. Then I’ll make mashed potatoes (or rice) and smother them in the pork and gravy. So good!
Post # 3
Member
701 posts
Busy bee
Crock pot is my go to-in the morning, throw any kind of meat you want in there, some veggies, seasonings of your choice, some water, and put it on low and by the time you’re home from work you have a yummy meal! My fav is beef vegetable soup- pound or two of beef stew meat, frozen soup veggie mix, beef stock, can or two of v-8 (depending on batch) or crushed tomatoes, cup of dried barley, bay leaf, salt, pepper, garlic. Serve with biscuits- yummy! I like to cook roasts in there too- pork, beef, ham, chicken…its so tender and delicious.
Post # 4
Member
9519 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
If you are learning to cook and want some easy meals that sound more sophticated blueapron and hellofresh are great options. The meals are really good and really easy to make. It can be pricey but it is cheaper than eatting out. Or just get inspriation from the recipes on the website. This week we made teriyaki chicken with snow peas and cashews over coconut rice, lemon salmon over cheese and pepper linguini with tomatos and broccoli, the chibatta burgers with carmalized onions is still in the fridge to be made. They take about 30 minutes and the instrutions are very easy.
Now that I sound like an informercial… crockpot is a great way to go. Or oven roasted herb chicken with potatoes and carrots roasted is very easy. Mariante the chicken, cut up carrots and potaoes, toss together and bake for 45 minutes.
Post # 5
Member
9295 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
MrsC_2Bee: I like to do roasted chicken thighs with root veggies – there is a one pan recipe all over pinterest lately that is really good. Takes about 40 minutes to make, only one pan to clean (or less if you line it with foil), is healthy and tasty.
We also do lots of soups during the winter – make a double batch and freeze half so you can have a lazy dinner in the future.
Post # 6
Member
2990 posts
Sugar bee
Here’s something easy that I learned to make when I was 12:
Start with skin-on chicken parts (thighs and drumsticks are my favorite)
Brush with oil.
Add Salt, Pepper and one of the following:
- Italian Seasoning Blend
- Garlic powder and Paprika
- Herbs de Provence
- Poultry Seasoning Blend
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees until juices run clear (around 45 minutes in my sad excuse for an oven)
Serve with a microwaved green veggie and instant mashed potatoes. Easy!
Post # 7
Member
1362 posts
Bumble bee
Shepherds pie.
Ground beef
Evaporated milk
Better than bouillon
Instant mashed potatoes, or to make it really good mash real potatoes, but leave skin on.
Sour cream
Cheese.
Layer and thank me later.
Post # 8
Member
176 posts
Blushing bee
One Pot Pasta.
Dump jar of red pasta sauce in large shallow pot (mine is like 3 inches deep), 1 1/4 cup water, and whatever seasonings you like to add. I do salt/pepper, Italian, etc. Bring to simmer.
Add 1/2-2/3 box of any short pasta you like or shells, stir and cover. I go back to mix every 5 or so minutes. At 20 minutes if it’s not looking like pasta will be finished in 5, add extra water 1/4 cup at a time.
Sometimes we eat it plain, sometimes we add grilled chicken, or our favorite is turkey keilbasa sausage!!! We also really like to add red pepper flakes. Also at the end you can add 1/3 cup heavy cream (cook for extra 2 minutes after adding) that is amazing!!!
And no boiling water. Seriously my SO’s favorite dish and I big time lucked out that it is also the easiest and fastest.
Post # 9
Member
5891 posts
Bee Keeper
Taco Salad
- 1lbs ground beef or turkey
- Packet of taco seasoning
- Head of romain lettuce or bag of lettuce
- Grape tomatoes, sliced in half (or not)
- Cheese, sour cream, salsa, gauc, etc
Follow directions on the taco seasoning to make the ground beef or turkey. Wash and cut the romaine lettuce and tomatoes. Place in bowl, top with taco meat, add cheese, sour cream, etc as needed.
Post # 10
Member
773 posts
Busy bee
MrsC_2Bee: the crockpot chicken tacos pin on pinterest is wonderful and smells so good while cooking. Chicken breasts (boneless, no skin), 1 jar of salsa, and 1 packet of taco seasoning in the crockpot for I think about 4 hours, but you may want to check the cooking time on google. The chicken will shred easily with a fork at the end. Then spoon onto corn tortillas with the usual taco toppings. DH looooooves it.
Post # 11
Member
4234 posts
Honey bee
cucumberroll: We had this tonight! Except I just baked the chicken instead of using the crockpot. Only took about 45 minutes- sometimes the crock pot is not always easier/faster.
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This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by
ClaudiaKishi.
Post # 12
Member
107 posts
Blushing bee
Blue. Apron. You can look up the recipes, but DH and I order them first. It’s less than eating out but restaurant quality. And you don’t buy a $9 jar of spice that’ll never get used again…. Though a lot are “normal” ingredients. Check it out, order a couple, and use the recipes FOREVER. So freakin awesome.
Post # 13
Member
773 posts
Busy bee
Ha, good point! I am still learning in the kitchen too so i just follow the pinterest recipes, but pretty sure i will bake it next time now. 😉
ClaudiaKishi:
Post # 14
Member
1065 posts
Bumble bee
I love making tacos! We cook a couple of kg of mince at a time, and freeze it in batches, to use in tortillas, nachos and tacos!
I also love a good stir fry. My rice cooker is my best friend, makes life so easy! Just chop some veggies and meat, throw it in the wok and chuck in a premade sauce or just some soy. Yummy!
4 years ago I was eating out every night and didn’t know how to cook. It takes time! I’m still learning, and you’ll always have some mistakes that end up in a late night maccas run. Practice makes perfect.
My best suggestion is to ensure you have good knives, chopping boards, fry pans, a slow cooker and a rice cooker. Costs a bit at the start, but once you have it if you look after it all it should last a while and makes cooking much easier every night!
Post # 15
Member
438 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: August 2017 - Bahamas
Thanks so much for these suggestions! We’re having so much fun meal planning already and these will be great to add some variety.