# A simple meal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 26, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687 "2021-12-26T22:19:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/1 "2021-12-26T22:19:14Z")
What, for you, constitutes a simple meal? You’re in the kitchen after a day of whatever your endeavours were, you’re hungry, maybe a little tired, you just want to eat something tasty with little to no effort, and you’re all out of leftover holiday goose. For me it would be some buttered bread, a couple Mezzetta brand chili peppers, if I have a tomato or onion, a piece or two of those, maybe some canned corn and some browned hamburger with maybe a bit of salt pepper and basil and or oregano thrown in. Simple, minimal effort, filling, and tasty. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/2 "2021-12-26T22:27:05Z")
Home-made bread, butter, long-aged cheddar, a crisp tart apple, and a glass of good wine. No cooking! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/3 "2021-12-26T22:43:24Z")
Sandwich. Leftovers I can nuke. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/4 "2021-12-26T22:48:11Z")
My go-to is a bowl of fresh salsa with toasted pittas cut into strips for dipping. (perhaps a small amount of melted cheese on them if I’m feeling fancy). Some greek yogurt on the side as well to cool the burn. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/5 "2021-12-26T23:03:37Z")
Cereal with milk. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/6 "2021-12-26T23:38:57Z")
Cheese and pickle sandwich. I have practically lived on them before. My coworker calls it a prison sandwich. But I like it! Dill pickles, extra sharp cheddar, mustard and mayo. That or rice with a can of rotel tomatoes and an egg on top. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/7 "2021-12-26T23:46:33Z")
For something cold, a basic sandwich. For something warm, a grilled ham and cheese. If I feel ambitious, a grilled tuna and cheese. A little more ambitious, a grilled fried egg, ham and cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Enjoy\_Slurm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enjoy_slurm/32/3937_2.png) [@Enjoy\_Slurm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enjoy_Slurm)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2021, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/8 "2021-12-26T23:57:47Z")
Cereal or if I feel like meat and bread, a corndog, only 45 seconds in the microwave. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/9 "2021-12-27T00:01:16Z")
> [@ShelliBean](#): > > That or rice with a can of rotel tomatoes and an egg on top. Back in 1982, while attending training at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, my housemates and I would often arrive home at about 11 pm, and be required to be on the bus at six the following morning. On those nights, we’d cook up a couple of cups of Minute Rice and top it with a can of Campbell’s Chunky soup, then turn in. Today, when I get home to an empty apartment at 11 pm, it’s two hot dogs, a serving of store-brand potato salad, and a couple of cans of beer. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/10 "2021-12-27T00:20:21Z")
Ramen with natural peanut butter, chili oil/crisp, soy sauce, and scallions has been my go-to recently for when I want a quick lunch. If I have any leftover protein I might toss it in there, too. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/11 "2021-12-27T00:31:50Z")
Hummus and tomato sandwich ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/12 "2021-12-27T03:17:41Z")
Similar to @pulykamell (and how often have I typed this in a food thread?), Ramen (generally Shin), with an egg poached in the broth, generally livened up with a touch of cheap powdered Hondashi / Homemade Stock / Left over shrimp shells simmered in the water first / bonito flakes. Topped with either freeze dried chives or scallions (depending what I have left), and a dash of sesame oil or chili oil (or sesame chili oil!). ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/13 "2021-12-27T03:39:06Z")
A flour tortilla filled with some veggies, beans, and cheese will do nicely. Pasta with stuff added is good too (unless I’m so hungry I don’t want to take the time for the pasta to cook). Depending on what I have on hand, the pasta might actually end up being served with all kinds of tasty bits. But at a minimum, I generally have cheese, olive oil, and vegetables around that I can stir in. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/14 "2021-12-27T06:19:15Z")
Four precooked Johnsonville Vermont maple breakfast sausage links, microwaved for 1 minute, on a Martin’s potato sandwich roll with a slice of individually wrapped American cheese. Failing that, sliced salami, cheese, and Triscuits, or whichever 1 to 3 of those things, or equivalent substitutes, that I happen to own simultaneously. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/15 "2021-12-27T06:42:33Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Home-made bread … … No cooking! Since pre-prep counts, my newest go-to is bean salad I make from TJs shopping list. Black-eyed peas Edamame (Tomato-less) corn chili Mix them together and chill. Eat from the bowl. No cooking, no heating. Protein. Fiber. Gluten free. And no animals were hurt in the process. Absolutely delish. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/16 "2021-12-27T07:22:48Z")
Ramen with frozen veggies and a little grated cotija/Parmesan cheese. Full disclosure, tho: this is one of my favorite meals. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/17 "2021-12-27T11:46:04Z")
Cheese and salami gets it done. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/18 "2021-12-27T12:55:16Z")
Bread, cheese, pickles, an apple. (Add a pint of ale and that’s called a Ploughman’s Lunch - someone will be along shortly to say it’s not as traditional as people think) ---
**Author:** ![Remember\_me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/82dd89/32.png) [@Remember\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Remember_me)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/19 "2021-12-27T13:49:26Z")
Typically something from the following list of meals: - Carbonara (although I usually use bacon instead of guanciale due to availability) - Pizza from the freezer (not frozen, of course, but prepared in the oven) - Baked beans on toast, maybe with bacon and/or fried egg - Potatoes, cooked unpeeled, eaten either with or without peel with butter and salt [(Pellkartoffeln)](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellkartoffel) - Fried egg on sour dough bread with cured ham or salami ([Strammer Max](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strammer_Max)) - Cereal and milk - Instant Ramen - Rice pudding ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687/20 "2021-12-27T14:16:12Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > A flour tortilla filled with some veggies, beans, and cheese will do nicely. I do that, too. Although usually I leave out the cheese. Though if I have milk on hand I might have a glass of that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-meal/956687.md?page=2)