# Help with meals with little "kitchen time" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320 "2009-02-17T21:39:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/21 "2009-02-19T21:20:33Z")
My go-to dinner when I’m trying to be healthy and not too hungry is poached eggs on a salad with a vinegary dressing. To make the perfect seven minute egg: Start a deep frying full of water to boil crack however number of eggs you want into separate cups when the water boils, add a big pinch of salt and a shot of vinegar TURN OFF THE WATER (if you’re on an electric stove move the pan to a cooled burner) add the eggs cover and let sit for seven minutes -----make salad---- remove eggs with slotted spoon and add to your salad. Or, try K-rab salad on salad. Buy some of the fake crab (hence “K-Rab”), chop it up, add chopped veggies (like celery, onion, or carrot), spices (go easy: onion powder, parsley, salt and pepper) and mayo. Fold and add to your salad. Lastly, there’s nothing wrong with a burger, if you have healthy sides. A 4 or 5oz burger with salad (or slaw or nuked frozen veggies) and tater-tots ain’t bad for you, so long as it’s not your everyday meal. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/22 "2009-02-19T21:36:11Z")
> [@si\_blakely](#): > > I got home from the gym tonight, knowing that I had some sliced gammon waiting. I had to google ‘gammon’ to find out what it is. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/23 "2009-02-19T21:36:36Z")
Almost forgot my absolutely fake, but still delicious Jambalaya. Get a package of Jambalaya mix (I actually like Zatarans), Pre-cooked Keilbasa, green (or red) pepper, onion, some frozen mixed veggies, (fresh if you’ve got the time), Chili-powder, and a can of LOW-SODIUM chicken broth. (If you use the regular stuff, dinner will be a very acceptable salt-lick for wandering deer.) Optional: some whiskey (like Jack Daniels). Nuke half of the frozen veggies to thaw them. Pre-slice everything else. (Sausage into “wheels”, onion diced, pepper chopped.) Saute the onions When they’re translucent, add the kielbasa and peppers When the kielbasa starts to take some color, add chili-powder to taste. If you’re using it, add a splash or two of Jack Daniels. (This ain’t drunk, but it won’t be “dry” either.) When the JD has mostly boiled off, add the thawed veggies. Add the rice mix and follow the directions, substituting the chicken broth for an equal amount of water. Not really Jambalaya, but anyone north of the Mason-Dixon line probably won’t know the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/24 "2009-02-19T21:38:52Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I somehow missed that. Very interesting, as my wife and I came up with this recipe on our own from leftover food we had while on an RV trip and called it faux cassoulet. No onions or peppers in it, however, and we use hot Italian sausage instead of Polish. The rosemary really works well with the dish. We’ve served this at a couple of dinners (with crostini) and people just rave about it. For something so simple, it’s very palate pleasing. I’m definitely going to try your version of it…I like any and all kinds of sausage! 🙂 It seems like the kind of recipe you can play around with different ways. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/25 "2009-02-19T22:18:22Z")
> [@Furious\_Marmot](#): > > Lots of easy good stuff in there that comes down to “Put these things together, then cook it this way.” Just as a point of clarification: “Easy” isn’t what’s most important to me right now. Right now, what’s important is “staying the hell out of my kitchen” as much as possible. 🙂 This isn’t to mean that I don’t appreciate every recipe and book suggestion, because I do! ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/26 "2009-02-19T22:24:35Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I had to google ‘gammon’ to find out what it is. 😃 Bacon would be good, too. Si ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/27 "2009-02-19T22:38:12Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Italian sausage, skinned, cut up, browned and drained > one skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut up and browned > garlic > canned tomatoes > canned white beans > fresh rosemary > > Add a bit of olive oil to the sausage pan, briefly saute the garlic on low heat. Add the tomatoes, beans, chicken, sausage and rosemary. Simmer covered for about an hour. Generous amount of ground pepper on top. GAH! I forgot the garlic. It just doesn’t work without garlic. Your recipe sounds yummy! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/28 "2009-02-19T23:27:19Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > I’m definitely going to try your version of it…I like any and all kinds of sausage! 🙂 It seems like the kind of recipe you can play around with different ways. To be a bit more specific on ingredients, you want to allow about 4 oz each of tomatoes, sausage, chicken and beans for each person being served. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/29 "2009-02-19T23:46:46Z")
> [@JustAnotherGeek](#): > > My go-to dinner when I’m trying to be healthy and not too hungry is poached eggs on a salad with a vinegary dressing. > > To make the perfect seven minute egg: > Start a deep frying full of water to boil Hey, JAG, what does this mean? ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/30 "2009-02-19T23:51:13Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Hey, JAG, what does this mean? Ummm… that was supposed to be a deep (as in tall) frying **pan** … (or skillet). So that there’s room for the egg to be completely submerged. :smack: Otherwise, in case you’ve never heard of a seven-minute egg, it means a poached egg with fully set whites and a lava-like yolk. It’s actually one of those things that the name says it all and don’t mess with the timing. (Just make sure the pan’s off the heat source.) Also, because my typing skilz seem to suck pretty hard today: _My go-to dinner when I’m trying to be healthy and_ **I’m** \* not too hungry is poached eggs on a salad with a vinegary dressing.\* ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/31 "2009-02-20T00:07:27Z")
Get yourself a crock pot if you don’t already have one. Before work in the morning, add meat, veggies if you want, spices, set to low. When you get home in the evening, supper is ready. A George Foreman Grill is great for quick burgers, chops, chicken breasts, steaks… ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/32 "2009-02-20T12:09:14Z")
A fun, almost no prep, dinner is a bread and cheese dinner. Get yourself a baguette, a couple of nice cheeses, a dry sausage, fruit like an apple, pear or grapes, and a bottle of wine. Your time in the kitchen is limited to opening and plating the various foods, which you can do while starting in on the wine. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/33 "2009-02-20T14:11:57Z")
I’ll second the Crock Pot (recipes to follow, momentarily), and add: in the plastic-wrap section of your supermarket, you can find Slow Cooker liners. Basically, they’re heat-proof bags you put in your slow cooker (Crock Pot is a brand name) before you add the ingredients. This means less kitchen time for clean-up, too! Pork Loin Roast with Apple Gravy 3lb pork loin roast salt and pepper dried Italian seasoning blend 2C chicken stock (I like the kind that comes in a box better than the kind that comes in a can) 2C apple cider 2 firm, tart apples, sliced 1Tbsp corn starch dissolved in apple cider (not until you’re ready to serve, though) Rub pork loin with salt and pepper and dried herbs Lay in bottom of Crock Pot (er, that would be 'lay the pork loin in bottom. . .) Pour stock and apple cider over them Cook on low for 6-8 hours Slice apples and add them, turn the Crock up to high Cook for 1 hour on high Remove pork loin and apples to serving plate Mix corn starch with apple cider and stir in remaining liquid to thicken the gravy Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken 4 or 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1/2C soy sauce 1/2C sugar 1 clove fine minced garlic (or garlic from a jar) 3/4tsp ground ginger 1 and 1/2TBSP red wine vinegar 2TBSP olive oil Combine all sauce ingredients Salt and pepper chicken thighs (easy on the salt; there’s plenty in the sauce) Put chicken thighs in Crock, pour sauce over them Cook on low for at least six hours Serve over quick-cooking rice (I use brown) Crock Pots are just about guaranteed to reduce your time in the kitchen! I’m making beef stew in mine for tonight! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/34 "2009-02-20T17:01:16Z")
In keeping with the OP, this is about the least complex stovetop meal you can make: Kielbasa or Polish or other sausage, cut up Potato, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces Onion, chopped oil salt & pepper Heat a bit of oil in a heavy pan. Add the potatoes and brown, then add the sausage and brown well. Add the onion and finish cooking until the potatoes are tender. Season. I’ve also made this with hamburger. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/35 "2009-02-20T18:29:53Z")
We call this one “chili,” although it isn’t authentic at all. Preheat oven to about 325. Brown 1 lb of ground beef & as much chopped onion as you like. Meanwhile, drain in a colander: 2 cans of kidney, pinto or other beans you like 1 can of niblets corn 1 small can of mushrooms if you like mushrooms Drain off fat from the cooked beef, and mix everything together in an ovenproof bowl or casserole. Pour in a can of tomato sauce. Add to taste garlic powder, chili powder (I use a tablespoon or two), cayenne pepper, black pepper. Add chipotle if you like chipotle. Throw in a bay leaf or two if you have any. Mix it up, pop in the oven for about a half hour. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/36 "2009-02-20T19:12:55Z")
The recipes are making me hungry. Thanks, everyone! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Momofgirls](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/momofgirls/32/21798_2.png) [@Momofgirls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Momofgirls)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/37 "2009-02-20T21:30:30Z")
Not exactly on the healthy side, but I make [Meatball Subs](http://cookingmom.livejournal.com/33990.html) when I’m in a hurry or don’t feel like making a time-consuming dinner. You could substitute turkey meatballs and whole-wheat rolls to make it healthier. ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/38 "2009-02-21T01:49:09Z")
Bonus points to crockpot recipes, I’m thinking, 'cos you don’t even need to put the crock pot in the kitchen - it could plug in to a bedroom outlet or just about anywhere, really, as long as you had a headproof barrier under it so it didn’t set fire to the carpet. I wish I’d thought of crockpot cooking during the heatwave that had me confined to the computer room. The floor in here is tiled, the air conditioning is good, and I could have easily taken care of dinner from the only cool room in the house! ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/39 "2009-02-21T13:47:29Z")
> [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](#): > > Bonus points to crockpot recipes, I’m thinking, 'cos you don’t even need to put the crock pot in the kitchen - it could plug in to a bedroom outlet or just about anywhere, really, as long as you had a headproof barrier under it so it didn’t set fire to the carpet. > > I wish I’d thought of crockpot cooking during the heatwave that had me confined to the computer room. The floor in here is tiled, the air conditioning is good, and I could have easily taken care of dinner from the only cool room in the house! Heh. I’ve done something similar to this. Our house does _not_ have central air conditioning, and while Maryland isn’t as hot as, say, South Carolina, we do have our heat and humidity! Anyway, we have a big window air conditioner that cools the living room/dining room, but not big enough to cool the kitchen, too. So the kitchen door stays closed in the summer, and the kitchen stays _hot_. Not uncommon, in the summer, for me to take just the Crock itself into the kitchen in the early morning (while it’s still relatively cool), assemble all the ingredients in it, then set it on the server (in the dining room) and plug it in there. If we use disposable plates (no dishwasher here, I’m afraid), even less kitchen time! Win! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320/40 "2009-02-21T14:41:58Z")
I just remembered one of my favorite quick dishes. I call it Mock Carbonara, as it doesn’t really resemble the real thing, and if you eat it often enough, people will mock you. Pasta (macaroni, spaghetti, whatever) Bacon Onion, bell pepper (both optional), minced Butter Grated Parmesan cheese Salt & pepper Put the pasta on to cook. Meanwhile, brown up some bacon. Remove and crumble/cut up. If the veggies are desired, saute until tender in a bit of the bacon fat. Drain the pasta and dump in a bowl. Add a glob of butter and mix until the pasta is coated. Add the bacon and grated cheese (and veggies, if you must), and seasoning and mix thoroughly. Sit your fat ass down in fron of the TV and eat the whole bowl with a large spoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-meals-with-little-kitchen-time/486320.md?page=3)