# What's the -Least- complicated meal you're ever prepared? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [March 13, 2023, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129 "2023-03-13T21:26:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/21 "2023-03-14T01:11:16Z")
Cheese omelet plus whatever else I have laying around. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/22 "2023-03-14T01:21:50Z")
Cacio e pepe. Make spaghetti, save a little of the pasta water. Drain the spag, put it back in the hot pot, add butter, grated pecorino romano, pepper. StirStirStir. Add a splash of water if needed. Plate and eat. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/23 "2023-03-14T02:07:53Z")
See here for more simple meal techniques. The thread didn’t start that way but it … evolved. > [@What is this style off fried egg called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-style-off-fried-egg-called/981079): > > I was out to breakfast with my uncle today, and he’s continually annoyed at not being able to communicate to restaurant staff how he likes his fried eggs cooked. Part of this, I’m sure, is that he doesn’t know what the style is called. But with as much effort as people put into their different ways of preparing eggs, he can’t be the only one, and there probably is a name out there, so I turn to you. What he likes, is for the yolk to be broken in the pan, and then the whole thing lightly stirr… ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/24 "2023-03-14T02:17:48Z")
Egg drop soup. Boil 2 cups water, add a packet of tonkotsu concentrate and a couple dashes of chili oil and sesame oil. Whisk 3 eggs until homogenous, remove the broth from the heat, and slowly pour in the eggs while gently stirring. Optionally toss in some chopped green onions or, if I have them on hand, throw in some frozen mini chicken wontons while boiling the water and let them cook for a few minutes before adding egg. Or Scotch woodcock. Toast two slices of bread, butter them, spread a thin layer of Gentleman’s Relish (I.e. spiced anchovy paste) on top, then top with scrambled eggs. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/25 "2023-03-14T02:23:44Z")
Probably either: English Muffin Pizzas – English muffin, tomato sauce and shredded cheese or Grilled Cheese Sandwich----White bread and cheese (sometimes I add Pizza Sauce to make Grilled Pizza Sandwich. I **like** pizza.) ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/26 "2023-03-14T02:27:42Z")
Australia’s national dish is Vegemite on toast. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/27 "2023-03-14T02:32:12Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Shrimp 'n Grits. Looks complicated, tastes like you slaved away. > > Make grits and replace water with 2 parts chicken stock 1 part milk. > > Fry bacon. Remove bacon. > > Add shrimp to bacon grease plus green onions and whatever spice you think is nice and then splash some chicken stock in. > > Put cheese in grits, put grits in bowl, put shrimp on grits, put bacon on shrimps. Eat. Mmmmmm! I wonder if this is @swampbear s recipe ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/28 "2023-03-14T03:21:09Z")
Gulyas leves: Chicken thighs, onions, lard, paprika. In that order of volume. Sweat slowly in a Dutch oven not letting the chicken brown or paprika scorch until onions have fallen apart and chicken is fully cooked. If you wanna get all fancy n shit, add some sour cream with a tbs of flour mixed in at the end to make paprikash. Even stirring is mostly optional after the first ten minutes. ---
**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:** [March 14, 2023, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/29 "2023-03-14T03:56:41Z")
@solost describes the kind of quick meal I might make, but another is quesadillas: heat pan with some olive oil. If desired, throw in some onions, peppers, and/or other veggies and saute for a bit, adding salt, pepper and cumin to taste. If not desired, move immediately to next step: spread some drained canned beans (or refried beans) on one side of a flour tortilla, top with cheese. Add the vegetables to the tortilla if using. Otherwise just fold the tortilla over the beans and cheese. Fry in pan on both sides. Eat contentedly with hot sauce on the side. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/30 "2023-03-14T04:01:05Z")
Microwave a hot dog for 15 seconds. Slap it on a slice of bread. Add mustard and eat. Repeat until full. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/31 "2023-03-14T04:03:59Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Microwave a hot dog for 15 seconds. > > Slap it on a slice of bread. > > Add mustard and eat. What, no onions? ---
**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:** [March 14, 2023, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/32 "2023-03-14T04:15:20Z")
You use bread? ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/33 "2023-03-14T04:36:12Z")
Grilled cheese sandwich or hot dog with condiments would be my simplest, I think. I almost never cook so either one of those would automatically be in the top 5 or so for most complex, too. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/34 "2023-03-14T04:43:19Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > Pita topped with ajvar, whatever melty cheese we have handy, and toasted in the toaster oven. Top with a crispy fried egg, break the yolk with a fork, sprinkle with smoked paprika and Penzey’s Fox Point. This sounds scrumptious! (and easy) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/35 "2023-03-14T04:47:39Z")
Cheese on a Cracker. Only because the knife was already there. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/36 "2023-03-14T07:54:52Z")
As my husband doesn’t do eggs, our quick meals focus on cheese. Quesadillas: Shredded cheeese, canned jalepenos, black olives. Might open a small can of black beans and add those as well. Might do the same with tortilla chips, but in the oven. Normally without beans. Grilled cheese is possible, but as we often don’t have bread in the house, I’ll do sort of one pot mac & cheese. Throw some frozen green beans in another pot for something green. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/37 "2023-03-14T07:58:55Z")
step one open peanut butter step two open strawberry jam/jely/perserves step three grab big spoon step four spon out one to the other in turn so you get some of each step five eat ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/38 "2023-03-14T08:47:23Z")
1. Put a few Chorizo slices and some American cheese on Pitta bread 2. Put it in the oven 3. Take it out. That’s it. My colleagues loved the smell and were astonished by the simplicity of the “recipe”. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/39 "2023-03-14T08:54:57Z")
Does opening a can of Spam or corned beef hash and eating it cold qualify as “preparing a meal”? 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![Feurmann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/779978/32.png) [@Feurmann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feurmann)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2023, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129/40 "2023-03-14T09:37:43Z")
Has to have butter as well! One of my favourite summer meals was avocado on toast. Toast a couple of slices of bread. While they are toasting, split open an avocado. Smash as much as you like on the toast. Add black pepper, salt, & lemon or lime juice. Add slices of tomato if you like. Vegemite under the avocado slices is a thing now (although I never did). Chacun a son goût. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-least-complicated-meal-youre-ever-prepared/981129.md?page=3)