# What's your go-to convenience food? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 18, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403 "2009-02-18T15:46:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/21 "2009-02-18T19:31:36Z")
We like fish sticks and tater tots. Everyone likes them, and they’re cheap and easy to make. For me, I’ve been making fried-egg sandwiches and hash browns for lunch. I start the hash browns according to the package directions. Then I hard-fry an egg and put it between two slices of bread with a slice of cheese. I throw that back in the pan until both sides are golden brown and delicious. Mm. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/22 "2009-02-18T21:35:48Z")
Lately, I’ve been microwaving some canned refried beans with cheese and habanero sauce on top, and using it as a dip for tortilla chips. It’s much cheaper than the tiny tins of bean dip they sell in the store, and much better than that nasty salsa that comes in a jar. (The only acceptable salsa is made fresh, with no vinegar or sugar.) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/23 "2009-02-18T21:49:53Z")
Any of the prepared foods at our co-op are good, but particularly the mac and cheese (smoked gouda I think). If I feel really like I don’t care about eating healthfully, frozen cheese sticks are good. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/24 "2009-02-18T21:58:19Z")
Whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter - had it for dinner last night! ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/25 "2009-02-18T22:01:50Z")
**Zoe** and I are chili fans and when we want to spend the time to prepare our own we use the [Carroll-Shelbys-Original-Texas-Chili-4-Ounce-Bags](http://thaigiftcity.com/HerbsSpicesSeasonings_16310281_B000H23Z1C_Carroll-Shelbys-Original-Texas-Chili-4-Ounce-Bags-Pack-of-12.html) or [Wick-Fowlers-2-Alarm-Chili-Mix](http://thaigiftcity.com/HerbsSpicesSeasonings_16310281_B000H2998U_Wick-Fowlers-2-Alarm-Chili-Mix-358-Ounce-Packages-Pack-of-12.html) with fresh ground beef, tomato sauce, onions, etc. Prep time runs towards an hour if we do it right. When we’re in more of a hurry, it’s the Hormel canned chili (no beans) and Niblets corn kernels with enough chili powder and cayenne to jazz it up. Microwaves in just a few minutes and gets us over the craving for some adequate chili. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/26 "2009-02-18T22:07:31Z")
> [@Glory](#): > > Whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter - had it for dinner last night! This, imho, is only really _good_ if you add some thinly sliced banana to it! (You gotta have something to cut the stickiness of the peanut butter, and bananas are _much_ better for you than jam or jelly)! ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_of_the_Lake)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/27 "2009-02-18T22:38:41Z")
I’m big on convenience food, as I’m really, really lazy. Fun thread! People on this board are always mentioning ‘ **Trader Joe’s** ’, but I’ve never seen it in Minnesota. Probably my biggest consumption (aside from Bertolli’s bag pasta and Archer Farm’s lasagna) are those vegetable steam bags. Here are the [Green Giant](http://www.bettycrocker.com/Products/Green-Giant/Products.aspx) versions - The first four sections are daily food for me. I love vegetables that take no effort. I can’t find a site that shows the Archer Farm’s versions (they are a target brand), but they are quite good. The kind I had this weekend had barley and pea pods and other vegetables in a light sauce - perfect for a gaming morning! Both the pasta bag and steamed vegetable blends are really increasing in my local super target - which is great imho. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/28 "2009-02-18T22:54:48Z")
Trader Joe’s spinach simmer sauce. Dump a can of chickpeas in it and I’m done. Trader Joe’s thai tuna curries. Trader Joe’s Mediterranean eggplant wrap (now, this is a fave. I should figure out the tahini sauce and how to make it). I consider that stuff Indian-flavoured or Thai-flavoured, rather than authentic. I tend to stay away from most pre-made foods, but if I’m desperate I’ll probably head for the eggplant wrap first. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/29 "2009-02-18T22:57:37Z")
Most of my convenience food does not require cooking. Easy food I eat: Low fat, low salt Esskay deli ham on Bremner wafers with thin-sliced Swiss cheese Plain avocados with NoSalt Roasted peanuts in the shell That and baked chicken breasts or chicken salad is pretty much all I eat, generally while standing at the kitchen counter. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/30 "2009-02-18T23:03:26Z")
Microwavable lemongrass soup. I forget the brand, but it comes in a big bowl, you add water to the rice noodles, add the spice packet, add the hot oil, then microwave it. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/31 "2009-02-18T23:41:42Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Microwavable lemongrass soup. I forget the brand, but it comes in a big bowl, you add water to the rice noodles, add the spice packet, add the hot oil, then microwave it. Yum. If egg drop soup came frozen or in cans, I guess I’d eat it every day! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/32 "2009-02-19T00:51:21Z")
Fried egg on toast. Cheerios. Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli or Deep Dish Pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/33 "2009-02-19T01:00:14Z")
Tacos. Not quite a bump into the microwave and heat thing but I can prepare them in under five minutes and it’s my go to comfort food. ---
**Author:** ![seodoa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@seodoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seodoa)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/34 "2009-02-19T01:29:55Z")
Noriben. Almost every time. The one I get is rice topped with kombu and nori. Some pickles, veggies, egg, fried fish, filet of salmon, and a stick of chikuwa (fish paste and misc. steamed into a little stick shape). Pop it in the microwave for a minute or so and it’s tasty times. I also get a lot of instant ramen bowls, particularly tonkotsu ramen. Yumyumyumyumyum. Ready in 4 minutes and full of tasty things. ETA: Noriben crosses the line, I guess, because it only requires reheating, but it’s still what I always get when I’m in a hurry. So I guess put me in the ramen crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/35 "2009-02-19T01:34:42Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > This, imho, is only really _good_ if you add some thinly sliced banana to it! (You gotta have something to cut the stickiness of the peanut butter, and bananas are _much_ better for you than jam or jelly)! I sometimes make peanut butter and banana quesadillas with whole wheat tortillas. I also love to just take a whole wheat tortilla, smear it with peanut butter, heat it up for 20 seconds and wrap it around a really ripe banana - heaven! ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/36 "2009-02-19T09:23:05Z")
Pretty much any of the chicken paninis in the frozen food area at the supermarket. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/37 "2009-02-19T13:32:16Z")
> [@Glory](#): > > I sometimes make peanut butter and banana quesadillas with whole wheat tortillas. I also love to just take a whole wheat tortilla, smear it with peanut butter, heat it up for 20 seconds and wrap it around a really ripe banana - heaven! ::Adds whole wheat tortillas to shopping list:: ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/38 "2009-02-19T14:21:03Z")
Due to the stomach surgery, I am to eat lower-carb meals. But I miss Pizza! So I will sometimes pour some sauce into a bowl and put cheese in it and microwave it. It is nearly as good. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/39 "2009-02-19T14:29:07Z")
> [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](#): > > I’m big on convenience food, as I’m really, really lazy. Fun thread! People on this board are always mentioning ‘ **Trader Joe’s** ’, but I’ve never seen it in Minnesota. Where are you in Minnesota? The Minneapolis area now has three (?). On off of Excelsior and Hwy 100 in St. Louis Park, one in Maple Grove, and one in Woodbury (I think - I’m pretty sure one opened there). However, if you’re not close to Mpls, you’re outta luck. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403/40 "2009-02-19T14:42:19Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > My husband is addicted to White Castle frozen sliders. They come in boxes of six, which are just enough for him for dinner. That’s good, because I like them too but I avoid them 'cause they’re just pure fat and carbs. I love those things. I try not to think about what’s in them. For me it’s Trader Joe’s frozen mini tacos. They are yummy with some hot sauce and/or guac. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-go-to-convenience-food/486403.md?page=3)