# You are lazy and there are no hot food outlets open. What do you do. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538 "2003-07-24T03:32:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/1 "2003-07-24T03:32:11Z")
In case it isn’t obvious. This is a recipe idea thread for lazy people who work nights, and get the munchies when they get home. (or just lazy people) NO crisps, chocolate, microwave snacks. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/2 "2003-07-24T03:34:40Z")
I’d have a bowl of cereal. Or make a sandwich. But I’ve never been one of those people who thinks a meal isn’t a meal unless the food is hot. ---
**Author:** ![LeeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ee7513/32.png) [@LeeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeJam)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/3 "2003-07-24T03:35:19Z")
I find that a boiled egg or 2 works fine for me. Boil water and put egg in. When you remember, or when you start to smell something burning, take egg out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rabid\_Squirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Rabid\_Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rabid_Squirrel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/4 "2003-07-24T03:45:19Z")
Find leftovers, throw in bowl with eggs, flour, milk and seasoning. Mix. Fry. Or you could chuck random meat products under the grill and eat it when the fire alarm goes off. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/5 "2003-07-24T03:46:15Z")
slight hijack (of my own thread?) Do you have a trick for not cooking the egg too long, so that the yolk stays ‘runny’? ---
**Author:** ![guava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71e660/32.png) [@guava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guava)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/6 "2003-07-24T04:43:39Z")
The quickest meals to make are the ones my family likes best, oddly enough. We love spaghetti with jarred sauce eggs or omelette pancakes (yes, for supper) stir fries (or anything with bonless, skinless chicken breasts) If it’s just me, I have toast and peanut butter and banana with a big glass of milk. All the food groups and super quick. My mom usually has cereal and fruit for supper. If you can plan ahead, it’s really easy to make a really big pot of soup, stew or chili, and freeze it in single-serving sizes to reheat in the microwave. There’s a trend called once a month cooking that’s worth looking into. These great websites have some quick recipes on them. [http://www.bettycrocker.com/](http://www.bettycrocker.com/)[http://www.campbellsoup.ca/en/home.asp](http://www.campbellsoup.ca/en/home.asp) Specifically for snacks, I try to keep on hand some homemade fat free banana bread or pumpkin bread, or low fat oatmeal bars. They’ll usually keep quite a while out on the counter. ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/7 "2003-07-24T04:59:26Z")
Lobsang…if you cook the egg in boiled water for about 7 minutes I find it is still a bit gooey (which I love). Then I put some butter, salt and pepper…Mmm! Great for the lazy set (of which I am one on nights when I’m really beat)… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_B.Goode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Johnny\_B.Goode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_B.Goode)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/8 "2003-07-24T05:35:20Z")
The title to this thread is a short synopsis of my life. There have been times (most times) that I have been so lazy that it didn’t matter whether any outlets were open or not. I have: Eaten a bowl of microwaved frozen peas Put some peas in some egg and made an omelette Eaten bread in any state, with a variety of crap on it. Wrapped a potato in newspaper and microwaved it for about 10 minutes before eating it Eaten instant noodles even though I despise them Eaten too many bowls of midnight cereal Thawed out meat in the middle of the night and fried up a steak …the life of a hungry insomniac… ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/9 "2003-07-24T05:39:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Eaten bread in any state, with a variety of crap on it. I hope you don’t mean that literally. A couple of the replies have highlighted a possibility - omlettes. At the risk of exposing my culinary stupidity - how do you make an omlette? ---
**Author:** ![Shana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Shana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shana)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/10 "2003-07-24T06:06:23Z")
Hmm…that sounds yummy Zenster. I’ll have to try that! ---
**Author:** ![Themis00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/13edae/32.png) [@Themis00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Themis00)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/11 "2003-07-24T06:10:53Z")
You are lazy and there are no hot food outlets open. What do you do? ACT A FOOL! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/12 "2003-07-24T06:43:17Z")
Leftover steamed rice can be stored in the freezer for a long time. Sometimes I just microwave some, break a raw egg on it and pour a bit of soy sauce. That’s it. I know there’s risk of salmonella but I don’t think it’s any worse than homemade mayonnaise. If I have more time I’d use the frozen rice to make stir fried rice. My recipe is simple: chop up half an onion and a bit of garlic, stir fry in oil until soft, then add rice (thawed with a microwave). When it’s mostly cooked, break one egg onto it and stir fry until the egg is nice and fluffy. Add some soy sauce near the end, and maybe a bit of oyster sauce and black pepper. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/13 "2003-07-24T06:57:08Z")
Make up some mashed potatoes. Add a mashed can of corned beef. Add a handful of tinned corn. Add pepper, D L Jardines Blazing Saddles, grated cheese and stir through. Put a serving in a bowl, put tomato slices on top and microwave if needed. ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/14 "2003-07-24T07:10:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > _**(Stolen from Mamas Royal Cafe in Oakland, CA)**_ That place brings back some memories from many years ago! ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/15 "2003-07-24T08:27:33Z")
When I was a bachelor and used to work 12 hour days for not a lot of money, I used to do the following for dinner most nights. Take a completely frozen chicken leg quarter. Put in microwave on defrost for 6 min. Take out and put pepper, garlic, oregano (one of my wierd food things is I hate salt) Cook on high for 6 minutes. Comes out perfect. That might be a little too much work for the real lazy, but it’s cheap and good. ---
**Author:** ![jtull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jtull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtull)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/16 "2003-07-24T10:16:10Z")
So I’m lazy and also I can’t wait for the 8-12 minutes that takes for anything mentioned in this thread to get ready: Get a circular tack (or cracker or whatever it’s called there) Mash a tomato in the mixer, apply it on the tack Put over it some greek feta cheese, either minced or as a slice Apply some olive oil, and origanum if you like. There, it’s finished! (in less than 3 minutes) (Ehmm, now you use the fork to break it in pieces and eat it. Probably drink some wine or ouzo along) ---
**Author:** ![Einmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Einmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Einmon)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/17 "2003-07-24T10:22:22Z")
This will probably curl up **Zenster’s** toenails, but remember folks, it’s an emergency situation which calls for desperate measures! Turn oven heat on (won’t call it _preheat_ as there’s not really enough time, but one can try). Take meat of any kind (may also be frozen, preferably chicken or fish). Put in pan. Dump can of tomato / tomato sauce onto meat. Make sure it’s completely covered. Season with salt, pepper and spices you think are Italian (Oregano, Thyme, Basil) or whatever’s in the house. (One might also consider adding ketchup or tomato paste, if one was inclined to.) Put in oven. Veg in front of the TV until it’s cooking and then some (depending on previous frozen / nonfrozen state of meat). Enjoy. If you’re feeling frisky, you might consider cooking some noodles with that, but that would require attention of at least 7 minutes until the noodles are done. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2003, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/18 "2003-07-24T11:01:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > **…Do not use milk in your eggs, it tightens them… > Never add milk, the milk proteins will coagulate at high temperature and tighten the texture of your eggs. A spoonful or two of water does just the opposite. It steams the egg mixture to fluff it up even more…** Unless, like me, you like the firmer texture. (Actually, I like it both ways). ---
**Author:** ![brainfizz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/da6949/32.png) [@brainfizz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainfizz)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2003, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/19 "2003-07-24T11:02:54Z")
I just starve and wait for the hot food outlets to open. ---
**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:** [July 24, 2003, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538/20 "2003-07-24T11:06:08Z")
My homemade after-pub snack would be nothing more elaborate than a fried egg sandwich; save the fancy stuff for when you’re sober. Fry the eggs hot in a pan with a lid; when the edges are just starting to crisp, (VERY carefully) throw in a small slosh of water (all at once, but equivalent to about three or four tablespoons), then deftly replace the lid - it will sizzle and spit and the steam will cook the top part of the egg (yay! no snotty white bits) while still leaving the yolk runny and intact. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-lazy-and-there-are-no-hot-food-outlets-open-what-do-you-do/190538.md?page=2)