Meals for Singles

As a single hard-working guy returning home after a long day's hard work, and hopefully a gym workout, the last thing I want to do is cook breakfast or a full blown meal for dinner that takes ages to prepare,or lifting the phone and dialing up a home delivery Chinese or Pizza, which cost you a fortune these days.

So, after scouring the internet, I have created this little lens, with some of my favorite fast and easy, inexpensive meals for one. I shall endeavor to change on a regular basis, and naturally I would love for any of you Squidoos out there that has any recipes along these lines, to drop me a line with details and pictures if possible, and I will gladly display for all to enjoy.

Happy dinning :-)

1. Always keep a variety of oils and vinegars on hand. Olive oil and vinegar are the perfect solution to preparing marinades, salad dressings, sautés and bread dippin
2. Make sure you stock your pantry with the following at all times:

   Garlic

   Onions

   Potatoes

   Rice

   Dried pasta

   Any other grain of your choosing

   You can use onions and garlic in almost every dish or snack on a baked potato with sautéed onions, garlic and sour cream. Rice and pasta are great for quick meals and can be combined with easy to prepare fresh items like mushrooms, vegetables, cold meats and cheeses.

3. Keep a supply of canned soup or frozen stocks handy. This way you can prepare a tasty nourishing soup with some fresh bread or a salad prepared in a jiffy.
4. Stock your pantry (your freezer of course) with a good supply of meat and fish.
5. Buy a stash of frozen or canned vegetables. These are really quick to prepare and you'll be getting all your vitamins too!
6. Keep some alcoholic beverages handy for surprise visits or to use in your favorite recipes. Cooking may seem more pleasant with a glass of wine to sip!
7. For a snappy weekend breakfast stock up on maple syrup and pancake mix. Always have a variety of cereals on hand for the rest of the week.
8. If you store canned artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and olives it will be no sweat to prepare a good antipasto or salad lickety split.
9. Freeze your cheese! A great protein source, you can use it for snacking, toppings, salads and to give a casserole pizzazz.
10. The shopping list. Before you head to the store, think about the meals you like to eat and choose appropriate supplies. Also include some stand-bys for when you really can't face the stove!
11. When you stock your pantry, buy produce in bulk. If it won't go bad within a two year period, pack it on your shelves!

Found some good tips on line which I would like to share with you:

Buy "fresh," precooked food

1. Look for portion-controlled servings of lasagna, chicken or fish, vegetables, potatoes, etc.

2. Pair one dish (e.g., prepared chicken or fish) with a fresh vegetable or salad.

3. Buy small portions of fresh vegetables from salad bars.

Use healthy canned and frozen foods

1. Stock up on individual frozen portions of fish, shrimp in a bag, individual chicken breasts, prepackaged turkey burgers, salmon burgers, veggie burgers, whole-grain waffles or stir-fry mixes.

2. Use frozen dinners as a base and add fresh ingredients to them. Look for whole-grain entrees or brands that are organic or low in fat and salt. Include a salad and whole-grain roll to round out the meal.

3. Enjoy a bowl of frozen fruit combined with fresh fruit. Top with low-fat vanilla yogurt. Or use canned fruit, packed in water or 100 percent fruit juice.

4. Use a canned food as your base, and add fresh vegetables. Saute zucchini, onions and carrots. Then pour in a can of chili, either vegetarian or with ground turkey.

5. Add pre-washed spinach or steamed leftover veggies to chicken or vegetable soup.

6. Eat canned beans, which are packed with nutritious fiber and protein. Add to salads, or mix with quick brown rice and stewed tomatoes.

Add fresh peppers, onions and mushrooms to a canned tomato sauce.

Love those leftovers:

1. Cook in bulk and freeze in portions. This works well for soups, meatballs, chilies, turkey meat loaf or casseroles.

2. Use leftovers in preparing meals the next day. Be creative!

3. Cut up leftover grilled or baked chicken and put over a salad for lunch.

4. Use extra chili to top a baked potato the next night.

Think outside the box

Meals don't have to be traditional. How about breakfast for dinner? Just make sure to get your vegetables in with other meals.

1. Scrambled eggs and whole-wheat toast

2. Whole-grain cereal with skim milk and berries

3. A warm bowl of oats with sliced banana

4. Low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese with sliced fruit

5. Smoothies with frozen berries added

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 1:00.

4 potatoes, scrubbed

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup bottled real bacon pieces

Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake potatoes 1 hour or until tender. Split open and top with a dollop of sour cream. Serve sprinkled with bacon pieces.

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 30 min.

8 firm bananas, cut into chunks

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Place banana chunks in a small baking dish. Top with melted butter and cinnamon sugar. Bake in the oven or in a toaster oven at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 1:00.

4 large baking potatoes

1/2 cup canned gravy

Preheat oven to 425°F. Scrub potatoes well. Pierce skin in several places with a fork or skewer. Place potatoes onto oven shelves and bake about 1 hour or until tender. Heat in a saucepan gravy over low heat. Split open potatoes and top with gravy. Serve hot.

Prep: 5 min.

1 lb. packaged salad

3 ounces bottled real bacon pieces

1/4 cup Russian dressing

Serve salad sprinkled with bacon flavored pieces. Toss with dressing.

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 10 min.

14 ounces penne rigate pasta

2 tsp. olive oil

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and toss with oil and cheese.

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 20 min.

2 cups water

1 cup rice

1/2 cup bottled or canned mushroom gravy, warmed

Place water and rice in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low. Cover saucepan and simmer 20-25 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir in gravy.

Prep: 10 min, Cook: 10 min.

1 cup cooked white rice

2 cups canned pork, cooked and diced

11 ounces mandarin orange segments, drained

2 tsp. orange zest

1 green onion, chopped

1/2 lb. canned sliced water chestnuts

Combine all ingredients in a large skillet and cook over medium heat for about 7-10 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 15 min.

2 Tbs. olive oil

4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts

2 cups canned tomato soup

Heat oil in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken 5 minutes per side, or until browned. Pour in soup. Reduce heat to low, cover pan and simmer 10 minutes.

Courtesy of ElectricCarBuff

Prep: 5-7 min, Cook: 15-20 min

2 Large Eggs

1 pound of Spaghetti

1 cup of cubed Bacon

1 Large Onion

Fry some onion and bacon in a pan for 5 min on hot.

Boil spaghetti for 10-15mins.

Drain spaghetti. Once drained mix in pan with onion and bacon for 5 mins on medium heat. Turn off heat and crack an egg or two over the top.

Traditional Carbonara is with egg white only.

Any Recipes For Me :-)