My dad taught me how to cook. He had a policy that if it required more than an hour of prep time or lots of steps and funny ingredients, it was not worth the effort.

What follows is one of my favourite recipes, plus a few quick and easy classics that can be made cheaply and easily. They're great for single people living alone, or for newlyweds, couples with children, family gatherings, etc.

Pork and Rice Bake

Ingredients: One to 1 1/2 pork chops for each person (These can be cheap ones, like a shoulder cut or butt steak)

Enough rice to cover the bottom of the pan you are using with a very thin layer

One or two cans of condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup, depending on how many people you are feeding.

Two to three soup cans of water, depending on how much soup and rice you are using

Salt, pepper, and spices to taste (I like garlic powder and minced onion, with a little basil and oregano)

One to two tablespoons of butter or margarine (You can estimate it)

Steps:

1. Put rice in pan and spread evenly.

2. Add soup right out of the can and pour water over soup and rice.

3. Drop margarine in random place over the rice.

4. Arrange pork over rice and soup so that each piece is evenly spaced. Season with salt and pepper and spices.

5. Cover pan with tin foil (aluminum foil) and place in a preheated, 425F oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hour. Go play a video game.

6. Remove food from oven and let cool for a few minutes, use this time to make a vegetable, open a bag of salad, call you mum, whatever.

7. Serve up the food. Mix the rice around to evenly spread out the flavour and enjoy!

Chili recipe for Clean Out the Fridge Day

Ingredients:

1 pound of ground beef

1 large can of tomato juice

Frozen Vegetables of your choice

Meats and Vegetables etc. from the fridge, any leftovers you think will work! (I've even seen lettuce and mashed potatoes work in it!)

Salt, Pepper, and Spices (Some chili powder is essential, it's chili soup after all!)

Steps:

1. Brown and drain the beef and dump it into a large soup pot.

2. Add tomato juice, seasonings, frozen veggies, and leftovers.

3. Let it cook for 30 minutes to one hour, stirring every three minutes or so to keep it from burning.

4. Enjoy!

Tips: You can add a little sugar if it tastes sour or too spicy. My dad occasionally put beer in it, I never liked the taste but some people enjoy it. This is great with corn bread from a mix. Since this is a large batch recipe, I suggest putting it in old margarine buckets and freezing anything you don't eat.

Quick and Easy Mashed Potatoes

My parents used to buy boxed mashed potatoes. You know, the add milk and water flakes. So I taught myself how to make my own mashed potatoes from scratch, and it's quite easy.

Ingredients:

2 medium potatoes for each person that will be eating (More or less)

Milk

Butter

Salt and Pepper

You will also need a hand mixer, like the kind that people use for making cake batter, or a sturdy fork or masher. I use a hand mixer because it is easier and we eat a lot of these potatoes at one go!

Steps:

1. Wash and peel the potatoes, and cut them into chunks. Place in a pot of boiling water (CAREFULLY!)

2. Boil potatoes just until they are soft. They should mash under pressure but should not be turning to mush on their own.

3. Drain away the water. If using a hand mixer, you'll want to put the potatoes in a large plastic bowl.

4. Mash the potatoes with a fork or a masher, or use the hand mixer. While doing this, add a little milk and some butter or margarine, enough that the potatoes are fluffy, creamy, and hold their shape. Mix in some salt and pepper to taste.

Tips: For a special occasion, you can add garlic and basic herbs for a unique flavour!