Here are 10 wonderful ideas to get you started. They're all very easy to make, none of them require special equipment or training, and they may just save you - and your digestion - a pretty penny.
10. Mac and cheese & Hamburger
Know here goes a fast and simple way to feed yourself or the whole family.This recipe is quick and simple.
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1lb. ground beef
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine
3/4 tsp. garlic salt
3/4 tsp. onion powder
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
BRING 6 cups water to boil in large saucepan. Stir in Macaroni. Boil 7 to 10 minutes or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally.
MEANWHILE, brown meat in large skillet on medium heat; drain. Add the Cheese Sauce Mix and all remaining ingredients except macaroni; mix well. Reduce heat to low; simmer until heated through, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN macaroni. Add to ingredients in skillet; mix lightly.
9. Omelette
An omelette is quick and easy and can be altered specifically to your tastes. Just follow these basic instructions and you’re away:
8. Soup
You can buy cans or cartons of soup. Everything tastes better when you have cooked it yourself. This is a fact. It also costs a lot less, Here’s an easy recipe for a lovely, warming French onion soup. Use a kilo of onions (which, depending on the size should be about five). If you’re cooking for one, freeze the rest for lunches and dinners in the future.
7. Jacket of potato
The microwave is right there, but we know, potatoes are rubbish when you cook them in that fast-food machine. Prepare to wait for the perfect jacket of potato...
6. Mushroom risotto
Risotto is easy to make. Here’s a recipe for a yummy mushroom risotto to serve four people. You can always vary the ingredients, experimenting with the likes of chicken, prawns or other veg:
5. Toad in the hole
Toad in the hole is a great winter recipes. The following recipe is for four people but you can vary the quantity of ingredients and even make it for one.
4. Boiled egg
Know here goes a simple and fast way to grab a snack or meal on the run.
Serve with bread and butter cut into 4's - perfect for dunking. Alternatively you can cook a hardboiled egg and mash it up with mayonnaise for some sarnies or chop up and put in a healthy salad. Simply boil you egg for 10 minutes and place in cold water for another 10. Then you can peel.
3. Burgers
Home-made burgers are the best. It’s a fact. And it’s so easy that it makes you wonder why you ever bought them in the first place. This recipe will serve four:
2. Fajitas
It’s easy enough to create your own fajitas. What’s more you get to control the level of spice that goes in. Here’s a recipe for two:
1. Spaghetti Bolognese
This final dish - what's so good about it is that it's even tastier the next day or frozen and eaten at a later date - all the flavors become deeper and mingle more effectively. Be sure to make a big batch when you cook this Italian favorite:
Add cheese if desired for extra flavoring.
10. Mac and cheese & Hamburger
Know here goes a fast and simple way to feed yourself or the whole family.This recipe is quick and simple.
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1lb. ground beef
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine
3/4 tsp. garlic salt
3/4 tsp. onion powder
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
BRING 6 cups water to boil in large saucepan. Stir in Macaroni. Boil 7 to 10 minutes or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally.
MEANWHILE, brown meat in large skillet on medium heat; drain. Add the Cheese Sauce Mix and all remaining ingredients except macaroni; mix well. Reduce heat to low; simmer until heated through, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN macaroni. Add to ingredients in skillet; mix lightly.
9. Omelette
An omelette is quick and easy and can be altered specifically to your tastes. Just follow these basic instructions and you’re away:
- Mix two eggs with two tablespoons of milk and some salt and pepper.
- Heat some butter in a frying pan and add the egg mixture.
- After one minute, stir and reduce heat.
- Sprinkle your chosen ingredients (ham, mushrooms etc) onto the surface and wait for the omelette to set underneath.
- Sprinkle with cheese if desired and cook for two to three minutes.
- Fold in half and serve.
8. Soup
You can buy cans or cartons of soup. Everything tastes better when you have cooked it yourself. This is a fact. It also costs a lot less, Here’s an easy recipe for a lovely, warming French onion soup. Use a kilo of onions (which, depending on the size should be about five). If you’re cooking for one, freeze the rest for lunches and dinners in the future.
- Add chopped onions to a pan of butter and cook on a low heat until soft.
- Increase the heat and cook until the onion becomes sticky and caramelized.
- Add 1.2 litres of beef stock, season and bring to the boil.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Toast some bread (preferably baguette) and drizzle with some olive oil. Sprinkle with grated cheese and place under grill until golden.
- Serve with toast on top.
7. Jacket of potato
The microwave is right there, but we know, potatoes are rubbish when you cook them in that fast-food machine. Prepare to wait for the perfect jacket of potato...
- Wash the potato and prick with a fork.
- Rub salt evenly on the potato.
- Place in a pre-heated oven at 220C and cook for about an hour, until the skin is crisp.
- Cut open and accompany with your filling of choice. Cheese, beans, coleslaw, sour cream, cottage cheese, the list is endless..
6. Mushroom risotto
Risotto is easy to make. Here’s a recipe for a yummy mushroom risotto to serve four people. You can always vary the ingredients, experimenting with the likes of chicken, prawns or other veg:
- Chop an onion and mushrooms and crush one clove of garlic.
- Melt some butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the onion, cooking until soft.
- Add the mushrooms and garlic and turn up the heat a bit, cooking for another two minutes.
- Tip in 150g of risotto rice. Stir and cook for two to three minutes.
- Pour in 600 ml of vegetable stock and stir until the liquid has evaporated.
- Remove from heat, add salt and pepper and sprinkle some parmesan on top.
5. Toad in the hole
Toad in the hole is a great winter recipes. The following recipe is for four people but you can vary the quantity of ingredients and even make it for one.
- Tip 115g plain flour into a mixing bowl. Add some salt and pepper.
- Bit by bit slowly add three eggs and 285ml milk, whisking as you go to create a smooth batter.
- Put some oil into a baking tin and place in the oven at its highest temperature.
- Add eight sausages and cook until lightly golden.
- Pour the batter over the sausages and put back in the oven.
- Remove from the oven when the batter has risen and is golden and crisp.
- Serve with veg and onion gravy.
4. Boiled egg
Know here goes a simple and fast way to grab a snack or meal on the run.
- Start with your egg at room temperature (an egg straight from the fridge is at risk of cracking).
- Prick the shell.
- Bring a small pan of water to the boil. Put your egg on a spoon and gently lower it into the water.
- Boil for 3 ½ minutes for a runny yolk.
Serve with bread and butter cut into 4's - perfect for dunking. Alternatively you can cook a hardboiled egg and mash it up with mayonnaise for some sarnies or chop up and put in a healthy salad. Simply boil you egg for 10 minutes and place in cold water for another 10. Then you can peel.
3. Burgers
Home-made burgers are the best. It’s a fact. And it’s so easy that it makes you wonder why you ever bought them in the first place. This recipe will serve four:
- Dice a small onion and tip into a bowl with 500g of minced beef and one egg.
- Roll the mixture into four balls and flatten to make burger-shaped patties.
- Put on a plate and cover. Leave in the fridge to firm up for about half an hour.
- Heat the barbecue (or grill) and place the burgers on (or in), cooking for about 15 minutes, until cooked through. Turn once.
- Serve with a sesame seed bun, salad and any toppings that you desire!
2. Fajitas
It’s easy enough to create your own fajitas. What’s more you get to control the level of spice that goes in. Here’s a recipe for two:
- Chop an onion, red pepper and two chicken breasts (in thin strips).
- Put together in a bowl with one teaspoon of paprika (and the same amount of cumin, if you have it) and some salt and pepper and drizzle with oil.
- Now to make your salsa: Chop some tomatoes, chilli and coriander, adding salt and pepper and lime or lemon juice with some oil and stir.
- After leaving to marinade for a few minutes, cook in a pre-heated pan for about 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Warm some flour tortillas in the microwave.
- Serve with your home-made salsa, grated cheddar, sour cream and guacamole.
1. Spaghetti Bolognese
This final dish - what's so good about it is that it's even tastier the next day or frozen and eaten at a later date - all the flavors become deeper and mingle more effectively. Be sure to make a big batch when you cook this Italian favorite:
- Brown 500g of minced beef.
- Add chopped mushrooms and cook for three minutes.
- Stir in one or two crushed garlic cloves and a 400g can of chopped tomatoes along with ¼ pint of beef stock and mixed herbs (optional).
- Bring to the boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes,
- Meanwhile, cook the Spaghetti (or other pasta of choice), drain and serve with your bologna sauce on top.
Add cheese if desired for extra flavoring.