Admittedly, I am no chef. It's not that I'm bad per se-- I just don't have much experience beyond the george foreman and my microwave. DF and I just moved out of state and he is working full time. I am currently unemployed due to the move, so I am responsible for "all household duties." I don't mind this is the least-- but I don't even know where to begin. DF and I are getting married in Sept. and we both want to lose a few pounds before then. We have agreed to stop eating out to save money and our waistlines... hmmm.
We have no good kitchen supplies between us-- seriously we don't even have 2 matching plates. And right now we are living in a one month sublet in our new town that is "furnished" but there is little in the kitchen save a few old frying pans and some utensils.
Where do I start? I find it hard to cook for two--- we don't dig leftovers all that much. I also feel like to cook one meal I have too spend waay to much money at the grocery store. I guess what I'm trying to say is-- I want to find a way to become more organized with our meal planning--- to know how to cook for two people and buy ingredients that I can reuse in a entirely different meal later on in the week.
Any ideas???
My DF and both of our waistlines thank you in advance!
__________________ Me: 30 DH: 31
Diagnosed: May 2007
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One thing I use to do when cooking for only two, was to make a recipe and freeze part of it before the final cooking. That way I had a prepared meal for later in the semi near future. Like Lasagna, I would make a full recipy and use the foil loaf pans and freeze smaller ones for later. One recipy igave me 4 Lasagnas in the freezer and one to eat. So would that work for you. And since oyu are making it you can use lower fat chesses and stuff, even ground turkey or chicken would work really well.
My big thing is to do a good deal of shopping and vaccum sealing everything into smaller quantities. Such as a flank steak that is huge can be cut in half and become 2 meals.
Who is that lady on the food network that uses oneitem into the next through out the week. Let me see if I can figure it out. She has a cookbook out.
I cook for myself and my husband. However, my husband *loves* big portions, so it's like cooking for four!
Having said that, I posted "eating on a budget" and got loads of responses. Try buying individual quick frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts. They're not too expensive and all you have to thaw out is what you're going to eat for that meal. Buy ground meat in bulk and use freezer bags to freeze them in one pound balls so you will only have to thaw out what you need for a particular dish. I've noticed that if a dish calls for one pound of ground meat, I can double the other ingredients to make the ground meat stretch farther.
Spaghetti is cheap and very versatile. You can buy angel hair and it cooks within minutes. Open up a jar of sauce, put it in a saucepan with some onions and mushrooms (if you like them) and you've got a main dish. Add some of that ground meat if ya want, make some garlic bread, and whip out a bagged salad, and you're all set! We have spaghetti a LOT because it's cheap.
Also, I know you said you were trying to lose weight, and I don't know much about your health issues, but if you're not against eating potatoes, you can make a quick potato casserole. Here's how:
Slice up as many potatoes as you think you two can eat in a meal to fit in a small casserole dish.
Then, add:
2 tbsp. butter to a pan, melting it. Add 2 tbsp. of flour to the butter to make a paste, or "roux" (fancy French term for cooking out the flour with the butter, kind of like a paste). Cook for about three minutes, then add 2 cups of milk, and salt and pepper to taste. (I also add garlic powder).
Chop up one small onion and add to the roux mixture then layer the roux with the potatoes. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and bake at 350 for about 35 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
This sounds time consuming but the worst part of it is slicing the potatoes.
I've got more recipes if you would like them. I'm a no-frills Southern cook (I'm from Arkansas but live in Ohio now)
Well I'm not too sure how waist friendly these are but here are some starters.
If you like spicy:
1 can Rotel
1 lb chicken breast
1/4-1/2 onion
1/4 bell pepper
garlic
chicken broth
1 cup rice
Brown chicken and saute onions and bell pepper in a 1tbsp of oil. Remove chicken from skillet. Add Rotel, garlic rice, chicken broth and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cover. Stir occassionally. Cook for about 20 minutes.
This is a quick dinner plus it is better the next day.
I get a lot of ideas for meals at www.allrecipes.com, they have a quick and easy section, and most of the recipes have nutritional info on them. It also has a calculator that will split any recipe down to how many you are serving.
We eat a lot of stirfry too, you can buy frozen veggies cheap, some even come with rice already added which saves you the use of another pan. One dish meals are the best (since I hate doing the dishes...)
DH and I have found that the easiest, healthiest, cheapest way to eat (withOUT eating pasta every night) is to grill.
We grill one meat every night (chickenm steak, fish, etc), and I'll make a veggie for a side (anything from stir-fry to frozen veggies) and salad. It's super quick, and super easy.
When I buy meat, I usually separate it and freeze it.
I hate cooking for two but I really hate cooking for one! We aren't big fans of leftovers either. I love marinated chicken breast. When I bring them home from the store I put them in a ziplock baggy with half a bottle of fat free italian dressing and stick it in the fridge over night. Since there's usually 4 in a pack, I throw 2 on the grill and stick the other two in the freezer. They continue to marinade frozen and are better the second time around. You could do the same with a steak. Slice it up and freeze it for a quick fajita night. I LOVE salmon. I usually remove the skin and put it in a dish, sprinkle it with fresh lemon, salt and pepper. I grill it over med/low heat. It cooks so fast and it is soooooooo good. and good for you!! With the hamburger, I also buy bulk and freeze it in 1 lb packages. I don't freeze it in a ball though- I smoosh it flat. It freezes faster, stacks easier, and thaws so much faster that way.
I LOVE spaghetti too! But since it isn't very carb friendly, we don't eat it too often. But it's cheap, easy, and really quick.
We make "grill potatoes." Thinly slice potatoes and put them in aluminum foil. Add a hand full of sliced fresh mushrooms and another handful of onions. Put about 2 tablespoons of butter (divided into 4 or 5 pieces) on top and add seasoning like Mrs Dash, Lawrys or something like that. close up the top and sides of the foil to make a packet and throw on the grill. I cook them along side the meat, usually for about 30 minutes. Take them off, open the packet and top with cheese. Seal the packet back up to melt. They are so good and really easy. Not really good for you I'm sure lol but we usually have them when my sister and her family come over.
Ok so I seem like I rambled alot lol but hope to help!
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Hey thanks everybody for the replies! I've been away from this board for awhile while due to moving into our new apartment, wedding planning, etc. I just wanted to thank you all for the great ideas and say that I have put alot of them to use (DF thanks you too!). I have to say that George Foreman is my new best friend (again). I gave in and I bought a new one (with the removable plates) because I knew that it works for me in terms of feeling confidant cooking and portions etc. And seriously, I have been grilling just about everything in my kitchen lately--as many of you suggested. I have been on WW for about 4 weeks now too and I find a lot of great recipes on the boards over there. And grilling veggies/protein on the foreman is a great way to get my evoo in!
Anyway, always welcoming more ideas for the kitchen!
Thanks all,
Polly
__________________ Me: 30 DH: 31
Diagnosed: May 2007
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I need help in the kitchen! 
