topic Re: In a pinch meal ideas in Kitchen

In a pinch meal ideas

Constance2 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:58:53 GMT

When you forgot to take something out of the freezer for dinner or just want a quick meal when you're too tired to cook, what do you fix for dinner?

I always keep Aldi's canned chicken on my pantry shelf for those times when I'm in a pinch.

In my rice cooker, I use one can chicken, drained, and add it to 8 oz. of rice, 8 oz. water or chicken broth, with either a can of creamed soup OR a small can of green chilis, and use the steaming rack on top for veggies. The meal is ready in about 20 min. with little preparation. It's easy to experiment and vary the ingredients according to your preferences.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

millieshops — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:53:41 GMT

Last night I made potato soup - quick, tasty, and I pretty much always have the ingredients in my house. This is one of those foods I love when I'm eating alone this time of year.

I don't work from a recipe as such - but I use onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, milk as well as water and certainly salt and pepper. Grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley to finish off the bowls.

I love October - the colors as well as the temperatures. After that, I escape to warmer weather and rarely ever make soup.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

Laura14 — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:58:43 GMT

Your post was me last night. I did a can of black beans in a sauce pan and added leftover spaghetti sauce and some seasoning. I let it simmer about 20-30 minutes. I topped it with shredded cheese and some crackers on the side for a nice hot dinner.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

Lucky Charm — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:13:12 GMT

Being vegetarian I always have salad ingredients, so if I forgot to defrost something, DH gets a huge salad. I always have canned tuna to add for protein.

Then there's always the breakfast for dinner option. Pancakes or french toast, eggs, sausage and toast. Cup of decaf to make it 'authentic'.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

straykatz — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 18:23:01 GMT

We love eating breakfast at suppertime...french toast is my favorite.

Another fan favorite in my house is mini pizzas...I use flour tortillas for the crust ( I always have a bag of them frozen) - seperate frozen tortillas - place on baking sheet, spread with marinara sauce, chopped fresh spinach, crumbled feta cheese, mozarella cheese, bake for about 12 minutes on 425. yummy I've also done bacon and pineapple or just plain cheese...anything you like works...:-)

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

IamMrsG — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 22:15:06 GMT

You can never go wrong with eggs, e.g., omelette, frittata or sunny side up.

Or, how about fettuccine carbonara or huevos rancheros? The possibilities go on and on.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

sandraskates — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 01:11:09 GMT

Salmon patties from Costco are always in my freezer and are easily thawed and broiled or sauted.

Egg and cheese on toast works.

And I also keep some sort of canned chili on hand. With tortilla's or tortilla chips and cheese you can make a nice version of nachos. If you're ambitious add lettuce and tomato for a taco salad.

Pasta too - for a simple mac and cheese.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

Toppers — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 01:43:05 GMT

I usually try and keep some jarred pasta sauce on hand, along with some dry pasta, and also the makings for a grilled cheese sandwich as another meal option, to serve with some soup along with it. We usually have some kind of canned soup or dry soup mix on hand, to have in a pinch.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

house_cat — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 02:57:32 GMT

I have to say that it doesn't happen often around here, but when it does, DH never complains about grilled cheese. For me it's pasta with beans or an oil/garlic spaghetti.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

IamMrsG — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 03:11:20 GMT

house_cat wrote: I have to say that it doesn't happen often around here, but when it does, DH never complains about grilled cheese. For me it's pasta with beans or an oil/garlic spaghetti.

@house_cat Aglio E Olio -- one of my favorites!

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

house_cat — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 03:15:54 GMT

@IamMrsG wrote:
house_cat wrote: I have to say that it doesn't happen often around here, but when it does, DH never complains about grilled cheese. For me it's pasta with beans or an oil/garlic spaghetti.
@house_cat Aglio E Olio -- one of my favorites!

Yes, Mrs. G. I grew up calling it ollie-oilies. DH doesn't like it, but it's my all time favorite.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

peachesncream — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:38:34 GMT

Omelettes, with anything that's in the frig - cheese, mushrooms, veggies.

Progresso canned soup - lentil, Italian wedding, tomato bisque and minestrone are good.

Homemade spaghetti sauce or vegetable soup from the freezer.

Grilled cheese sandwiches, with sliced tomato or thinly sliced ham in the middle.

Tuna salad sandwiches, or tuna melts, or tuna croquettes.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

Constance2 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:01:09 GMT

I've heard that in the UK, many people eat beans on toast as a snack or meal? Is anyone familiar with that custom? I'd like to know what kind of beans they use and if it tastes good enough to try.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

straykatz — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:09:03 GMT

@Constance2 wrote:
I've heard that in the UK, many people eat beans on toast as a snack or meal? Is anyone familiar with that custom? I'd like to know what kind of beans they use and if it tastes good enough to try.

They use baked beans in tomato sauce....specifically the heinz brand. My grandfather used to eat this.

Heinz canned spaghetti on toast is good too.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

Constance2 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:37:19 GMT

Thank you, straykatz. In my mind I had pictured them using black beans, but with the baked beans it would be more appealing IMHO.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

momtochloe — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:02:33 GMT

@Constance2 wrote:
I've heard that in the UK, many people eat beans on toast as a snack or meal? Is anyone familiar with that custom? I'd like to know what kind of beans they use and if it tastes good enough to try.

When I used to travel on business I was often in the UK. At one meeting, we stayed over for a couple of days and were treated to their breakfast buffet which included baked beans . . . I was floored but they were delicious with the rest of the fare! YUM!

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

jaxs mom — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:55:47 GMT

Breakfast for dinner is my go to. But I rarely am caught without something in the fridge since I cook proteins in bulk for my husband to take to work for lunch so there is generally something in the fridge that be turned into a meal.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

novamc1 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:29:24 GMT

Not sure whether to call this laziness or being in a pinch, but when I know I'm not going to be in the mood to cook much dinner or won't have much time, I make some tuna salad ahead of time. Then have some Swiss, Provolone, or Muenster cheese slices on hand and make tuna melt sandwiches on hamburger or sandwich buns. Same with hot ham and cheese sandwiches.

Another idea that my husband likes is a can of Hormel chili ("hot" flavor) without beans, mixed with sliced Hebrew National beef knockwurst (or frankfurters) and heated in oven, microwave or on the stove, then served on an open-faced hamburger bun. Sort of a different twist on sloppy joes, I guess.

Another dish I sometimes throw together is a can of better-quality baked beans, mixed with some frozen chopped onion and green pepper, a little ketchup and maybe Worcestershire, with sliced knockwurst or frankfurthers mixed in and heated.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

NoelSeven — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:54:52 GMT

After the 4th of July, my mother always made a sandwich of leftover baked beans on white bread, I do it now, too. I love it! I use Bush's.

Re: In a pinch meal ideas

Lynneuk — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 01:05:52 GMT

Beans on toast is a very popular meal in the UK. I grew up eating it often, usually with a fried or poached egg on top or some grated sharp cheddar.

Most American supermarkets sell Heinz Baked Beans in the international aisle which are the ones Brits eat on hot buttered toast.