Quick Meal Ideas

[*WWDonna*]

The topic this week is Quick Meal Ideas. One of the members claimed to be a bad cook, all the others were good cooks or great cooks. Our leader talked about kitcken tools that we needed-rice cooker, pressure cooker, microwave, etc. She gave us a recipe for a marinara sauce, and for some things to do with it. Also gave some basic tips, like always cooking extra and freezing some. Did you ever think of freezing rice in one cup bags in the freezer? I had not.

[DanielleG]

OK, you so do not "need" a rice cooker or a pressure cooker. Hey, if you don't want to, you don't even have to cook at all - eat at Applebees for every meal!

sorry. Just gets me worked up when they tell us we "need" to do something. The whole point is that it is a very flexible program.

My leader did a good job today of talking about all kinds of cooking the WW way, depending on your needs at that time, including:
* use of convenience foods (smart ones and other frozen entrees, prepackaged yogurts and fruit cups, etc.) - almost always quick, often portable, easy to quantify, and almost always with built-in portion control.
* cooking for multiple meals at once (portioning and saving leftovers)
* "a-la-carte" dining for families with varied eating needs (e.g., "You eat the casserole; I'll have whatever WW-friendly thing I'm planning to eat." or "You eat meat; I'll have my vegetarian thing.")
* Dining out (as an occasional thing, and how to do it the WW-way: planning ahead, eating smaller portions, asking for no butter, etc.)

... I think there were two others that I can't remember now, a whopping 3.5 hours later. :)

Cheers!
:) DG

[ksleeth]

Firstly, I would like to say that this site is a great resource for recipes and links to other sites with more recipes. I make a WW styled meal every night for me and the family and do not have anything more than a stove top, oven, microwave and crock pot. I use the crock pot about once a week, but really don't have to. I do like a nice large skillet pan for browning, etc. and a 2 qt. casserole dish for baking.


IMO, it's the effort you put into it. But a good tool is always nice to have.

[ladyhawk]

I always cook with extra meals in mind. I may have one repeat that week and freeze the rest. I like to cook up a batch of beans (red, pinto, white or black) and measure 1 cup in plastic bags and freeze. I can then add to casseroles, soups or add to salad.

I do not have a rice cooker but I do cook up large batches of brown rice or barley and freeze for a quick add to dishes.