No Time To Cook, Need Ideas
 

I just started a new job and now have even less time to spend cooking when I get out of work. I've been skipping meals or eating out all the time and need to get back on track.

I have a crock pot, panini maker, all the gadgets but no creativity. What are some of the meals you make when you have no time or energy?

One thing I do, is make a base ingredient on the weekend and use it in several items during the week. For example, I might cook a large batch of ground turkey. It can be put in pasta sauce, used for tacos, taco salad, chili, etc. A small turkey breast, chicken breasts will work too. I will also buy different salad ingredients (blue cheese dried cranberries, apples, different vegetables, nuts, etc) and pre-make them in plastic containers. Then I can take it for lunch or have it for dinner.

I tend to eat out a lot too because it is really cheaper for one person as long as you're not having $40-50 dinners each night. I go to Panera a lot or grab a salad from some place. I could probably eat salad 5 nights out of 7.

I'm a big fan of doctoring up grilled cheese. My favorite has colby jack, veggie cream cheese, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, and dried italian herbs. put all those between 2 slices of bread, quick and delish.

Another idea is to make one thing and then change what you have with it so you can use if for two or three meals?

This is a good crock pot Turkey recipe -
(you can also subsitute chicken broth for the white wine)
1 (2 to 3) lb turkey breast
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup dry white wine
salt and pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic

You could have it the first day with salad and mashed potatoes or a baked potato in the microwave one day and then have it with rice or noodles or in a sandwich another day later in the week? Freeze it in single portions so you could heat it up later too.

Before you leave for work in the morning, take some beef, lamb, chicken, pork, or whatever meat you like, and cube it up. Brown the meat in some oil if you like, or you can leave it raw. Place the meat in your slow cooker with enough liquid (water, chicken broth, beef broth) to cover it. Add some veggies - I like to chop up an onion and sauté it with some garlic. Start your slow cooker and go to work. When you get home, you will have a nice stew and your home will smell amazing. :)

To go with it, here is a recipe for basmati rice in the microwave. Combine 1 cup rice and 1-3/4 cups water in a microwave-safe container. You can add butter and spices if you like - I like to throw in a bay leaf and a few cardamom pods and cloves. Cover with saran wrap, leaving one corner slightly open. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, then on 50% power for 15 minutes. Two notes: (1) This recipe cannot be halved - you will end up with a rice cake if you try. (2) If you use a bay leaf, remove it before you serve the rice, because you can easily choke on it.

Thank you everyone who has responded so far. I think the big issue is the cooking for one, I love to cook but to do all the work for myself seems a waste. I'm really hoping to put my crock pot to use. I just need to get over my hatred of leftovers.

I am with you on the left overs! I freeze the leftovers once I have had them for a couple of days. The salad trick is good because you can make different salads. I use the blue cheese, apples, cranberries, nuts, lettuce and balsamic in one. Another I might use a lot of veggies and some leftover chicken or a small can of tuna with another dressing. I try to mix it up so I don't get bored.

I often freeze leftovers the same day into single serving containers, that way I'm not stuck eating the same things days on end and can pull them out on days I'm feeling too lazy to cook. I also make my own soups (easier than you'd think if they're veggie based) and freeze those in single servings as well