No-cook quick healthy meals?

[minakichan]

Sooo my dining hall is pretty much closed during summer, I have no cooking utensils (and don't really have the time/resources/will to buy any) aside from a microwave and a hot water kettle, and I'm rather lazy. Tis a sin.

I haven't really much clue what to eat.

I've been surviving these last two weeks on oatmeal, bologna and soy cheese wraps, fruit, and spinach salads, with some random snacks like soy crisps, yogurt, and apple chips. It's worked out, but eating the same salad every dinner has gotten a little boring. I really, really want to try to eat healthier (hence the soy), and I don't want to eat bready stuff like sandwiches (because white bread is so unhealthy and wheat isn't particularly delicious), but I'm not especially creative. Scratch that, I'm RIDICULOUSLY uncreative.

Anyone have any good recipes that 1) don't require cooking, 2) use good, basic ingredients that minimize pre-packaged preservativeness (lower-fat meats and dairy are probably fine), and 3) don't take that long to make? Tasting good would be nice as well. I don't want to sound desperate because I'm sure poor kids in Africa living on rice wouldn't mind spinach salads every night, but a variety seems like it'd be nice.

Thanks~~~

[chibiphonebooth]

Go to Trader Joes. XDDD

they have a lot of pre-ready meals for microwave stuff and they taste soooo good. mmmmmmm
i buy them all the time.

my favorites are the $5.99 meals that are crazy filling and crazy delicious. 8D

[Technomancer]

You know you can buy pots and pans for cheap from the Sally Ann right? You can also generally find salad recipes in most cook books (check your library). Here's one that I made two nights ago:

chopped fennel
tomatoes
arugula
walnuts
feta cheese (any soft, white cheese should work here).

The recipe also works fairly well if you add some diced ham.

[mechana2015]

I usually buy premade frozen meals if I'm in a no cook situation...

[Yuen Fei Lung]

Hmmm... well, ramen noodles, macarnoi and cheese or instant grits are always good with the kind of resources you have. Pretty yummy and cheap too. ^^

[minakichan]

//Trader Joe's instant meals

Heehee, I love Trader Joe's... I don't go as often as I could because it's hard to get there on bike for me, have to bike by some highways and poorly-maintained roads (and I almost fell off into the middle of the highway once. That was scary.) Didn't know they had microwave dinners, but do you know how the fat content is, or preservative? I should THINK not, but who knows...

//pots, salad

The problem with buying utensils for me is that I probably won't have to use them ever again after summer ends and I can't find a place within biking distance that sells any. (Since I'm a college student who doesn't have a car...) Actually, the more accurate reason is probably that I fail at cooking. I'm always up for new salad recipes! but I'm trying to find an alternative to salad in general, just for now. If I can't, then I'll definitely take up your suggestion and try a new salad like every other day ^^

//ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese
Ehehe, I certainly have hot water and a microwave, but those are so bad for you XD I'm not actually a health nut, but I get sick really easily and have some inconvenient health complications that I'd like to get rid of, so ^^

[Yuen Fei Lung]

Hehe, god bless hot water and microwaves, ne? Yeah, macaroni and cheese as well as ramen noodles are pretty bad. Aww, I'm so sorry to hear of your health complications Minaki-chan. You'll be in my prayers. Grits are actually pretty healthy... they're just made of corn and they're good. Some people love them, some hate them. Me, I'm a big fan of grits. ^^ But there again, I'm from the South... so go figure, right?

[Maledicte]

*precut salad greens
*baby carrots (or whatever other vegetables you like)
*frozen pre-grilled chicken strips (Tyson makes them I believe)

Put as much salad greens as you want in a bowl. Slice one or two baby carrots, sprinkle onto greens. Take 5-6 chicken strips from the bag, cook via microwave, skillet, what have you. Top salad with chicken. Add croutons, dressing, cheese, etc.

Voila, grilled chicken salad. The total ingredients can make 5 salads for so, cheaper than getting them at McDonalds.

*your favorite fruit, washed, cut up (though not in the case of berries)
*Vanilla yogurt
*Orange juice
*Ice

Dump it all in a blender and whirl until smooth. No more lines at the smoothie bar.

*frozen wheat waffle
*cream cheese
*fruit
*brown sugar

Toast waffle, top with cream cheese, fruit. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Munch.

[Warrior4Christ]

Scratch that, I'm RIDICULOUSLY uncreative.

Hehe, you sound like me! But I'm not quite in the same situation... then mum comes home and *makes meal* and says "hey, look what I did with just the ingredients in the fridge and cupboards!". Yeah... even playing field.

[Sheenar]

I'm in the same situation as you are --the campus dining hall is closed and I too have to fend for myself--all I have is a microwave to cook with. No toasters, grills, hot plates, etc. allowed.
I've been living on ramen and mac & cheese. In fact, this is what I had for dinner last night:

MacGreenTurkFish --Mac & Cheese + green beans, tuna, and the rest of the turkey lunch meat in the fridge.

I too could use some healthier food ideas. Really badly. I actually broke down last week and bought a sandwich at Subway because I really wanted some fresh vegetables.
I try not to buy too many vegetables/fruit because they tend to go bad before I can eat them all --so I buy a few here and there.
I'm also limited on funds and am really trying to save money for graduation --so any ideas for cheap would be greatly appreciated.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

It probably looked better before you ate it (lol).

minakichan,
try wholemeal bread with butter/margarine, slices of cheese, topped with tomato, lots of pepper and dry basil. Yumo!

[termyt]

It's not that bread is bad for you, it's just the your body does not regulate processed grains very well. Have you tried some bread that has a good amount of fiber in it? Taking a fiber supplement with a bready meal also helps - basically with the fiber supplement, you are putting back what the processing of the flour takes out.

[Kunoichi]

a good website it allrecipes.com and have some easy microwavable meals...

[USSRGirl]

Chef Temulin reccomends the following signature recipe:

Tuna Quesadilla.

Get a can of tuna, some tortillas, cheese (soy cheese works fine) and throw the cheese and tuna in a tortilla like a pita pocket sandwich. Add spices or extras as desired - peppers are good. Zap it in the toaster oven or microwave for a couple minutes and viola! Your tuna delight is ready.

[minakichan]

@SirThinks2Much
Pre-grilled microwavable chicken strips = GODSEND. I never thought of that... that's great! I love meat =D

//MacGreenTurkFish
...TOTALLY APPETIZING. >_>; Ah, the life of a college student! At least there is no instant ramen in it. Fruits and veggies really ARE a hassle... I buy a lot, so sometimes I just eat like 3 piece of fruit for lunch... not filling.

//try wholemeal bread with butter/margarine, slices of cheese, topped with tomato, lots of pepper and dry basil. Yumo!
Oooh, that sounds nice~ I wonder how tomatoes are doing now, though; isn't there a salmonella crisis? Regardless, I loooove cheese and tomato; might have to try that. Wonder if soy butter exists...

//Have you tried some bread that has a good amount of fiber in it? Taking a fiber supplement with a bready meal also helps - basically with the fiber supplement, you are putting back what the processing of the flour takes out.
Hmm, OK, I guess that would allow me to eat bread then! ^^ Which opens up a lot of choices, I suppose. I'm still a little worried that it's a lot of carbs without strong nutritional value... but then again, just eating spinach all the time isn't well-rounded either.

//a good website it allrecipes.com and have some easy microwavable meals...
Chouette, I'll check it out.

//Get a can of tuna, some tortillas, cheese (soy cheese works fine) and throw the cheese and tuna in a tortilla like a pita pocket sandwich. Add spices or extras as desired - peppers are good. Zap it in the toaster oven or microwave for a couple minutes and viola! Your tuna delight is ready.
Oh, this is totally my kind of food... Tuna... *_* Might be able to find some prepackaged fresh tuna salad with less preservative too. Never would have thought about this, it sounds GREAT. (And my soy cheese melts!! *_*)

Guys, you are all amazing; thanks for making up for my lack of creativity! \(^_^)/

[Mithrandir]

I'm still a little worried that it's a lot of carbs without strong nutritional value... but then again, just eating spinach all the time isn't well-rounded either.

Just FYI: Most "non-nutritional" bread is the over-processed variety (think "white bread" or wonderbread). If you go for the (admittedly) more expensive whole grain breads, your body really is more likely to be able to pull in the nutrients. I like to make my own whole grain bread (with a little flax thrown in for good measure) from scratch - my food processor totally roxxorz! I can't recommend *that* for you (if you've no oven), but whole grain breads are healthier.

Do you have a 'fridge/freezer? Leftovers from restaurants are a good way to "skip" a meal. I usually get a slightly larger portion (so it doesn't cost too much more), and only eat until I'm full. (side note: if the restaurant brings bread/chips/whatever, you can pig out on those - not healthy, but filling) I can take the rest home, then, and have a "free" meal.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I wonder how tomatoes are doing now, though; isn't there a salmonella crisis?

Hmm... minakichan. I haven't heard anything about a salmonella crisis in Australia. Maybe it's just a US problem.

[Debitt]

RE: tomatoes; I heard about that, but I think they're starting to announce that tomatoes are OK again, since I saw some signs in the market today. Granted, I live in CA, but maybe that's a sign that things are clearing up?

[minakichan]

Leftovers from restaurants are a good way to "skip" a meal.

=D I spent about $5 on food every day during school by this method-- oatmeal or fruit breakfast, leftovers from yesterday's dinner for lunch, new dining hall meal for dinner. It was AMAZING.

in Australia. Maybe it's just a US problem.

D'oh! Oops. Ah, I guess I inherit the US-centric worldview >_>;

[EricTheFred]

Depending on your dietary needs, I have a few suggestions:

First, a small rice cooker easily and quickly produces a sufficient quantity of rice for a day, and the rice stores very nicely with refrigeration until it is cooked. Get a rice cooker with a removable crock so you can stick the unused rice in the fridge. Microwave it covered with a paper towel to reheat. Boiler bags of Japanese or Indian curry are available in most supermarkets: Voila, Dinner or Lunch.

You can also get a microwave rice-cooker very cheap. I don't like the results as good as a decent rice cooker, but it isn't bad.

I understand not wanting to build up a pile of pans, but you might want to go ahead and get one small frypan and a couple 'hamburger turner' spatulas (the silicone ones work best). There's just too many easy things you can do once you have this much.

The best cheap pans are the pre-seasoned cast iron ones. The cheap teflon pans are worthless, and only good for convincing bad cooks that they don't know how to cook (when the real problem is, the world's greatest chef would look like a bad cook with one of these pieces of crap.

In your new pan: Brown and drain some hamburger or and combine with a can of soup and some rice from your little rice cooker. Hello, Mom's casserole. Or, use canned chicken instead of hamburger. My wife likes Spam for this sort of thing, but she's Filipina. (Spam is very popular there.) She breaks it up in the fry pan and browns and drains it just like burger.

My wife's breakfast is the world's easiest. She nukes a sweet potato in the microwave until it softens. That and a cup of coffee and she's off to the races.

I can't digest starch, so all of the above is out for me. My breakfast is very simple as well, though. Berries and very ripe banana (if they don't have spots, they still have starch) covered with plain yogurt, plus a poached egg. Every microwave is different, so you have to discover the time for yourself, but all you need is a small glass custard cup, a small ceramic plate, and a small strainer or slotted spoon. You put a 1/4 cup or so of water in the cup, the egg on top of that, cover, and (for my microwave) nuke about 45 seconds. Let stand about a minute so the egg finishes cooking. Either dump it into the strainer or lift it out with the slotted spoon to get it free of the water.

Until you get the hang of it, you're going to blow up an occasional egg. But, once you know the right amount of water and the right time, it's reliable. One hint: always buy the same size eggs.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Ah, I guess I inherit the US-centric worldview

Yes, you will. Repeat after me: There are other countries outside of the US. The US is not the whole world.

[Monkey Princess]

One of my favorite snacks (or even lunch when paired with fruit or rice or something) is spinach meat wraps. Okay, I know that sounds weird but they are actually really good. All you have to do is buy these little wraps that are made of spinach, then you add meat. I also put in a couple of spinach leaves and tomatoes as well as mayo.

Then instead of regular chips you can eat either Sunchips or the baked chips.

[Monkey Princess]

[quote="Debitt (post: 1238989)"]RE: tomatoes]


They're good in Tennessee too. I think they're pretty much good in the majority of the country.

[Debitt]

To add to the actual function of this thread:

If you're a fan of hummus, I've found that flatbread + some hummus + microwavable chicken + some salad greens with some light dressing on top makes for a really fast, healthy meal. :3

[mechana2015]

Ah, I guess I inherit the US-centric worldview

Yes, you will. Repeat after me: There are other countries outside of the US. The US is not the whole world.

Well since she lives in the US and is the OP... wouldn't that sort of make some of the food topics involved inherently US centric? (and honestly not really a bad thing... any food issue thats specific to Australia isn't gonna matter to her on a personal level)

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Sorry, I should've added a smiley face at the end.

[Shilohan ninja]

Interesting. I may have to look into some of these recipees myself.

[KBMaster]

If you have a microwave safe bowl, you can cook eggs in the microwave. And if you don't have a fridge/freezer, eggs stay good for about 5 days if you leave them at room temp. I like cooking eggs in the microwave, putting cheese and a slice of tomato on them and making a nice egg sammich.

If you have a freezer, then tv dinners like Banquet or Stouffers are good and filling and cheap! They use real meat and veggies, so they're at least a little healty. The little personal pizzas are also good and cheap, although, they're not really healthy.

Uhm.... if I think of anything else, I'll post it, but I don't really eat healthy, so I think that may have been all I've got.

[minakichan]

Yes, you will. Repeat after me: There are other countries outside of the US. The US is not the whole world.

SORRY! I'M SORRY! ;___;

You mean like... Canada?

One of my favorite snacks (or even lunch when paired with fruit or rice or something) is spinach meat wraps.

Spinach + wraps = like my two favorite things combined not really but still. AMAZINGGGG must find these.

any food issue thats specific to Australia isn't gonna matter to her on a personal level)

Well I COULD import tomatoes from Australia BUT I'M THINKING NO >_>;

If you have a microwave safe bowl, you can cook eggs in the microwave.

WHAT.

ARE YOU SERIOUS.

I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT.

I looooove eggs... do you know how long I should stick it in to cook? (I have a fridge too, and a microwave-safe bowl, so yay.) THIS. IS. BRILLIANT. I can expand my choices so much with just eggs!

[Monkey Princess]

Another thing you could try for a snack is trailmix. Pretty much everything in there is good for you, even the M&Ms in a way. Chocolate is important in a healthy diet. (Not an excessive amount mind you but a little) I forgot what about them makes them healthy but they are in small amounts.