I Just Want To Not Have To Cook Once Damnit!

[snowcoveredheart]

*sighs*

Bad bad bad day at work today

[Jestgar]

Yeah, I hear ya.

Before this almost every meal I ate was prepared by someone else. Now I have to plan and think and cook and it's a pain in the butt.

I know the whole story about how it's healthier and cheaper than eating and so on and so forth, but sometimes it just sucks to not be able to be lazy.

[Guhlia]

On occasions like this I like to have premade pizzas in the freezer that I can just thaw and reheat. I don't know if you're casein free, but if not, that could be a good solution. Also, salads are easy to prep, you can buy canned chicken to put on top to make it a "meal". I also make some KILLER croutons that freeze very well. Amy's meals are okay. They have some cross contamination issues, but some days its worth the risk, right? Also, Progresso has some gluten free soups. Some are decent. Better than starving.

I hope that gives you a few ideas. Tinkyada pasta is also a great saver when I don't feel like cooking. It's so easy to prep and then I just throw some spaghetti sauce on it and toss a quick salad. Sandwiches also come in handy on rough days. My 3 year old learned how to make me tuna salad (I add the spices), so I have to do very little work. I use dried minced onions, relish, mayo, and canned tuna. I put it on Kinnikinnick's cheese bread. Yum!

[Phyllis28]

Quick and Easy Meals I eat for dinner:

Gluten Free baked beans and gluten free hot dogs. Cut a hot dog into pieces and add to about 1/2 can of baked beans. Microwave 1 to 1.5 minutes.

Peanut Butter and Jelly on Rice Cakes

Reheat left overs

Microwave corn tortillas with refried beans and cheese.

Mircowave Baked Potato adding toppings from what is available, i.e. leftover cooked chicken or cooked hamburger, butter, cheese, and/or sour cream.

[gfgypsyqueen]

I hear ya!!!

My day dream is to become indepenantly filthy rich and have a personal gluten-free Chef! Let it be gluten-free and tasty too! Most importantly, let someone else cook once in a while!

[Karen B.]

Those are the nights when I either hit Taco Cabana for fajitas or chicken tacos or I hit my freezer and nuke an Amy's cheese enchiladas and rip open a pack of Lundberg RiceXpress Sante Fe Grill rice.

Es muy bueno! :-)

[Guest Doll]

I think we ALL can relate....

Somtimes I'll just open a can of (Heinz) beans or tuna with some mustard and lemon pepper for a small dinner until I'm feeling up to making something.

Some people here use Amy's frozen meals, but I have reacted to them since they are made in a facility which processes wheat. Usually for me that means forget about it! However, if you are not that sensitive, these are a good choice.

Another option is to look for frozen gluten-free meals at your local health food or gluten-free store. They are expensive as hell, but usually taste good and are great for those days where you just don't have time.

For those in Winnipeg: Meyer's Drugs has frozen gluten-free meals, as does Lorenzo's (the whole store is gluten-free items).

In Regina: Old Fashion Foods has Amy's products.

[Mango04]

I was just going to say I don't think they have Amy's in the UK (if that's where Snowcovered is from?), but I guess I was really wrong. Check it out...Amy's is everywhere. I had no idea

Open Original Shared Link

[tarnalberry]

this is when it's good to have two things:

1) leftovers in the fridge or freezer ready to be eaten

2) ingredients for quick meals - like eggs and leftover rice for a quick fried rice, or tuna avocado and corn tortillas for a quick tuna taco, or hummus and vegetables with an apple and peanut butter.

[sparkles]

When you feel like cooking, get in the habit of making lots of extra servings. Freeze the rest in one serving plastic bags or plastic containers. That way, you will always have a stash of gluten-free frozen foods. I even do grilled foods, rice, pasta, sauces, etc. It is sometimes hard to think in larger quanities but once you get used to it, it makes life easier. Plus you can have several meals and only one clean-up!!!!

[cmom]

I have definitely felt the same way. I am lucky in the fact that my husband likes to cook and does so often. I feel like he is being deprived though, because he would like to take me out for dinner but it's just too difficult most of the time. I miss the days when we could just pull into the first place that sounded good and enjoy a meal without worry.

[Karen B.]

We picked up baked potatos and a small chili x 2 from Wendy's a little while ago for a late supper. gluten-free dinner for 2 for $4.25 -- That's one tasty and healthy option when you just can't bring yourself to cook. We've gotten this dinner more than 10 times over the last 2 years and never had a problem. I do always ask them to not put crackers in the bag but I haven't had a problem with CC.

Open Original Shared Link

[Yellow Rose]

On occasions like this I like to have premade pizzas in the freezer that I can just thaw and reheat. I don't know if you're casein free, but if not, that could be a good solution. Also, salads are easy to prep, you can buy canned chicken to put on top to make it a "meal". I also make some KILLER croutons that freeze very well. Amy's meals are okay. They have some cross contamination issues, but some days its worth the risk, right? Also, Progresso has some gluten free soups. Some are decent. Better than starving.

I hope that gives you a few ideas. Tinkyada pasta is also a great saver when I don't feel like cooking. It's so easy to prep and then I just throw some spaghetti sauce on it and toss a quick salad. Sandwiches also come in handy on rough days. My 3 year old learned how to make me tuna salad (I add the spices), so I have to do very little work. I use dried minced onions, relish, mayo, and canned tuna. I put it on Kinnikinnick's cheese bread. Yum!

I miss croutons so much. Will you share your recipe?

Yellow Rose

[Guhlia]

I miss croutons so much. Will you share your recipe?

Yellow Rose

I just make a loaf of bread, most gluten free breads will do. Then I dry the croutons in the oven on warm until they are dry and crunchy, no signs of moisture left. I add (all to taste) a small amount of olive oil, garlic powder, fresh cracked black pepper, parmesean cheese, and dried cilantro. Shake in a plastic baggie until well coated. If you use too much olive oil they will get soggy, just throw them back in the warmed oven and they will partially dry out again, but they won't be nearly as good. I generally do a whole loaf at a time and then freeze what I'm not going to eat over the next day or two. I always keep them in the fridge or the freezer because of the cheese on them. When you want to thaw some out, just throw them on aluminum foil or a cookie sheet and thaw in a warm oven at about 250/300. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but they really are worth it!!!

If you don't want to go through the hassle, there is a company or two out there that sells gluten free croutons.

[StrongerToday]

I can totally relate... I used to be the take out, or make it out of a box, queen. But you'll figure out ways to help take the load off. My favorite tip is the roasted chicken at my grocery store; obviously check yours to make sure it is safe, but I will pick this up at least once a week (sometimes more ) take it home, and put BBQ sauce on it, or make chicken tacos, chicken salad or green salad w/ chicken.... possibilities are endless!

Bon appeitite

[Karen B.]

I can totally relate... I used to be the take out, or make it out of a box, queen. But you'll figure out ways to help take the load off. My favorite tip is the roasted chicken at my grocery store; obviously check yours to make sure it is safe, but I will pick this up at least once a week (sometimes more ) take it home, and put BBQ sauce on it, or make chicken tacos, chicken salad or green salad w/ chicken.... possibilities are endless!

Bon appeitite

Definitely check. The roast chicken at the Sam's in my area has wheat in the flavorings. And I've had a problem before with roast chicken at Kroger that should have been gluten-free according to the label but it made me sooo sick. Once you find a reliable source -- treasure it. In my area, Taco Cabana chicken flamente is always safe. Yum!

[cmom]

I found it interesting that the rotisserie chicken at Sam's contains wheat (in the rub, I believe) but the rotisserie chicken at WalMart does not (if I read ingredients correctly).

[Karen B.]

I found it interesting that the rotisserie chicken at Sam's contains wheat (in the rub, I believe) but the rotisserie chicken at WalMart does not (if I read ingredients correctly).

I had wondered if it was a regional thing. My Mom told me how great the chicken was at Sam's and I picked one up and checked the ingredients -- wheat! She's really bad about shopping without her glasses but she keeps getting zinged by gluten. I keep telling her -- you just gotta read the label, every time. It's a pain but not as much so as not being able to go more that 10 feet from the bathroom.

[snowcoveredheart]

thanks for the replies guys!

if i was at my home then i would have had things to throw in the microwave (as i seem incapable of making one person sized meals so always have enough for two!) ....but i was off to my new blokes (non gluten-free Lactose free friendly) house so its like EXTRA thought n care n stuffs.... even the silly things like the fact i know all my spices are ok at my house but i have had to rekit out anything i need at his (*rolls eyes*)

Amys - london is a wee touch far to go for a ready meal but ill have a word with my local H&B and see if they cant get some sent there!

its also more than just about the time n stuffs.. i MISS takeaways, i never had a lot of them n stuff...but yah know i miss that yummy MSG filled gloupy ness from the chinese (not the doubled in pain cramps n sickness and fogg after though!!!)

it doesnt help that i seem to be reacting to EVERYTHING at the moe (even alchol now ((( !!!)

[Yellow Rose]

I just make a loaf of bread, most gluten free breads will do. Then I dry the croutons in the oven on warm until they are dry and crunchy, no signs of moisture left. I add (all to taste) a small amount of olive oil, garlic powder, fresh cracked black pepper, parmesean cheese, and dried cilantro. Shake in a plastic baggie until well coated. If you use too much olive oil they will get soggy, just throw them back in the warmed oven and they will partially dry out again, but they won't be nearly as good. I generally do a whole loaf at a time and then freeze what I'm not going to eat over the next day or two. I always keep them in the fridge or the freezer because of the cheese on them. When you want to thaw some out, just throw them on aluminum foil or a cookie sheet and thaw in a warm oven at about 250/300. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but they really are worth it!!!

If you don't want to go through the hassle, there is a company or two out there that sells gluten free croutons.

Sounds wonderful to me. I will try it right away. I really love them on salads and since that is what I mostly eat now I can look forward to them again. Thanks so much.

Carole/Yellow Rose

[Karen B.]

thanks for the replies guys!

if i was at my home then i would have had things to throw in the microwave (as i seem incapable of making one person sized meals so always have enough for two!) ....but i was off to my new blokes (non gluten-free Lactose free friendly) house so its like EXTRA thought n care n stuffs.... even the silly things like the fact i know all my spices are ok at my house but i have had to rekit out anything i need at his (*rolls eyes*)

Amys - london is a wee touch far to go for a ready meal but ill have a word with my local H&B and see if they cant get some sent there!

its also more than just about the time n stuffs.. i MISS takeaways, i never had a lot of them n stuff...but yah know i miss that yummy MSG filled gloupy ness from the chinese (not the doubled in pain cramps n sickness and fogg after though!!!)

it doesnt help that i seem to be reacting to EVERYTHING at the moe (even alchol now ((( !!!)

Sorry, I missed that you weren't in the US. Although I saw someone post the other day that Amy's is in London now at Whole Foods. Open Original Shared Link

New beau, reacting to everything, I have to ask if your new guy is gluten-free before he kisses you? I wouldn't have believed that it could be that tricky but my hubby proved to me that when he kissed me after eating gluten, I got sick.

And yes, I miss being able to try any nationality restaurant and not worry if they spoke English. Now, people that speak English just fine don't even realize that white bread IS wheat bread. Sigh!