What To Make In A Pinch?

[Darwin]

I am considering cutting back on my corn and (possibly) potato intake to see if these are things that are also bothering my system and to lose some weight. Before figuring out my gluten sensitivity, I kept just a few box-mixy kind of things around for quick meals. Now, I keep instant grits and baking potatoes around for when I am too lazy to cook or do not have time to cook (and they are cheap!). Do you have any suggestions on easy, fast meals to make that do not involve potatoes or corn (not giving up on rice yet)?

[freeatlast]

Well, one of the things I've been eating every morning is hot rice cereal. It tastes like what I remembered cream of wheat tasted like when I was growing up. I just nuke it for two minutes and it's done, add a bit of butter, almonds or walnuts, and raisins. Sometimes I cook a couple pieces of turkey bacon to go with it. That's good morning or night.

Another thing I cook is chicken and rice soup. I usually add some garlic and heat it up on the stove top. You can get gluten-free crackers from wal mart or lots of grocery stores. The hot rice cereal I get from Whole Foods.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Frozen veggies in those steamer bags that you can put right in the microwave.

Rice or rice noodles--if you have an International or Asian foods store you can find lots of varieties of rice noodles that cook in 5-10 minutes with just hot water (they are alos much cheaper than the specail gluten-free pastas).

Progresso Soups (select varieties are gluten-free, you will have look to see if any are corn/potato free as well).

Steak or chicken breast on a grill or fried in a pan on the stove top. A george forman type grill might be a good investment for you if you. You can season the meat however you like it.

Rice cakes make cheaper sandwiches than gluten free bread (and are fewer calories/carbs). I make PB and jelly rice cakes, rice cakes with lunchmeat/cheese, I've even used them to hold my hamburger before (not as tasty as a bun or lettuce wrap, but it works when I don't want to eat my hamburger patty with a fork).

Chex cereal and almond milk make a fast meal even when it's not breakfast time.

I like breakfast foods for dinner a lot--gluten-free pancakes, eggs, bacon done in the oven for easy clean-up or pre-cooked sausage heated in the microwave (I think several types of Jimmy Dean are gluten free but double check that).

[Marilyn R]

Even though it costs up front, I love my 5 pound pressure cooker. It cooks everything very quickly, and you can make one dish meals that are delicious, so there is very little clean up.

I've made a ton of things in my pressure cooker since I received it for Christmas: roast beef twice (1 hour, but the best I've ever had), split pea soup (15 minutes), chick peas (15 minutes), black beans and chorizo (15 minutes), pork chops (1.5 minutes), spagetti squash (12 minutes), other squash about the same amount of time, homemade applesauce (10 minutes), chili, stews, soups and curries in 15 minutes.

Long story short, I'd cook up something in my PC. (I can't do corn anymore either, but I'm going to give it a whirl again next month. I think I just went overboard on corn for awhile and my hyperactive autoimmune system got feisty.)

I'm pretty sure that the energy savings (vs. oven or stove time) will equal the cost of a pressure cooker over a year's time. Plus I buy dried beans vs. canned beans, so get 2-3 times the volume for the cost (without additives and preservatives). And I don't have to read those stinking labels.

It's kind of fun to cook with a pressure cooker, you're learning something new and cooking more nutriously. There are a ton of gluten-free PC recipes on the net.

Hope this helps, and wish you good health...

[Darwin]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I would like to get a pressure cooker one day, though money is not a problem....at least considering kitchen gadgets ....I don't have any more room for any more kitchen gadgets. Maybe when I move this summer I can find a place with a larger kitchen so I may buy more neat kitchen stuff! My crockpot will have to do for now. Many of your suggestions sound great! I am excited to try them!

[Kelleybean]

Can you do egg? I keep the stuff for bean patties around for when I haven't made it to the store. 1 can northern beans, rinsed drained and mashed, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 beaten egg, enough bread crumbs to make the mixture thick (I keep the heels of Udi's bread in the freezer). Shape into patties - I do 4 - and pan fry in a little olive oil. I top it with a slice of cheese and spaghetti sauce.

[cahill]

I react to potatoes but sweet potatoes are OK for me,,,different family I believe.

I throw a sweet potato in the microwave, or I will bake some extra to have leftovers for a quick meal.

I take ground beef or ground turkey, add a little leftover rice and red onion ,form in to a patty and fry, OMG it is soo good

[Lisa]

A quick dinner here is scrambled eggs/omelets , white rice and local sausage (or Johnsonville).

[sa1937]

Can you do egg? I keep the stuff for bean patties around for when I haven't made it to the store. 1 can northern beans, rinsed drained and mashed, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 beaten egg, enough bread crumbs to make the mixture thick (I keep the heels of Udi's bread in the freezer). Shape into patties - I do 4 - and pan fry in a little olive oil. I top it with a slice of cheese and spaghetti sauce.

I'm going to have to try this...it sounds soooooo good!!! And I love beans. Have you ever made this with black beans?

[sa1937]

A quick dinner here is scrambled eggs/omelets , white rice and local sausage (or Johnsonville).

Breakfast for dinner is a good emergency meal for me. I also like Jimmy D's Skillets (especially the sausage). I just take out however much I want and after it's fried, I add a couple of eggs (scambled). Yum!

[Kelleybean]

I'm going to have to try this...it sounds soooooo good!!! And I love beans. Have you ever made this with black beans?

Yes, but not gluten free. I don't think it would matter though. If I were doing black beans I'd probably throw in some crushed gluten-free tortilla chips with the bread crumbs, and maybe do cumin instead of the Italian seasoning?

[sa1937]

Yes, but not gluten free. I don't think it would matter though. If I were doing black beans I'd probably throw in some crushed gluten-free tortilla chips with the bread crumbs, and maybe do cumin instead of the Italian seasoning?

I'll have to try that, too. Today I did buy a can of great northern beans at the grocery store so I'll try that first. Thanks for the suggestions that I would never have thought of! Always looking for something different and easy even though I've been cooking forever!

[Lisa]

OOOh, here is a good one! Speaking of beans....

Empty two cans of Hanover Black Eyed Peas in a baking (8x8) dish.

Layer Chopped onions on the top

Layer mostly cooked bacon

Add Four Chicken Thighs and season with Garlic Salt and Pepper

Throw it in the oven until chicken is browned.

... so easy and delicious.

I usually double this and put it in a shallow roaster.