Ideas for eating more cooked veggies without daily cooking?

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Replies

  • amy19355
    amy19355 Posts: 805 Member
    kiela64 wrote: »
    Lounmoun wrote: »
    If you have the funds and space in your home you could buy a small freezer unit for about $150-200.

    I’ve been asking about this actually for ages but I was told it would drive the electric bill up too high so it’s not allowed.

    Can you offer to contribute to the electric bill? it's easy enough to calculate what it costs to run. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/much-run-freezer-per-month-67647.html
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I like cooking but, those frozen steam bags that you just throw in the microwave seem like an easy option.
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,033 Member
    Incorporate them into foods you already eat. For instance; I throw carrots, celery, peppers and onion in a magic bullet then add that to ground meat to make meat loaf. I agree with soup or stew - tons of options to get extra vegetables in that way.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Lounmoun wrote: »
    If you have the funds and space in your home you could buy a small freezer unit for about $150-200.
    kiela64 wrote: »
    I’ve been asking about this actually for ages but I was told it would drive the electric bill up too high so it’s not allowed.
    amy19355 wrote: »
    Can you offer to contribute to the electric bill? it's easy enough to calculate what it costs to run. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/much-run-freezer-per-month-67647.html

    @kiela64 did your housemates give you actual numbers or do they just think it will cost too much? How much per month is "too much"?

    Are these strangers or family?
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    mg07030 wrote: »
    How about making a green shake in the
    Morning? Toss spinach and kale in blender or nutribullet with additions of choice and blend! Presto! Greens and no cooking, no refrigeration. :)

    Ya, I add protein powder, chia seeds, etc., to kale or mixed green smoothies.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    kiela64 wrote: »
    lynn_glenmont wrote: »
    roast a week's worth on the weekend (most veggies need little to no prep for roasting, especially compared to stir frying), store in refrigerator, then eat them cold (dressed like a salad) or refresh them with a quick trip through boiling water, in a frying pan, or in the microwave during the week.

    Can you keep them overnight that long? My mom throws out refrigerated food after 2 days/one night.

    I used to batch cook on Sundays and eat through the following Thursday. (I work from home now so don't need to do that anymore.)

    You can also double check on https://www.stilltasty.com
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    If you leave out the bean sprouts, https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/98129/hot-and-sour-cabbage-soup/ freezes well. It's especially good if you get sick in the winter. I halve the recipe.
  • Spadhnik
    Spadhnik Posts: 130 Member
    I make in big quantity (to use 2 to 3 times) if Indian curry paste at home.
    So I need to just cook it in some oil, add vegetables, spice curry powder, salt... it can be eaten with rice. I use different vegetables / lentils every time, gives me variety.
  • Panini911
    Panini911 Posts: 2,325 Member
    soup, chilies and curries are one way to get your veggies in. cook big batches and you can freeze meal portions.

    you can clean and chop veggies on teh weekend and just cook in the evening.

    you can buy pre-chopped veggies in most vegetables

    you can buy frozen vegetables in various formats and mixes.

    my go to is frozen cauliflower rice. nuke 5 mins then i add some laughing cow cheese. or soya sauce
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Lounmoun wrote: »
    If you have the funds and space in your home you could buy a small freezer unit for about $150-200.
    kiela64 wrote: »
    I’ve been asking about this actually for ages but I was told it would drive the electric bill up too high so it’s not allowed.
    amy19355 wrote: »
    Can you offer to contribute to the electric bill? it's easy enough to calculate what it costs to run. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/much-run-freezer-per-month-67647.html

    @kiela64 did your housemates give you actual numbers or do they just think it will cost too much? How much per month is "too much"?

    Are these strangers or family?

    Family, and I’m not currently in a position to contribute, in school. I haven’t had numbers but I hear that we already spend a lot on electricity and running another freezer will be too much.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    edited November 2018
    Panini911 wrote: »
    soup, chilies and curries are one way to get your veggies in. cook big batches and you can freeze meal portions.

    you can clean and chop veggies on teh weekend and just cook in the evening.

    you can buy pre-chopped veggies in most vegetables

    you can buy frozen vegetables in various formats and mixes.

    my go to is frozen cauliflower rice. nuke 5 mins then i add some laughing cow cheese. or soya sauce

    Thank you, I really wish I had the space for lots of frozen veggies. I’m getting some good ideas from your replies, and I think I’m set to try a few things to keep in the fridge — but I’m also getting the sense that it’s not normal to have such a small freezer. We keep the weekly compost in there and that takes up 1/3 of it, and it’s got an ice cube maker, then we have a small amount left for leftovers and frozen foods with purpose (not mine), and there is about 1/8th I can use for my sandwiches.
  • kiela64
    kiela64 Posts: 1,447 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    mg07030 wrote: »
    How about making a green shake in the
    Morning? Toss spinach and kale in blender or nutribullet with additions of choice and blend! Presto! Greens and no cooking, no refrigeration. :)

    Ya, I add protein powder, chia seeds, etc., to kale or mixed green smoothies.

    These always sound like good ideas but I can’t choke down protein powder no matter how much fruit I drown it in. My last attempt was 1 tablespoon in a full smoothie and after that I just gave up. It’s too expensive to keep wasting.

    Also have not been able to eat kale without gagging 😞
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    The prep time held me back for a long time too. Then I learned a trick from a good friend recovering from a heart attack (mega lifestyle change).

    He cut his veggies in the morning and cooked them in the evening. Like you, I’m not my brightest in the evening. Having all the prep time done, I can handle ten minutes or less I front of a wok or a broiling oven.

    Steamed is not mush if you time it well. My veggies are done in six minutes.
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