I am a Horrible Cook

abbvest
abbvest Posts: 9 Member
edited September 23 in Recipes
Cooking has never been a skill of mine, but I do try. At this point, pretty much the only things I trust myself to make are macaroni and scrambled eggs. Does anyone have any good, healthy, EASY recipes I can start trying? I'm working on getting better, but I find myself attempting recipes I'm just not ready for. Any ideas for something to help me begin getting better at this while eating as healthy as possible?

Replies

  • squiddledeedee
    squiddledeedee Posts: 8 Member
    You might want to try some of the Hungry Girl recipes. They are pretty easy and you should be able to search online and find some free ones.
  • jamie78
    jamie78 Posts: 514 Member
    do you like cabbage? if you do I will post a very easy soup that is very low cal and very filling!
  • LizardIsANerd
    LizardIsANerd Posts: 113
    take about 1-1 1/2 tablespoon of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). add a dash (1/2 teaspoonish) garlic powder and a dash of black pepper (less than 1/2 teaspoonish) add a pinch of salt unless you are avoiding sodium.
    Pour this into a bag (about 12oz) of frozen brussels sprouts. (just snip off a corner and pour it in) Shake the bag to evenly coat the sprouts.
    cut the bag the rest of the way open and pour onto cookie sheet.
    stick in oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
    YUM.
  • vandy29
    vandy29 Posts: 39 Member
    vegetable soup is easy....canned tomatoes and frozen vegetables
  • jamie78
    jamie78 Posts: 514 Member
    do you like cabbage?
  • cardbucfan
    cardbucfan Posts: 10,571 Member
    What do you like to eat? That will help narrow it down some. Chicken is pretty easy to make, tacos, chili, salads, pork tenderloin, etc. I'm a decent cook but it has to be FAST and generally not take more than 30 minutes or I won't make it. Let me know what you are interested in and I'll give you some pointers/recipes/ideas.
  • smilestb99
    smilestb99 Posts: 50
    I am guessing you probably don't...but do you have a crockpot? There are so many super easy receipes you can make in one of those. I use mine all the time. You just throw the stuff in and let it cook!
  • abbvest
    abbvest Posts: 9 Member
    I would love to see the soup recipe!
  • abbvest
    abbvest Posts: 9 Member
    do you like cabbage? if you do I will post a very easy soup that is very low cal and very filling!

    Meant to quote in the last one, haha. Yeah, I would definitely like to try this one out!
  • abbvest
    abbvest Posts: 9 Member
    What do you like to eat? That will help narrow it down some. Chicken is pretty easy to make, tacos, chili, salads, pork tenderloin, etc. I'm a decent cook but it has to be FAST and generally not take more than 30 minutes or I won't make it. Let me know what you are interested in and I'll give you some pointers/recipes/ideas.

    Ooh, I would love some recipes that are quick to make! I do like chicken a lot; not really into beef or fish. I would say chicken is probably my favorite meat, but I am pretty much up for learning about anything. Even if I don't think I'll like it, I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up enjoying something more than I expected to. Not knowing how to make things has turned me into a picky eater when I really might not be at all! If that makes any sense.
  • abbvest
    abbvest Posts: 9 Member
    I am guessing you probably don't...but do you have a crockpot? There are so many super easy receipes you can make in one of those. I use mine all the time. You just throw the stuff in and let it cook!

    I don't have a crockpot, but I think my roommate might. I will definitely have to look up some recipes for that! Thanks!
  • abbvest
    abbvest Posts: 9 Member
    You might want to try some of the Hungry Girl recipes. They are pretty easy and you should be able to search online and find some free ones.

    I haven't actually heard of Hungry Girl, but I will look into it! Thank you!
  • abbvest
    abbvest Posts: 9 Member
    take about 1-1 1/2 tablespoon of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). add a dash (1/2 teaspoonish) garlic powder and a dash of black pepper (less than 1/2 teaspoonish) add a pinch of salt unless you are avoiding sodium.
    Pour this into a bag (about 12oz) of frozen brussels sprouts. (just snip off a corner and pour it in) Shake the bag to evenly coat the sprouts.
    cut the bag the rest of the way open and pour onto cookie sheet.
    stick in oven at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
    YUM.

    I think I could manage this one! Thank you so much!
  • AMHA32
    AMHA32 Posts: 23
    Oh my gosh what a great tip!! I just ate brussels sprouts but dumped them out of the bag and then coated/salted/peppered.
  • Claudia007
    Claudia007 Posts: 878 Member
    super easy chicken tortilla soup:

    1 can chicken broth
    1 can cream of chicken soup
    1 can corn
    1 can kidney beans
    1 can chicken breast
    1 tsp cumin
    1 tsp chili powder
    chopped onions (aprox. 2 TBS or more if you like onions)

    put all ingredients in a pot and simmer until chicken is heated through (10-15 mins). You can top with fat-free sour cream and baked tortilla chips.

    (for baked tortilla chips, cut corn tortilla chips into triangles, place on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with PAM then lightly spray tortilla chips with PAM. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 mins or until lightly browned and crips.)
  • newmeat30
    newmeat30 Posts: 766 Member
    I HATE cooking, but I love anything I can do in the crockpot.

    chicken+chicken broth/stock+McCormick original chicken seasoning+corn (or other veggie you like) = delicious homemade chicken soup
  • TracieJ65
    TracieJ65 Posts: 645 Member
    AbbVest, I started a daily cooking blog, at the first of the year, exactly for this reason. I love to cook and cook everyday. You can find my cooking blog by going to

    www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/TracieJ65
  • medusasmuppet
    medusasmuppet Posts: 3
    super easy chicken tortilla soup:

    1 can chicken broth
    1 can cream of chicken soup
    1 can corn
    1 can kidney beans
    1 can chicken breast
    1 tsp cumin
    1 tsp chili powder
    chopped onions (aprox. 2 TBS or more if you like onions)

    put all ingredients in a pot and simmer until chicken is heated through (10-15 mins). You can top with fat-free sour cream and baked tortilla chips.

    (for baked tortilla chips, cut corn tortilla chips into triangles, place on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with PAM then lightly spray tortilla chips with PAM. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 mins or until lightly browned and crips.)

    I am so trying this! I love chicken tortilla soup... and I'm a horrible cook too!
  • fearlessfatty
    fearlessfatty Posts: 206 Member
    I am a terrible terrible cook and have just recently discovered i LOVE it! thanks to the Biggest Loser Family Cookbook. I pick out 3-4 meals I'll make in a week, write out my ingredients, shop, then make them and they are tasty and easy! I've made chicken meatloaf, bench press green peppers (peppers stuffed with turkey and garlic and feta and rice). The meals are filling and anything I don't get (like how do you buy garlic, i mean, REAL garlic. . . and if i need to buy goat cheese and the container says "goat's MILK cheese" is that the same thing?) I just facebook a friend or call someone I know who cooks.

    It has made my weight loss kick right back into high gear - 195 on monday, 190 on wednesday. i now have energy to exercise in the moring and feel pretty darn proud of myself for cooking!

    Good luck to you - it's super fun once you jump in!!!!!
  • Val_from_OH
    Val_from_OH Posts: 447 Member
    My favorite super-easy recipe is chicken & broccoli. Start a pot of rice per the package directions, and set the timer so you know when it is done. Cut boneless/skinless chicken breast into bite-size chunks. Saute these in a pan with some EVOO until firm, then cut one open to make sure it is done. Now add some bite-size broccoli - you can use the pre-cut kind if you like. Add in a couple tablespoons of water, put a lid on, & saute/steam to your desired tenderness. Pour Lawry's 30 minute Sesame Ginger marinade over all & heat through. Serve with the rice.
  • LizardIsANerd
    LizardIsANerd Posts: 113
    Campbell's soup website has a bunch of "pour from can, add, chicken, add rice" types of recipes. Even better - this link shows things you can replace in almost any recipe to make it lower in calories!! http://www.campbellwellness.com/links/healthy-substitutions.asp
  • ouryear002
    ouryear002 Posts: 325 Member
    Chicken enchiladas

    1 8 or 10 pk large wheat tortillas
    1 can cream of chicken
    1 16 oz fat free sour cream
    1 jar salsa
    1/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese
    1 lb. chicken breasts

    Bake the chicken until cooked through. Then shred with a fork. You can do this a day ahead if you like.

    Mix the soup, sour cream and salsa. Spread a little on the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.
    Stir the shredded chicken into the rest. Slap a blob of the mix in the middle of a tortilla and roll it up. Put in pan. Squeeze the tortillas in if you need to. Any mix left, pour on top. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover w/ foil and bake @ 400 for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly. This is a hit with the whole family! It also freezes well.
  • Laceylala
    Laceylala Posts: 3,094 Member
    Weight Watcher cookbooks have super super easy and super tasty recipes that should be easy for you. I would go to a bookstore and flip through one. They are usually very limited in ingredients and time and already have the calorie content for you as well.

    I don't use the WW guidelines for weight loss anymore, but when I'm bored with cooking I pull out my two recipe books and can always find something good and quick to cook!
  • skinnywithin
    skinnywithin Posts: 1,392 Member
    turkey burgers are yummy, ground turkey , mix in some onions and green peppers, salt & pepper or a little taco seasoning, make into patty and either fry in Olive oil or bake under broiler or Grill, ( they dont take that long) than top with salsa and a tbsp of fat free sour cream....Oh soooo yummy
  • portlandsundevil
    portlandsundevil Posts: 213 Member
    These are some great ideas!
  • abbvest
    abbvest Posts: 9 Member
    Thank you to everyone for all the suggestions! I think I'm gonna start trying these next week!
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