Cooking nice dinners for only 2 people?

Question

How can I motivate myself to spend a lot of time cooking a nice dinner for ony 2 of us, when eating frozen stuff is easier and usually cheaper?
We're trying to eat healthier, but I'm a beginning cook. Any good, easy recipe ideas?
Thanks :)

Answer 1

Contrary to popular belief, cooking does not necessarily require a lot of time. But anyway, you will need to buy two really good and basic cookbooks.....Betty Crocker and Good Housekeeping. They really walk you through the process. Good Housekeeping has an illustrated cookbook that is really helpful. And let me add that I cook for two and find the process of preparing and cooking to be cathartic. It's a wonderful way to de-stress and create. It is not cheaper to buy frozen and it surely isn't healthy. Preparing your own menus means you control the amount of salt, sugars, fat etc. in your foods. And when your grocery cart consists mostly of foods from the produce department, you know you are in control and healthier.

Answer 2

Action leads to motivation. Not the other way around. Cooking is easy. Once you see how much better you're eating you'll prefer to cook your own meals. And it's A LOT cheaper than frozen stuff. Plus you and your husband can be the envy of your co-workers when they see the great leftovers you bring for lunch instead of fast food. There are tons of cookbooks. First learn the basics like how to melt butter without burning it. There is a whole website devoted to eggs.
Learn how to determine whether a steak is rare or well done without cutting it. Get the fundamentals and from there you can do anything. P.S. It doesn't take much time at all for most meals.

Answer 3

I have fallen in love with Sandra Lee of Semihomade Cooking. She uses 70% store bought items and 30% fresh ingredients. She has several cookbooks with great, easy, and fast recipes.
One of my favorite dinner recipes:

* 1 pkg. precooked beef tip dinner (Hormel or Tyson will have them packaged with the gravy in the grocery store usually by the meat and deli section)
* 1 bottle red wine- does NOT have to be expensive
* 1 pkg. frozen peas and pearl onions- thawed
* 1 tub of premade mashed potatoes (Country Crock usually has them right next to the beef tips you need)
* fresh basil

In a sauce pan bring about a cup of the red wine to a simmer. Stir in the beef tips and break them up a bit, let them cook about 5 minutes. Stir in the peas and onion mixture and let that cook about 5 minutes more.
While you are doing that- heat up the mash potatoes in the microwave and chop the basil. Stir together once the potatoes are done, no need for any other spices or butter.
And you're done with a yummy meal that took you about 15 minutes! Hope you enjoy!

Answer 4

Crabmeat Stuffed Baked Avocado Recipe
INGREDIENTS:

* 2 avocados, halved and sprinkled with lime juice
* 1 stick of butter
* 1 small onion, finely chopped
* 2 tablespoons flour
* 3 cups milk, scalded
* 1 pound lump crabmeat
* 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
* 1 tablespoon Pickapeppa Sauce (available in specialty condiment section)
* Parmesan cheese

PREPARATION:
Saute onion in butter but do not allow to brown at all. Make roux by adding the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add milk, a small amount at a time, guarding against lumping. Cook and stir until smooth and thick.
Remove from heat. Combine crab, mustard, and Pickapeppa Sauce, and add to white sauce. Fill avocado cavities with mixture, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until avocado is heated through.

Yield: 2 servings

Answer 5

Try preparing multiple meals at one time and freezing them . Instead of cooking for 2 cook for 4 and freeze the other half for a second meal ,it's the best of both worlds ,I know how you feel I'm the same way .Your motivation is that you will have twice the meals for the same amount of work,and you might even save some money.

Answer 6

Start with pasta it is very easy to cook. Try its many shapes and international flavors.

Couscous comes precooked and makes you can make salads that are a complete meal.

Corn tortillas can make wraps, quesadillas or Mexican lasagna.

Asian noodles cook very fast, add a simple sauce and you are done.

I am sure you will find the taste of simple food you have prepared yourself much more satisfying than frozen stuff and, with all array of flavors, that will be all the motivation you need to keep cooking and advance to more elaborate recipes.

Pasta is comfort food and it is healthy if you don't overdo the portions.

Answer 7

Cooking for "only" 2 is much easier than for a great bunch. Start off with easy recipes but fresh ingredients (won't take hours) to prepare. Once you're are into fine cookin you can't stop...

Answer 8

Festive Taco Salad!
Part 1

¼ # ground beef

1 Tbsp. taco seasoning

3 Tbsp. water

½ head iceberg lettuce

Cook ground beef in skillet over medium heat, until browned.

Place meat on plate lined with paper towel to drain off grease.

Return meat to skillet; add taco seasoning and water.

Cook, stirring, another 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Place cooked, cooled meat in small, labeled container.

Meanwhile, rinse lettuce under cold water and pat dry with paper towel.

Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces.

Put lettuce in large, labeled container.

Give lettuce and meat to teacher to store overnight.



Part 2

1 green onion

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 medium tomato


salsa

sour cream

ranch salad dressing

tortilla chips

Put meat into a small bowl, cover with paper towel, and heat in microwave 40 seconds.

Rinse onion and tomato under cold water.

Slice onion into small pieces; slice tomatoes into wedges.

Assemble salad with lettuce, onion, tomato, shredded cheese and ground beef.

Use salsa, sour cream, and/or ranch dressing as condiments.

Garnish salad with whole or broken chips.

Answer 9

ok first decide what you want to eat...then do an internet search for the recipe...find one with a real high rating ...print out the recipe and make it how they say to...when you taste it go back and write in different amounts of the ingredients so that you can season it for your liking the next time....

Answer 10

hamberger casseroles