Learn Cooking Skills For Healthy Meals Without A Recipe
Written by Gloria Tsang, RD of HealthCastle.com Published in January 2009
(HealthCastle.com) On a tight budget? It doesn't mean you need to go on a canned-food diet. There are quick and simple home-cooking options that are easy on your budget, but also taste better than fat-laden fast foods. If you crave healthy, fresh, home-cooked meals but don't have time to follow complicated recipes, read on.
Healthy Meals without a Recipe on a Tight Schedule & Budget
Stir-Frying: Chinese foods get a bad reputation for excessive oil use and fried items. But any of your Chinese friends will tell you that they don't eat like that at home at all! Stir-frying is the easiest cooking method - it's fast and it's tasty. All you need is a non-stick pan (or a wok). Toss sliced meat with cut-up vegetables into your pan. If you are concerned about oil, use broth instead. When the meat and veggies are almost done, add your favorite Chinese sauce into the pan. Most stir-fry dishes can be completed within 10 minutes.
Recommended Tools: A non-stick wok, ready-made Chinese sauces
Slow-Cooking: If you have a slow cooker (also called a crock pot) that has been stowed away in the pantry for years (maybe since your wedding day!), it's time to put it to good use. But don't just toss everything into the slow cooker. Andrew Schloss, author of Art of the Slow Cooker, suggests that you should season, flour, and brown meat before putting it in the slow cooker to add flavor. If you are tight on time, brown the meat the night before, store it in the fridge, microwave it in the morning to bring the temperature up, then toss it in the slow cooker, set to the low cooking setting before heading out for work. This whole process (including browning) should not take more than 20 minutes. Voila! You'll have a nice home-cooked meal by the time you get home for dinner!
Recommended Tools: A slow cooker (4-6 quart) and a skillet for browning.
Cooking Co-Op: Wouldn't it be great to have hot meals delivered to your door every night? If you are in a neighborhood with lots of keen home-cooks, you might want to consider starting a neighborhood dinner co-op. Form a close circle of friends who alternate turns preparing one fresh, hot weeknight meal. You can feed three or more households with just a bit more effort than it takes to feed one, while having extra time for yourself on the rest of the weeknights.
Be creative and take advantage of all the equipment you have in your kitchen. Having fresh, healthy home-cooked meals is easier than you think.
Disclaimer: HealthCastle.com did not, and will not, receive monetary compensation for this review. Editorial reviews on this website do not endorse commercial products or trade names.
Stir-Frying: 
Slow-Cooking: If you have a slow cooker (also called a crock pot) that has been stowed away in the pantry for years (maybe since your wedding day!), it's time to put it to good use. But don't just toss everything into the slow cooker. Andrew Schloss, author of 
Cooking Co-Op: Wouldn't it be great to have hot meals delivered to your door every night? If you are in a neighborhood with lots of keen home-cooks, you might want to consider starting a neighborhood dinner co-op. Form a close circle of friends who alternate turns preparing one fresh, hot weeknight meal. You can feed three or more households with just a bit more effort than it takes to feed one, while having extra time for yourself on the rest of the weeknights. 
Feed
