So my parents are gone for two weeks and instead of eatting out everyday, I decided I'd try to cook for myself for the most of the next two weeks.

I'm a student and really don't have much time to cook, especially during the week. so I'm looking for simple recipes that I can prep for during weekends and throw together in under 15 minutes during the week or something I can make in a large batch and seperate into 3 or 4 containers and re-heat when I need a bite.

Any suggestions?

Top Ramen

..ramen isn't that great after two or three times in a row

do you have a crockpot

None like the stuff I see on google. I got a dutch oven which seems close enough. what you got in mind? Was thinking beef stew or something for a few meals

what if you prepare somekind of meat stew and freeze it in separate containers and reheat it with freshly cooked rise/potatoes/pasta...
let me know if you are interested. It is really easy to make and there can be a lot of variations so you wont get bored.

Sounds good. And from what I hear, I can stew with cheaper meats meaning I get to save $$ in the process. Any specific recipes you'd reccomend?

Also, is it possible to pre-cook or half-cook the rice/pasta so that I can reheat easily? Never tried it before but I heard it'll leave me with soggy/mushy rice and pasta if I do this

Well you can use any meat. Anything will work. You can ground or just cut your meat (depends what you like more). preheat your pan on high fire. Use some olive or vegetable oil if your meat is lean. Get some salt on it so it extracts moisture better. also use some peppers or anything you like (you can season later more, doesn't matter). Cook the meat until there is no moisture from meat and it started to get nice crust. Then put your meat to pot with some water or broth and put it on small fire. Do not remove fat from your pan. Chop onions, mince garlic, carrots and any other vegetables you like, also you can use muchrooms. Put them all to the preheated pan and heat on medium until they become softer and extracts aroma. Now put all your vegetables to the pot and stew everything until your meat becomes soft and tender. You can put some tomato sauce in it too. also if you like you can make flour-butter sauce and put it in your stew. It will give more richness to your masterpiece let me know if you have any more questions.

About pasta and rice there is no really way to precook them, you can boil your potatoes tho, put some dill on them and next day they will taste even better

p.s. you can add more water or broth while you stew, but do not add too much, because you might have to cook your dish very long until it evaporates.

This post was edited by Wycka on Mar 20 2012 11:04am

prepare a spagetti sauce.then cook a lazagna that you will cut in multiple part and put in freezer.
Can make spagetti with the rest of the sauce.
Do that and prepare a side salad to eat with.

You should be good for at least a full week.

i don't think lasagnia is a beginner's receipe.

This post was edited by Wycka on Mar 20 2012 12:57pm