The basics of cooking really is that simple. Making a meal is no more than a few minutes. Of course you can get as creative as you want, which can add time but it's overall a simple task. If you have a skillet, salt and pepper and fire you're done!

Take your preferred piece of meat. Steak, pork/lamb chops, whatever. Put your skillet on the fire and let it heat up. While it's heating up you salt and pepper the meat (add whatever ingredients you like but the basics are salt and pepper). Rub in the salt and pepper. By now you're skillet is well heated. Put your meat on the skillet and set fire to medium. 3-5 min on each side depending on the thickness of the meat and your preference for rare, medium or well done. And that's it. Max 10 min and you have your meat. If you want a side dish...say a potato. While you're meat is cooking wash and place the potato in the microwave for 2 - 4 min depending on size! Potato cooks at the same time as the meat. You're not wasting your whole day.

I made these in a little over an hour


Or say you're home all day and want to make something for dinner. Take 2 racks of ribs, you're preferred liquid to cook in. Can be Pepsi, beer, broth, just about anything. Season the ribs just like mentioned above. Can be however basic or complicated you want. Put the ribs on a slow cooker, pour the liquid all around till it covers the ribs. Set the slow cooker on low and wait 5 hours. You literally don't do anything to it. After 5hrs a quick 2 min on the skillet and done. The slow cooker doesn't even require you to be home although I dislike leaving it on in an empty house. You can also leave it overnight and it cooks while you sleep.

You can go as crazy or as basic as you want and still have something that tastes great

Not simpler than pouring a can of chili or better grade Campbell's soup into a microwave safe container.

I LOATHE cooking.

Nothing's going to change that.

Certainly not as long as I live in this tenement where just washing dishes is a project.

When I was about five years old the kid next door tried to get me to join him in sampling some dry kibble from their basement pantry. As much as he appeared to enjoy the stuff, I refused. Best part is that he grew up to be a veterinarian.

Chili likely started out as beef chunks simmered in water with Chilis. This is stuff that cattle drive cooks had in abundance. The beef would have been downers presented to the cook. Beans might not have been in the Chili, but they would have been served as a side. I know this; I saw Blazing Saddles. Onions and tomatoes are optional!

Best,
Rick

I go the Dinty Moore route on days I'm feeling lazy and dont cook, and I agree, the stuff that passes for food in that can leaves a bit to be desired, but in a pinch it'll do. I usually add whole kernel sweet corn and skin on diced potatoes and season to taste.

If youre looking for better than the average out of the can though, try Wolf Brand chili, with or without the beans, if you like good chili, its the BEST of the pre-made variety PERIOD.

Campbell is a "better grade"?

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Chip—canabilism is preferable.

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Possum—The other white meat!

There are better grades OF Campbell's soup, very unlike the stuff I had as a kid.

The good stuff has pull tab tab tops and includes jambalaya, split pea and chicken and corn chowder. It's similar to Progresso.

It's all quite good and reasonably priced. If I want to get extravagant, I drain a can of white meat chicken and empty it into a bowl of the chicken and corn chowder before I microwave it.

And as I've stated, there's precisely ZERO chance of me making anything like it from scratch. I'd rather dig a two man fighting position with a lobster fork.

I spent the first 18 years of my life eating canned goods out on the ranch.
No refrigeration. Everything not out of a can was dang near burnt to make sure there weren't any live critters gonna crawl out of it whilst we was eatin' it.

Din't know what a good steak tasted like until a frat brother cooked one medium rare at a kegger.

The thought of spam, vienna sausges, canned tamales, Campbells one piece of pork fat and beans, and chili con carne plumb ruins my appetite.

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Eccentric old coot

I pretty much feel the same way about canned food. I'm by no means a trained cook but I can do pretty good with basic stuff

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I usually cook, I have home made chicken noodle soup down cold, and I can make vegetable beef with no issues, I've even gotten Italian pretty much solved, but sometimes LAZY trumps ability and two cans of Campbells soups, namely chicken and rice and chicken noodle (family sized cans, one of each) with diced chicken tenderloins added, a diced skin on potato of your choice ( russet is my favorite), diced celery, frozen(or canned) sweet corn, add water to get the consistancy you desire then bring to a boil, and add the extra ingredients once its all ready, and then chow down

Mary’s kitchen corn beef hash isn’t bad if I simmer it to a crisp.

Dingy Moore beef stew we would add more carrots, peas to stretch it out. Over toast it wasn’t bad for a quick lunch. Haven’t had it in years.

The wolf chili from the dollar store was good. But again over toast and topped with cheese.

The chef boy canned raviolis wasn’t too bad my mom would laugh if she knew I was eating it. The worst part is for the people who never ate italian think it’s real italian food.

Another thing is there is a difference between American italian food and italian food from the homeland.

A lot of pizza places are operated by Greeks. I enjoy there style of olive oil/cheese/tomato pizza.

We interduce people to homemade italian pizza and they don’t get it. It’s worlds apart from American pizza.

There are no good canned or in a jar tamales that I've ever seen.

On the other hand, there are some pretty good frozen ones. They seemed identical or similar to the ones I got at food stands.

Unfortunately, the only place I recall seeing them was in Chicago.

I'm by no means a cook at all.

There's nothing home made that I can't make inedible.

Food's expensive. There's no sense in me ruining it.

I grew up cooking supper for the family when everyone was working. I was 8yo. I started supper cooking then mom took over when she came home.
My favorite was steak in the broiler with garlic salt, parsely. The trick when it’s almost done is to put two tabs of butter on it. Some fresh italian bread.

My sausage n peppers with onions doesn’t use tomato gravy or sauce as some call it. Every area in Italy cooks differently. I’m from naples(my people)

Mre's A lot better

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Carpe Diem

Has anybody seen Bunker Hill Beef Stew around recently. I haven't seen any in about 40 years.

Castlebury's wasn't too bad. Nothing was as gross as Poss's. I opened up a can of Lassie Recipe dog food one time and thought looked better than most of the stuff I was able to buy out of a can.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

They must not sell Stagg chili in your area.
The best I have ever had out of a can.

Last time I had a can of that stuff the meat looked like dog food. I gagged on it since it was disgusting.

Frozen Tamales?
Try Walmart.
They are shipping SW food to the uninitiated.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

None of the ones which looked edible were available in NE Ohio.

Its still sold in certain areas here-depending where the poorer more unhealthier-eating residents live? Both HEBs and wally-world still sell it at some stores.

Its Sue Bees? or something similar to both names we use? and still made. As a matter f fact, I had some last night. They are starting to cut corners with the meat-small square chunks of chicken about the size of small dice-instead of chicken chunks. I added in Tyson"s chicken--to make it have some actual chicken. Tasted ok, but I peppered the hell outta it so's Sandy wouldn't want any. I gave her left over ham instead.

They have a few of their products here, but limited to potato products last time I looked. However, I need to shop a little later, and will take another look see in case more products are available.

That's why I use (not all in the same dish of course) a LOT of salt, pepper, salsa verde-and cheese) to help kill and or better the taste.

Thanks for the reminder!! I actually have some, just never made any. I think I will soon as I make some room in the pantry. 10+ likes if the mods would allow it?

Gave up on Dinty Moore years ago, had a peculiar taste to it.

As my Uncle said as we fed some 40 year old hay to some cows during a blizzard. "Well, It'll make a terrrd."
That's kinda how I feel about canned food these days.

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Eccentric old coot

Id like to, just recently have no time due to double work schedule. I'm about to start a tough six-day schedule and often I cant eat before 9:30 pm. Besides-its the best excuse I have till I can think of another. However, I will be trying a Bear Creek one soon-as I do have the makings for a good meal idea thanks to SoFlanative-- Ill be trying to make a chicken and dumplings type meal from their offerings (what I have on hand) and the few things ill need. Been wanting to try the type where you bake the "dumplings" and set it on top of the stuff.

Truthfully, I lost interest in baking about Feb. I still want to, just haven't, and now have lack of time. The ladies at work have been teased by my mentioning my various (approx. 20 diff) muffin recipes, and several cornbreads etx.

I tried Austex once--once. It was (to me) the worst-but probably better than Wolf Brand now is-which is sad sad sad sad sad. I never thought that possibility could be a possibility?

Same here on all you mentioned and, I also threw out the rest of the "stew." I guess some neighborhood stray got it? because I didn't see any out there the next morning. The stray also probably wondered off to find a place to die alone too. Sorry Lord, I didn't mean to help kill one of your creatures.

Would love to, but not carried here.

Get yourself a vacuum sealer.

Make your stew from scratch per recipes above, or any number out there.

Portion the stew into containers, or a sealer bag. Just seal it at this point (if using a vacuum seal bag). Vacuum sealing liquids is not fun. So we freeze it first to make a solid.

After frozen, transfer to a sealer bag, or if already using a sealer bag, redo the seal as you vacuum seal it.

Resultant vacuum sealed stew will be good for 2-3 years. Course, that means stored in the freezer.

Personally, I'd suggest using rectangular containers for the freezing part, so result is stackable in freezer.

Its not that, it's just that I'm working a long and sometimes late schedule and have no time for cooking. I can only "can it" till schedule shortens a bit. I'm being called in on my off days too-and I'm so tired I'm almost falling asleep now.

Bob Evans?
Haven’t heard that name since the last time I was up in the Midwest.
Didn’t know they made ‘grocery store food.’
I’ll look for it at Albertsons.
Wow, tilt!
I need to look at Smith’s.
They’re owned by Krogers.
These stores are confusing.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

^^^^^^^It figures. "Investor Groups" %%^^&& up everything. That's what happened to my favorite restaurant: Bennegan's when some darned NY yankee Ive Grp bought them out THEN forced them to stop selling what made them a big success in the South--that is: Chicken strips and Chicken Fried Steak and Fried Chicken--all of which I lved. They stopped the gravy and made t=you get that damned honey mustard carp to dip your Chicken in--which is ok-IF that is whats on your taste buds-which normally AINT on mine. Gravy goes with CFS and CS--hear that you all from NY who are in those inv grps?????

I'm HOPING to save you an upset stomach. In a case like this as much as I loathe mcdonalds-id suggest getting a meal at mcdonalds.

Re-read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" and then savor that canned meat product goodness. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Oddly enough, that is exactly what I thought it reminded me of when I opened the can that night. Sandy wanted some though. I think Sandy is a dog disguised as a cat.

You can try cooking here any time. I just aint got the time till things slow down or till they hire the right people for the job. My dept just lost two more as of Thurs last week.

I'm the same way-untrained, but also only with bread-like items-muffins-cornbread......I'm self-taught-haven't made anything since I THINK? last Feb????

Lol thanks!

I get it but like I said in that post....if you have 10 min .....litteraly 10 min.... you can make one meal. This is assuming that everything is already defrosted

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OR move to Freeze dried food

Something like this is $3 a serving


Can find at most Bas Pro Shops as well.

Ive tried a couple-like the scrambled eggs and some sort of hamburger one-that were pretty good. Tried those about 20 years ago.

Id like to, just no time. Maybe I can fore my sister into making and freezing some for me? she's a good cook these days after some 40+ years of practice.

Sadly, we lost both Krogers and Albertsons here-well over 20 years ago thanx to wally world and HEBs pushing them out and monopolizing the area.

I agree with you, Ringo, but when you're 20 miles in the middle of nowhere, there aren't too many McDonald's to be found so you've gotta make do with what you have. Thus the skillet, axe, and canned goods.

I've had to do it a few times. Not too bad. It's amazing, however, how being real hungry makes even bad food taste somewhat good.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Ill have to do some experimenting-when I have more than 1 day off in a row. I'm hoping to get at least 4 off sometime soon??

One I'm going to try thanks to SoFlaNative-is a Bear Creek one.

Freeze dried eh? Ill have to look into that too-seeing as I do need an amazon account for a few other things.