A Simple Kitchen: One Pan, Five Healthy Meals

March 2, 2009

Mine is the simplest of kitchens, and we eat almost every meal at home. When I lived in Austin, my neighbors knew me as the One-Pan Woman. The only thing I really use for cooking is my one, multi-purpose, non-stick pan. If a meal can’t be made in that pan, it most likely will not be made in my kitchen. I use it until it wears out, then I replace it.

I do have a giant pot that I rarely use, but I keep in case I ever have to make spaghetti sauce for an entire Sicilian family. I also have the obligatory 2-quart saucepan, because it is the easiest way to meet my son’s never-ending appetite for noodles. These two were given to me; I am really not doing my part to keep Williams Sonoma in business.

I don’t want to give the impression that I have one pan because I don’t know how to cook. In fact, on special occasions I have been known to make a delightful Thanksgiving turkey with real stuffing, and my famous Cupid Lasagna (it makes people fall in love). But those occasions are rare enough that I can get away with the disposable foil pans.

So, what can I possibly make with just one pan, you ask? Here are five of my favorites:

1. Gallo Pinto

(Costa Rican rice & beans): Heat olive oil; mince garlic, onion, red bell pepper, and cilantro. Add Jasmine rice, salt, chili powder, cumin, and mix to coat each grain of rice. Add black beans, and mix. Often served for breakfast, with eggs.

2. Eggs

Fried, to go with Gallo Pinto, or in a fried egg sandwich. Scrambled with white onion, green onion, bell pepper, spinach, and Cheddar.

3. Quesadillas

Heat olive oil; add black beans and mash with a fork. Move to a different container (wash the one pan). Prepare tortilla with mashed beans, cut olives, Parmesan, and Cheddar. Heat, fold, and flip.

4. Tilapia

Heat olive oil; place fillets and season with onion powder, chili powder, and cumin. Flip and season the other side.

5. Asian Rice

Heat olive oil; mince garlic, green onion, celery, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Add Jasmine rice, curry, turmeric, cumin, and red kidney beans.

All of our meals are Simple, Cheap and Healthy. I use herbs & spices, rice, beans, veggies, fish, eggs, cheese and tortillas. We supplement these meals with salads, fruits, breads, dairy, and whole grain cereals.

Do you have any tips to make cooking simple, cheap and healthy?

(Photo Credit)

Related Posts: How to Avoid Gaining Weight | Basic Needs: Just Be

Helpful Links: Healthy Breakfast Ideas | What Your Cravings Tell You

Further Reading: Eat This Not That! | In Defense of Food | The Omnivore’s Dilemma

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Posted in choices, family, simplicity