We About The Love of ... Throw-Together Meals

I know I've covered meals that can be made in under 30 minutes, but sometimes, especially when you are by yourself, that's even too long a wait period. As a single man, I know some days I don't want to wait 30 minutes for something to cook, and the temptation comes to call for delivery or open a sad can of beans or soup in the pantry.

Believe it or not, though, it's possible to make a delicious meal in under 15 minutes, and sometimes, it's a double win, because it gives you a chance to clean out the refrigerator and pantry too. If you are like me, you go to the store and purchase ingredients with the good intention of actually using them. But after a week, you open the refrigerator and see it sitting on the shelf, still unused and on the brink of going bad.

Sometimes, these quick meals are a great way to throw ingredients together that can work for you. I call these "throw-together meals" and I learned some of them from my parents (both worked, so sometimes, dinner wasn't fancy and elaborate), while others I learned on my own as a single man (hey, working professionals don't always remember to cut on the crock-pot in the morning). And sometimes, that's okay; it still beats takeout and potentially unhealthy food.

Now I know earlier, I alluded to eating canned or boxed foods. But let me be clear; sometimes those boxed or canned or packaged dishes can be helpful, if you know how to add to it. Consider:

• That box of macaroni and cheese - add some bacon bits and broccoli to add some flavor and vegetables to it.

• Those packages of ramen noodles - throw some of those slowly wilting veggies into it with some soy sauce and make a lo mein.

• That instant rice - some onions and black beans on top with avocado, chopped pre-cooked chicken breast and sour cream and you got Chipotle beat!

• That white bread - cook an egg or two your favorite way and serve on top with salsa and avocado.

• Spaghetti sauce and noodles - throw them together and toast some bread with a little shredded cheese and garlic and Italian night at your place.

I think you are getting the point. Dinner doesn't always have to be a long, drawn-out process. It can be a quick, easy meal if you are creative enough. Now a lot of what I am talking about right now are single throw-together meals; of course, the more people you have to feed, the more you have to consider your portions and ingredients, so keep that in the back of your mind.

We about the love of throw-together dinners during commercial breaks!