Ask HN: Favorite meal planning and recipe hacks?

5 points·conqrr··3 comments

Usually detest cooking. Meal planning is the only way I can eat healthy but I get bored very easily. Trying to meal prep soups and sandwiches currently. What's your hack to cook 1-2 times a week and have enough variety for the entire week?

View on HN

It takes me about 20 minutes to prep this, it cooks on its own for about an hour, it's delicious, and it reheats well.

https://www.seriouseats.com/colombian-chicken-stew-with-pota...

I cook a portion that gives me 4-5 meals, in my 6-quart instant pot.

I consider that recipe a start, and I add some ingredients. I like the listed ingredients, plus red pepper flakes, garlic, chicken boullion, a little olive oil, and whatever else sounds good that day--usually spices. You just cube the stuff and dump it in there.

Even just the listed recipe is great, and it's the simplest full meal I make and I've never grown tired of it.

I have a small grill that I heat up breaded chicken fillets with, then I make a (tortilla) wrap with taco sauce, lettuce, & cucumber. When I get bored of that, I move on to grilled cheese & ham sandwiches. I have a sandwich grill just for that. If I'm still bored, I make an omelette with bell peppers, mushrooms, chopped chives, and fry it with butter, coconut oil, and olive oil.

Weekly I cook a dish of 1 can (415 g) pink salmon, 1 cup barley, 3 cups diced frozen vegetables, 1 level teaspoon turmeric and 3 cups boiling water. Cook barley and water about 7 minutes then add other items. Cook until almost all water absorbed (~28 mins). Makes 2 LARGE serves, half to enjoy half to freeze.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com