Sunday's Plate

One of the questions I've been asked lately, is "When I go to the store, what do I buy to make a successful week of really good meals for just two people? I work full time and am tired when I get home, so quick and easy is my theme song. Going to the store is frustrating because it all looks so complicated. "

This is a really good question because for most people who cook only when they have to, a huge and beautifully set up store looks like Willy Wonka's World. There is just too much, and most of it is not defined or looks precariously hard to manage.

For as long as I can remember, I always bought, and still do, a regimen of things so that all the foods can be enjoyed every week. I buy beef for Mondays, pork for Tuesdays, cheese and eggs for Wednesdays, chicken for Thursdays, and fish for Fridays. This is a great plan for families, but when family is two or even one on some nights or weekends, it's just too much to think about.

But still, creating a regimen for a week would be a good idea. If you shop on Saturdays, pick something that you like to eat. Let's pick pork chops. Then pick out a grain product to go with it: rice, noodles, gnocchi, or perhaps potatoes. Then pick out a vegetable you like - broccoli.

The goal is finding the right amount to cook one day that will last the rest of the time you are home during the week. Four ounces of meat for an adult and two ounces of meat for a child is the right nutrition, so start there. If you will be home three days this week with your child, you need to buy 18 ounces of meat. If that is not enough for you, then buy what you need. Cook the whole thing and refrigerate.

Do the same thing with the broccoli. One cluster of broccoli will be fine for a meal. So buy three. This does not have to be cooked all at once. Use one cluster at a time.

Do the same with the grain or potato. Buy enough for three meals. Make rice up at the same time. It refrigerates for a week. So does pasta. Potatoes are easier because they take just a few minutes in the microwave.

One meal can be whole pork chops, rice, and broccoli. Buy a can of cheese soup, or nacho sauce and use it as a pour on additive.

One meal can be cubed pork chops over the rice and chopped up broccoli in a stir fry. Soy sauce really makes this dish. Use a few tablespoons of butter and a couple of tablespoons of soy sauce as the cooking liquid before adding your rice, meat and broccoli.

One meal can be the pork chop sliced and eaten in a flour tortilla. Mix the last of your rice and broccoli with some shredded cheese and nuke for about a minute.

Once your cooking is done, it's easy to come up with ways of using already cooked food.

Cooking should be fun and something that doesn't take a lot of time or energy.