Eating healthily without complicated recipes

Rosa_Damascena

If you're a snacker, the easiest way of being healthy is to replace carb and fat-filled junk with something plant based. I always keep sliced carrots and chopped celery in the fridge and am happy to graze on them....as I am doing right now!

RobM99

My 2p-worth - a decent sauce livens things up.    e.g. a cheese sauce - easy to do (even I can do it!) gets a boost with a dash of mustard, for example.
A tasty stir-fry flavouring (not a sauce as such but..)   rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, a dash of orange juice.  Mix. Done!

Blue_Doggy

RobM99 said:

My 2p-worth - a decent sauce livens things up.    e.g. a cheese sauce - easy to do (even I can do it!) gets a boost with a dash of mustard, for example.
A tasty stir-fry flavouring (not a sauce as such but..)   rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, a dash of orange juice.  Mix. Done!

The trouble with making a cheese or other sauce for one (and I do it from time to time) is that the quantities are small (a quarter of an egg, anyone?) and easier to burn, and there’s the extra saucy pan and mixing implement to wash up. Easier to mix grated cheese with herbs (or mustard) and sprinkle over/stir through, a ready mixed version can be made at home and frozen in serving-sized packs.
 

I’m still not sure where the OP is looking to improve nutritionally. I didn’t get from her original post that she eats a lot of carb and fat filled junk, just that she was a bit bored with her usual diet and looking for a way to spice it up. 

maddiemay

To give a chicken portion or frozen fillet of fish an extra bit of zing I often put on a layer of curry paste or pesto then fry/bake etc.  Another regular is to take the cooked fish fillet from the pan and add a generous piece of butter, lemon juice from a bottle if no fresh and chopped parsley (if I can be bothered to chop some), or a few chopped olives, it only takes a couple of minutes to do and is fresh and tasty.

Shropshirelass

Certainly a lot of interesting advice here, whatever the OP was looking for. I hate recipes with long lists of non-storecupboard ingredients, especially where the heading looks like something simple. An omelette does not need an egg and 2 egg whites, a spoonful of cream, chopped parsley etc. It only needs an egg.
I don't always want to eat meat every day, and will grill or oven bake a large mushroom, or small dish of sliced mushrooms instead, and eat with veg and potato. Add a little butter If mushroom is getting dry. If there are a few odds and ends of LO veg/potatoes, they are nice warmed up and maybe browned with a bit of grated cheese or mixed with a spoonful of Philly, or add them to the above omelette. A quick snack is sliced tomatoes, sprinkle a pinch of dried herbs, heat in microwave, spread on toast, salt and pepper to taste. LO butternut or sweet potato mixed with an egg, and a spoonful of two of flour, dry fry as patties. OH eats these like cakes, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Easy pudding - banana or apple custard.
Please keep these ideas coming.

balabooberlies

If you like salad potatoes and bacon try this.

I make a salad with whatever I have, grill whatever bacon I have and mix all together.  I then add HOT boiled potatoes and dress with olive oil, balsamic vinegar (normal vinegar or lemon will do) and some salt if needed.  The hot potatoes absorb flavours.  It's my go to meal when I cannot think of what to make as I usually have these ingredients.  The bacon can be changed for a tin of tuna or cooked chicken.  I do it without meat as well but I love coriander, parsley, basil so whatever I have is chucked in.  Served with garlic bread this meal is filling and tasty.  If you like salad.

sasands

I highly recommend the ‘Feed your family for £20 a week’ book, website & Facebook page. Lots of batch cooking ideas, super tasty and not too many ingredients. 

lapis_lazuli

If you can get hold of a second hand copy, I'd recommed "One is fun!" by Delia Smith which is designed for exactly this situation.  I'd also recommend budgetbytes which has loads of solid, cheap recipes.

Blue_Doggy

lapis_lazuli said:

If you can get hold of a second hand copy, I'd recommed "One is fun!" by Delia Smith which is designed for exactly this situation.  I'd also recommend budgetbytes which has loads of solid, cheap recipes.

I had that book, but got rid of it. Delia has lots of virtues, but I doubt she’s ever lived alone and cooked for one person for a prolonged period.

missychrissy

I’ve got a copy of The Hungry Student by Charlotte Pike. This is an excellent book written by someone who spent 4 years as a student with limited resources but intent on having a healthy and tasty diet. There are some excellent recipes in here. It is clear that she built up a selection of dried herbs and spices but we can all do that gradually. Nothing in this book is difficult.