Perhaps you’re a poor college student subsisting on ramen for 20 cents a package. Maybe you just aren’t big on cooking, and prefer the microwave to the stove. Maybe you’ve just had a long day, and want something a bit easier but don’t find some variation of noodles all that filling or satisfying. In any case, while these tips won’t be helping you make gourmet meals, they might help you add a little pizzazz to that package of preseasoned pasta.
1) Add Spices
Never underestimate the power of spices to enhance a dish. Even just some salt and pepper can help, though you might want to hold the salt on a lot of prepackaged foods. Garlic powder and onion powder are both favorites of mine, though some parsley or oregano can work wonders for those looking for something less in your face. If you have some fresh garlic (or onions, parsley, and/or oregano) on you, this is even better than the powder, as it has a bit more kick to it and a more complete flavor. Of course, it also takes a little more time, but not much, and it’s worth it. Finally, there are spice mixes such as Mrs. Dash or Emeril’s Essence. Just experiment a bit, and pick the right one for your tastes and food.
2) Add Vegetables
This one’s pretty easy too. If your supermarket sells pre-chopped veggies, or you have a blender, it’s really easy. Just add to your soup or pasta as it’s almost done, and you have instant meal enhancement. Even if you have to chop them up yourself, it’s not that much extra work for a good payoff. I find onions go well with just about anything. Celery and carrots are great additions to soups that are all noodles and broth as well. For pasta, open up a can of olives, or add some peppers. I like banana peppers or a small amount of jalapenos, but if you aren’t a fan of the hot stuff, green and red peppers are great too.
3) Add Leftovers
Have leftovers, but don’t like eating the same thing twice in a row. Add them to your pre-packaged foods for a quick meal. Leftover meats are nice for those who prefer meatier meals, and leftover veggies are already precooked for you, so you can just toss them in for the last minute of cooking to make sure they warm up with the rest of the food. Plus, leftovers of all types can help add some heft to the prepackaged meal. Precooked veggies do have less crunch to them, which you may or may not like, but they also have the advantage of carrying the flavors of the other meal with them as well if they were all cooked together. For the leftover meats though, having them cook a bit in your meal will probably help to tenderize them a bit, as most prepackaged meals cook in water or milk.
Using one or all of these tips can help make a prepackaged meal more enjoyable. They won’t turn you into a gourmet chef, but in a pinch or on a lazy night, they can help bring you through putting something together quickly so you can enjoy it and get on with some relaxing or much needed studying.
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