Cheapgamer wants small simple meals for when he gets home from work at 8 PM. What do you think he should have?

If you want light and super easy, consider keeping the following on hand: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Frozen pre-cooked grilled chicken pieces: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = You can either make it yourself (cheapest and healthiest) or find it in the bulk frozen section at the grocery store (usually near frozen turkey). It's really easy to cook, provides lean protein and is relatively healthy (especially if you avoid the kinds with a lot of salt and grilling spices). Toss them in a fry pan or wok with a dash of Asian sauce (soy, Teriyaki, etc.) and some veggies (even frozen mixes work) and you can have a pretty decent stir fry in about 5 minutes.

If you want something heavier, dump it over rice or throw in some boiled noodles when you cook it. Boil up some pasta and throw in the chicken pieces a couple of minutes before the noodles finish cooking. When the pasta is done, drain and add cream sauce and you have a filling (albeit fattening) chicken fettuccine alfredo in under 10 minutes.

If you want healthier, use a high quality red sauce. Knock the chicken around in fry pan with a bit of oil and garlic to defrost and season it and use it to garnish a salad. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Salad mix: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = You need only open the bag, rinse of the mix in a strainer and then add some toppings to make a light meal in 5 minutes.

Drop it into a pita or wrap with some meat and cheese and you have a virtually instant sandwich wrap. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Fresh Spinach (or Collard Greens or Swiss Chard) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Rinse it off, throw it in a bowl with a pat of butter and some garlic or garlic powder and microwave it for a few minutes for healthy tasty greens. If you get bored with this,add Italian salad dressing, Balsamic vinegar or Tabasco before cooking.

This makes for a really fast and easy side dish. The spinach can also be the base for a quick salad, as you can toss in some pre-cooked chicken, minced ham, hard boiled eggs or other protein and some dressing. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Keep a Bowl of Brown Rice soaking in water in the Fridge: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dried brown rice usually takes forever to cook.

If you pre-soak it and keep it in the fridge, all you have to do is throw it in a rice cooker (or even a pot on the stove) and it will cook reasonably fast. It's healthy and makes a nice compliment to stir fries. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Get a http://www.amazon.com/George-Foreman-GR10B-Grill-Black/dp/B001NXC65K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1254267464&sr=8-1 Foreman Grill if you like meat: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Thin cuts such as carne asada (flank steak) only takes a few minutes to cook in one of these since the heat is applied to the top and the bottom of the meat at the same time.

You can cook a thin steak in less time than you can heat up a frozen dinner in the microwave. http://www.flickr.com/photos/cardoso/2127566176/ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Get a http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-WM-SW2-Sandwich-Grill/dp/B00006F2MD/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1254266062&sr=8-4 Sandwich Press: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = You put your favorite hot sandwich toppings on some bread, butter the outside edges and put in the press. A few minutes later you have a hot grilled sandwich.

If you want less fat, forgo the butter and spray the machine with a non-stick cooking spray before you cook the sandwich. The non-stick surface is really easy to clean and the machine cooks both sides at once so you don't have to worry about flipping it over. The press also crimps the edges of the bread together so it minimizes the chance of cheese or other ingredients leaking out and making a mess.

In a pinch you could also use a Foreman grill, but it won't be quite as tidy.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Cold Cereal: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = If you are really feeling lazy and don't want to bother making something, a bowl of cold cereal with milk might occasionally do the trick. I sometimes do this after an evening workout when I'm hungry, the fridge is mostly empty and I want something light before bed.

Since I almost never have this for breakfast, it can be a fun change at night. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Make Extra Stuff on Your Days Off: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Hard boil a bunch of eggs to supplement salads with protein. Cook a large roast (ham, turkey, beef, anything) and keep the leftover meat for sandwiches, salad toppings or a component for egg scrambles.

Make a large casserole, stew, pot of soup or other item that reheats well. Season and marinate thin cut meats such as flank steak and put them in a zip-lock bag in the fridge for use during the week. I do this for Carne Asada quite often.

Fry up extra bacon, pat away the grease with a paper towel, mince it into small pieces and store it in the fridge in a Zip-lock bag. You can later add it to scrambled eggs, salads, warm spinach, and more. Make up a huge batch of frozen burritos.

Cook up some meat to your liking (I used ground beef, taco seasoning, onions and peppers). Drain the grease and mix in some refried beans, diced onions and shredded cheese. Stir in enough enchilada sauce or green salsa to moisten the mixture, but don't make it runny.

Put the mix inside large tortillas, roll them up and put several inside 1 gallon freezer bags and freeze. When you get home, remove one burrito from the freezer and microwave it for several minutes for an instant meal. Since you control the ingredients, you can make it taste better and be healthier than store bought versions.

Here are some of Gno's cheap, light, and simple meal ideas: 1. Chicken & Rice Dinner Just prepare one package of chicken-flavored rice (like Rice-a-Roni), you can do this in the microwave nowadays. Now add one can of canned chicken (looks like tuna, but it's chiken).

Mix the rice and chicken together and serve with instant mash potatoes or stuffing, if you wish. 2. amazon.com/Bear-Creek-Country-Kitchens-9... Bear Creek Soups Gno LOVES this brand of packaged soup mix at the supermarket (near the packaged dip mixes usually).

It's soup-er easy to prepare, just boil water, add soup mix, wait 10 minutes. And it is t-a-s-t-y! I really like some of the vegetable varieties, and you'll find they have decent vitamins.

Good as leftovers too.

3. Pot Pies or Shepherd's Pies If you have a chance, stop at a local food market and pick up a freshly made pot pie or shepherd's pie right out of the deli case.

Warms up in about 30 minutes and is wholesome yummyness. 4. Scrambled eggs and toast 'nuff said.5.

Some frozen meal kits There are two in particular I recommend as tasty, light, and fast to make: Birdseye Voila! "Three Cheese Chicken" - It doesn't sound fantastic or look like anything special, but Gno says it's dee-licious! The chicken in there is moist and flavorful, and it has just the right amount of sauce.

This is Gno and Gno's daughter's absolute favorite meal when it's just the two of them. http://www.voilawednesdays.com/varieties/ Bertolli Chicken Florentine & Farfalle Meal - Gno is a big fan of alfredo sauce and spinach. If you are too, then this is a great meal.

Worth the higher price. It's yummy, has lots of great vitamins, and isn't too huge. You'll get a good meal for yourself and nice leftovers for a lunch, maybe two.

Best yet - the time to cook it from freezer to fork is about 7 minutes. Yum! Gno highly recommends this one (especially when it's on sale).

http://www.villabertolli.com/classicdinners.aspx.

I would go with a lean cuisine dinner. There good as hell, and a small portion.

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My wife and I keep a few stand-bys around at all times... 1. Kielbasa Stew: One kielbasa (or half) sliced up (usually in half inch segments, then quarter those. One (or more) cans of green beans One (or more) cans of potatoes One (or more) cans of corn Combine in pot and heat on stove.

Stir occasionally, serve when hot. 2. Cheddarwurst llshire Farms Cheddarwurst (in the hotdogs area of your local grocery, they actually look like hotdogs).

Mac'n'Cheese (15 minute box perpetration) Heat Cheddarwurst (I like to use a George Foreman Grill, but grill, skillet, or microwave will work). Make Mac'n'Cheese (need water, butter, milk, pot and spoon) 3. Lil'Smokies and Rice Cook a container of llshire Farms Lil'Smokies with Cheddar (see hotdog are of store again) in a skillet with a little water.

Cook a packet of Brockley and Cheese Rice (follow package directions. Serve Lil'Smokies on the Rice. All pork based, I think.No seafood, lots of calcium.

If all else fails, just make a pot of Mac'n'Cheese, keep it in the pot, use a wooden spoon, eat in front of Law & Order reruns...

Hmm, light meals! There's lots of stuff going through my mind. I think I'll just name some of my personal favorites... 1.

Caesar Salad 2. Sandwich Wraps (Chicken or beef or other meat with some veggies and dressing. Yum!) 3.

Tacos 4. Nachos So there, I hope you like 'em... :) Enjoy your meal!

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