We’re stuck inside. We’re not going to the grocery store-or worse, the grocery store is running low on fresh foods. There’s no need to eat Kraft macaroni and cheese until science develops a Covid-19 vaccine.
I’m going to be collecting shelf-stable recipes as they occur to me. I’m trying to make them as “complete” as possible, with protein, carbs and some sort of fruit and/or vegetable.
Email me if you have a good one to share.
SPAM Masubi (link to actual fancy recipe)
Lazy version:
- Make fresh rice, mix with seasoned rice vinegar if you have it
- Shape rice into large sushi-shaped nuggets
- Top with a slab of heated SPAM
- Wrap with seaweed, (sushi type sheet, cut to fit)
- Add Wasabi, sesame seeds, sriracha, picked ginger, eel sauce, etc to taste
- Server with soy sauce for dipping
- Note: you can substitute hot dogs for SPAM. You can also use those Annie Chun seaweed snacks instead of the sheets. My 7-year-old is a super picky eater and she LOVES this meal. We let her put it together herself. She wraps a slice of hot dog and some rice in a seaweed snack and douses it with eel sauce. Go figure.
- Serve dried edamame or wasabi peas on the side
- Serve with Miso soup made from packets
Pasta parma rosa:
- Top cooked pasta with 2 parts red sauce (with meat if you have it) and 1 part Alfredo sauce.
- You can mix in some protein powder or canned meat for extra protein (Mix whey powder in with the Alfredo sauce before heating works well) .
- You can also mix in some canned vegetables, I think peas, spinach, or chopped green beans are be pretty good. If you have picky kids, I hear people puree canned carrots, spinach, peas etc into the red sauce and no one’s the wiser.
- Frozen meatballs if you have them, but that’s cheating.
Pancakes and syrup with canned fruit or applesauce.
- Get a “Complete” mix that just needs water
- Don’t tell the kids, but Hubs mixes in Whey powder and adds a bit more liquid for a protein packed breakfast on the sly.
- Also you can get Kodiak brand mix, which already has the protein mixed in, but my kids don’t like it much.
- I love pancakes with heated applesauce and cinnamon sugar on top. You do you.
Instant pot beans and rice
- 1 1/4 cup dry beans
- 1 1/2 cup dry rice
- 1 cup salsa
- 3 cups broth (can sub water if no broth on hand-add salt)
- 2 cups water
- Salt to taste
- Experiment with adding spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, etc.
- Add the beans and rice with the liquids and stir. Pour salsa over top.
- Cook on manual/high for 25 minutes
- Keep warm while doing slow release for 10 minutes
- Vent and serve (if you have fresh cilantro, add it as a garnish)
- Note: I imagine you can also make this in the crock pot, but I’m not sure about the cooking time…maybe 4 hours on high 10 hours on low and add the salsa toward the end? LMK if you make it)
Chili with canned beans
- 3 x 15 oz cans of beans (different types add to the flavor if you have them)
- 1 1/4 cup broth (can sub water)
- 1 cup salsa or a can of tomatoes (can use any kind of tomatoes in a pinch, add spices to taste)
- 3 T chocolate syrup (optional and I know it sounds weird but it is really good)
- 1 T Taco seasoning
- 1 T Chili powder
- Note: use what seasonings you like/have on hand
- Cook on low 6-8 hours
- If you have cheese, sour cream, cilantro use as garnish
- Tips:
- Mix with cooked rice when serving for a complete protein
- This is also a great way to cover the “flavor” of canned meats, e.g. chicken would be a good choice.
Baked potatoes with Hormel chili (use the chili with meat for protein)
Kraft macaroni and cheese
Ha! I know I said you didn’t “have to” eat this, but you might want to. Here’s some tips to make it healthier.
- Skip the butter. You won’t notice.
- You can make it with water if you don’t have milk
- Add a half scoop of plain whey powder to boost the protein (I have never done this, if my kids ask you)
- Mix in peas if your diners will let you get away with it.
- Mix in canned tuna or canned chicken (see above)
- Mix in cream cheese if you have it (I know it’s cheating) to make it creamier after you added in all the extra stuff.
- Add milk or water when reheating to keep it from getting dry.