Wasn't sure if I should post this here or over in the recipes area, please excuse if this is a faux pas.

I am cooking challenged, seriously. One week on SBD and the only thing I actually "cooked" was scrambled eggs! Oh, and I sauteed veggies to go top. That's it. My kitchen is so small you can't stand in front of the stove and cook at it, you have to stand by the side! LOL So nothing that requires more than 1 square foot of counter space for prep.

So, I've been purchasing prepared foods, which is SOOO easy here in the city, most with ingredients posted right there. But I only lost 2 lbs this week, so maybe this is my downfall? I thought I was making safe choices -poached salmon, steamed veggies with nothing on them, etc.

Anybody have suggestions? I love seafood and was considering buying some Salmon filets. Anybody have sauce/side suggestions? I'm going to give some of the recipes in the book a try, but I think they might be beyond my abilities.

Also, I have a George Foreman Grill. Anyone else? Any ideas beyond the basic chicken breasts?

Any other thoughts on my slow weight loss? Exercise starts tomorrow, if I can sleep tonight, chemo drugs rev me up and not in a pleasant way!

TIA

I made the cheddar stuffed burgers, and actually cooked them on my George Foreman Grill...they were very good. The recipe is in the recipe section.

Do you have a crockpot? They have these great digital ones now that flips over to warm for you when the cooking time is up...I have done a roasted chicken, it fell off the bone and I sprinkled some cheese on top..it was very good too...and the crockpot chili..yummy!! I have been cooking catfish filets in a skillet with a little lawrys seasoning, and tiny bit of butter in the pan..I then squeeze fresh lemon juice on top..is very good, but might stink up your apartment

Thats all I can think of for now...good luck!

I bought myself a steamer a few years ago and it is fabulous. It has a pot at the bottom and then two layers where you put the food. You just put the stuff in, put water in the bottom, and put the lid on. It saves loads of space - I can use one ring for the whole meal whereas before I used four.

Salmon is really good with ginger if you like that combo, and with lime juice too if you can get a lime (go easy on the lime in phase one).

Good luck

Lisa, 2 pounds in a week is nothing to sneeze at! Especially if you don't have a lot of weight to lose. And if I remember correctly you don't, right?

Something that may help with your space crunch in your kitchen might be to buy already cut veggies, meats, etc. Or you could spend a bit of time cutting up all your salad fixings, veggies, etc,. ahead of time and stashing them in the fridge. Then when you wanted to make a stir-fry, for example, you would only have to pull out a couple of ziplock bags or hands full of veggies instead of a head of cabbage and a big bag of carrots. Make any sense?

Another thing that helps when you are working with limited counter space is to stash all the gadgets somewhere else! I still keep the bread machine and big food processor in the garage because I like having counter space. I'd rather have a great knife than any gadget ever invented! I have a George Forman Grill we never use....I just use a skillet instead of dragging it out...I really should just pass it on to someone who would use it!

Good luck!

Such wonderful ideas from all of you!

More queries-

a steamer? Is that that basket-y looking thing?

crock pot- heck, yes, 'cause I want to try that chili! What size should I look for? any special features, etc?

I'm hitting gracious home tonight. Oh yeah, I need a couple of knives, what brands are good?

I told ya'll I was CLUELESS. I worked in Fine Dining for years, serving the food. Now that I'm a lawyer, I just order the food! LOL

Great minds think alike on the veggies- I've been trying to buy already cut ones, and if I can't, I try to cut up the whole thing when I get home, ie, cut up brocolli and cauliflower take up MUCH less space after 2 min of chopping, and their easier to use, too! Yep, space is at a premium in the fridge, too. Gotta have space for my roomies beer and wine (that she's afraid will go bad if she takes it out) and Diet coke (which she likes cold, I just stash mine on the floor!)

Oh, yeah, btw, any New Yorkers, New Jersey Girls, or Brooklyn-ites got any ideas where I can find a one bedroom apt for under $1,500? LOL But I'm serious!

Thanks again for plowing through my long messages, they'll get shorter!

Lucky, dear, sounds like you need a bigger kitchen if you're going to start cooking. I have a perfect two-bedroom apartment here for you in Ottawa. $850. Canadian. Including utilities.

By the way, you're not the only one here who can't cook... I can think of at least two others...

Or you can live in my barn loft for free. Commuting would be a ***** but the ambience is great - fresh veggies just outside the door in the summer. In the winter we would allow you in the house to sleep beside the woodstove.

Do you have any freezer space, Lisa? If so, there are some things that freeze well - chili for example or my Tuscan Beef Stew made in the crockpot. I imagine you will get the smaller crockpot so halve that SIMPLE recipe if you try it.

Geez, I have to get into my kitchen and get cracking. I can smell eggplant baking right now and I know it's time to take it out!

Oh, Canada. So Tempting. Don't know if my American law degree would do me much good. LOL! These New York rents are killing me!

The freezer is pretty packed too, although will get better when I throw out ALL my ice cream and sorbet!

Ok, I'm going to hit the stores and start week 2 with a renewed vengence and just forget about that 1/4 cup of peanut butter I ate last night. Bad, but better than that napoleon as big as my head, right?



Thanks again!

Please do not bother coming to Canada until you learn how to spell it.

How rude! Hey, maybe Mauvais could get Lisa in with those jerkhead lawyers she is stuck with.

OOPS!!! That was quite rude of me, nothing worse than getting the spelling of someone's NATION wrong. All fixed now, I couldn't let it stand. What's the emotive for embarassed??

Oh, yes! Lisa would straighten them out. That's what they need in there. A woman! Lisa, come on up (now that you've corrected your appalling spelling error. )

That'll do.
Now, Lisa. What's the capital of Canada?
What kind of lawyer will you be?

Ellis, I meant YOU were rude! (Lisa can't be a real lawyer because she has a sense of humour. It'd be like being a doctor with legible handwriting.)

Oh, I knew what you meant, darling.