There are a lot of great resources that will inspire you to decorate your apartment. It’s one thing to have a kitchen that looks great, and better still when you can use it to crank out awesome meals for yourself. Meal prep pros can crank out a whole week’s worth of food in one session, but you might be amazed how much of a difference it can make even when you prepare a few lunches for yourself.
The first step to a successful meal prep is to pick a simple meal and schedule a time to get your food ready. Make sure you have containers for all your portions, then prepare to save some time and money in the coming weeks with these eight meal ideas.
1. Chicken
Chicken is one of the easiest things to start with for people who are just learning how to cook because it’s not quite as flavorful as some other meats. That means it will go well with almost anything you put it with, and you can experiment with a wide variety of seasonings.
Lightly coat your chicken in oil, then bake it at 350°F for about 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Before baking, you can season your chicken however you like. If you want a variety of meals throughout the week, keep the seasoning simple– you can add sauce to fit different meals as you go along. Chicken will last about four days in the refrigerator, so freeze anything you plan to eat after that.
2. Rice
Rice is another one of those things that go with just about anything. Follow the instructions on the box or bag of rice, then store it in single-serving containers. That way, you’ll only have to reheat the portion you’re going to eat immediately. Sprinkle some water on the top before microwaving your rice on high heat, and it will be ready in no time.
3. Beans
Legumes like beans and lentils are a pretty good source of protein and can be used in a wide variety of dishes or with all types of seasoning. Best of all, they’re a breeze to prepare. Dried beans are extremely inexpensive, though they take slightly longer to cook. Just knock it out on the weekend, and your leftovers will last for a full work week. Put a little bit of cooking water in the containers to keep your beans from drying out.
4. Soup or Chili
Between soups, stews, and chilis, you can find almost limitless different flavor combinations. Pick a simple recipe that sounds good to you, then make up a big batch. You can enjoy some right after you’re finished cooking and store the rest. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that the soup gets better over a few days as the flavors meld together.
5. Trail Mix
This one isn’t necessarily cooking, but it’s definitely one of the easiest ways to prepare some packaged portions for yourself. You can buy trail mix at the store, but it can actually be a lot less expensive when you buy the ingredients in bulk and mix them yourself. Plus, you can create the perfect ration to match your tastes. Package it in bags or containers, and you’ll have pre-portioned snacks to last you all week.
6. Hummus or Dips
If you’re looking for snacks to fill the times between meals, hummus and other dips are a great addition to your trail mix. You can enjoy these options with either crackers or vegetables, and there are countless dips you can make with five ingredients or less. Before you start, just check to see if you’ll need a blender, mixer, or food processor.
7. Stir Fry
We’ve already discussed how great rice and chicken are for meal prep– now just add a few vegetables and you have a delicious stir fry. If you’re adventurous, try making your own sauce from scratch. If you’re new to cooking, don’t worry– the Asian aisle at your local store will have a good selection of sauces for you to add.
8. Jar Salad
A salad is perfect for people who want a healthy meal during the week, but there can be a lot of chopping involved. Get all the preparation out of the way in one fell swoop, then put your salads into jars to eat throughout the week. Add to the jar in the following order so your lettuce doesn’t get soggy (you don’t have to use every layer):
• Dressing in the bottom (or separated)
• Vegetables and fruit that can sit in dressing (tomatoes, onion, peppers, etc.)
• Less crispy vegetables (beans, corn, mushrooms, etc.)
• Eggs or cheese
• Rice, quinoa, or couscous
• Nuts and leafy greens
Phoenix Apartments for Rent
The best apartments in Phoenix will make meal prepping a breeze thanks to their well-appointed kitchens. If you’re a master chef or if you’re just learning how to cook, you’ll find the appliances you need in every unit offered by Heers Management. Contact us today to learn more or set up a walkthrough.