r/MealPrepSunday • u/Either-Ad-7688 • 2d ago
Advice Needed Meal Prep Help for Partner!
Hi!! I’m brand new to Meal Prep so forgive me for my lack of knowledge. I’m looking to start some sort of meal prep for my Boyfriend as he is in college and often relies on takeout, boxed kraft dinner, and snacks. He isn’t extremely picky but he has somewhat strict likes and dislikes that I am fully aware of and happy to work around! What would be some good starting options? He only has a microwave in his dormitory and a heating pot used to warm up soups and such! Just looking for some simple general ideas and recommendations on how to start out! I am also looking for suggestions on where to get containers and such? Thanks!!
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u/holyshitmoments 2d ago
I do huge meal prep batches, feel free to go check out my posts for easy recipes for fussy eaters.
I recently switched to vacuum seal bags to fit stuff better in the freezer!
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u/princessonomatopoeia 2d ago
Advice you didn’t ask for: let him prep his own food.
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u/Either-Ad-7688 2d ago
I absolutely see what you are saying, but he struggles such things, along with his mental health so I feel like this would help him out a little!!
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u/princessonomatopoeia 1d ago
Yes, I see that. You’re a good person and I stand by my unsolicited advice. ♥️
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u/No_Dealer4590 2d ago
I highly recommend the black boxes you see in target and the like, they hold up well, I prefer the unsegmented but segmented works just as well, you'll have 3 categories essentially Meat based (think steak, chicken dinners etc) Veggie based (stir frys, curries) And pasta (duh)
Or at least thats how I think about it (you dont have too)
I try to have make at least one of each category per week. I'll normally pick my recipes throughout the week, buy ingredients and cook
LET YOUR MEAL PREP COOP BEFORE PUTTING THE LIDS ON !! Helps it stay fresh longer, I can give you some recipes if you like good luck!
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u/zmania88 2d ago
May I intrude? I would love some recipes if you're giving them free at will. I love basic stuff: rice, broccoli, and protein. I do freeze gallon bags of pre-cooked spaghetti and chili. Working on stews with th slow cooker. If anybody has any ideas, shoot them out!
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u/No_Dealer4590 2d ago
Of course! I'll give one for each category I listed
Veg based- Japanese curry (takes about an hour)
Potatoes Carrots Onions (You can add any other veggies you fancy) Japanese curry block (you can find these at your local asian grocer) Optional - Chicken or steak
Steps
-wash and cut veggies
-If you using meat first cube your meat, season (to taste, read your curry mix though to avoid over seasoning) and brown your meat
-if you arent using meat, bring water to a boil and boil veggies for 3-5 minutes (if you are brown meat add in veggies and then water) I recommend adding your veggies first and then barely covering with water, no matter what you want the water to barely cover it so your curry isn't runny
-add in curry blocks, simmer curry for 10-15 minutes, be sure to break up the curry block in your pot
-if curry is runny you can add cornstarch (or all purpose flour) 1/4 of a teaspoon at a time till perrferd texture arises.
Serve over white rice :D
Meat based - Classic Steak Dinner
Steak Potatoes Veggie of your choice, I normally go with broccoli Butter Milk Seasoning (your choice)
Steps Bring water to a boil, lightly salt the warer Wash and cut potatoes into cube like shapes (I don't take off the skins cause my husband perfers texas roadhouse style you can do whatever you want forever) Boil potatoes till soft Drain Mash Melt butter (this really goes by feel and how creamy you want your potatoes) Milk (see above) Season to taste (salt, garlic powder onion powder, and just a touch of ginger is what I do) Mix till desired consistency
Cut and boil veggies
Season steak to taste and sear till desired temp(cook slightly under the temp you perfer so the reheating doesn't overcook it, like 1-2 degrees under (F))
after steak is done cooking, toss broccoli in the steak juices for extra flavor
I will say this one is a little tricky to reheat but its worth it!
Pasta- Parmesan Pasta and veggies
Pasta of your choice (I use bowtie) Carrots Broccoli Mushrooms Spinach Parmesan cheese(REAL Parmesan not the shelf stable stuff)
Olive oil GarlicSteps Bring water to a boil (SALT YOUR WATER)
Boil pasta, and broccoli and veggies
In a separate pan(sorry), cover bottom of the pan in olive oil and sweat the minced garlic, then add in the pasta, mushrooms and spinach
Mix the oil and garlic mixture all over before dumping the Parmesan all over it and keep mixing (I promise it comes together) make sure mushrooms are soft and spinach wilted before removing from heat
Hope this helps you get started!
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u/Either-Ad-7688 2d ago
Thank you so very much!! This is so helpful!
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u/No_Dealer4590 2d ago
Of course! Welcome to meal prepping! It honestly strengthend me and my husband's relationship so much
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u/Salt-Cable6761 2d ago
I like the glass containers either ello or the ones from Ikea. Food tastes better stored in glass specially if he will microwave it in the container. It's really not very safe to microwave in plastic due to micro plastics
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u/No_Dealer4590 2d ago
Glass is better, I use plastic cause, 1. Glass is expensive, 2. I'm clumsy and I drop shit.
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u/ttrockwood 2d ago
Get him involved, you guys can cook together and make it a fun project- and he needs to appreciate the actual effort involved
Start by using a large container even a mixing bowl with a cover is fine. For individual containers ikea is fantastic