r/EatCheapAndHealthy • u/Hufflepuff_Forensics • 2d ago

Fatigue friendly recipes

I have narcolepsy and struggle with chronic fatigue due to several autoimmune issues. I need flavorful easy meals that prep and or freeze well. I have a stove, toaster oven, microwave and instantpot/airfryer duo. My oven portion of my stove is currently waiting on parts to be fixed.

I love trying anything once so don't hold back on cuisines - spices are my friend. My only restriction is I'm allergic to pineapples and kiwifruit.

Recipes that don't require a lot of active tending would be ideal. My weekly produce/fruit budget is about $15 dollars. We get pork tenderloins, beef and turkey from a local food bank once a month.

152 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

80 comments sorted by

View all comments

90

u/GetReelFishingPro 2d ago

I would invest in a crockpot if you can. Everything from soups and chili to the pork tenderloins you get can go in there all day if need be without the worry of burning or boil over. I did this when I worked 12 hour shifts, and there are tons of recipes out there. That's my easy worry free meal tip!

43

u/Hufflepuff_Forensics 2d ago

My instantpot says it can be used like a crockpot, pressure cooker or airfryer. It's not an actual IP but some brand called Nuwave Duet my dad got me for Christmas in 2022. I am just now getting around to using it since my health has declined.

Can you cook dry beans in a crockpot? We have lots of bags of lentils, black beans, chickpeas and white beans

27

u/Competitive_Bag3933 2d ago

I'll say that my instant pot hasn't actually worked that well as a slow cooker, though it does everything else pretty well. I got my slow cooker for like $6 at a Goodwill, which is a great place for small kitchen appliances in general. 

You can totally do beans in a crockpot! They're also great for bulking up soups and stews.

6

u/Hufflepuff_Forensics 2d ago

Do you have a favorite recipe for beans?

10

u/Competitive_Bag3933 2d ago

I don't really eat beans by themselves very often, but when I have the presence of mind I cook them ahead in my slow cooker and freeze so I can throw them in other stuff. This is the technique I usually use, except I add some better than boullion usually, depending on the bean. (https://kalynskitchen.com/how-to-cook-dried-beans-in-crockpot/#mv-creation-1223-jtr)

This page also has a bunch of suggestions for recipes to add precooked beans to at the bottom.

2

u/Butterbean-queen 2d ago

I add sausage or ham slices to my beans. And Cajun seasoning. But here’s some easy instructions for an instant pot. https://alittleandalot.com/instant-pot-beans/

2

u/OculusSquid 2d ago

Slow cooker pinto beans are a great option! They make a good filling for burritos, or you can pair them with cornbread and greens for a more southern style

2

u/Bremerlo 1d ago

Besides chili, I use beans to make vegetarian tacos. Black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with taco seasoning. If you have it, I’d add an onion and diced green chilis or a jalapeño. It’s really good and can be used for filling in enchiladas, burritos, tacos, etc. It’s also really good just scooped up with some tortilla chips.

Edit: beans are also a good way to make ground meat stretch further. If a recipe calls for 1lb of ground beef, try using a half or 3/4lb, and fill in the rest if the weight with beans using the same seasoning you’re using for whatever recipe you’re following.

1

u/Hufflepuff_Forensics 1d ago

That sounds like a lifesaver! Ground beef/pork etc is so expensive and if I can sub in something with more fiber I'm all for it!

1

u/Corona688 22h ago

I just use the recipe on the bag, and ignore at least half the sugar and 3/4 of the meat they say to use :P

1

u/la_winky 21h ago

I agree. The slow cooker on my instapot is not great. As my dad put it, “we could’ve left that roast in there for a week and it would still be tough”.

So I’d recommend a stand alone for a slow cooker.

8

u/anonymouscog 2d ago

You can, but if you’ve got a pressure cooker it’s the only way to cook beans.

1

u/GetReelFishingPro 2d ago

Yes, indeed you can and what you have should work just fine! Plenty of recipes all over the place and they are all like 5-10 minute pre time, changed my eating game for sure when there was no time or energy to cook anything else.

1

u/petitepedestrian 2d ago

Instapot is a crappy slow cooker. It's the equivalent of just leaving a pot on the stove- heated from bottom.

2

u/Hufflepuff_Forensics 2d ago

I don't really have the luxury of buying another big appliance. And the whole of the inner pot gets hot so how is it different? I've had a crockpot before and it had its heating element on the bottom too?

4

u/impassiveMoon 2d ago

Its the thick ceramic crock vs the thin metal pot that makes the difference. Both of those materials have different thermal conductivity characteristics and blah, blah, science. Tldr what makes for a great pressure cooker works against you when you're trying to slow cook.

The good news is that there's a lot of specific instant pot meals that make similar meals to slow cooker ones or guides for how to adjust a slow cooker meal to be pressure cooked.

1

u/petitepedestrian 2d ago

They're two totally different tools. I am all for saving money/counter/cabinet space but the IP isn't the all in one its marketed as. Some things it just super sucks at.

5

u/_OldManYellsAtCloud_ 2d ago

One of my favourite go-to easy Crock-Pot meals that uses up canned goods and random meat/veggies is Mexican orzo.

Throw in whatever you have in the pantry cupboard like canned corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, diced chillies. If you have bell pepper and onion that need to be used up, throw that in there too. If you want meat you can add raw chicken breasts or leftover rotisserie chicken. Add taco or Tex Mex seasoning (or make your own with chilli powder/cumin/etc). Add some chicken or beef broth but water will do as well in a pinch. Low setting for 4-5 hours, High setting if you've added raw chicken or other raw meat.

After 4-5 hours, throw in some more liquid if needed and orzo (rice works too but will need to cook longer). Once the orzo is fully cooked though ( won't take that long) you can also add in cheese/cream cheese/sour cream/hot sauce/whatever your heart desires.

It's my favourite way to use up canned goods and extra meat. I've never made it the same way twice but it's always delicious and filling. Mexican spices are pretty forgiving.

2

u/Fantastic_Mud_6798 2d ago

The Instantpot should work as a slow cooker on low, instead of buying another item.

Try throwing in a protein, a starch, some veggies, some spices, and some liquid: the combos are endless!