Every so often, we splurge. A late-night (or midday)
Seamless order, a moment of weakness on the way home from work, a hungry trip
to the store.
We all do it. Why is take out so appealing?
It isn’t healthy for
us, it isn’t really that much faster than any other meal, and it almost
guarantees a food-induced coma upon consumption. But it’s good.
Fried Chinese food, cheesy Tex-Mex, gooey Cinnabon—sometimes,
we can’t resist. But next time shrimp fried rice lures you to your take out
menus, evaluate your kitchen—and your wallet. These homemade dishes are
healthier and just as tasty as your take out favorites, for about half the
price.
Chinese food.
Fried
rice, stir-fry, and other classic Chinese take out dishes can typically be made
in 25 minutes or less, usually in one pan, with ingredients you already have in
your kitchen. Homemade Chinese is perfect if you have leftover rice, chicken,
fruit, pork—anything, really.
Leftover rice makes a better stir-fry than fresh
rice, and with a little soy sauce, some snow peas, and scallions, you can make
your own Chinese take out. Sesame orange shrimp is particularly alluring: soy
sauce, egg whites, orange juice, scallions, sesame, and 25 minutes later,
you’ve satisfied your Chinese craving. Sweet and sour chicken is even easier;
15 minutes, one pan, and ingredients you already have in your pantry make for a
delicious take out replacement.
Mexican.
Mexican
food only has one set of ingredients. Tomatoes, cheese, rice, beans, meat,
avocado, peppers, eggs. Tequila maybe, if it’s been a long day. Quesadillas are
the perfect quick fix for a hungry crowd and a creative cook, and even tacos
and burritos are easy to make, especially for picky eaters. Chipotle might be
tasty, but it’s more expensive and definitely slower than whipping up a Mexican
treat in your own kitchen.
Breakfast treats.
Saturday and Sunday mornings are cinnamon roll mornings. They’re Krispy Kreme
and various breakfast pastry mornings. The sweet treats staring at you in the
bagel line can be tempting, but nothing beats the smell of sweets baking in
your kitchen on a weekend morning.
Freshly baked banana muffins only require 6
ingredients, and apple cinnamon muffins only take 15 minutes to bake. Cinnamon
rolls are ready in 15 minutes with only some crescent rolls, butter, and
cinnamon sugar. If your sweet tooth just can’t be satisfied, try replacing your
favorite breakfast indulgence with cheap, easy treats this Sunday morning.
Not every take out dish can be perfectly replicated at home,
but once you start experimenting with your favorite fast meals, you might be up
to the challenge. Can’t get enough of Chipotle’s cilantro rice? Seamless still
calling your name? Replace one take out meal with an easy, homemade version.
You’d be surprised at your own ingenuity in the kitchen, and you might discover
new recipes along the way!
*image courtesy of Shutterstock
