Meals for 2: $5 Dinners in Just 5 Minutes

Here is my favorite collection of recipes to make with easily available ingredients and in a short time. When I have my best pals over, I want to spend less time cooking and more time catching up with them. At the same time I want the meal to be satisfying and tasty. Being a student, my food budget is pretty slim as well, so every opportunity to save a few bucks on eating out is very welcome. I hope these recipes are useful to you in the same way. Try them out!

Hearty Pasta soup
This is best made with very small pasta like Orzo or Pepperini which cook very fast and absorb soups and sauces easily.
Boil one cup of Orzo in four cups of water and half a spoon of salt for about 4 minutes. In the meantime, on a skillet heat a tablespoon of fat ans soften one chopped onion. Season with pepper, oregano and parsley and add two tablespoons of tomato paste. Bring it to a boil and add salt. When the pasta is done drain it and add it to the sauce. Let it simmer for a minute and serve, topped with some grated cheese. This lip smacking dish is almost as easy as instant pasta but a lot tastier and healthier.

Stir fried vegetables in peanut sauce
This is the best way to serve up a delicious vegetable dish using frozen vegetables and easily available seasoning. Frozen broccoli, frozen peas, carrots and beans taste great when stir fried. Heat a pan with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and add some chopped onions garlic, ginger and green chillies. Add some soy sauce and tomato ketchup. Add a some salt to taste and small amount of sugar to add a glaze to the vegetables. Add the vegetables and stir on high heat till the vegetables are thoroughly coated. Add a teaspoon of peanut butter to thicken the sauce and add a nutty flavor. Heat for another minute and serve piping hot with warmed bread and butter.

Pita personal pizza
With some leftover meats and cheese, you make a personal pizza which is healthy and tasty. Take one one pita bread and spread some pasta sauce seasoned with black pepper on it. Any kind of leftover pasta sauce will do. Top that with grated cheese and dried herbs like parsley or basil that you may have handy. Add thin slices of deli meat and thinly vegetables like peppers, mushrooms or onions. Sprinkle some red chilly flakes and olive oil on top if you have some. Microwave on high for a minute to melt the cheese and cook the toppings. To make the crust crisp, heat a skillet and melt a pat of butter on it. Slide the pizza on to it and allow the base to become crisp. Serve hot. You can be creative with the toppings and herbs on this pizza. When served with a drink and a side of chips, this pizza will make a filling meal for anyone.

Fruit crepes
Let a skillet heat up and in the meanwhile lightly beat together a cup of flour, some milk , a spoonful of sugar, some cinnamon and one egg. Add a pinch of baking soda for lightness. When the skillet is hot, put a spoonful of oil in in and turn the heat down. Pour a thin layer of the batter on it and let it cook for a minute. Flip it and cook for another minute on higher heat. Slide it onto a plate and fill with some canned fruit, a dollop of sweet yogurt or some cream cheese. You can also add a spoonful of jam or jelly or even honey. You can be creative with the filling. Roll it up and serve. This healthy crepe makes a great breakfast. Serve some hot coffee with this meal and enjoy a relaxed breakfast.

Five minute chocolate cake
This is to make a chocolate cake in minutes using the microwave. If you have a pack of cake mix lying around and a sudden craving for something sweet, don't wait for a couple of hours. Serve up this quick cake and amaze your friends. Take half a pack of the cake mix, add a dollop of condensed milk, some chocolate syrup and a tablespoon of oil. Mix it up well to make a thick batter. Grease a glass bowl and pour the batter into it, leaving plenty of space for the cake to rise. It will double in volume in seconds. Remember you cant make the whole pack in one batch using this method. Microwave on high for four minutes. remove, and serve. It tastes great with some leftover ice cream or even some condensed milk poured on top.

Try these recipes out. You will save a lot of time, and enjoy a great meal. These are also great recipes for those who are just learning to cook and don't want to experiment with elaborate recipes. You can't go wrong with these dishes and you wont be spending money on your initial culinary experiments. I have found that as soon as I started making quick meals for myself, i reduced impulse snacking and ordering unhealthy fast foods as well. These are some amazing benefits of quick thinking in the kitchen. Good luck and enjoy!