Frozen Entrées - Transforming From Inedible to Really Good

Who hasn't slammed one of these cheapie frozen meals into a microwave trying to get a quick decent meal? And how many times has it been satisfying? In fact, these can be edible if you cook them long enough and stir them enough during the process, but with a little effort, you can actually make something pretty good from such a package!

In my life, sometimes I run out of stuff for dinner. Or sometimes I just don't feel like making something that requires a great deal of effort, but could maybe put out a little effort! This recipe can be done in about 10 minutes and dirties one pan. But best of all, can be made with pretty much anything left in a nearly empty fridge.

This instructable is more about a process for making a good meal out of a frozen block than a specific recipe. The technique is really just to stir-fry a few ingredients and use the entrée to complement and sauce up your extras.

In this instance I used the following, but you can substitute or omit any of the ingredients:

• Frozen Entrée of your choice (I like the pasta varieties the best)
• Onion
• Mushroom
• Lunch Meat or other protein
• Condiments from your fridge door

For me, I always have some onions around and they add freshness, flavor, crunch and healthiness to anything so they're a requirement. Mushrooms are a tasty addition if you have them, not required. Usually I like a little more protein than these dinners have in them so I add whatever I have around - leftovers of any kind of meat or a bit of salami or pepperoni or even turkey or ham, all good.

Anything from the vegetable drawer can go into this as well - I often add julienned carrots, a bit of celery, thinly sliced brussel sprouts, green pepper - anything really. No veggies in the drawer? Frozen peas, canned corn or beans are all options too.

And all those jars of stuff on the fridge door make yummy additions - black or green olives, roasted red peppers, peperoncinis, even a bit of pickle can be good if added in moderation.

I start by slicing a line down 3 sides of the frozen entrée right at the box edge, rather than trying to peel back a corner as recommended on the package. You don't need to cut all the way through, just heavily score it. This is not only easier, but both provides the necessary pressure release and makes the package easy to open fully when you're ready.

After this step I put the block upside down in the microwave for 1 minute while I prep the other ingredients. Then flip it right side up and do another minute or two as needed just to defrost it (shake the box to stir and feel the bottom until no longer cold).

Just chop up the onion, slice the mushrooms and olives, cut up your protein, and maybe add a little garlic to kick it up a notch.

It really takes just a few minutes to soften the onion, add the garlic, then the mushrooms and other ingredients and get them sautéed.

Dump the defrosted contents of the package onto your stir-fry and continue to fold and stir until heated through.

At this point, you might want to add some seasonings - all kinds of possibilities can make this even better - for example try one of the following:

• Paprika
• Curry Powder
• Herbs (i.e. basil or thyme)
• Hot Sauce

Don't over-do this as you can easily ruin a good start by botching the seasonings - and this is strictly optional.

Transfer the result into a bowl and enjoy (or eat it right out of the pan, that's perfectly OK too).