Can’t speak for all women, but I (and I imagine some others) changed my name because I knew I’d be having kids and didn’t want there to be any confusion. Like, if I’m traveling internationally or if my kid ends up in the hospital, I don’t want one of us having to fish out a birth certificate to prove we’re both the parents. Also I’m of the percent that absolutely hated my long last name so the chance for my name to be shorter and nicer was a no brainer.
Not sure if this one’s been said yet, but potato gnocchi and tomato sauce is easy and cheap. Some recipes require egg yolk, but I’ve seen it done without it. Basically potatoes, flour, egg yolk (or a binder of some kind, but eggs can be found cheap at bargain groceries around me) and salt. It takes some time, but it makes for a pleasant meal without a lot of skill or expense required. Get yourself a jar of premade sauce or a can of diced tomatoes with some salt and pepper to top it with. Italian seasoning if you can spring for it.
My grandma would make us potato fritters when I was young and we didn’t have much money. Basically just hashbrowns fried with some salt and pepper with a bucket of salsa on top. You can also find powdered milk for things like mashed potatoes. Hope this helps!
A lot of people have already commented, but let me add to the masses: soup with frozen veggies can be a total life saver. I was just sick and tossed in basically my whole freezers worth of frozen veggies over the last two weeks. I like to do some meal prep when I’m feeling good and freeze some of my better veggies, but I had bags of corn, squash and sweet potatoes and made chili out of it. Just chucked the whole bag frozen solid into the mix and cooked till it was thawed. I’ve done the same for smoothies when I’ve got some left over bits to use up. But I like green smoothies a lot, so I’m not sure that helps the average cook.
I’d add casseroles work well with some frozen veggies as well, but you have to be weary of the water content. Other than those three, I don’t think I’d use most frozen veggies for anything else. Maybe edamame with stir fry, but I can’t think of any other exception. Too mushy/watery.
Definitely like to cook something new whenever I’m either just a little hungry or I can eat while I’m cooking. For example, I tried making a mango salsa the other day and was able to snack on the mango while I was slicing everything else.
Also depends how big the new thing is though. If I’m attempting a whole new dinner recipe, I’d almost rather make it in the middle of the day when I’m not hungry at all and definitely am not ready to eat dinner. Lots of time to both clean up a disaster and fix something different for dinner without being hangry. But something small and easily replaceable, or doesn’t have a ton of cleanup? Whatever. Any times fine for that.
I’m wrapping up Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson. Making my way through all of his books currently, it’s been a real treat! I haven’t been this excited to read books since I was a kid. Nice to see other fans around!