Five Easy Pieces

I love young Jack Nicholson. I love the piano. And last but not least, I love to cook dinner.

In regards to the first two assertions in the above paragraph, I highly suggest that you rent the flick, "Five Easy Pieces", in case you are not already familiar with it. As an inveterate Gen-X-er, I have a predilection for the bittersweet sensation one has when witnessing the underlying beauty of squandered talent, which is what that movie is all about.

As for the third assertion, I do love to cook dinner, but I took a week off. During the past week, my schedule was unusually hectic, especially during the hours when I am usually preparing a decent meal here at home.

But, I'd rather poach some old leather shoes than eat a terrible, chemical-laden, MSG-infused, flavorless frozen packaged dinner. I stock my freezer with homemade stuff for weeks like this, but I know that many other people are unable to do so. Still, I am confident that anyone can have an awesome, almost-homemade dinner on the table in 15 minutes with minimal effort. How? Well, here's five easy pieces for you. In all of these examples, you can add low-fat options or whole grain selections and make it really healthy. Try these five easy pieces on the next mind-bogglingly busy week and see if you are not more satisfied with these selections than you would be with a TV dinner:

-GRILLED SAUSAGE AND CORN ON THE COB: Pick up a package of sausages and buns: Italian, Chorizo, Chicken Sausage...it really doesn't matter. Fire up the grill...or the broiler if you don't own a grill. Dunk some corn in boiling water for 6-7 minutes. Char your sausages and make sure they are not scary-pink in the middle. Season. Add condiments. Done.
-CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD: Buy some chopped romaine. Buy a pre-grilled chicken breast from the prepared foods counter at a decent grocer. Buy lots of cherry tomatoes. Buy whole grain croutons. Buy Cardini's Caesar Dressing (no other bottled dressing will do) Assemble and eat.
-SMOKED SALMON WITH PASTA: Buy some chopped red onion. Buy a bottle of capers. Buy some smoked salmon or lox. Boil some noodles. Toss all with Greek yogurt and salt. Done.
-BLACK BEAN BURRITOS: Chop a green pepper and some cilantro. Open a can of black beans and some shredded cheddar. Wrap up in a flour burrito. Spritz with canned canola oil. Bake at 400 for 5 to 10 minutes until golden. Enjoy.
-MOCK HOT TURKEY CLUB PANINI: Buy a turkey sandwich at the deli. Buy some prepared coleslaw. Throw some slaw on the sandwich. Spritz with canned canola oil. Fire up the Foreman grill and toast.

You've had a reasonably good, reasonable wholesome dinner that took 15 minutes or less. (Junky frozen food in the microwave would have taken nearly as long) Now you have time to go relax and enjoy a good Jack Nicholson movie.

XO