12 Dinners You Can Make Sitting Down (Real Food, No Standing at the Stove)

Easy dinners for seniors living alone, for anyone who has worked out that the hard part of cooking is not the cooking — it is the standing. Twelve real dinners sorted by one measure: how many minutes you are actually on your feet. From about four minutes down to none at all. Not one of them uses the stovetop, because that is the one place you have to stand and watch. ──────────────────────────────── 01:02 - 1. TOASTER OVEN SAUSAGE TRAY INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - 2 fresh sausages - 1 potato, cut in ½-inch chunks - ½ onion in thick wedges, ½ bell pepper - 1 tbsp oil, salt, pepper, dried oregano ──────────────────────────────── 03:01 - 2. TOASTER OVEN MEATBALL SUB TRAY INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - 5–6 frozen meatballs from a bag marked fully cooked, used straight from frozen - ½ cup (120 ml) marinara - 1 split roll + a handful of mozzarella ──────────────────────────────── 04:11 - 3. SLOW COOKER PORK SHOULDER TACOS INGREDIENTS (makes 3 portions) - 1 lb (450 g) pork shoulder, cut in large chunks - ½ onion - 1 tsp each cumin and oregano - ½ cup (120 ml) broth or orange juice ──────────────────────────────── 06:21 - 4. INSTANT POT BARLEY BOWL INGREDIENTS (serves 1 generously) - ½ cup (100 g) pearl barley - 1½ cups (360 ml) broth + ½ tsp thyme - 1 can white beans, drained - A handful of frozen spinach - Parmesan and lemon to finish ──────────────────────────────── 09:57 - 5. MICROWAVE RISOTTO INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - ⅓ cup (70 g) arborio rice - 1¼ cups (300 ml) hot broth - 1 tbsp butter + ¼ onion, grated - ¼ cup parmesan, salt, plenty of pepper ──────────────────────────────── 11:29 - 6. MICROWAVE FISH IN PARCHMENT INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - 1 white fish fillet, about 6 oz (170 g) - A handful of frozen green beans - A thin slice of lemon + a pat of butter - A sheet of parchment paper ──────────────────────────────── 12:56 - 7. MICROWAVE CHEESY POTATO MASH INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - 1 large russet potato - ¼ cup (60 ml) milk + 1 tbsp butter - A handful of sharp cheddar + a little grated onion ──────────────────────────────── 14:21 - 8. MICROWAVE EGG AND HAM CUP INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - 2 eggs - 1 slice ham, torn up - A spoonful of cottage cheese or grated cheddar - A large buttered mug ──────────────────────────────── 16:00 - 9. ELECTRIC KETTLE COUSCOUS BOWL INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - ½ cup (90 g) couscous - ¾ cup (180 ml) boiling water - 1 can chickpeas, drained + ½ cup canned peas, drained - Parsley, olive oil, lemon, salt, feta ──────────────────────────────── 17:46 - 10. MARINATED MUSHROOM AND EGG PLATE INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - 2 hard-cooked eggs - A jar of marinated mushrooms - A handful of olives, good bread, butter, mustard ──────────────────────────────── 18:48 - 11. CHICKPEA AND FETA COLD PLATE INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - ½ can chickpeas, drained well - 2 oz (55 g) feta, broken up - ½ cup roasted red peppers from a jar - A few olives, olive oil, lemon, oregano, pepper ──────────────────────────────── 20:24 - 12. THE NO COOK ANTIPASTO PLATE INGREDIENTS (serves 1) - Canned tuna in olive oil - Marinated artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, good olives - A wedge of hard cheese, crackers or bread - A hard-cooked egg if you have one ===================== Let me know in the comments which one you're trying first, and don't forget to subscribe for more easy, gentle made for one. These recipes are shared for general enjoyment. Please adjust ingredients to your own tastes and any dietary needs, and check with your doctor about anything specific to your health.