[kliao]

+1 for Slow cooker. Just cooked a 5 pound organic free range whole chicken ($13) which should last at least 5 meals. Washed chicken, added some fresh ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, water. Total prep time about 15 minutes. Slow-cooked for 3 hours on high.

5-minute freshly steamed leafy greens (kale, spinach, collards, mustard greens, etc.). No need to chop, just rip off a handful, wash, throw in a small pot, put on lid, turn on low heat for 3 min. Ready to eat.

Canned sardines for cheap, instant, healthy protein.

Capellini pasta (very thin) cooks in 2 min as opposed to thicker pastas which might take 10 min.