Life gets super busy, especially when you are working around often intense military schedules.
Takeout is super easy. After all, it is just a phone call away! But ordering takeout regularly can get expensive and the food choices are not always the most nutritious.
Luckily, your local commissary has awesome and convenient options to create healthy meals in minutes.
Soup and Sammies
First stop, the soup aisle. Be on the lookout for heat-and-eat soups, either canned or boxed, that strike your fancy. I love the bisque-style soups, especially the butternut squash soup or the roasted red pepper. Other great choices literally line the aisles. From your basic chicken noodle soup to organic limited ingredient creations, you can find a soup that appeals to you!
Next, head over to the deli at the commissary. Here you have 2 options: DIY sandwich spread or custom deli-made.
To create your own sandwich station, pick a few sliced lunchmeats and cheeses from the deli case. Some of my favorites are Boar’s Head roast beef and Echrich honey ham. My husband loves Land O’Lakes American and any kind of Swiss cheese.
Once you have your meats and cheeses, pop over to the bakery for a fresh baked gourmet loaf or swing through the bread aisle for your favorite sandwich-making brand.
Finally, grab some toppings: beefsteak tomatoes for slicing, lettuce, pickles or banana peppers. With the condiments you likely already stock at home, your DIY soup and sandwich night is taken care of!
For something even easier, order your sandwiches right at the deli! They will custom make individual sandwiches or even party platters with a little advance notice.
Chicken Dinner
A nice chicken dinner is super comforting, but it’s time consuming to roast the bird and prep all the sides. Instead, grab a ready-made rotisserie chicken near the deli.
In the refrigerated aisle of your commissary, pick up a container of pre-made mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. A trip down the freezer aisle will net you some veggies that you can steam in your microwave. I love peas and mushrooms or buttery corn!
With 3 quick stops, your easy chicken dinner is ready to go!
If you have leftovers, your next meal is also super simple: use shredded rotisserie chicken, a carton of chicken stock and a bag of frozen mixed veggies, plus some diced onion and garlic. Toss it all in a pot and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Voila, homemade chicken soup!
For easy chicken pot pie, combine the chicken and veggies in a pie pan, cover with a ready-to-bake pie crust and bake for 30 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
Sushi at Home
The commissary has gone international, with a dedicated fresh sushi counter in many stores. Trained chefs prepare gourmet, fresh sushi throughout the day. Prices and types might vary from store to store, but there is always a wide selection available. Most counters serve several varieties of raw fish rolls, tempura or fried rolls, plus veggie and California rolls.
The sushi section also offers sides, like edamame and gyoza, to help create a complete and easy dinner.
If you wanted to add a little bit more to your meal, head to the international section in frozen foods. There you will find even more delicious treats: orange chicken, beef and broccoli and stir-fry, all ready to cook in your microwave!
If you are craving soups, the Asian section of the international foods aisle is a great place to stop. There are ready-to-heat canned soups and mixes that just require water.
Go Greens
For a totally healthy and super easy meal, find the salad section in produce. There are pre-made bagged salads that include everything: meat, cheese, croutons or other garnishes and the dressing. All you do is combine and eat! These make a perfect meal for 2 or a healthy appetizer for a hungry family.
If you are looking for a single-serving, you’re covered too! With ready-to-eat salad bowls, like chicken Caesar, your lunch or light dinner has never been easier or healthier.
