ready-meals
Heat-and-eat food
Ready-meals are pre-prepared dishes sold complete, requiring only heating before eating.
The term is primarily British, covering everything from frozen dinners to refrigerated containers of curry or lasagna: I grabbed a couple of ready-meals from the supermarket.
The American equivalent is usually "frozen dinners" or "TV dinners," though ready-meals includes chilled options too.
Moving with speed
- easyRequiring minimal effort
- time-savingReducing required duration
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- grab-and-goReady for quick departure
premade · instant · on-the-go · microwaveable · heat-and-eat · single-serve · portion-controlled · weeknight
Sealed without air
- shelf-stableStorable without refrigeration
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- chilledMade or kept cold
- cannedSealed for preservation
boxed · sealed · aseptic · tinned · pouched · tray · compartmentalized · sleeve
Radiation-based kitchen heater
- reheatMake food steaming again
- defrostRemove ice accumulation
- boil-in-bagFood cooked in sealed pouch
- bain-marieHeated water bath for cooking
Baked layered pasta dish
- sweet-and-sourCombining sugar and acid
- kormaMild, creamy braised dish
- enchiladasRolled tortillas in sauce
- biryaniSpiced layered rice dish
teriyaki · moussaka · vindaloo · massaman · bibimbap · rendang · risotto · paella
Eleventh element, highly reactive
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- additivesSubstances included for enhancement
- caloriesMeasures of food energy
- MSGUmami compound, abbreviated
processed · artificial · sugar · reformulated · balanced · lean · protein · carbs
quick
Moving with speed
- easyRequiring minimal effort
- time-savingReducing required duration
- effortlessRequiring no strain
grab-and-go · premade · instant · on-the-go · microwaveable · heat-and-eat · single-serve · portion-controlled · weeknight · busy
vacuum-packed
Sealed without air
- shelf-stableStorable without refrigeration
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- chilledMade or kept cold
canned · boxed · sealed · aseptic · tinned · pouched · tray · compartmentalized · sleeve
microwave
Radiation-based kitchen heater
- reheatMake food steaming again
- defrostRemove ice accumulation
- boil-in-bagFood cooked in sealed pouch
lasagna
Baked layered pasta dish
- sweet-and-sourCombining sugar and acid
- kormaMild, creamy braised dish
- enchiladasRolled tortillas in sauce
biryani · teriyaki · moussaka · vindaloo · massaman · bibimbap · rendang · risotto · paella
supermarket
Self-service food retailer
- store-boughtCommercially produced, not homemade
sodium
Eleventh element, highly reactive
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- additivesSubstances included for enhancement
- caloriesMeasures of food energy
MSG · processed · artificial · sugar · reformulated · balanced · lean · protein · carbs · macros
ready-mealsmade from scratch
ready-mealsfresh ingredients
whole foods · fresh produce · farm-to-table · natural foods · pantry staples
ready-mealsslow food
Traditionally prepared cuisine
traditional cooking · family recipes · regional cuisine · soul food · comfort food
ready, meal, meals, readiness, readily, readier, readiest, unready