People Share Things That Are Still Good Even If They're Bad
There's an old saying that bad pizza and bad sex are still both good. While I (and a LOT of people on Reddit) completely disagree on both counts - there's something to be said for the idea. One Reddit user asked:
Besides pizza and sex, what's something that's still pretty good when it's bad?
When we first started thinking about it, we couldn't really think of anything that was still good when it was bad... but the responses actually nailed a few! We're talking sick days, small paychecks, chow mein... click through for more stuff that's good even when it's bad.
Day "Off"
Having the day off of work. Pretty much every time it happens, we just load ourselves up with work around the house but it's still good to be off. Just had a 4 day weekend; we painted the master bedroom.
Sucks, but days off, so it's a win
Sick Days
Even when I'm sick I'll think "at least I can just sleep all day"
Who Cares If It's Wrong?
Old maps of the world, where half of the places are wrong or just made-up from hearsay.
Island of California, Kingdom of Prester John, Australo-Antarctico-Papua...
Entertainingly Bad
When a movie is so horrible, it's a lot of fun to watch.
Just Sleep
Sleep. Bad sleep is far better for you than no sleep, by a long shot.
The Worse They Are, The Better
Jokes. I absolutely love terrible jokes.
Donuts
While I've had widely varying levels of quality, I've never had a bad donut. A normal, store bought glazed donut that's been sitting out all day still sounds really appealing to me.
New Recipe
Chow Mein noodles from Panda Express. When they changed the recipe to make it "healthier", I didn't like it, but it did the job. Was not great, but just decent enough. Still not as good as the hole-in-the-wall, greasy, Chinese fast food chow mein.
Cars
Borrowing one from Jeremy Clarkson: Cars. You may hate everything about a certain model of car, but if it's in decent condition, it can still get you from point A to point B cost-effectively and conveniently.
Just Get The Job Done
A drink. As long as you still get drunk.
Fishing
My dad used to take me to the local park where there was a small lake for fishing when I was a kid. We had a lot of fun just talking, relaxing and playing with our dog. We never got a single nibble.
Years later he told me that the lake was manmade and not stocked with fish. He just thought it was fun.
Good dad!
Hi Mom
Visiting my dying mother in the hospital.
Flaming Dumpster Pile In Culinary Form
Nachos. Even if it is just chips with bulk-bought cheese sauce and some jalapenos, it is a good snack.
I regularly get a very specific craving for the s* nachos a bar I used to work at served. They were cheap tortilla chips from Costco, nalley chili beans, pre-shredded waxy-as-hell "fiesta" cheese mix thrown into a salamander (basically a commercial-grade broiler) and then topped with canned salsa and sour cream.
A flaming dumpster pile in culinary form, but my god do I yearn for them on cold and lonely nights.
Doesn't Even Matter What Kind
Dumplings. Doesn't even matter what kind of dumpling it is. Gyoza, pierogi, gnocchi, whatever. Dumplings are the best, even a crappy dumpling is still better than most food.
Best Served Cold
Revenge. Sweet, untraceable revenge...
Bad Bread Is Not A Thing
Bread.
Even the cheapest, mass produced, most preservative filled bread is still pretty good. I don't think I've ever eaten bad bread.
Go Browns
Going to a football game. Even if your team doesn't win a single fing game, at least you still got to dress up and get sfaced with thousands of other screaming fanatics.
Go Browns
No Regrets
A workout. Even at my worst workouts I've never regretted it.
Wake Up
Coffee. Bad coffee is definitely worse than no coffee.
Ordering food or, for the time being, enjoying a socially distanced lunch at an establishment is convenient, but it can take a toll on your wallet.
So what options are there?
Fortunately, there are plenty of them that do not involve nuking a frozen entree.
Strangers on the internet shared their amateur culinary wisdom when Redditor SandandS0n asked:
"What's your go-to under 5 minute meal?"
These dinner selections are super sufficient.
In Case You Didn't Know
"Quesadilla. super quick and easy to make and there's a ton of ingredients that you can add without much effort that will make it even better."
– Arcinbiblo12
Noodling Around
"Ramen and an egg, but not the traditional way."
- "Boil roughly half an inch of water (we want just enough water to boil the noodles, with very little water left over when it's done boiling)."
- "Smash up the ramen noodles, while still in the package (optional but cooks MUCH faster)."
- "Open the package and remove the seasoning."
- "Dump the noodles in."
- "While boiling, crack an egg and whisk in a small bowl."
- "Noodles should be done and almost all the water should be gone, if not strain out some.
- Remove from the heat."
- "Slowly pour in the egg while mixing very quickly, try not to let the egg touch the pan."
- "Mix as much of the seasoning packet as you like (I prefer 1/2 - 3/4 because I usually add a salty component at the end.)"
- "Add to bowl and top with some chives, thinly sliced, ripped up ham/salami and/or parsley. Leftover bacon or pancetta are fantastic crunchy components to dial up the texture."
"Easy, fast and checks so many of the 'munchie' boxes for me."
noodles ramen GIF by HUANG'S WORLDGiphyDon't Underestimate Soups
"Tomato soup and add tortellini. I like the spinach ones from Trader Joe's and Progreso creamy tomato with basil. It's bomb and it really makes a decent meal."
– ambernoodle
For people in a rush, these tasty snacks would suffice.
Goes Well With Veggies And Cheese
"Hummus is such an underrated food. It goes well with a lot of veggies and breads and chips or heck even cheese. All the time I hear hummus being listed as one of those weird, gross foods when its actually an amazing snack, or a meal if done correctly. It's not really unhealthy, either, especially if eaten with veggies (celery and carrots go great with hummus)."
Ready In Seconds
"All I do is get a paper towel, and put 5 Oreos on it."
– KeengPeach
"Then go back and get the whole package."
Peanut Butter Fantasies
"Peanut butter sandwich."
– IgnoreMe733
"If I'm feeling extra froggy I'll add nutella to the peanut butter and honey sandwich and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Goes down about as well as a popeye's biscuit though."
– saluki352
Nature's Candy
"Fruit."
"It's like cheating the system. You eat sweets and call it healthy."
Start your day without all the hassle of a fancy breakfast.
Put It In A Bowl
"Oatmeal or cereal."
– essa618
"Cereal is definitely underrated as a meal outside of the breakfast dynamic."
– johndavidcard
Thanks, Nonna!
"A very simple recipe my grandma prepared for me when i was a kid."
"It's basically scrambled eggs...but before adding the egg she would cook sweetcorn (from a can) with a little bit of butter, add the eggs and then when the eggs were almost ready, add small cubes of cheese and cook for a minute or until the cheese start to melt (she was using fontal, but any swiss or white cheddar will do). Just a little black pepper and salt."
"Takes 5 minutes to do but it's absolutely delicious, fill you up, not so unhealthy and I feel my late grandma with me."
'I tried variations with chives or spring onions, paprika or other stuff. Still good but nothing as good as a simple "uova strapazzate con mais e formaggio.'"
"Grazie nonna"
– Xelorath
I consider yogurt a healthy snack/lunch option.
I like having a bowl of non-fat plain Greek yogurt with raspberries, blueberries, sprinkled with granola and drizzled with honey.
It's packed with nutrients and gives me a nice boost of energy.
Yogurt also makes for a perfect chip dip. I sprinkle some onion soup mix and stir in the mixture. Who knew quick and easy food prep could be so delicious?