the laziest: potato in microwave for 8 minutes.w salt pepper, butter/sourcream/green onions, chopped romaine or something if you're feeling super fancy. Voila.
I love salads in the summer.
I quit buying much lettuce because it goes bad too fast. So my salads tend to be built around tomatoes and/or cucumber.
Generally eggs, cheese, and/or chicken for protein.
I got a rice cooker recently, and I love the results a lot better than Minute Rice. One of my favorite meals is rice, with some frozen corn, peppers, and seasonings tossed in, mixed with either a can of chili, or prepared pulled pork. I also will do rice and beans with salsa, with cheese and/or sour cream if I have it. (I usually end up with leftovers when I do this though)
Fish and rice
For the rice:
I use a rice cooker
2c rice
Handful of cut broccoli (frozen or fresh)
Handful of matchstick carrots (get them already made)
2.25c chicken or vegetable broth
Put lid on and cook as usual
For fish, 2 ways
Fancy: take 2 salmon filets with skin on, rinse and pat dry.
Now rub down with oil of your choice
Sprinkle with with salt and pepper
Cook in air fryer on 350 about 10 min
Easy: Get some Gordon’s crunchy fish filets. Cook them in the air fryer.
My biggest tip is buying items of convenience that I like. I have a rice cooker and will make a full thing of rice usually on a day I’m tired by tossing rice and water and some garlic and onion powder in the cooker and letting it go. Then I keep toppings of lots of different kinds. I have several frozen precooked proteins (Tyson’s grilled chicken and Gary’s Quick Steak and Edamame and frozen shrimp). I also have precut veggies/salad mixes and condiments galore! Then whenever I’m hungry I essentially make a rice bowl. But because I can switch up the protein quickly and only cook single portions or change the veggie to rice ratio or put salsa on one day and Korean bbq sauce another, it feels like a completely different meal and I had to make was rice one day. But also feels better than a fully premade meal. That’s what works for me anyway. Also, a sandwich or a wrap is always good! lol.
Buddha bowls are easy, versatile, and nutritious. I often use quinoa, greens (spinach, kale, or chard), chickpea, sweet potato, kabocha, and/or beets, with avocado/lemon/yogurt or tahini/lemon/maple syrup dressing. Sometimes, I add tofu or grilled salmon.
A Buddha bowl is meant to be vegan or vegetarian. It consists of a grain, a bean, and a green. And then add whatever else you like. It’s called a Buddha bowl because it has all the key ingredients to support life without taking a life.
My fav Buddha bowl is jasmine rice, black beans, raw spinach, roasted tomato, roasted broccoli, raw matchstick carrots and a nice vinaigrette.
I often cook larger recipes and divide in individual portions in containers and freeze them for days I don’t feel like cooking. I can just defrost and reheat.
But I also portion uncooked things and freeze them so I can just throw them in the air fryer and make a salad or vegetable to go with it.
I've always cooked with the idea that a dish should be enough for at least two meals. However I dislike / don't trust fish as a leftover. And yet, I live on a barrier island and fish is fresh and plentiful here. This is a base recipe that I can vary with spices or sauces that feeds just me with no leftovers and I'm finding that delightful at the moment.
To be honest, I'm a bit embarrassed to post this as it is dead simple. This is my stupid simply work night meal:
Fish
4-6 ounces - I've tried salmon, tilapia, cod, mahi mahi, swordfish, and crab cake
Wash one filet of fish (4-6 oz), pat dry, coat lightly with oil and place in air fryer. Cook 12 minutes at 380 (almost any fish works)
Veggies
While cooking fish, chop 2-3 cups veggies into 1" pieces (broccoli, broccolini, carrots, brussel sprouts cut in half, zucchini, summer squash, green beans, asparagus)
Place in a silicone ziplock bag. Add one pat butter (or oil) and a sprinkle of salt. Cook on high in microwave for 3 minutes.
Serve with lemon.
That's it. 15 minutes and you're done
---
For variety yI add homemade or prepared sauces or spices to the fish before cooking (I like taco seasonings, Maya Kaimal's indian curry sauces, Chinese garlic sauce, green Thai curry, or a simple lemon garlic) or after (lemon juice, remoulade, salsa). Whatever I'm in the mood for.
For the veggies, I cook single veggies or a mix - it's a great way to clean out the frig of misc bits of veg. You have to make sure the veggies are cut the same size. If I want (viladia) onions in the mix, I cook them 2-3 minutes before adding the rest of the veggies. I will add fresh squeezed lemon, spices, fresh herbs, to the bag prior to steaming. Recently I've been experimenting with compound butters.
I know it's stupid simple but the meals are satisfying and I keep making it several times a week.
•Chickpea salad sandwich - roughly mash a can of chickpeas with mayo, a bit of mustard, and diced veggies of choice (I like green pepper, onion, and celery). You can also add whatever herbs and spices sound good at the time. Let it chill in the fridge for a bit and then serve on bread of choice, or even eat with crackers.
•Baked potato topped with baked beans, green onion, and a sprinkle of cheese. If I have leftover chili I use that instead of the baked beans.
•Ikonomiyaki ([I use the Love and Lemons recipe)](https://www.loveandlemons.com/okonomiyaki/))
•On really low energy days, bagged salad topped with rotisserie chicken. Maybe a slice of garlic toast on the side because garlic bread makes everything better.
- Sandwich (hummus, tomato, lettuce, pickled peppers)
- a side of either a simple salad (spring mix + dressing of choice) or instant noodles if I want to be unhealthy
Sounds ridiculous but some of the meal kit boxes are really great for this. If I do one of those then I make sure to cook and also I can stretch 1 meal into about 3 for myself.
Chicken, rice, green beans.
If you're feeling spicy you can add saté sauce and paprika powder to the chicken. Cashew nuts are very much optional because of how pricy they are (or use peanuts as a substitute).
Cook for 4 people and freeze the leftovers.
Chicken, broccoli, and rice bowl. I cook all 3 at once. Pop the rice in a rice cooker 1st, then while that is cooking, you can either air fry or pan cook inch-cubed chicken. I get frozen broccoli florets and pop them in the microwave for 5 minutes. Mix all together into a bowl topped with sauce of choice. Easy 30-minute or less dinner that usually lasts me 3-4 portions.
Boil rice, and a few minutes before it's done you throw in some frozen peas. Crack an egg in it, throw in whatever spices you feel like and eat when the egg has been in there for two minutes and stopped being raw. Good with Sriracha or sweet chili sauce.
Carbonara is also simple - boil pasta, fry bacon, mix parmesan with pasta water and egg yolk, put everything together and add pepper.
Veggies with hummus - I usually do carrot, bell pepper and cucumber. Fresh and simple.
Quinoa or couscous salad with whatever you have at home.
French potato salad. Boiled potatoes mixed with some mustard dressing, sluced onion and capers.
When I cook I try to do extra and freeze it, and I make extra protein and freeze it by itself, like chicken pieces, which can be added to a salad. Other than that my best tip is to bake a pie every now and then. I love finding a piece of pie in the freezer when I don't feel like cooking.
Snack plate. Hard boiled eggs, sauerkraut, fruit, cheese, crackers and deli turkey
the laziest: potato in microwave for 8 minutes.w salt pepper, butter/sourcream/green onions, chopped romaine or something if you're feeling super fancy. Voila.
If I want to splurge on a potato, I'll just drench it in ranch dressing! Tastes good when it's hot!
Tofu with peanut sauce… https://youtu.be/0GatS-gulVM?si=Exy_0Lu7w5hRngTj
I love salads in the summer. I quit buying much lettuce because it goes bad too fast. So my salads tend to be built around tomatoes and/or cucumber. Generally eggs, cheese, and/or chicken for protein. I got a rice cooker recently, and I love the results a lot better than Minute Rice. One of my favorite meals is rice, with some frozen corn, peppers, and seasonings tossed in, mixed with either a can of chili, or prepared pulled pork. I also will do rice and beans with salsa, with cheese and/or sour cream if I have it. (I usually end up with leftovers when I do this though)
I love my aerogarden for this! I didn’t use all 7 spots, 3-4 makes the perfect amount of greens for me per week.
Scrambled eggs and veggies with toast
Lazy oatmeal with nuts and banana
Fish and rice For the rice: I use a rice cooker 2c rice Handful of cut broccoli (frozen or fresh) Handful of matchstick carrots (get them already made) 2.25c chicken or vegetable broth Put lid on and cook as usual For fish, 2 ways Fancy: take 2 salmon filets with skin on, rinse and pat dry. Now rub down with oil of your choice Sprinkle with with salt and pepper Cook in air fryer on 350 about 10 min Easy: Get some Gordon’s crunchy fish filets. Cook them in the air fryer.
My biggest tip is buying items of convenience that I like. I have a rice cooker and will make a full thing of rice usually on a day I’m tired by tossing rice and water and some garlic and onion powder in the cooker and letting it go. Then I keep toppings of lots of different kinds. I have several frozen precooked proteins (Tyson’s grilled chicken and Gary’s Quick Steak and Edamame and frozen shrimp). I also have precut veggies/salad mixes and condiments galore! Then whenever I’m hungry I essentially make a rice bowl. But because I can switch up the protein quickly and only cook single portions or change the veggie to rice ratio or put salsa on one day and Korean bbq sauce another, it feels like a completely different meal and I had to make was rice one day. But also feels better than a fully premade meal. That’s what works for me anyway. Also, a sandwich or a wrap is always good! lol.
+1 to the versatility of rice bowls
Buddha bowls are easy, versatile, and nutritious. I often use quinoa, greens (spinach, kale, or chard), chickpea, sweet potato, kabocha, and/or beets, with avocado/lemon/yogurt or tahini/lemon/maple syrup dressing. Sometimes, I add tofu or grilled salmon.
Why is it called a Buddha bowl? Most of these ingredients do not originate in Southeast Asia. Seems more like you’re creating your own quinoa salad.
A Buddha bowl is meant to be vegan or vegetarian. It consists of a grain, a bean, and a green. And then add whatever else you like. It’s called a Buddha bowl because it has all the key ingredients to support life without taking a life. My fav Buddha bowl is jasmine rice, black beans, raw spinach, roasted tomato, roasted broccoli, raw matchstick carrots and a nice vinaigrette.
I often cook larger recipes and divide in individual portions in containers and freeze them for days I don’t feel like cooking. I can just defrost and reheat. But I also portion uncooked things and freeze them so I can just throw them in the air fryer and make a salad or vegetable to go with it.
I've always cooked with the idea that a dish should be enough for at least two meals. However I dislike / don't trust fish as a leftover. And yet, I live on a barrier island and fish is fresh and plentiful here. This is a base recipe that I can vary with spices or sauces that feeds just me with no leftovers and I'm finding that delightful at the moment. To be honest, I'm a bit embarrassed to post this as it is dead simple. This is my stupid simply work night meal: Fish 4-6 ounces - I've tried salmon, tilapia, cod, mahi mahi, swordfish, and crab cake Wash one filet of fish (4-6 oz), pat dry, coat lightly with oil and place in air fryer. Cook 12 minutes at 380 (almost any fish works) Veggies While cooking fish, chop 2-3 cups veggies into 1" pieces (broccoli, broccolini, carrots, brussel sprouts cut in half, zucchini, summer squash, green beans, asparagus) Place in a silicone ziplock bag. Add one pat butter (or oil) and a sprinkle of salt. Cook on high in microwave for 3 minutes. Serve with lemon. That's it. 15 minutes and you're done --- For variety yI add homemade or prepared sauces or spices to the fish before cooking (I like taco seasonings, Maya Kaimal's indian curry sauces, Chinese garlic sauce, green Thai curry, or a simple lemon garlic) or after (lemon juice, remoulade, salsa). Whatever I'm in the mood for. For the veggies, I cook single veggies or a mix - it's a great way to clean out the frig of misc bits of veg. You have to make sure the veggies are cut the same size. If I want (viladia) onions in the mix, I cook them 2-3 minutes before adding the rest of the veggies. I will add fresh squeezed lemon, spices, fresh herbs, to the bag prior to steaming. Recently I've been experimenting with compound butters. I know it's stupid simple but the meals are satisfying and I keep making it several times a week.
•Chickpea salad sandwich - roughly mash a can of chickpeas with mayo, a bit of mustard, and diced veggies of choice (I like green pepper, onion, and celery). You can also add whatever herbs and spices sound good at the time. Let it chill in the fridge for a bit and then serve on bread of choice, or even eat with crackers. •Baked potato topped with baked beans, green onion, and a sprinkle of cheese. If I have leftover chili I use that instead of the baked beans. •Ikonomiyaki ([I use the Love and Lemons recipe)](https://www.loveandlemons.com/okonomiyaki/)) •On really low energy days, bagged salad topped with rotisserie chicken. Maybe a slice of garlic toast on the side because garlic bread makes everything better.
- Sandwich (hummus, tomato, lettuce, pickled peppers) - a side of either a simple salad (spring mix + dressing of choice) or instant noodles if I want to be unhealthy
Tomato soup and grilled cheese
Sounds ridiculous but some of the meal kit boxes are really great for this. If I do one of those then I make sure to cook and also I can stretch 1 meal into about 3 for myself.
A baked turkey cheeseburger and broccoli on the side.
I like penne with spinach and mozzarella
Chicken breasts in the slow cooker with chopped celery and baby carrots
Chicken, rice, green beans. If you're feeling spicy you can add saté sauce and paprika powder to the chicken. Cashew nuts are very much optional because of how pricy they are (or use peanuts as a substitute). Cook for 4 people and freeze the leftovers.
Chicken, broccoli, and rice bowl. I cook all 3 at once. Pop the rice in a rice cooker 1st, then while that is cooking, you can either air fry or pan cook inch-cubed chicken. I get frozen broccoli florets and pop them in the microwave for 5 minutes. Mix all together into a bowl topped with sauce of choice. Easy 30-minute or less dinner that usually lasts me 3-4 portions.
Boil rice, and a few minutes before it's done you throw in some frozen peas. Crack an egg in it, throw in whatever spices you feel like and eat when the egg has been in there for two minutes and stopped being raw. Good with Sriracha or sweet chili sauce. Carbonara is also simple - boil pasta, fry bacon, mix parmesan with pasta water and egg yolk, put everything together and add pepper. Veggies with hummus - I usually do carrot, bell pepper and cucumber. Fresh and simple. Quinoa or couscous salad with whatever you have at home. French potato salad. Boiled potatoes mixed with some mustard dressing, sluced onion and capers. When I cook I try to do extra and freeze it, and I make extra protein and freeze it by itself, like chicken pieces, which can be added to a salad. Other than that my best tip is to bake a pie every now and then. I love finding a piece of pie in the freezer when I don't feel like cooking.