If you are short on time with a hungry family waiting for food, then what you need are easy-to-prepare and healthy meals that you can ready in a jiffy. The recipes below require few ingredients and take less than an hour to prepare.
Try any of these on a busy day and make sure you get the rest of your chores done on time.
1. Grilled Lemon Chicken and Asparagus
This healthy recipe is delicious which you can quickly put together on the dinner table. The recipe only takes 20 minutes to prepare. (Serves 4)
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 sliced lemon
- And as much asparagus as you would like
Directions:
Pre-heat a grilling pan on the stove on medium-high flame and brush it with oil. Season both sides of the chicken breast with salt and pepper and grill for 4-5 minutes per side. Add the sliced lemons wedges during the last 3 minutes of the cooking time and cook until the chicken is done. Serve with hot sauce and a side of steamed asparagus.
2. Grilled Cheese with Spinach
If you have a particularly busy schedule for a day, then a cheesy grilled sandwich with a side of veggies is the perfect meal for your family. It only takes 20 minutes to prepare and you probably already have the ingredients at home. (Serves 4)
- 4 ciabatta rolls
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp. marinara sauce
- 8 oz. Mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni and spinach as to your liking
Directions:
Spread liberal amount of butter on the outside of the bread rolls. On the insides of the rolls; spread marinara sauce and put as much mozzarella, pepperoni and spinach as you want.
On a low flame, heat a non-stick grilling pan and grill the sandwiches for 4-5 minutes on each side. Grill until the outsides are golden brown and the cheese melts. Serve with different condiments and a side of steamed veggies.
3. Easy Baked Salmon
This recipe is an easy one as you can marinade and freeze the fish the night before, ready to be grilled and served when you are short on time. It takes few ingredients and can be prepared in just 30 minutes. (Serves 4)
- ½ tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tbsp melted butter
- ½ tbsp olive or vegetable oil
- ½ tbsp honey
- ½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
- ½ large salmon fillet (cut into 4 pieces)
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients except the fish in a bowl. Then pour marinade over the salmon fillets. Let the fish marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
Pre-heat a grill pan on a medium heat and sear the salmon (discard the marinade) for 6-8 minutes on each side or until completely cooked. Squeeze a lemon on top and serve on a bed on steamed spinach.
4. One Pot Chicken Pilaf
This recipe is very easy and makes a very filling and comforting meal. The chicken pilaf takes maximum 30 minutes to prepare and saves you from a pile of dish washing later. (Serves 4)
- 1 tbsp. olive or vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tbsp curry paste
- 2 cups of basmati rice
- 4 cups of chicken stock
- 2 cups of frozen veggies
Directions:
Heat oil in a deep skillet and fry the onions until translucent, then add the chicken and cook until white on the outside. Mix in curry paste, add in the rice and cook for 2-5 minutes. Add in the frozen veggies and chicken stock and bring it to a boil. Then cover the lid and let it cook for 10 minutes or until the rice is tender and all the stock is absorbed. Serve with a side of your choice.
5. Quick Pesto Pasta
Pesto pasta is a quick and easy recipe when you have kids who love pasta and adults who are too busy to sit down for a real meal. It takes a maximum of 20 minutes to prepare. (Serves 4)
- 400 gms of Linguini
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp. roasted pine nuts
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Fill deep pot with water, add 2 tbsp. of salt and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to packet directions (until al dente). Drain and keep aside.
In a food processor, add basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt, pepper and parmesan. Add in the oil slowly and blend it until smooth. In a pot, mix the linguini with the pesto and serve with extra parmesan grated on top.