rvasc
Emerald
Posts: 14,310 Likes: 82,554 
|
Post by rvasc on Apr 10, 2021 8:53:58 GMT -6
What are your go-tos?
|
|
hawkward
Global Moderator 
Loss, Infertility
Posts: 19,637
Likes: 123,085
|
Post by hawkward on Apr 10, 2021 9:32:09 GMT -6
My favorite thing to do is chop up a bunch of vegetables, toss them with avocado oil and spices, stick them in the oven to roast at 350° for about an hour, and then for the last 10 minutes or so add shrimp. It doesn’t take much babysitting except the shrimp, so I like to make it on days we’re home but busy. Sometimes we’ll add chicken breast or sliced sausage too.
When I make extra of that, the next day we have the leftovers cold over couscous or bulgar. It makes a good hot weather meal.
|
|
|
|
Post by cabbagecabbage on Apr 10, 2021 9:38:37 GMT -6
I’ll say mine are more healthy-ish. We have a vegetarian, a picky kid, and a man who works a physical job and can *eat* so ymmv. These are not low carb.
Bagged kale and cranberry salad with broiled salmon, leftover chicken etc. or hard boiled egg.
Everyone loves broccoli sautéed in garlic tossed with pasta and Parmesan. I make it about half broccoli and half pasta cut in similar sizes.
Quinoa or grain bowls. Good for leftovers but also easy with prepackaged grains: any meat, drained canned beans (sometimes I mix with salsa or use refried), bagged coleslaw mix or greens, any leftover veggies or fajita peppers and onions, and sauce: peanut, teriyaki, salad dressing, barbecue, tahini thinned with water and lemon, ketchup if you’re four.
Sheet pan dinners. I do two pans and keep meats separate and often add drained chickpeas to the veggies.
Stir fry with bottled sauce and rice noodles because they can sail and be done quickly vs rice.
Soup and an easy bread like cornbread mix, crescent rolls, etc. My family is often soup averse but if I give them bread for dipping, they’re suddenly much happier. I really like blended “creamy” soups that are just veggies blended into veggie stock with a bit of dairy or coconut milk.
My ultimate lazy but not getting takeout meals are scrambled eggs with fruit or veggies and quesadillas with literally anything inside plus cheese.
|
|
emma
Ruby
Posts: 18,813
Likes: 86,459
|
Post by emma on Apr 10, 2021 9:42:01 GMT -6
One of our recent favourites is tandoori chicken kebabs. I chop up chicken breast and marinate it with yogurt and tandoori spice mix. Then skewer it with onion and red peppers and grill. I usually serve with chapati and fresh cilantro. The chicken can be prepared in advance and left in the marinade in the fridge so it’s quick to stick it all together and cook
|
|
jaidit
Ruby
Posts: 18,081 Likes: 299,408
|
Post by jaidit on Apr 10, 2021 9:51:45 GMT -6
Tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil salad. Towards the summer when melons are in season I’ll add those and cured ham.
Ratatouille- I’m lazy and cook everything together which works fine as long as the veg are cut in the same size. I’ll eat it as a side hot but also like it cold with couscous.
Frozen peas or carrot soup blended smooth and finished with coconut milk
My favorite easy sheet pan meal is sausages and chopped up fennel and potatoes, roasted until everything is caramelized
Roast chicken stuffed with lemon and cooked with carrots and potatoes in the same pan
|
|
edubs
Silver
Posts: 409
Likes: 862
|
Post by edubs on Apr 10, 2021 10:00:05 GMT -6
|
|
thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
|
Post by thatgolfb on Apr 10, 2021 10:02:20 GMT -6
My go to easy meal, that I usually make once a week, is baked/roasted/air fried salmon with air fried (or roasted) broccoli. Sometimes brussels sprouts. I mostly just season the salmon with lemon pepper and salt, and the veggies with 21 seasoning salute from TJ's or the all purpose seasoning (Seasoning for All the Things) from Imperfect Produce. Another thing I do is bulk prep protein, following recipes from Lillie Eats and Tells. I love these in particular, and they can be used in several different meals throughout the week: lillieeatsandtells.com/easy-low-fat-slow-cooker-crispy-carnitas/lillieeatsandtells.com/weekly-bulk-apple-cider-dijon-grilled-chicken/I use that chicken on salads a lot. |
|
STP
Diamond
Posts: 43,327
Likes: 314,786
|
Post by STP on Apr 10, 2021 10:07:11 GMT -6
Pesto chicken: Just spoon half a jar of pesto (or about 6 oz homemade) into the bottom of a baking dish. Season chicken breasts, lay on top. Cover with remaining pesto, and then foil. Bake at 375 for about 30-35 minutes. You can add a little cheese on top if you want, but not necessary. Awesome with a salad. Confetti Chili: Great way to sneak in veggies. Kids can top with cheese and other stuff, to make it more filling: www.today.com/food/hearty-healthy-ellie-kriegers-confetti-chili-1D80358278My red sauce is this recipe, with blanched cooked spinach added in before blending: www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/marinara-sauce-recipe-2103577. I serve it on either whole wheat pasta or chickpea pasta, with sautéed zucchini mixed in. Always a crowd pleaser. Fajitas (bowls): Sheet pan with cut up peppers, red onion, and chicken breast (seasoned with "taco" seasoning). Olive oil, s+p for veggies. Bake for about 30 minutes at 375 to 400. Veggies might take a little longer. DH and I have salad bowls, with lots of greens and then the chicken and veg. Kids make fajitas with tortillas and toppings. |
|
STP
Diamond
Posts: 43,327
Likes: 314,786
|
Post by STP on Apr 10, 2021 10:08:31 GMT -6
|
|
jaygee
Diamond
Posts: 28,233 Likes: 219,522
|
Post by jaygee on Apr 10, 2021 10:08:59 GMT -6
Do you have an instant pot? Crockpot?
|
|
Cher
Global Moderator
BMB, GD, Special Interests
Posts: 57,446 Likes: 442,177
|
Post by Cher on Apr 10, 2021 10:09:15 GMT -6
My go-to when I don’t feel like thinking is either egg roll in a bowl (https://40aprons.com/whole30-egg-roll-bowl-paleo/) or I do riced cauliflower or broccoli, ground turkey and a jar of Rao’s.
I’ve gotten really into Trader Joe’s frozen stuff in the past year. That’s pretty much exclusively what I do for weekend dinners. So when I don’t have anything planned, I reach for the cauliflower gnocchi or the Chile lime chicken burgers. Having that stuff on hand has made it easier for us to healthier dinners when I typically would order out.
|
|
edubs
Silver
Posts: 409
Likes: 862
|
Post by edubs on Apr 10, 2021 10:09:49 GMT -6
|
|
thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
|
Post by thatgolfb on Apr 10, 2021 10:11:40 GMT -6
Cher I always have at least two bags of the cauli gnocci and the kale gnocci in my freezer. ETA: I feel the need to note that these turn out great in the air fryer. Sometimes the cauli gnocci can get a bit sticky in a pan. If I am being honest, our garage freezer is at least 50% TJ's frozen stuff. It's just so easy.
|
|
STP
Diamond
Posts: 43,327
Likes: 314,786
|
Post by STP on Apr 10, 2021 10:12:49 GMT -6
Cher I always have at least two bags of the cauli gnocci and the kale gnocci in my freezer. ETA: I feel the need to note that these turn out great in the air fryer. Sometimes the cauli gnocci can get a bit sticky in a pan. If I am being honest, our garage freezer is at least 50% TJ's frozen stuff. It's just so easy. I love their microwave brown rice for a quick side or base. It sounds dumb, but rice is such a PITA without a rice cooker, and I don't have room for another appliance. |
|
STP
Diamond
Posts: 43,327
Likes: 314,786
|
Post by STP on Apr 10, 2021 10:13:15 GMT -6
Also, the TJ's frozen naan is good for quick veggie flatbreads.
|
|
Cher
Global Moderator
BMB, GD, Special Interests
Posts: 57,446 Likes: 442,177
|
Post by Cher on Apr 10, 2021 10:19:12 GMT -6
Cher I always have at least two bags of the cauli gnocci and the kale gnocci in my freezer. ETA: I feel the need to note that these turn out great in the air fryer. Sometimes the cauli gnocci can get a bit sticky in a pan. If I am being honest, our garage freezer is at least 50% TJ's frozen stuff. It's just so easy. Same! I do Sunbasket during the week for dinner. This week, as I was cooking, I realized they sent us the wrong meal/protein combo. I pulled out the cauliflower gnocchi and put the whole thing together and it turned out so well. Sunday nights, I do appetizer night with all frozen stuff. Tonight I’m doing a smorgasbord of their Asian dishes. Most of my kids dinners come from there too: mini pizzas, mini tacos, pasta dishes, chicken tenders and fries in the air fryer. Trader Joe’s has def become my pandemic MVP. |
|
rvasc
Emerald
Posts: 14,310 Likes: 82,554
|
Post by rvasc on Apr 10, 2021 10:19:53 GMT -6
Do you have an instant pot? Crockpot? Yes. Both! |
|
rvasc
Emerald
Posts: 14,310 Likes: 82,554
|
Post by rvasc on Apr 10, 2021 10:22:23 GMT -6
No air fryer, yes rice maker.
|
|
STP
Diamond
Posts: 43,327
Likes: 314,786
|
Post by STP on Apr 10, 2021 10:25:59 GMT -6
I am also a fan of the dump marinated chicken breasts into the crock pot and let it go. Serve with vegetable. Call it good. One good marinade is a cup of buttermilk and ranch seasoning. I like the Damn Delicious version: damndelicious.net/2016/04/03/diy-homemade-ranch-seasoning-mix/Overnight, dump into CP in the morning, set it and forget it. So good with roast potatoes. |
|
thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
|
Post by thatgolfb on Apr 10, 2021 10:32:13 GMT -6
Cher I always have at least two bags of the cauli gnocci and the kale gnocci in my freezer. ETA: I feel the need to note that these turn out great in the air fryer. Sometimes the cauli gnocci can get a bit sticky in a pan. If I am being honest, our garage freezer is at least 50% TJ's frozen stuff. It's just so easy. I love their microwave brown rice for a quick side or base. It sounds dumb, but rice is such a PITA without a rice cooker, and I don't have room for another appliance. I always keep a pack of that brown rice in my freezer too, haha. |
|
AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,327
Likes: 33,883
|
Post by AmyG on Apr 10, 2021 11:00:14 GMT -6
Tomato avocado cucumber salad. Do it up with what youd put on/in a pasta salad for variations. So weve added other veggies chopped cheese ham or pepperoni etc and different oil vinegar dressing
|
|
pobre
Ruby
Posts: 22,372
Likes: 203,325
|
Post by pobre on Apr 10, 2021 11:36:51 GMT -6
|
|
rvasc
Emerald
Posts: 14,310 Likes: 82,554
|
Post by rvasc on Apr 10, 2021 16:34:09 GMT -6
Thanks, everyone!
I’m sitting down now to plan and grocery order.
|
|
|
|
Post by spicysalmonroll on Apr 12, 2021 14:03:55 GMT -6
Cher I always have at least two bags of the cauli gnocci and the kale gnocci in my freezer. ETA: I feel the need to note that these turn out great in the air fryer. Sometimes the cauli gnocci can get a bit sticky in a pan. If I am being honest, our garage freezer is at least 50% TJ's frozen stuff. It's just so easy. omg. I actually don't really care for the cauliflower gnocci because I feel it is always "gummy" in a skillet like they suggest. I have one bag left and I never thought to air fry. You just throw em in frozen? |
|
thatgolfb
Unicorn
Posts: 55,023 Likes: 234,913
|
Post by thatgolfb on Apr 12, 2021 16:56:23 GMT -6
Cher I always have at least two bags of the cauli gnocci and the kale gnocci in my freezer. ETA: I feel the need to note that these turn out great in the air fryer. Sometimes the cauli gnocci can get a bit sticky in a pan. If I am being honest, our garage freezer is at least 50% TJ's frozen stuff. It's just so easy. omg. I actually don't really care for the cauliflower gnocci because I feel it is always "gummy" in a skillet like they suggest. I have one bag left and I never thought to air fry. You just throw em in frozen? Yes! I can’t recall how long I usually cook it for or how long, I usually just guess. 😂 |
|
nikkipal
Sapphire
Posts: 2,751 Likes: 8,044
|
Post by nikkipal on Apr 12, 2021 20:14:09 GMT -6
Salsa chicken in the slow cooker. Throw boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs in the crockpot, add a taco seasoning and a jar of salsa or can of rotel. Sometimes I add beans and corn. Low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Shred after cooking. Good in tacos or burrito bowls with rice or cauliflower rice.
|
|
soiree
Platinum
Posts: 1,320 Likes: 6,164
|
Post by soiree on Apr 13, 2021 7:19:37 GMT -6
Cher I always have at least two bags of the cauli gnocci and the kale gnocci in my freezer. ETA: I feel the need to note that these turn out great in the air fryer. Sometimes the cauli gnocci can get a bit sticky in a pan. If I am being honest, our garage freezer is at least 50% TJ's frozen stuff. It's just so easy. omg. I actually don't really care for the cauliflower gnocci because I feel it is always "gummy" in a skillet like they suggest. I have one bag left and I never thought to air fry. You just throw em in frozen? I don't have an air fryer. I pan fry my cauliflower gnocchi. I think it's from insta "zest with lemons." Anyway, it is absolutely delicious. I heat a mixture of avocado oil and a little butter and dump the frozen gnocchi in. Wait until it gets brown and a little crispy and then toss and pan fry until done. I crumble goat cheese on top. My dd and I can eat a bag very quickly. |
|
|
|
Post by spicysalmonroll on Apr 13, 2021 12:00:59 GMT -6
omg. I actually don't really care for the cauliflower gnocci because I feel it is always "gummy" in a skillet like they suggest. I have one bag left and I never thought to air fry. You just throw em in frozen? I don't have an air fryer. I pan fry my cauliflower gnocchi. I think it's from insta "zest with lemons." Anyway, it is absolutely delicious. I heat a mixture of avocado oil and a little butter and dump the frozen gnocchi in. Wait until it gets brown and a little crispy and then toss and pan fry until done. I crumble goat cheese on top. My dd and I can eat a bag very quickly. yea mine never gets crisp, gets mushy. I think it's because the instructions say to cover and add water. I'll have to try these better ways |
|
rvasc
Emerald
Posts: 14,310 Likes: 82,554
|
Post by rvasc on Apr 14, 2021 17:01:24 GMT -6
pobre, that spicy chicken shawarma was SO good. H asked if I had hidden takeout boxes somewhere because I am not known for my culinary prowess. I’ve had kind of a shit week at work, and coming home to make healthy meals has been a real win every night. It’s nice to not think about anything else for 30-45 minutes.
|
|
