Planning dinner(s) for the week can often times get monotonous. Same thing week after week. And it makes us (me) cranky and bored with food. So I am eternally on the search for things that are fast, easy, within my grocery budget AND nutritious.
So I wanted to share with you some of my “go-to’s” for fast, healthy food that can be made with deliciousness that the entire family will love! They are mostly plant based but can be served with meat as well. (I just try to get as many veggies in as possible.) They can be served as a side dish, snack or entree. But most of all, freshness abounds in all of them! Also, some of them are from some of my friends who like to share recipes as well. That’s what I love about blogging. We all share and the ultimate goal is to make contributions to the world for better!
Now…for the good stuff…
1. Cauliflower Fried Rice.
I just love this because it is so tasty and full of good stuff and YES!!!! it tastes exactly like fried RICE; only it’s cauliflower. Served as aside or entree, it is sure to be your basic for any quick fix dinner. The basic recipe ( I usually just eyeball things!) is as follows but feel free to add any veggies or meat to dress it up for your liking:
1 bag of frozen riced cauliflower
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic
1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
1 cup frozen peas
2 eggs
1 bunch green onions for garnish
Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce, whichever you choose
Olive or Avocado oil or Ghee to saute
Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat and add onion. Saute until onion is glossy. Add riced cauliflower. Saute until mixture is combined and some of the moisture has cooked out. Add garlic and mushrooms. Saute all together and add frozen and cook until peas are soft but not soggy.
In the middle of the pan, push all the rice to the outside of the pan, creating a ring of “rice” around the edge with middle of pan showing. Crack the two eggs and scramble quickly and then incorporate rice into the scrambled eggs; tossing it all together until well mixed. Add 1-2 Tbsp. of Liquid Amino or soy sauce to your liking.
Dish the rice into individual bowls or onto plates and garnish with green onions. So easy, so good, and so good for YOU!
2) Spaghetti with Zoodles.
I just LOVE spaghetti!!! Zoodles are a great alternative to traditional noodles. Graters can be found just about any place and now grocery stores are carrying fresh zoodles in the produce section. Open a bottle of your favorite spaghetti sauce and you have a wonderful meal QUICK! I steam my zoodles for spaghetti, so remember, they cook fast. Don’t let them get too soggy! You can also saute them. But we just LOVE this dish! It is also great baked, like lasagna.
3. Green Smoothies.
A daily staple at our house. The recipe is as follows and once again, I eyeball it! Most measurements depend on the appliance you use to blend( we use a Nutri Bullet.) I always use fruit not as the MAIN ingredient but as a sweetner. Remember you are drinking a GREEN smoothie for the GREENS. NOT the sugar!
Recipe:
1 heaping handful spinach
1/2 cup kale
1 stalk celery
1/3 peeled cucumber
blueberries (scant 1/4 cup)
1/4 frozen avocado
strawberries
frozen banana, optional for taste
ice and water
Put all ingredients in container and blend! EASY!!! And it is a GREAT way to get veggies in the fam!
4. Green salad. But is doesn’t always have to be green. It can be yellow, orange, white, red……anything! Use your imagination. And remember, more color equals more nutrition!
5. Sunrise Porridge.
I really love cereal, but try to stay away from package food and grains for the most part so I thought up this little mixture that is delicious, nutritious and simple. It combines berries, fruit, nuts, seeds and coconut or almond milk for a wonderful morning fuel up! Again, mixing a little of this and that will be more that enough for you and some to save or share!
Recipe:
1/4 c. nuts of your choosing. I use raw cashews and leave them whole. You can use your favorite. Any berries: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries. Set aside.
In a blender combine the following:
1 Tbsp. Pumpkin seeds
1 Tbsp. raw sunflower seeds
1 tsp. hemp seeds
1/2 tsp. chia seeds.
Blend all this for literally a BREATHE. You Just want to pulse it enough to chop it and make it kind of coarse.
Pour onto nut and fruit mixture. Cover with coconut or nut milk to your liking. YUMMY!
I hope you find something here that tickles your tummy and inspires you to try just one or all of these new food ideas! They are easy ways to put put good food in YOU!