Making quick meals that are delicious and healthy is easier than you think
Here are some quick, budget friendly meal ideas you can make in minutes, that are fresh and simple with just a few ingredients, are healthy and can save you money by using unprocessed, natural ingredients.
I have always loved to cook but the time for cooking has grown considerably short with our hectic time-constrained lives. Because of this, fast, easy and quick recipes with just a few ingredients, healthy food choices and quick preparation are my favorites.
I have collected sooooooo many cookbooks through the years and yet a large majority of them sit on the shelf collecting dust because the recipes call for too many ingredients and way too much time. (I do have some personal favorites that are listed below that I really like because of their simplicity, speed and taste - check them out).
I don't know about you but I don't have a personal chef whipping up a meal for me whenever I am hungry so I started creating my own recipes and built them around the idea of using fresh and flavorful ingredients including lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and beans along with leaner protein choices and lower fat dairy items.
We've all been hearing how we need to include more fruits and veggies in our diet, as well as the advantages of raw food and this is an easy way to do it without just nibbling on carrots or sacrificing flavor and the enjoyment of good food that is good for you too.
These easy recipes are simple to make and include low cost meal ideas that require minimal preparation time. Menu planning has never been easier. Enjoy!
I have always loved to cook but the time for cooking has grown considerably short with our hectic time-constrained lives. Because of this, fast, easy and quick recipes with just a few ingredients, healthy food choices and quick preparation are my favorites.
I have collected sooooooo many cookbooks through the years and yet a large majority of them sit on the shelf collecting dust because the recipes call for too many ingredients and way too much time. (I do have some personal favorites that are listed below that I really like because of their simplicity, speed and taste - check them out).
I don't know about you but I don't have a personal chef whipping up a meal for me whenever I am hungry so I started creating my own recipes and built them around the idea of using fresh and flavorful ingredients including lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains and beans along with leaner protein choices and lower fat dairy items.
We've all been hearing how we need to include more fruits and veggies in our diet, as well as the advantages of raw food and this is an easy way to do it without just nibbling on carrots or sacrificing flavor and the enjoyment of good food that is good for you too.
These easy recipes are simple to make and include low cost meal ideas that require minimal preparation time. Menu planning has never been easier. Enjoy!
NEW COOKBOOK - Quick And Simple Meals
** Take a look at my new cookbook - Quick and Simple Meals - filled with flavorful recipes and simple menu planners for easy meals for every day of the week.**My new cookbook is filled with a wide variety of delicious recipes that have short ingredient lists and simple ideas for putting together really quick meals for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts.
If you are looking for flavorful meals made with healthy ingredients, quick preparation, and keep your budget in mind than this cookbook is perfect. With the easy menu planners, delicious meals can be put together in no time.
Take a look now . . .
Quick Breakfast Ideas
Simple Meals for Breakfast
- Fresh Fruit Salad:
Serves 2
- Ingredients:
- 1 medium apple (diced)
- 1 cup red or green grapes (cut each in half)
- 1 orange (peeled, quartered and sliced)
- 1 cup lemon yogurt (or to desired moistness)
- Assemble:
Place the fruit in a mixing bowl along with enough yogurt to moisten all the fruit.
Quick Meal Ideas:
* Serve in a bowl with some warm cinnamon toast.
* Place fruit salad in soft tortilla shells and roll up wrap style.
Save money on food with these great grocery savings
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Simple Fruit Salad with Cheese and Nuts:
Serves 2
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup strawberries (cut into chunks)
- 1 cup mango (cut into cubes)
- 1/4 cup walnut pieces
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- Assemble:
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss to combine.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* This easy fruit salad works well on its own just served as is in a bowl.
* You could also serve it as a light dessert in baked puff pastry shells.
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Breakfast Fruit Salad
Serves 2
- Ingredients:
- 2 bananas (sliced)
- 1 cup strawberries (cut into chunks)
- 1/2 cup low-fat cinnamon granola
- 1/2 cup low-fat Greek style yogurt
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* Serve salad parfait style by layering ingredients. Start with a layer of yogurt then strawberries then granola. Add another layer of yogurt then banana then granola.
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Quick Apple Salad
Serve 2
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups apple (diced)
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (or to taste)
- Assemble:
Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl and toss well to combine.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* Serve this easy fruit salad as a topping on warm whole-grain waffles.
* It also makes a great topping for vanilla ice cream.
See More
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Great Stuff on Amazon
Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People
As I said before, I have a lot, and I mean A LOT of cookbooks and, if you collect cookbooks too, you know that just a handful of them become old favorites. These are the ones you use time and time again. This cookbook is one of them.
Even if you aren't into raw food 100% of the time this cookbook is really great for a few reasons.
- The ingredient lists are short (YEAH!).
- There is minimal equipment involved (most recipes require only a food processor or blender to prepare).
- Simple preparation - just a few steps that are easy to follow (thanks to her clear instructions).
These are the reasons why I use this cookbook again and again and if that wasn't enough, the food is so fresh and flavorful.
This cookbook is a great choice whether you are hooked on raw food or just want to add more raw, natural and healthy foods to your diet and menu options.
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 12/23/2009) 
Raw Food Made Easy
This is a great companion item for the book listed above. Extremely well made dvd that clearly shows you how to make raw recipes easily and efficiently. It shows you how to set up your kitchen, the staple food items you need (normal food not anything wierd) , how to make food for an entire week plus so much more.
Her presentation is clear, precise and so easy to follow. If you have considered attempting raw food recipes both the book and this dvd are a great way to begin. Wish I had found both these products when I first started learning.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
Simple Lunch Ideas
Easy Chicken Salad
2-3 servings
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup celery
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or to taste)
- salt and pepper to taste
- Assemble:
Cube the chicken and place in a mixing bowl with the rest of the salad ingredients and toss well to combine. (Note: reduce the fat by using a fat-reduced mayonnaise. You could also use low-fat or non-fat yogurt instead of the mayonnaise).
Quick Meal Ideas:
* An easy meal idea is to simply serve this quick chicken salad on a bed of romaine lettuce with a bowl of warm vegetable soup or cold gazpacho soup.
* You could also make a delicious chicken salad sandwich by spooning salad onto whole-grain bread with a dollop of spicy salsa on top and serve along with celery or carrot sticks.
Get more for your money at the grocery store
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Tuna Salad
2-3 Servings
- Ingredients:
- 1 (6oz) can tuna packed in water (drained)
- 1/2 cup bottled roasted red peppers (roughly chopped)
- 1/4 cup scallions (diced)
- 1 tbsp capers (rinsed and drained to remove some of the salt)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup low-fat Greek style plain yogurt
- Assemble:
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss well to combine.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* Scoop this simple tuna salad into hollowed out red bell peppers with flavored breadsticks on the side.
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Cottage Cheese Salad
Serves 3-4
- Ingredients:
- 1 (16oz) container low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained and chopped)
- 1/4 cup black olives (roughly chopped)
- Assemble:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* This easy cheese salad makes a quick meal when used as a topping for a warm baked potato served along with steamed asparagus drizzled with fresh squeezed lemon juice.
See More
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2-3 servings
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup celery
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or to taste)
- salt and pepper to taste
- Assemble:
Cube the chicken and place in a mixing bowl with the rest of the salad ingredients and toss well to combine. (Note: reduce the fat by using a fat-reduced mayonnaise. You could also use low-fat or non-fat yogurt instead of the mayonnaise).
Quick Meal Ideas:
* An easy meal idea is to simply serve this quick chicken salad on a bed of romaine lettuce with a bowl of warm vegetable soup or cold gazpacho soup.
* You could also make a delicious chicken salad sandwich by spooning salad onto whole-grain bread with a dollop of spicy salsa on top and serve along with celery or carrot sticks.
Get more for your money at the grocery store
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Tuna Salad
2-3 Servings
- Ingredients:
- 1 (6oz) can tuna packed in water (drained)
- 1/2 cup bottled roasted red peppers (roughly chopped)
- 1/4 cup scallions (diced)
- 1 tbsp capers (rinsed and drained to remove some of the salt)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup low-fat Greek style plain yogurt
- Assemble:
Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss well to combine.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* Scoop this simple tuna salad into hollowed out red bell peppers with flavored breadsticks on the side.
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Cottage Cheese Salad
Serves 3-4
- Ingredients:
- 1 (16oz) container low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained and chopped)
- 1/4 cup black olives (roughly chopped)
- Assemble:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* This easy cheese salad makes a quick meal when used as a topping for a warm baked potato served along with steamed asparagus drizzled with fresh squeezed lemon juice.
See More
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Helpful links for even more Quick Meal Recipes:
Most of us have so little time these days to cook so I have listed a few links below that also have some terrific ideas for quick meals.
- The Minute Chef
- Here is a great resource for quick meals. Each recipe has a little hourglass to let you know how long each recipe will take to prepare so you can choose the ones that fit your timetable.
- Good Housekeeping - Quick and Easy Recipes
- Good Housekeeping has been around since I can remember. Here are a wide variety of quick recipes that are categorized for ease of use.
- Food Network
- The Food Network has some great quick recipe ideas and they give you the preparation time and difficulty level for each of their recipes.
- Cooks.com - Quick Meals
- Cooks.com has a wide variety of quick meal recipes and each will give you the number of ingredients needed so you can choose a recipe quickly and easily.
Quick Meals for Dinner
Warm Blue Cheese Potato Salad
Serves 3-4
- Ingredients:
- 4-6 medium red-skinned potatoes (with skin on, cut and cube potatoes and steam until tender-this should take 7-10 minutes)
- 1/4 cup crumbed blue cheese
- 1/2 cup non-fat ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup celery (diced)
- Assemble:
1. Start by steaming the potatoes.
2. While potatoes are cooking, use a small bowl and mix together the ricotta and blue cheese until well combined.
3. In a larger mixing bowl, place the cut up spinach and the celery.
4. When the potatoes are finished cooking, remove from the steamer basket and place in the bowl with the spinach and celery, tossing to wilt the spinach leaves with the heat from the potatoes.
5. Add the cheese mixture and toss again to combine well. Season with pepper if desired.
6. Serve potato salad immediately or cover to keep warm until serving.
- Quick Meal Ideas
* Serve this quick potato salad with grilled or broiled hamburgers and a side of sliced tomatoes and jicama drizzled with red wine vinegar.
* This warm potato salad recipe also goes well with roasted chicken and steamed green beans.
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Smoked Mozzarella Cheese Salad Recipe
Serves 2-3
- Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat smoked mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- 1 cup plum tomatoes (medium dice)
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives (roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup cucumber (diced)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp (or to taste) all-natural low-fat bottled Italian dressing
- Assemble:
In a mixing bowl, combine all the cheese salad ingredients and add the dressing. Adjust dressing to desired moistness.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* Scoop salad into taco shells with a side dish of black beans with chopped celery and corn kernels dressed with lime juice and a little olive oil along with warm corn muffins.
* Or try this delicious cheese omelet idea. Simply fold our easy cheese salad into a cooked omelet. Turn off the heat, leave omelet in pan and allow the cheese to melt before serving. Add thick toast slices and sliced fruit.
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Raspberry Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts
Serves 2
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh raspberries (frozen raspberries can be used if fresh are
unavailable - just thaw and drain)
- 4oz goat cheese (cut into slices or cubes)
- 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped)
- 4 cups arugula (washed and patted dry)
- champagne vinegar (as desired) (you can also use rice vinegar, red wine vinegar or raspberry vinegar)
- Assemble:
1. Place the arugula in a mixing bowl and toss with vinegar, adjusting to suit your taste. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
2. Divide the arugula between two serving plates. Then add the goat cheese, raspberries and then the walnuts.
- Quick Meal Ideas:
* Make a simple whole grain meal by serving this easy cheese salad with warm brown rice and scallions tossed with lemon juice and salt and pepper.
* Another option is to serve this quick salad with walnuts along with baked stuffed pork chops. It's a rich and satisfying meal that's easy to prepare.
See More
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Tools for Quick and Easy Meals
Having the right tools in the kitchen always makes meal preparation easier. Here are some items I can't do without.
Tropix Salad Hands
These are a great little item to have in the kitchen. They are really easy to use, toss and serve salads well and work great on pasta too.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
Microplane Fine Grater
This is one of the best tools for zesting lemons, limes, oranges, etc. I like this style as opposed to the long thin graters because I feel safer with a wider grating area and I have found that I don't cut my fingers or hurt my hands with this one because you don't slip off of it.
Amazon Price: $13.95 (as of 12/22/2009)
Lemon Squeezer-Metal
Fantastic tool! I received this as a gift and love it. Way less messy to squeeze lemons and limes. Your hands don't get covered in the juice and I have found that you get every last bit of juice from your produce. This is a great tool.
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 12/22/2009)
Oxo Good Grips Salad Spinner
This is one of the best items for cleaning and preparing greens. This is one of those tasks that you really tend to put off until all your greens have spoiled and are ready to throw away. The salad spinner is so quick and simple to use and makes cleaning salad greens so easy.
It is well constructed and has a nice rubber bottom so it stays put on the counter when you are spinning your greens dry.
I usually prepare enough salad greens that I will eat within a two to three day period all at once and put them in a container in the refrigerator. This makes it so much quicker and easier to put a salad together in minutes because your greens are cleaned and ready to use.
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 12/22/2009)
More Great Quick Meal Ideas - Sandwich Wraps
Simple Ideas with Simple Igredients . . .
Sandwich Wraps are a great way to make a quick meal anytime. With just a few ingredients you can put together a fast and easy meal when you are short on time or just want something simple and flavorful. They are the perfect grab-n-go quick meal.
I love to make these whenever I am in a hurry or just don't feel like cooking. Here is a super-quick recipe to make sandwich wraps in no time.
1. First choose the kind of Wrap that you want
2. Pick a Spread (the layer of flavor that goes underneath all of your ingredients)
3. Choose a Filling
4. Add some Veggies or Fruit
5. Add a little Flavor Topping (little flavor boosters to add a little zip to your sandwich wrap)
Here are some simple recipes for sandwich wraps:
CREAM CHEESE TUNA SANDWICH WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap (spinach or tomato flavored works really well on this recipe)
spread: cream cheese with chives
filling: canned tuna in water (drained and flaked)
veggies: cucumber (thinly sliced)
flavor topping: fresh chopped cilantro
TOFU AND ROASTED PEPPER WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap
spread: basil pesto
filling: Italian style baked tofu (sliced)
veggies: chayote squash (thinly sliced)
veggies: roasted red peppers slices
flavor topping: a sprinkling of walnut pieces
ROASTED TURKEY WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap
spread: Greek style plain yogurt
filling: roasted turkey slices
veggies: sweet red peppers (thinly sliced)
flavor topping: scallions (thinly sliced diagonally)
TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE SANDWICH WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap
spread: mashed baked sweet potatoes
filling: crumbled goat cheese
veggies: a mixture of fresh chopped tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained and sliced)
flavor topping: a couple of whole fresh basil leaves
See more
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I love to make these whenever I am in a hurry or just don't feel like cooking. Here is a super-quick recipe to make sandwich wraps in no time.
1. First choose the kind of Wrap that you want
2. Pick a Spread (the layer of flavor that goes underneath all of your ingredients)
3. Choose a Filling
4. Add some Veggies or Fruit
5. Add a little Flavor Topping (little flavor boosters to add a little zip to your sandwich wrap)
Here are some simple recipes for sandwich wraps:
CREAM CHEESE TUNA SANDWICH WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap (spinach or tomato flavored works really well on this recipe)
spread: cream cheese with chives
filling: canned tuna in water (drained and flaked)
veggies: cucumber (thinly sliced)
flavor topping: fresh chopped cilantro
TOFU AND ROASTED PEPPER WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap
spread: basil pesto
filling: Italian style baked tofu (sliced)
veggies: chayote squash (thinly sliced)
veggies: roasted red peppers slices
flavor topping: a sprinkling of walnut pieces
ROASTED TURKEY WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap
spread: Greek style plain yogurt
filling: roasted turkey slices
veggies: sweet red peppers (thinly sliced)
flavor topping: scallions (thinly sliced diagonally)
TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE SANDWICH WRAP
wrap: 1 soft tortilla shell/wrap
spread: mashed baked sweet potatoes
filling: crumbled goat cheese
veggies: a mixture of fresh chopped tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes in oil (drained and sliced)
flavor topping: a couple of whole fresh basil leaves
See more
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Mini-Meals
When you are in a real hurry, need a quick-fix meal or just want something on the smaller side, mini-meals are a great idea.
Mini-Meals are a great idea if you tend to be a grazer and eat several smaller meals throughout the day instead of the standard three bigger meals or just prefer smaller meals that are quick and easy.
Here are a variety of ideas for simple and quick mini-meals.
Cottage Cheese and Fruit or Veggies:
- cottage cheese mixed with blueberries, peaches and a sprinkling of cinnamon
- cottage cheese mixed with diced apples, walnut pieces and a drizzle of honey
- cottage cheese mixed with sliced banana and your favorite low-fat granola
- cottage cheese mixed with chopped chives, diced cucumber and chopped tomatoes
- cottage cheese mixed with fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) peas, chopped red onion and chopped mint
- cottage cheese mixed with roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped) and chopped fresh basil
Soup: Soup is a great way to get more vegetables in your diet and if you take a good vegetable soup (either homemade or a store-bought variety with natural ingredients) and add a little something extra to it you can have a meal in a bowl in minutes.
Try some of these easy additions next time you have some soup. Add as much of each ingredient or combination of ingredients as you like.
- cooked and cubed white or sweet potatoes
- cooked brown or basmati rice
- canned beans (rinsed and drained)
- grilled chicken, grilled salmon or
canned and drained salmon or tuna
- baked tofu (cut into cubes and add to soup)
Fresh spinach is a nice addition, just stir it into the hot soup and the leaves will wilt into it.
Fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or basil make a nice topping. You could also add a small handful of grated fresh cheese.
Simple Fruit Combos: Here are a few I use and simply place in a bowl and enjoy or place in a container to take with me for a light lunch.
- cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon cubes combined with crumbled blue or feta cheese
- apples chunks with grapes and gouda cheese
- red and green grapes, celery chunks and goat cheese crumbles
- mango and papaya cubes with sliced almonds
- nectarine and peach slices or chunks tossed in a little low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt topped with crumbled cinnamon graham crackers
Mini Sandwiches (Open-Faced): whole grain English muffins topped with:
- marinara sauce, thin sliced mushrooms, low-fat cheese slice
- thin layer of tomato paste, basil leaves, cooked chopped shrimp, grated parmesan cheese
- mashed black beans topped with salsa and grated soy cheese
- hummus topped with baby spinach leaves, thin slices of zucchini squash or yellow summer squash, thin slice of beefsteak tomato and salt and pepper to taste
- mashed banana, chopped dates and chopped walnuts
See More
Here are a variety of ideas for simple and quick mini-meals.
Cottage Cheese and Fruit or Veggies:
- cottage cheese mixed with blueberries, peaches and a sprinkling of cinnamon
- cottage cheese mixed with diced apples, walnut pieces and a drizzle of honey
- cottage cheese mixed with sliced banana and your favorite low-fat granola
- cottage cheese mixed with chopped chives, diced cucumber and chopped tomatoes
- cottage cheese mixed with fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) peas, chopped red onion and chopped mint
- cottage cheese mixed with roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped) and chopped fresh basil
Soup: Soup is a great way to get more vegetables in your diet and if you take a good vegetable soup (either homemade or a store-bought variety with natural ingredients) and add a little something extra to it you can have a meal in a bowl in minutes.
Try some of these easy additions next time you have some soup. Add as much of each ingredient or combination of ingredients as you like.
- cooked and cubed white or sweet potatoes
- cooked brown or basmati rice
- canned beans (rinsed and drained)
- grilled chicken, grilled salmon or
canned and drained salmon or tuna
- baked tofu (cut into cubes and add to soup)
Fresh spinach is a nice addition, just stir it into the hot soup and the leaves will wilt into it.
Fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or basil make a nice topping. You could also add a small handful of grated fresh cheese.
Simple Fruit Combos: Here are a few I use and simply place in a bowl and enjoy or place in a container to take with me for a light lunch.
- cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon cubes combined with crumbled blue or feta cheese
- apples chunks with grapes and gouda cheese
- red and green grapes, celery chunks and goat cheese crumbles
- mango and papaya cubes with sliced almonds
- nectarine and peach slices or chunks tossed in a little low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt topped with crumbled cinnamon graham crackers
Mini Sandwiches (Open-Faced): whole grain English muffins topped with:
- marinara sauce, thin sliced mushrooms, low-fat cheese slice
- thin layer of tomato paste, basil leaves, cooked chopped shrimp, grated parmesan cheese
- mashed black beans topped with salsa and grated soy cheese
- hummus topped with baby spinach leaves, thin slices of zucchini squash or yellow summer squash, thin slice of beefsteak tomato and salt and pepper to taste
- mashed banana, chopped dates and chopped walnuts
See More
Raw Food Cookbooks and More . . .
Ani's Raw Food Kitchen: Easy, Delectable Living Foods Recipes
Another great raw food cookbook I own. Simple recipes with short ingredient lists and quick and easy preparation. Each recipe has a symbol in the upper corner of the page or along the side letting you know what equipment will be needed. Most recipes only require items like a blender, food processor, kitchen knives or your own hands.
There are kitchen tips and tips for going green throughout the book that are helpful and informative.
Great book! Great recipes!
Amazon Price: $14.36 (as of 12/23/2009)
Everyday Food: Great Food Fast
Another of my favorite cookbooks, this one is divided by season and then by course. With beautiful pictures, these simple and quick recipes are really delicious. If you have ever watched the television series you will be familiar with their recipes.
Each recipe gives you the preparation time so you can choose what you want depending on your time and energy constraints. They also have serving ideas and short-cut suggestions throughout the book to save time and effort.
Great layout, information and recipes. Love this book!
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/23/2009)
Quick Fix Meals: 200 Simple, Delicious Recipes to Make Mealtime Easy
A terrific cookbook full of time-saving tips, simple recipes that are organized by technique, pantry lists, organization tips and so much more.
This is a great book for cooking one meal and using the leftovers for all different kinds of dishes. It takes a little planning but once you get into the swing of it making meals is easier and faster.
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 12/23/2009)
Quick Recipes from RealSimple.com
Click on each link for a quick and easy recipe and full instructions
- Barbecue Turkey Sandwiches with Celery Salad
- Find delicious sandwich recipes like barbecue turkey sandwiches with celery salad at RealSimple.com.
- Spaghetti with Broccoli and Lemon
- Find quick and flavorful pasta recipes like spaghetti with broccoli and lemon at RealSimple.com
- Artichoke Pizzas with Lemony Green Bean Salad
- Find quick and easy pizza recipes like artichoke pizzas with lemony green bean salad at RealSimple.com
- Garlicky Broiled Salmon and Tomatoes
- Find quick and simple seafood recipes like garlicky broiled salmon and tomatoes at RealSimple.com
Quick Meals with Pasta, Chicken and Seafood
Quick Dinner Ideas - These quick and easy dinner recipes use just a few ingredients and quick preparation. See the simple side dish suggestions for easy meal planning.
- Each recipes makes 2-3 servings
Warm Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 oz of grilled chicken (thinly sliced and kept warm)
- 2 tbsp of basil oil (warmed over low heat in a saucepan)
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 medium apple (diced)
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan under low heat, warm the basil oil slightly.
2. In a bowl, combine the spinach, apples, lemon juice and half of the heated oil, tossing to combine well.
3. Place the spinach mixture on serving plates and top with the grilled chicken.
4. Drizzle the remaining oil over each salad serving.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve salad with a side of warm rice noodles drizzled with a little olive oil and sprinkled with lemon pepper.
* Serve this easy chicken salad with warm cornbread slices or cornbread muffins spread with low-fat cream cheese.
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Roasted Peppers with Chicken
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed)
- 1 cup bottled roasted red peppers (drained and roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup fresh feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 tbsp capers (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
(you may use 1/4 tsp of dried basil if preferred)
Instructions:
1. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine well.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve this quick chicken recipe along with broiled zucchini or yellow squash halves and mashed potatoes flavored with garlic and herbs.
* Another idea is to serve peppers and chicken with iceberg lettuce wedges drizzled with an olive oil vinaigrette and chopped walnuts and a side of sweet potato fries.
* You could also serve this chicken recipe scooped inside lettuce leaf wraps (the red and green leaf varieties are great because they are so soft and pliable) or soft tortilla shells and dip in your favorite creamy dressing, like a ranch or creamy Caesar. Serve along with garlic breadsticks.
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Broccoli Pasta Salad
- 1 cup cooked whole grain rotini pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces (steam lightly if desired)
- 1/2 cup canned, drained mandarin orange segments (reserve juice)
- 1/2 cup bottled honey Dijon dressing
- 1 tbsp of reserved orange juice (or as desired)
- 2 tbsp sliced almonds
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss well. Adjust dressing to taste, if needed.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Make a simple combination of shelled, cooked shrimp with some chopped tomato, celery and cilantro tossed with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve along with this pasta recipe.
* A quick and simple meal can be made by serving this pasta dish on a bed of mixed salad greens along with sliced and toasted French bread spread with olive tapenade.
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Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
- 3 cups cooked whole grain rotelle pasta
- 1 1/2 cups red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 hard cooked egg (diced)
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve with thinly sliced smoked salmon layered on tomato slices and drizzled with some fresh squeezed lemon juice.
* For an easy meal, try serving this easy pasta recipe with steamed broccoli and mushrooms tossed with olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
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Shrimp Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shelled, cooked shrimp (cut into chunks)
- 1 large navel orange (peeled, sectioned and cut into chunks)
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts (cut each piece in half if desired)
- 3/4 cup goat cheese - crumbled
Instructions:
Place all ingredients into a bowl and toss together to mix thoroughly.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve this simple shrimp recipe scooped into an avocado half with a bowl of cooked, warm couscous flavored with basil and lemon zest on the side.
* Another idea is to serve this salad on top of a bed of mung bean sprouts and shredded red cabbage with roasted potatoes on the side.
________________________________________
Italian Crab Salad:
- 2 cups cooked crabmeat (break into chunks)
- 1/2 cup snow peas (if peas are on the large size - cut each one in half)
- 3/4 cup jarred marinated artichoke hearts (drained and roughly chopped)
- lemon zest - as desired (start with 1/4 tsp)
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss well.
2. If mixture seems too dry, add a little of the oil from the artichoke hearts to the crab salad.
3. Taste for seasoning and adjust as desired.
4. Allow salad to marinate for an hour before serving.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve over a bed of cooked, warm quinoa with a side dish of steamed spinach and mushrooms with a little shaved parmesan cheese on top.
* Serve this simple crab salad in hollowed out bread bowls (you could even use whole grain rolls and make several smaller crab salad servings) with grilled vegetables from the deli counter on the side.
* You could also serve this quick recipe on a bed of packaged coleslaw mix with sweet potato chips on the side.
Warm Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 oz of grilled chicken (thinly sliced and kept warm)
- 2 tbsp of basil oil (warmed over low heat in a saucepan)
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 medium apple (diced)
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan under low heat, warm the basil oil slightly.
2. In a bowl, combine the spinach, apples, lemon juice and half of the heated oil, tossing to combine well.
3. Place the spinach mixture on serving plates and top with the grilled chicken.
4. Drizzle the remaining oil over each salad serving.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve salad with a side of warm rice noodles drizzled with a little olive oil and sprinkled with lemon pepper.
* Serve this easy chicken salad with warm cornbread slices or cornbread muffins spread with low-fat cream cheese.
________________________________________
Roasted Peppers with Chicken
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed)
- 1 cup bottled roasted red peppers (drained and roughly chopped)
- 1/2 cup fresh feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 tbsp capers (rinsed and drained)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
(you may use 1/4 tsp of dried basil if preferred)
Instructions:
1. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine well.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve this quick chicken recipe along with broiled zucchini or yellow squash halves and mashed potatoes flavored with garlic and herbs.
* Another idea is to serve peppers and chicken with iceberg lettuce wedges drizzled with an olive oil vinaigrette and chopped walnuts and a side of sweet potato fries.
* You could also serve this chicken recipe scooped inside lettuce leaf wraps (the red and green leaf varieties are great because they are so soft and pliable) or soft tortilla shells and dip in your favorite creamy dressing, like a ranch or creamy Caesar. Serve along with garlic breadsticks.
________________________________________
Broccoli Pasta Salad
- 1 cup cooked whole grain rotini pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces (steam lightly if desired)
- 1/2 cup canned, drained mandarin orange segments (reserve juice)
- 1/2 cup bottled honey Dijon dressing
- 1 tbsp of reserved orange juice (or as desired)
- 2 tbsp sliced almonds
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss well. Adjust dressing to taste, if needed.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Make a simple combination of shelled, cooked shrimp with some chopped tomato, celery and cilantro tossed with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve along with this pasta recipe.
* A quick and simple meal can be made by serving this pasta dish on a bed of mixed salad greens along with sliced and toasted French bread spread with olive tapenade.
______________________________
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
- 3 cups cooked whole grain rotelle pasta
- 1 1/2 cups red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 hard cooked egg (diced)
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve with thinly sliced smoked salmon layered on tomato slices and drizzled with some fresh squeezed lemon juice.
* For an easy meal, try serving this easy pasta recipe with steamed broccoli and mushrooms tossed with olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
________________________________________
Shrimp Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shelled, cooked shrimp (cut into chunks)
- 1 large navel orange (peeled, sectioned and cut into chunks)
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts (cut each piece in half if desired)
- 3/4 cup goat cheese - crumbled
Instructions:
Place all ingredients into a bowl and toss together to mix thoroughly.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve this simple shrimp recipe scooped into an avocado half with a bowl of cooked, warm couscous flavored with basil and lemon zest on the side.
* Another idea is to serve this salad on top of a bed of mung bean sprouts and shredded red cabbage with roasted potatoes on the side.
________________________________________
Italian Crab Salad:
- 2 cups cooked crabmeat (break into chunks)
- 1/2 cup snow peas (if peas are on the large size - cut each one in half)
- 3/4 cup jarred marinated artichoke hearts (drained and roughly chopped)
- lemon zest - as desired (start with 1/4 tsp)
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and toss well.
2. If mixture seems too dry, add a little of the oil from the artichoke hearts to the crab salad.
3. Taste for seasoning and adjust as desired.
4. Allow salad to marinate for an hour before serving.
Ideas For Easy Meals:
* Serve over a bed of cooked, warm quinoa with a side dish of steamed spinach and mushrooms with a little shaved parmesan cheese on top.
* Serve this simple crab salad in hollowed out bread bowls (you could even use whole grain rolls and make several smaller crab salad servings) with grilled vegetables from the deli counter on the side.
* You could also serve this quick recipe on a bed of packaged coleslaw mix with sweet potato chips on the side.
Quick Salad Recipes
Simple and Delicious Meals in Minutes
Creating healthy and delicious meals should be fun, quick and easy.
These quick meal ideas will have you creating great meals with little effort. They are fast and flexible and can be enjoyed by everyone.
I am always cooking up something so come back often to see what new quick meal recipes and ideas have been added.
Thank you for stopping and as always I welcome any comments or suggestions.
These quick meal ideas will have you creating great meals with little effort. They are fast and flexible and can be enjoyed by everyone.
I am always cooking up something so come back often to see what new quick meal recipes and ideas have been added.
Thank you for stopping and as always I welcome any comments or suggestions.
Reader Feedback
What Do You Think?
Was this lens helpful to you? If so, please spread the word and share it with your friends. I welcome any comments or suggestions as I am always updating and expanding this lens.
If you have a favorite quick meal recipe I would love to include it here for all to see so we can all help each other out.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
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- Celticozarkian Celticozarkian Dec 2, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
- I love quick meals!! They really fit into our lifestyle and saves money because we are not eating out. I love wraps and I am going to try the cream cheese tuna wrap to take to work. Thanks for the great lens!
New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
by Laura1
Hi, my name is Laura and I love to cook and create simple, flavorful recipes and meals and you will find a variety on this lens. You may also want to... (more)
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