During this period of quarantine, we’re all trying to minimize trips to the grocery store. Instead, why not get creative with the simple ingredients already in your pantry?
It feels surprisingly good to finally eat some of the things that are overlooked on the back shelf. Plus, it’s a fun challenge! You can even create your own mystery box à la Chopped.
Most of these recipes are ones that little ones love, too, which makes keeping a healthy meal plan for kids even easier during these times. To get you started, here are some easy recipes using five ingredients or less.
Spicy Quesadillas
If you’ve got tortillas and cheese, you’ve got the basics for this easy dish! Simply put a little oil or butter in a frying pan, add a tortilla and melt some shredded cheddar or other cheese of your choosing on top. Fold over and enjoy as is, or spice things up a bit by adding ingredients like black beans, sliced chicken, avocado slices or guacamole, salsa, and jalapenos.
Fresh Lemon + Honey Salmon
If you’re able to get your hands on some fresh salmon, this simple dish from Averie Cooks is a definite winner. All you need to do is wrap a filet of salmon in some tinfoil along with a slice of lemon, a big squeeze of honey, and some parsley if you have it. Bake at 375C for around 15 minutes and voila! You’ll feel like a Masterchef.
Perfect Pasta
If you have at least half of a bag of some type of shells or noodles and a jar of marinara, you can make this simple dish. Start by boiling a pot of water, then add the noodles. Strain the cooked noodles and add a jar of tomato basil sauce or any other variety you choose. To up the ante, you can fry up some diced bacon that will help add flavor to the sauce. Add some fresh parmesan cheese and a bit of Tabasco to complete your perfect pasta.
Mediterranean Couscous Bowl
The best thing about this bowl is you can add or subtract anything you want and it (hopefully) always tastes great! Start with a layer of any kind of hummus in the bottom of a bowl. Add some cooked couscous, baked sweet potato chunks, cooked black beans, and feta cheese. You can also add cucumber, tomato, cilantro, white onion, and anything else you might like! It’s SO delicious and healthy.
Want some more ways to use couscous? The Kitchn has 10 more delicious recipes to try.
Simple Omelet
Besides cereal, breakfast foods don’t get much easier than an omelet. Start by melting a bit of butter in a frying pan. Mix two eggs in a bowl and pour onto the hot pan. Allow the eggs to set up a little. Creating a fluffy omelet is all in the technique, which Delish outlines step by step. To finish your omelet, add some cheddar cheese, ham, and anything else you would like. Fold over and serve!
As always, if you do make any of these delicious recipes, please leave a comment below, or share it with me by tagging your Instagram with #sweetandspicymonkey, so I can see all the goodness you create in your kitchen. Happy Eating!
Article written for Sweet and Spicy Monkey by Rae Steinbach. Rae is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. Rae is passionate about travel, food, and writing for Yumble.
All content and images are property of Sweet and Spicy Monkey. Please do not reprint this content without my permission. If you wish to include this recipe on your site, please re-write in your own words and use your own photographs and link back to this post for original recipe.
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