You know that annoying friend at work? The one who always has amazing, healthy, home-cooked leftovers to bring to the office for lunch?
She’s clearly a closeted Food Network chef, right?
Probably not. She just knows where to find the good stuff.
I do too. And I’m willing to share. 🙂
Check out my top sources for quick meal inspiration, a few of them right in your pocket.
- Cookbooks. That’s obvious, right? The key is to have no more than one or two go-to cookbooks, books that allow you to turn off your brain and flip to any page, knowing that you’ll find something reasonably quick to make. I’m a total Moosewood Restaurant cookbooks devotee (I really should branch out a little, shouldn’t I?); Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home and Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites are my top two. With simple ingredients, short ingredient lists, and accurate cook time estimates, I use these over and over again. A few of my favorite recipes from Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home (for their storage and stretching-into-other-meals value):
- Fish in a Packet – p. 244
- Red Lentil Soup – p. 36
- Seasoned Tempeh – p. 85
- Websites + Blogs. I’m about 80% digital when it comes to recipes. Three of my favorite sources for quick, healthy meals:
- EatingWell.com. This website does a pretty good job of posting healthy and simple recipes. Watch out for packaged/processed food short cuts in the ingredient lists, though, and substitute with more natural ingredients when you can.
- 101Cookbooks.com. One of my favorite food blogs, as much for the gorgeous photography as for the recipes. The recipes tend to be a bit more complicated, so I use this site when I’m feeling creative or want to try something new.
- Epicurious.com. For some reason, whenever I search for a new recipe using a particular ingredient, recipes from this site pop up. I guess being affiliated with Bon Appetit and Gourmet Magazines has its SEO benefits. 🙂
- Apps. You already know about Evernote if you read this post a couple of weeks ago. I also love Jamie Oliver’s Recipes app (formerly Jamie Oliver’s 20 Minute Meals). Jamie isn’t known for low calorie meals, but he will always hook you up with fresh, REAL food. The free app includes “recipe packs” for purchase (a free starter pack is included when you download the app), a shopping list feature that makes it really easy to get what you need, and step-by-step instructions for every recipe (including videos of basic cooking techniques and other goodies for cooking newbies).
- CSA’s and Farmer’s Markets. If you’re not already a member of a CSA (community-supported agriculture), sign up now! Summer is the time to take advantage of meal inspiration from all of the yummy fruits and veggies coming into season. Many CSA’s and farmer’s markets provide recipes for members/shoppers – use them to banish the stress that can come with “what am I supposed to make with kohlrabi?!”. 🙂
- Healthy Restaurant Menus. I love recreating – or attempting to recreate – simple meals that I have out, particularly at restaurants who specialize in simple and healthy meals (much easier to pick out all of the ingredients). This recipe came out of a visit to Chaco Canyon Café in Seattle’s University District. (My man makes special requests for this one on occasion. 🙂
Black Bean Sesame Rice Bowl
Cook Time: 10 – 40 minutes (depending on whether or not you have pre-cooked rice on hand)
Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 can no-salt-added black beans, drained
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1 bunch baby bok choy, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- avocado, chopped (optional)
- sea salt to taste
Directions:
Combine all ingredients – except avocado – in a large bowl. Serve in individual bowls topped with chunks of avocado if desired. May be served warm or at room temperature. For a warm dish, heat the beans and cooked rice in a touch of sesame oil and water before combining with other ingredients.
Tell me in the comments:
- Your top two go-to cookbooks.
- Your favorite food websites and blogs.
- Anywhere else you find meal inspiration.
Happy meal hunting! 🙂
xo,
