Pinterest is amazing for inspiration, to find new recipes, or for help with DIY project. The one downfall is its a little overwhelming to navigate and hard to see what meals are actually easy and great and which ones aren’t. After refereeing back to the few recipes over the years here are my top recipes for any weeknight pinch!
Salmon Dishes:
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Rice Vinegar
- Sugar
- Maple Syrup
- Sesame Oil
- Soy Sauce
- Garlic
- Mirin
- Salmon Fillets
- Sesame Seeds
- Spring Onion
- Edamame
- Avocado
- Salt & Pepper
This recipe is fantastic for both its speed and taste. Its one of those dishes you can make really special by taking the extra time to make sushi rice, toasting your sesame seeds, and marinating your salmon, or a quick meal. I make it quick by using any rice on hand or even leftover rice, not toasting the sesame seeds and leaving out the avocado substituted with a steamed broccoli bag. All of the sauces and spices needed for this recipe truly should be a pantry staple in any kitchen making this super easy to whip up any day of the week.
Ingredients:
- Salmon Filets
- Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Lemons
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Salt & Pepper
This recipe is extremely refreshing. Its light and easy to clean up. You season everything put it all on one baking sheet and 15 minutes later you have a fantastic well balanced meal. This recipe is simple but perfect and something I cook up all the time.
Ingredients:
- Salmon Filets
- Rice
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
- Salt & Pepper
- Veggie of Choice
When I say that I have cooked salmon a million ways, I have. From sous vide, to en papillote, to braised, broiled, slow cooked ect. This is the one that just surprisingly works. It has so much flavor for just dumping a grocery store Thai Sweet Chili sauce on top. This is perfect for any picky eaters or if you need to make a ton of salmon for a dinner with friends. You just add some sauce to each salmon filet put it in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit and your done!
Chicken Dishes:
Ingredients:
- Chicken (Tenderloin or Breast)
- Flour
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Rice
- Soy Sauce
- Garlic
- Honey
- Sesame Seeds
- Green Onion
- Rice Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper
If you like orange chicken this is the dish to make! It gives that similar taste profile with easy household ingredients. You can make this meal in less than 30 minutes and it tastes like you took much longer. The breading technique from this recipe is one that I use for many different things as it is quick, easy, and low oil. I would recommend adding this into your rotation of quick and easy weekday meals.
Ingredients:
- Chicken (Tenderloin or Breast)
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Garlic
- Spice Blend (Cumin, Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil)
- Salt & Pepper
I love this recipe because it transforms chicken in a really unique way. This seasoning is amazing and extremely versatile. I have used this in enchiladas, homemade burrito bowls, or just plain with a side of rice & beans, or charred corn & Spanish inspired rice. This recipe is also perfect to make ahead of time since you can marinate it for a few hours, but also perfect if your like me and forgot to marinate anything beforehand and only have 30 minutes. I have made this with a marination time as low as 20 minutes and it was still amazing, just be sure to cook it with its juices and leftover marinade for extra flavor!
Ingredients:
- Chicken (Tenderloin or Breast)
- Corn Starch
- Sesame Oil
- Soy Sauce
- Gochujang
- Ketchup
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Green Onion
- Corn (Not necessary, could sub for Lima Beans)
- Shallots (could sub for Red Onion)
- Jalapeno
- Cilantro
- Rice
- Salt & Pepper
The ingredients list looks like a lot, but rest assured most of it is simple to get and good to have on hand. For example I use Gochujang sauce of marinades, as a topper to Korean inspired dishes, or to add a bit of spice if I run out of hot sauce. This recipe is a little time consuming taking me roughly 45 minutes to an hour but the pay off is amazing. The chicken has such a complex flavor and super simple steps. In total it just under 4 steps, making it a must try if your looking to branch out on how you cook chicken.
Vegetarian Dishes:
Ingredients:
- Gnocchi
- Bell Peppers (any color)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red Onion
- Garlic
- Parmesan Cheese
- Salt & Pepper
As someone who normally dislikes red peppers this dish is the one exception. I absolute love the taste of bake gnocchi when coupled with tons of veggies and extra cherry tomatoes. If I could make one suggestion to the original recipe it would be to add more cherry tomatoes since that is where the sauce of the dish is coming from. This is incredibly easy and requires no clean up since I just throw it on some foil on a baking sheet and dispose of the foil afterwards. If you normally need a protein in every dish I sometimes add tofu to the mix and it bakes wonderfully.
Ingredients:
- Mushrooms ( I have used any type, pre-sliced everyday mushrooms work great)
- Garlic
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Smoked Paprika
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Salt & Pepper
- Corn or Flour Tortilla
- Guacamole
These mushrooms are to die for. They are flavorful, crispy, juicy, and some of the best mushrooms I have ever had. I have adjusted some of the ingredients to match what I would put in the marinade due to the accessibility of ingredients and cost benefits. I just throw everything above (minus the guacamole and tortilla) in a bag, mix it, and let it sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Then just fry them off in your oil of choice until the edges get crispy. I eat them in taco form but I have also had them on their own with a side of corn and beans. If you need some more ideas they are lovely in a quesadilla or even a vegetarian wrap. This recipe is best used as a base for an amazing mushroom seasoning to then use in other dishes!
Ingredients:
- Chickpeas (Canned or Fresh)
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes
- Bell Pepper
- Red Onion
- Lemon
- Jalapeno
- Salt & Pepper
This is the perfect bright weekday lunch or dinner. Its super easy to make requires not heat and can be made ahead of time. Basically you just chop everything, add some seasoning, and mix it into one bowl. I like to add jalapenos to mine as well as a side of warm pita bread. If you are really hungry you can top with cubed oven roasted tofu using the same spice blend to season.
Cod Dishes:
Ingredients:
- Cod Fillets
- Soy Sauce (Sub for Coconut Aminos)
- Sesame Oil
- Ginger
- Scallion
- Jalapeno or Fresno Chilies
- Avocado Oil
- Salt & Pepper
If you dont have cod fillets in your grocery store rotation I would add it! Its extremely versatile in flavor, a really good mix up to the everyday shrimp and salmon and is easily accessible and affordable compared to other seafood options. This particular recipe is great because it brings out the true flavor of cod and its way of cooking can be translated to other fish like salmon or tilapia. This dish is light ad bright and best served over rice with some veggies on the side!
Ingredients:
- Cod Fillets
- Garlic
- White Wine
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Basil (best fresh but if not dried is fine)
- Lemon
- Sugar
- Salt & Pepper
- Olive Oil
This is quick, easy, and amazing. Its such a unique way to cook cod and pairs beautifully with quinoa, rice or even a pasta dish. This is sure to be a crowd favorite with flavors that are well balanced but not to overwhelming. This is one to bookmark since most of the ingredients are cheap and easy to have on hand!
Ingredients:
- Cod Fillets
- Lemon
- Paprika
- Butter
- Salt & Pepper
- Olive Oil
If you live in a place where lobster is not easily accessible this is a must. It makes cod taste like a juicy piece of lobster for an affordable price with minimal ingredients. The recipe I linked has an added step of boiling the cod in a sugar and salt mixture which definitely adds to the flavor but I have skipped this step before and it was still just as good! Just brush the cod with the necessary spices and butter and bake until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to top with a little extra butter when it comes out of the oven and I love to serve this with the make a home red lobster rolls, these are linked from the Target website! If your looking to make this a little more healthy serve with mixed greens or roasted veggies it still tastes amazing.
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