What's for dinner?
Dinner time. After a long day at work, your brain is tired and your stomach is growling. You need something fast, tasty, and easy for dinner. These 5 go-to recipes get a great dinner on the table in no time!
All use just a few basic ingredients, take very little time or effort, and scale easily from 1 person to 6 or more. Dried herbs and store-bought sauces and juices work just fine. Weeknight dinners can be delicious and easy!
Poached Salmon
Place a salmon filet in a saucepan with ½ cup of broth plus 2 T pesto sauce. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, or until a bit of white shows on the fish.
Switch it up by using your favorite sauce from a jar: hoisin sauce and pad thai sauce make an Asian-style dinner. Or use 1/4c orange juice and 2t Dijon mustard for a French flair!
Pork Stir Fry
Saute thinly sliced pork, onion, and Chinese vegetables like bamboo shoots, bean sprouts or water chestnuts with garlic, ginger and 3T soy sauce. Put the onions in first, and add the pork after the onions soften (5-7 minutes). When the pork is browned (3-4 minutes), add the rest and cook till done, about 5 more minutes.
Switch it up by changing the pork to chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu, and varying the vegetables. Much better than a take-out dinner!
Easy Lemon Chicken
Pound a chicken breast until it is thin (this is also a great way to relieve stress before dinner!). Brown in 1T olive oil till cooked through, about 3 mins per side. Remove the chicken from the pan, turn off the heat, and immediately pour in ¼ cup lemon juice - it makes a very satisfying sizzle! Scrape up the good crunchy bits from the bottom of the pan, then pour the hot juice over the chicken as sauce. Sprinkle on some dill or thyme, or other seasoning to taste.
Switch it up by using apple, lime or orange juice or white wine instead of lemon juice.
Chicken Fajitas
Thinly slice a chicken breast, onion and green, red or yellow peppers (or a mix). Saute the onion first in a bit of olive oil till softened. Then add the chicken and, once it's browned, the peppers. After 3 minutes, add 3T lime juice and cook till heated through. Wrap in tortillas and you have a fast fajita dinner!
Switch it up by using pork, beef, or shrimp, or adding refried beans and a bit of salsa, guacamole or sour cream.
Scrambled Eggs
Working women have known for years that breakfast can also be dinner. Scramble your eggs the way you like them, adding smoked salmon or other meat, for one of the fastest dinners around!
Switch it up by adding cheese, chopped vegetables, or anything else you like in your eggs. Or make an omelet instead. Breakfast for dinner!
On the side
Looking for a side dish to round out your dinner? Try rice cooked in broth instead of water, with some peas and mushrooms tossed in just before it's finished. Or thinly slice a few potatoes, toss with olive oil, salt, and paprika or garlic, and bake on a cookie sheet at 425 F (220 C) for 15 minutes. Or chop up peppers, carrots, cucumber and tomatoes and toss with lemon juice and herbs for a quick, light salad. Throw in some chopped apple or nuts for a bit of crunch.
Even on those crazy days, there's no need for expensive or unhealthy dinners. These go-to recipes will soon be part of your delicious, nutritious dinner routine too!
Dr. Marne Platt is the President of Fundamental Capabilities and the author of Living Singlish: Your Life, Your Way. Originally a practicing veterinarian, she then built a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, and later founded Fundamental Capabilities to 'pay it forward' by providing career development workshops and coaching for women. 'Living Singlish: Your Life, Your Way' is an 'older sister in your pocket' packed full of advice for young women on building their own independent and exciting life.